A Conversation About the Internet

Jack: What are you up to Evelyn?

Evelyn: Just sending a quick email to my boss. I need to clarify something that she wants me to complete by the end of the day.

Jack: Do you ever sit back and think about how much technology and especially the internet and the web have changed the world? Isn’t it great that you’re able to instantly reach her by e-mail instead of having to wait until the next day to speak to her in person?

Evelyn: Hmm… yes and no! Sometimes it’s a bit too much really. But yes, it’s definitely changed how we do anything and everything.

Jack: I mean think about it. The internet hasn’t been around that long. Not so long ago, everyday communication was so much different.

Evelyn: Thank you, Tim Berners-Lee, right?!

Jack: Well…Tim Berners-Lee is often credited for inventing the internet, but he actually invented the World Wide Web, not the internet. They are not the same thing.

Evelyn: What’s the difference?

Jack: Well, the web is the pages you see when you’re looking at a device and you’re online. But the internet is the network of connected computers that the web works on as well as what emails and files travel across. The internet itself was actually developed for military purposes way back in the late 60s and early 70s. For years, scientists and researchers used it to communicate and share data with one another. A lot of people credit Berners-Lee for inventing the internet, but in reality, there was no single inventor. Instead, it evolved over time.

Evelyn: That’s so interesting. I still don’t fully understand the difference, but interesting, nonetheless. I bet none of the inventors behind it ever would have dreamed it would become what it is today. I mean, it all makes life so much simpler. I can easily message and share pictures and memories with friends and family. henever I don’t know the answer to something I Google it. If I’m lost, I pull up Google Maps. It’s also great for killing time. I guess social media can also be a huge waste of time if you aren’t careful. But overall, I think the pros of the internet outweigh the cons.

Jack: I agree. It’s all come a very, very long way.

Evelyn: I mean, I feel completely lost if I’m disconnected for an extended period of time. Truth be told, I feel lost if I lose my WIFI signal at all! The majority of people have become way too dependent upon the internet. It really is integrated into everything we do. We can make payments over the internet, use the internet to store data, pictures, and documents, make appointments, choose a good restaurant to go to. I could go on forever really.

Jack: I can still remember my mom printing out a map or directions on how to go someplace. Nobody does that anymore! Now, everything is right at our fingertips. Heck, we can even just tell Siri to give us directions.

Evelyn: Scary, isn’t it? I just started to take an online course on website design and HTML. It’s so convenient to be able to take a course at my own pace. There are a ton of virtual classes and programs that you can quickly and easily sign up for, whereas before you would have to take them in person.

Jack: The internet has done many great things for the world.