SURVEY: Internet, a necessity or not?

[Scott]

There was a recent topic about the necessity of internet accessibility.   In your opinion, do you think governments should view access as a part of the social safety network?

 

A special thanks to one of our members for submitting the topic for a survey.  

 

Please feel free to leave a comment.  

 

[MalandLee]

Quote

"necessity"

I'm old, most of my life there was no internet, no mobile phones, etc... I enjoyed my formative years.

 

Is the internet "Desirable"??? - Well yes! it is a nice distraction in old age.

 

 

[Samui Bodoh]

I would say that the Internet is a 'necessity' in this modern day and age; while one could (theoretically) live without it, the sheer sum of all that would be missed is staggering.

 

How many members actually buy a newspaper anymore? How many members recently got a job that wasn't advertised on the Net? When was the last time a member went into the physical bank branch (me- 10? 15? years)? How many members telephone their loved ones far away, as opposed to Skype, etc? Perhaps even more pertinent, when was the last time someone looked up a phone number in the 'white pages'? Or even saw a 'White Pages'? When was the last time someone bought a physical book (I miss them...)? How many members keep in touch with their social networks without the Net? Their employment networks? Etc. Etc. Etc.

 

I think the answers to all the questions above are quite clear, but take it a step further; what if you were 21 years old? Could you make do without the Net? Not a chance in hell; your life would be damaged beyond redemption.

 

The Net has become so ubiquitous that it has become a necessity, not merely a good thing or a privilege; perhaps not for a retiree, but for a 20 year old? Absolutely crucial. And, if the Net is crucial for twenty year old, then it needs to be part of the social safety net. If not, then a child is condemned to a life of ignorance and missed opportunity.

 

Internet access should be as ubiquitous as electricity and/or water, be subsidized for all who can't afford it, and be accessible to everyone, everywhere possible (mountain tops and the like exempted).

 

 

 

[Nurseynutcase]

When I left the UK I left behind over 1000 books - reference books, fiction and non-fiction.  I always had a book open - either reading for pleasure or looking something up.  Yes I miss the easy access to books but having the internet means I can easily find info when I need it.

 

Also use the internet to 'keep up' with world events - newspapers on a daily basis are so very expensive here in Thailand.

 

Also use skype/whatsapp to keep in contact with friends around the world.

 

In short my life would be much poorer without it.  I consider it an essential now.

 

However I do know many people who seem to manage quite well without and some of these are in the 30-50 years age bracket.

 

PS I guess I would be classed as a 'silver surfer' but I dye my hair 555555

[quandow]

Poorly worded question, responses should be "Yes," "Maybe" or "No." I could be agreeing it's not necessary.

[lannarebirth]

19 minutes ago, quandow said:

Poorly worded question, responses should be "Yes," "Maybe" or "No." I could be agreeing it's not necessary.

The question is not only poorly worded, in fact it's just wrongly worded. In addition, in the first post an entirely different question is asked.

[Ulic]

Like refrigeration, modern transportation and phones, you can't live without them now. Instant communication free across the world. News, entertainment, information. 

[suzannegoh]

It’s not something that the government needs to get involved in.

[Peterw42]

Its a relative question, its not a necessity to sustain life or survival of the species but nowadays is a necessity for many aspects of life.

[topt]

4 hours ago, Samui Bodoh said:

I would say that the Internet is a 'necessity' in this modern day and age; while one could (theoretically) live without it, the sheer sum of all that would be missed is staggering.

I sort of agree 

4 hours ago, Samui Bodoh said:

When was the last time a member went into the physical bank branch (me- 10? 15? years)?

If you are in Thailand on an extension with money in the bank you have to get a letter at least once a year.......

4 hours ago, Samui Bodoh said:

When was the last time someone bought a physical book

last week - Canterbury Tales in Pattaya........

 

4 hours ago, Samui Bodoh said:

and be accessible to everyone, everywhere possible (mountain tops and the like exempted).

Probably the one thing I don't fully agree with - the everywhere part. It is convenient if it is but I don't believe that is an absolute necessity.

[dick dasterdly]

Sorry to be so ignorant, but I don't understand the phrase "part of the social safety network"?

[dick dasterdly]

4 hours ago, Nurseynutcase said:

When I left the UK I left behind over 1000 books - reference books, fiction and non-fiction.  I always had a book open - either reading for pleasure or looking something up.  Yes I miss the easy access to books but having the internet means I can easily find info when I need it.

 

Also use the internet to 'keep up' with world events - newspapers on a daily basis are so very expensive here in Thailand.

 

Also use skype/whatsapp to keep in contact with friends around the world.

 

In short my life would be much poorer without it.  I consider it an essential now.

 

However I do know many people who seem to manage quite well without and some of these are in the 30-50 years age bracket.

 

PS I guess I would be classed as a 'silver surfer' but I dye my hair 555555

"PS I guess I would be classed as a 'silver surfer' but I dye my hair 555555"

 

Be brave - I gave up dying my hair 2-3 years ago, and am now quite happy with my grey hair ????.

[alex8912]

Which is the question? Why not for once have just a question with ZERO additional information or comments. 

[Briggsy]

The poll is approached from a Western perspective, i.e. that of an individualist society. "It's my right. Give it to me now."

 

As this is a South East Asian expat forum, the poll should be rephrased from an South East Asian perspective, e.g. Should governments aim to ensure that everybody has access to the internet for greater prosperity and improved social harmony.

