Did the Internet ruin everything.
By greatsasuke
@greatsasuke (472)
United States
November 12, 2009 11:53am CST
What an interesting article I just read. It was titled "A Decade of Destruction". It went on to say that due to the internet industries such as magazines, books, T.V., movies, music, retailers from cars to real estate, telecommunications, airlines, and hotels have all been hit by the internet boom of the past decade. In fact it mentioned any business that relied on advertising to make money and businesses that had little competition all suffered due to the internet.
One of the economists in the article called it creative destruction, and until the internet changes the way we do everything, we must and have endured this period. Those companies who change with the times will prosper and those who refuse to change along with the internet will disappear.
Most people can't even remember what it was like without the internet. I myself find that the internet has created great opportunities for making money, communication, and research. There are many more pluses I'm sure you can think of on how the internet has changed the way you live. Some businesses may not agree, but I for one think that the internet has brought about positive changes in peoples lives.
What about you? Do you think that the internet has brought about positive changes? Do you feel that the internet will drown the above listed industries and create a new way of doing business?
8 responses
@ersmommy1 (12588)
• United States
13 Nov 09
I think it is two sides of a coin. There is positive and negative. For some change is hard. But there alot of positives too. Like Facebook for instance. I have renewed old friendships because of this social site, that never would have been possible w/o the internet. I work from home thanks to the internet. Again, really not possible without aid from the internet.
@greatsasuke (472)
• United States
17 Nov 09
Working from home, in my opinion, is one of the biggest advantages the internet has brought. I also work part-time from home. Of course, it is not enough to support me, but it is good side money, and in this economy everything helps. I guess it depends on the situation. If I worked for a company that has been hurt by an online presence, then I guess I wouldn't be in favor, but in our cases it has helped us, so we are in favor.
@nheansocheath (308)
• Cambodia
13 Nov 09
Actually, Internet is the big achievement of human being and it has changed every thing include the way people used to communicate with each other and the way people do their business. I just know that in the past, people can earn money only in the real communication. I mean contact people face to face. People do their business offline. But now, everything has been changed by the present of Internet. According to my understanding, there are some people who has been the Millionaire or Billionaire because of the Internet. It means they can use the Internet to do business. Honestly, Internet also has some bad consequences on human being's life. Anyway, we should be proud of the development of this technology because of the greater amount of advantages.
@greatsasuke (472)
• United States
14 Nov 09
I definitely feel the internet has given more people a chance to reach their financial dreams. Sometimes they don't even need any start up money, just a good idea and bang. There are so many companies now that are allowing people to work from home, because of the internet. For example, I heard of people who work from home as a call center reps, and they are able to set their work timings and spend more time with their family . I think more and more companies are going to allow people to work from home in the future. Really, the possibilities are endless.
@lelin1123 (15595)
• Puerto Rico
13 Nov 09
It is so funny when I started using a computer back in 1977 I never in my wildest dreams thought the "computer" was going to become what has become. I agree it has ruined alot of things not to mention our kids exercising and having fun in the great outdoors. It has also done alot of good things such as banking online, knowledge at the tips of my fingers. Now people can't live without a computer.
@greatsasuke (472)
• United States
14 Nov 09
This is true. I think we should get back to nature though. The computer and internet shouldn't stop us from enjoying our family, friends, and the outdoors. I think another one of the cons is it has made people unhealthy. If all we do is sit at the computer, where is the time for exercise. We develop so many health problems, therefore, striking a balance in life is essential. There is no denying the positive effects of the internet and computer, but it should not interfere with our ability to enjoy good health, family, outdoors, and such.
@rg0205 (2636)
• Hong Kong
13 Nov 09
As with any other modern technology, there are always positives and negatives. I think the internet has brought a lot of positive changes but likewise, there are also negative ones. It all depends on the user and to remember not to abuse anything just because it's there.
@greatsasuke (472)
• United States
14 Nov 09
Agreed. The internet has probably brought more positive to the younger generations than to the older ones. Since we have grown up with the internet, it is second nature to us, and if we enter a business that is making a pro-internet change, we will fit right in. I remember, what trouble my grandfather and grandmother had with their jobs when everything was being computerized. They were both accountants and used to the old manual ledgers. They just couldn't pick up the computer, so were eventually forced to retire.
@jgonzalonso (8)
•
13 Nov 09
The Internet has changed pretty much every aspect of our live over the past decade. I have been reading the article you mentioned, and is based on the idea of the economist Joseph Schumpeter called "creative destruction".
Creative destruction is a powerful economic concept because it explain many of the dynamics of industrial change, the transition from a competitive to a monopolistic market and back again.
In fact, successful innovation (Internet) is normally a source of temporary market power, eroding profits and position of old firms, succumbing to the pressure of the new invention commercialized by new competing entrants.
Internet has changed the way we produce and distribute knowledge and creative destruction really, sometimes can hurt. Layoffs of workers with obsolete working skills, as example, can be one price of new innovations, or as you mention the way we were doing bussines.
@greatsasuke (472)
• United States
14 Nov 09
Thanks for explaining this in further detail. The question I am trying to figure out is "does the bad outweigh the good"? Also, we can ask "will it pay off in the long term"? For instance, although people may have been laid off in the short term, could the internet create more jobs and opportunities in the future. If so, sometimes we have to accept short term problems for long term growth. What do you think?
@mynot1 (44)
• New Zealand
13 Nov 09
Definitely not it just made everything better, apart from the spammers and the thieves on the internet and all the viruses... I had such a hard time getting rid of viruses. The internet is a good way to converse with people and try to make some money or get ideas.
@greatsasuke (472)
• United States
14 Nov 09
Ease of communication is one of the greatest benefits of the internet, no doubt. Also the ability to find information fast is another one of the benefits of the internet. However, we must beware of just socializing online. We should also have some live people to speak or interact with. That being said there is nothing wrong with sharing ideas on sites such as myLot, as long as we strike a balance with the live world, as well.
@anotherxidentity (1434)
• United States
12 Nov 09
I think the Internet has brought on more positive changes than negative consequences. The thing is the Internet makes people smarter and they have more chances to look at the information that is provided to them and look and see what other people are saying to validate those claims. Also the instant communication is a great tool. It causes people to be more efficient in their work so they can get more done.
@greatsasuke (472)
• United States
13 Nov 09
I agree completely. It is so easy for me to do a research paper now. Sometimes I don't even go to the library to collect information, because I can find almost everything online. Alas, sometimes the teachers still demands that we cite books in our bibliography, so the occasional trip to the library is a must. Sometimes, if I need more information I go on myLot and post a discussion. You would be surprised what you can learn on myLot.
@nishantparmar (242)
• India
12 Nov 09
internet is the best innovation in human history but there are different advantages and disadvantages of internet,it has also caused more problems, And it continues to redefine everything we do as a society and a race.
@greatsasuke (472)
• United States
13 Nov 09
I think most companies will adjust and become internet friendly. Companies such as coca-cola won't be affected unless they find away to supply free soda through the internet. I think that is highly unlikely for now. The internet has definitely made communication easier. I think that it has also made the world a smaller place. Just look at mylot, you can communicate with people from around the globe.
