Return To Index Page

The Future of Cyberspace (r)

(written by iearn@iearn.org, 03/22/1996)

/* Written  6:19 AM  Mar 18, 1996 by coldspring in igc:iearn.tc */
peg:sthildas
iearn.tc         3:08 PM  Mar 18, 1996

Dear Eddie, For the first week or so the Internet seemed like the
"hottest entertainment in this century" to me as well (even though
I've only been around for 16 years).  After that though, the
novelty just basically wore off. I still can't get over how much
great information and research material there is on the net but
after a few weeks of non-stop surfing the thought of a damp,
dust-filled library can suddenly seemed very attractive. Coke
might have a point.  You can't beat the real thing. Take those
horrid things called chat links for example. You might be able to
talk to anyone in the world, about which ever subject you desire
and at whatever time you like, but really, they just don't compare
with "real", face-to-face conversation.  There is a certain sense
of artificiality that is always hovering over cyberspace and you
just really don't know if people are being serious or just having
a good laugh at your expense at the other end.

My brief experience with the Internet has made me realise just how
important human interaction is to the existence of our race.
There is always a possibility that some time in the future there
will be no need for us to venture out of our fully
computer-equipped homes for anything - and I'm talking anything
here. To me this sounds like a living nightmare but to many it is
an ideal. If school is ever conducted fully in cyberspace I would
feel sincerely sorry for the student who will never actually
experience the kind of education that I receive today. I cannot
deny that I moan and groan about school on a pretty regular basis
but I think matters would be much worse if I had to stay locked up
in my room typing out every single thought that came into my head
all day long. I am content with the amount of Internet access I
have at the moment but if things went any further life for me
would be one big computer generated hell!  Write back, Margo
Davis.

Conf?