[melvinmelvin]

from the first post:

 

How many members actually buy a newspaper anymore? How many members recently got a job that wasn't advertised on the Net? When was the last time a member went into the physical bank branch (me- 10? 15? years)? How many members telephone their loved ones far away, as opposed to Skype, etc? Perhaps even more pertinent, when was the last time someone looked up a phone number in the 'white pages'? Or even saw a 'White Pages'? When was the last time someone bought a physical book (I miss them...)? How many members keep in touch with their social networks without the Net? Their employment networks? Etc. Etc. Etc.

 

buy newspaper every day

jobs? from newspapers and by letters

go to physical banks all the time in LoS

never used skype, use torasap

buy books all the time, cheap in LoS

 

have used internet since late 70s, wouldn't be without - no internet --> reduced quality of life

 

[1FinickyOne]

You are taking this poll on an internet cite... people who do not have internet are not likely to care... or respond. 

[ivor bigun]

If ever the west is attacked,the 1st thing to go will be the internet,without cyberspace now imagine the mayhem it would be horrendus.

Sent from my SM-A720F using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[Dionigi]

The major plus of the internet is allowing the ability to learn. Any subject under the sun is available in one way or another. Pity I will not live long enough to take in as much as I want.

[DJ54]

It’s a great tool! For me not for the games mostly work or gaining insight 

[Snow Leopard]

8 hours ago, Nurseynutcase said:

When I left the UK I left behind over 1000 books - reference books, fiction and non-fiction.  I always had a book open - either reading for pleasure or looking something up.  Yes I miss the easy access to books but having the internet means I can easily find info when I need it.

 

Also use the internet to 'keep up' with world events - newspapers on a daily basis are so very expensive here in Thailand.

 

Also use skype/whatsapp to keep in contact with friends around the world.

 

In short my life would be much poorer without it.  I consider it an essential now.

 

However I do know many people who seem to manage quite well without and some of these are in the 30-50 years age bracket.

 

PS I guess I would be classed as a 'silver surfer' but I dye my hair 555555

I get what you are saying but I still like my books. I shipped a 1000 plus to Thailand. Looking at a screen all day cannot be good for you surely. 

[CharlieH]

Woven into the fabric of society and becoming more so everyday.

What was once an idea exchange, is now a main artery of information/service and a reliance for a large percentage of people in all walks of life.

[Bluespunk]

It’s obviously been a boon to our lives, but I’d cope if it went away. 

[Horace Lamb]

4 hours ago, melvinmelvin said:

have used internet since late 70s

Really?

[melvinmelvin]

6 minutes ago, Horace Lamb said:

Really?

yes

and I am one of the selected few that used internet from Europe since late 70s

 

[sirineou]

11 hours ago, MalandLee said:

I'm old, most of my life there was no internet, no mobile phones, etc... I enjoyed my formative years.

 

Is the internet "Desirable"??? - Well yes! it is a nice distraction in old age.

 

 

 Not a distraction but the next step in human evolution and necessary for the survival of the human race , I will explain why at the bottom of this reply.   

7 hours ago, lannarebirth said:

The question is not only poorly worded, in fact it's just wrongly worded. In addition, in the first post an entirely different question is asked.

Yes but the first post is not the survey.

7 hours ago, suzannegoh said:

It’s not something that the government needs to get involved in.

The greatest communications innovation in the history of mankind, and the government does not need to be involved? 

 

The internet is the next stage in human evolution. To ask if access is necessary, is to ask if evolution is necessary. IMO it is not only necessary for evolution, but for the survival fo the human race. 

Perhaps we can evolve to use more of the brain we have, but we have reached the end of increase in brain size because a larger brain will require a larger head . A big head will make it difficult for women to give birth and maintain a pelvic bone structure conducive to walking upright.

So the next step in Human intelligence evolution has to be external. Connectivity to the internet accomplishes that  external expansion of intelligence with the final step being direct human/ computer interface and instant access to all information. Perhaps even the abandonment of the human body. 

with the advent of the singularity close by, Experts warn of the dangers of Artificial Intelligence with good reason. Since pandora's box has being opened and cannot be closed , the old adage comes to mind. "If you can't  beat them, join them" 

 

[Horace Lamb]

49 minutes ago, melvinmelvin said:

yes

and I am one of the selected few that used internet from Europe since late 70s

Fair enough and no reason to doubt you.  More research-based I would imagine as wouldn't have been up to much. 

[riclag]

I like to have unrestricted access to it

[suzannegoh]

14 minutes ago, sirineou said:

 

The greatest communications innovation in the history of mankind, and the government does not need to be involved?

 

 

Let’s suppose that the government should be involved with it, what should their role be? There are some things that work even without the government micromanaging it and the internet is one of them.

[FolkGuitar]

In the "Information Age," ignorance has become a choice.

[sirineou]

Just now, suzannegoh said:

Let’s suppose that the government should be involved with it, what should their role be? There are some things that work even without the government micromanaging it and the internet is one of them.

The role of the government is being vigorously debated and is IMO a good example of the Goldilock syndrome (too hot too cold) and trying to find a good balance.

The need is demonstrated by the abuse of social media to spread misinformation, influence and  manipulate the electoral process, spread of child porn,  cyber bullying, etc. 

 From the above examples (I am sure you can think of more) it is obvious that the internet is not working as intended or desired. Unless of course one desires child porn. cyber bullying , or the subversion of the democratic process.