- Image via Wikipedia
The Internet has certainly changed the way we distribute and access information. With all of the world’s greatest libraries, periodicals, museums and other sources of information available online, it’s hard to imagine a world where information isn’t just a click away. And while the way we transmit and receive information has changed in the last two decades, thanks to the Internet, perhaps what is equally significant is the way we interact socially.
Like all technology, the Internet has evolved over the years, and while its primary function remains as a means of finding information, the prevalence of online social networking, how it’s changed our society and the way we communicate has left an indelible imprint on who we are and the role the Internet has played in our lives.
Thanks to the Internet, we are now able to interact virtually with people from all over the globe. We can chat socially via instant message, send e-mails and make posts on blogs and websites. We can share photographs, videos and sound clips and truly open our lives up to the virtual world in ways that would have never been possible. Wherever you are, whatever your time zone, you can always reach out to a new friend online, or reconnect with an old friend.
Since the early 2000’s we have enjoyed all of the benefits of establishing online relationships and sharing our lives via social networking sites. Similar to getting information, adding a new friend to your roster is as simple as clicking a mouse. From there you can learn through words and pictures about the person’s family, their educational background, their hobbies, where they’ve been on vacation and so much more. Beyond establishing friendships, there are sites devoted to meeting significant others in order to spark romantic relationships and sites devoted to linking professionals to one another for purposes of business networking.
We can meet informally or formally online, conduct Web conferences and even draw up major business deals without ever leaving our computers. And as technology continues to evolve, it’s likely that the Internet will adapt to support future communication needs.
