I personally cannot imagine life without lightening-fast Internet. Without the quick Internet connection I have become accustomed to, I would not be able to multi-task or even do singular actions with such ease.
The lack of fast Internet connections in some places in the US and the world raises the question of what would happen if journalism were to make a more permanent transition to the Web. Those without adequate Internet connections would suffer. What do you think?
I think that internet is the best form of technology that was ever create. I feel as though, those in the rural areas of the country as loosing out on great information and are more likely to become harmed because of the lack of internet. For example, most natural diasters such as storms, hurricanes, and even tornadoes are broadcast all over the web and television. Print usually dont have these stories becasue it takes a long time to get the news widespread. I think without internet people are putting themselves and their families in danger.
ReplyDeleteI think we would live if the internet didn't exist.
ReplyDeleteI do however see your point that in those places people would have a harder time getting news.
There is a bigger problem though. Cell phones, and mobile news. The service areas for those are even more unreliable...
I think that, sadly, there will always be parts of the country with less technological advancement compared to other parts, and for that reason, it will not be an immediate switch to web-based news, but rather a gradual one. In my opinion, newspapers in the busiest cities will switch first, then less urban ones, then local ones, and finally those in rural areas, giving the people in those areas time to improve their internet connection.
ReplyDeleteBut thanks for bringing up this point, Andi! I didn't even think of it until now. It is so hard to imagine that there are people out there without the lastest technology when we are so spoiled.
This post reminded me of the dark days in my life when I had dial-up at my house. That screeching connection noise, that deathly slow speed that made a picture loading look like a glacier shifting over a period of 600 years.
ReplyDeleteThose without broadband would certainly suffer in an all-internet news environment. However, since news sites are still (mainly) text-based, they wouldn't be too lost.
I hope that in the future, high-speed internet will be as common as telephone lines--it will be along every road in America, or maybe just a blanket wi-fi signal similar to the mass availability of radio. Hopefully.
I remember those times where AOL seemed to be the fastest thing out there. Instead of looking at this as hurting the people who do not have internet, you can look at it like they rely on print and broadcast media to get information if internet is just too slow.
ReplyDeleteIn a way, those people who have slower internet are supporting papers. If internet is considered a hassle they will wait until they hear the news on tv, or go out and buy the paper everyday.
This could actually be a great agrument for keeping print media in circulation.