Should we be in full control of the internet?
In our current age, the internet is comprehensive and all around us. Yet, ironically, we are almost unaware of its existence and influence it has on us. For the past century, when The internet does not exist, all of the critical business of society is usually occurs in the giant and significant building in the center of the city such as the Bank, town hall, and library. But ever since the introduction of the Internet and WorldWideWeb, life and trends of the society began to changes. In the present, we rely on the internet more than ever before, and yet we are unable to control the technology that’s so significant to us entirely, or should we?
“the internet is everywhere. It’s absorbed most of the essential civic, commercial, and social activities of the world…yet, we can’t see it. And this means it’s pretty hard to think about it, and to under stand who’s running things”(Bridle).
From the statement of bridle above, the internet is very significant to the very being of humans, but we seem not to understand it. We do not know how to control it entirely. The internet is such a powerful technology; it can turn the course of politics, economics, and even civilization. Only those who can see and understand the internet can direct and control the flow of the world. Now, this begs the question, should we all have the right to gain control over this technology?
The media artists — or so they would prefer the term “critical engineer” — Julian Oliver and Danja Vasiliev have an opinion on this question. One of The media artists’ projects is called “NEWSWEEK.” This plugin device has the power to connects to the local WiFi and changes what other users on the network can see. Their reasoning for this work is to show the standpoint on the matter that all of us should be in control of this technology. However, I tend to disagree with their statement for two reasons.
“Today, we might say, technology has become advanced enough to give us the internet, but we’re still finding out if society is advanced enough to accept it”(Bridle).
Firstly, we humans are much crueler than we thought. This statement is evermore true on the internet. Nowadays, cyberbullying and other forms of harassment are tragically seem to be plenty and easy to find on many internet platforms from Social media like Facebook, Twitter, to Youtube. It is the most disturbing that this wretched act can be seen so common, the results of this wrongdoing could lead to mental illness and even to the worst of all. Now let’s imagine that these people could have the power to control over the internet entirely, what kind of devastating tragedy could they bring upon society?
Secondly, are we virtuous enough to take responsibility? In the Republic book VI written by ancient Greek philosopher Plato, a similar question is asking. In the book, Plato described the dialogue between his teacher, Socrates, and the character called Adamantius. Their discourse involves the idea of Allegory called “the ship of state.” Which in this metaphors, Socrates asked Adamantius if he would sail a ship, would he like his vessel to be in control by a group peasants who have little to no knowledge of the craft of ship navigating, or would he like his ship to be in command by a knowledgable captain. Predictably, Adamantius choose to have his vessel in control by the experienced captain. Socrates uses this Allegory as a metaphor to a society in which he believes that the only people who should have the power to control the state should be a are “philosopher-king” — benevolent men with absolute power who have access to the Form of Good.
Now looking at our case, would it still be wise to leave the full control of the power of this technology in the hand of ordinary people? Of course, in the present-day, people are much more educated than in the time of Socrates, so some may say this could be irrelevant. But in my defense, knowledge isn’t a guaranteed for goodness and virtue. And from the previous statement, this is why I believe there are cyberbullying and other forms of violence because we as a society are not teaching to be virtuous, only the knowledge. And that is what some of us are, an intelligent, cruel beast.
In conclusion, despite the want of freedom to access the internet entirely, I tend to disagree to give this access to the unprepared society, which, once granted, I believe, would cause more harm than good. From my point of view, the control of the technology of the internet should be in control of someone or a group that’s comparable to a Philosopher-king, at least for now.
Reference/source
Bridle, James, narrator, “invisible networks.” New ways of seeing, episode 1, Reduce listening, 17 April 2019.
Image Source
Cyber Judgment by MIMI_N SUN project.
Why Socrates Hated Democracy by The School Of Life.
