In Vincent Mosco’s “When Old Myths Were New” he compares cyberspace, or the Internet, to earlier “history-ending” technologies, such as the telegraph, electricity, telephone, radio, and cable television. By “history-ending” he means the anticipation that a certain technological advancement would be the change society and culture need for a utopian world. Mosco states that many of the promises that were made about these earlier technologies, such as a strong force for social equality and world peace, are now being applied to the Internet. Many now criticize the achievement of these promises on earlier technology since social inequality and world conflict still exist.
Is it possible that the Internet could change all of this? Is it possible that the Internet can change social, political, and economical functions for the better? Many advocates of cyberspace seem to think so. President Obama is one advocate of the Internet that believes the Internet is necessary for a better stronger America. In his recent State of the Union speech, Obama promised that his administration will make it possible for businesses to deploy high-speed wireless coverage to ninety-eight percent of all Americans in the next five-years. In his speech he brings up examples of how the Internet can bring business to rural community farmers in Iowa or Alabama. He also mentions the opportunity of a patient to video chat with her doctor. He gives these examples to show the importance of investing in innovation, education, and infrastructure, since these investments will make America a better place (CBS News). Obama is installing the belief that the Internet will solve many of America’s problems. Sounds familiar. It may just be that history is repeating itself once again and but this time the government is endorsing the technology. And most likely with our tax dollars…
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20029565-503544.html
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