In today’s technological age, the convenience of the Internet is unparalleled. It has changed human life in such a way that today no corner of the world is beyond its reach.
You have the ability to connect with billions globally and purchase products directly from individuals in countries that may be unfamiliar to you.
The information age has significantly enhanced access to a vast array of knowledge, opinions, and news, resulting in a remarkable advancement in science and technology. This accessibility fosters a global perspective and establishes a comparative standard for societies, inspiring efforts to cultivate a better world, improved communities, and enhanced individuals.
Undoubtedly, there exists a contrasting perspective that highlights the pitfalls of mindless entertainment and various temptations, including credit and identity theft, misinformation, propaganda, the promotion of poorly conceived ideologies, erosion of privacy, and the enhanced capacity for governmental intrusion into citizens’ personal lives. This includes the retention of every email, photograph, opinion expressed, or phone call made, all of which are archived for potential future applications that even those overseeing such programs may not fully comprehend in terms of their extent or potential harm.
Since the inception of the Internet, those who used it properly have reached the pinnacle of progress today. On the other hand, those who used it as a means of wasting time in the circle of entertainment have fallen behind in society. The Internet is such a force that has not only made individual life easier, but has also revolutionised the fields of business, education, communication and entertainment. In this article, we will understand with some examples how the power of the Internet can be used properly to reach the pinnacle of progress.
The Internet started in the 1960s as a small network, the purpose of which was to exchange information for government and military purposes. Over time, this network spread globally and today the Internet has become the largest communication medium in the world. Its power can be gauged from the fact that it has eliminated distances, facilitated information and opened new avenues of trade. Those who understood this power and used it in the right direction have achieved positions that seemed impossible before.
Let’s talk about Amazon first. Amazon, which does not have its own physical store, has achieved a position in the world of online commerce that has no competition today by understanding the power of the Internet. It has given people the facility to buy all kinds of goods sitting at home and has spread its net globally through the Internet. The secret of its success was to understand the power of the Internet and use it for the convenience of customers. Similarly, a taxi company named Ola also created a new history with the use of the Internet. Ola does not have its own car, but with the help of the Internet and mobile app, it has achieved a position in the field of transport that remains a dream for other companies. It provided easy and affordable travel to people, which was possible only with the power of the internet.
Similarly, Oyo brought a big revolution in the hotel industry with the help of the internet. This company does not have any hotels of its own, but through the internet it has given people cheap and convenient accommodation options. Oyo connected hotel owners and customers with the help of an online platform and today it has become an unparalleled name in the hotel industry. After this, let’s talk about YouTube, which is the most popular social media platform in the world. YouTube itself does not create any content, but it gave people the opportunity to share their content with the power of the internet. Today, millions of people are not only gaining fame by making videos on YouTube, but are also earning crores of rupees. This has proven that the right use of the internet can bring success in any field.
Netflix is another name in the entertainment world that understood the power of the internet. Netflix does not have its own TV channel, but it has made a big name in the entertainment world through online streaming. It has provided people with movies, series and other entertainment items sitting at home, which has been possible only with the help of the internet. Similarly, Zomato has established its empire in the food industry with the power of the internet. Zomato does not have its own restaurant, but it has connected restaurants and customers through an online platform and provided the facility of home delivery of food. Its success has been possible only because of the internet.
Google, which is the most famous search engine in the world, is another such example. Google itself does not post any article or information, but it has collected information from all over the world at one place with the help of the internet. People share their information on Google and through it people from all over the world access it.
Google has proven that information can be made easy and accessible with the power of the internet. Apart from this, in today’s time, the digital currency Bitcoin also gained a big position thanks to the Internet. Bitcoin does not have a physical coin, but with the help of the Internet and Blockchain technology, it became the most expensive digital currency in the world. This proved that a new revolution can be brought in any field with the power of the Internet. Also, the Internet has room for improvement. The Internet attracts spammers, trolls, fraudsters, terrorists, and various criminals.
The real issue, contrary to government claims, isn’t unbreakable encryption that enables commercial Internet use, but rather end-user anonymity. Trust in others, especially our institutions, fosters growth by lowering transaction costs-currencies become reliable, contracts are upheld, and anti-social behaviour is managed.
Ensure end-user anonymity to foster trust in Internet usage, leading to further growth.
However, in terms of superhuman innovations, the internet has spawned a trans-physical civilisation that is in a league of its own. It is my sincere belief that the infrastructure necessary to establish an internet connection will eventually become obsolete. It is also my belief that whichever civilisation emerges in the years to come may never be able to regain this infrastructure, thus rendering the internet and all its contents permanently inaccessible. But whomever manages to get back in touch in, say, 10,000 years will find that the internet is the biggest library, archive, diary that has ever existed in human history, including the secrets of Western civilisation, world history, politics, economics, money, and people.
It is clear from the above examples that the power of the Internet has opened new avenues of progress. Companies and organisations like Amazon, Ola, Oyo, YouTube, Netflix, Zomato, Google and Bitcoin have made their mark in the world by using the Internet properly.
They have proven that the power of the Internet is such that if it is used properly, any person or organisation can reach the peak of progress. But on the other hand, those who made the Internet just a means of entertainment and wasted time, have become backward in society today. The Internet can be used for education, business, information, and new opportunities, but its misuse leads to a waste of time and resources.
(The author is freelance writer and journalist who lives in Brampton, Canada. He is the author of the book The Challenge and The Opportunity)
