Ch. 2 Thoughts

I find the fact that cell phones now have internet access is just amazing.  Ten years ago, cell phones (not those giant bricks that my mother used to carry around) were just getting started.  They could make calls and reception was shotty.  Just ten years later, they now have cameras, texting, video, games, touch screens, internet access with Google, and many other accessories which I'm sure that I'm missing.  The ability to now access the internet from our phones truly makes it possible to connect to anyone, virtually anywhere.  I just find it ridiculous that we've been able to technologically progress so far, in such a little time.  I don't own a phone which can access the internet, but I'm definitely considering buying one.  They seem really convenient.

Even the internet itself is changing rapidly.  I don't remember a time when it's never been there, but I've heard my parents and grandparents talk about it before.  In their time, they couldn't just simply type a few words into Google and get a list of information in under 5 seconds.  They had to look through books and directly ask people if they couldn't come up with anything.  In my opinion, Google really revolutionized the information-seeking aspect of the internet.  Things are so much easier, now.

I think the internet's started to expand into the social networking aspect, recently.  By recently, I mean within the past four or five years.  Facebook.com has really given new life and meaning to the phrase "human networking."  You can literally network yourself to people from the other side of the globe using this site.  Keeping in touch with old friends is easier, and Facebook.com even has news about your local and larger communities.

The internet is even bringing people together through video games, come to think of it.  The Playstation 3 from Sony and the Xbox 360 by Microsoft lets people play video games with other people from around the world.  While most of the discussions usually deteriorate into mindless trash-talking, it's still pretty nice to be able to play with other people.  I have an Xbox 360 and I like to play NHL with my cousins.  We don't see each other much and I think it's a great thing to have.

All in all, the internet has been a big source of bringing people from around the world together.  It's probably the biggest source of mass communication, and it's not even done evolving, yet.