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Thomas Healy
Mrs. DeBock
March 4th, 2014
The Internet
Of all the constructs of human history few have had as grand an impact as the internet. Such
is, the common of our day, that people from all walks of life flock in grand unison upon the
digital plane. A phenomenon beyond compare, hast this become, yet one instinctual and intuitive
to even the most base of men. With what degree has the digital world changed the physical? To
what extent has this anti-thesis to conformity rendered forth expanded thought? The internet has
undoubtedly changed our world, for better or worse, and should be preserved.
Economically speaking this statement is, quite obvious It barely need be chanted, the
praise levied, and the corporate interests touted. Bearing over 2,925,249,355 individual users, it
is impossible to deny the power such a network provides (Internet Live Stats - Internet Usage &
Social Media Statistics"). It is, quite literally, the perfect breeding ground for economic
transaction the ultimate and best system for reaching consumers in our modern world. This
golden age alone has bore many a great success Google, Youtube, Facebook, Twitter all of
these, new wonders of the corporate world. Google alone earned 18.10 Billion in revenue during
the 2014, 4th quarter (Google Inc. Announces Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2014 Results
Investor Relations Google"). Such is the result of financial investment, alongside the virtual
world that so long as the internet exists, businesses, both big and small, may yet prosper This
is, of course, in staunch contrast, when compared to the days of old. Days, not yet gone, and still
persistent, where monopolies rule everything, and the small man, the normal man, has no room

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to be The internet gives unto us an avenue to compete, which in a free-market, is required for
survival.
Another good example of this system, lies with the culturally inclined. Independent content
developers, whom have found prosperity within the Internet Community. Tis the true spirit, of
the Web, that these people may yet prosper, and compete; that the average man, woman, even
child, may yet find commercial success. Groups such as Maker, a small studio network hosting
numerous channels throughout Youtube, these organizations form the backbone by which the
Internet Community thrives: independent media ("Maker: A Talent-first, Technology-driven,
Media Company").
Yes, the independent media, the New Media, is arguably one of the more significant concepts
of the World Wide Web. Such is the new found liberty of people to release and obtain
information. In our modern world, we are restricted, no longer, to specific data sources. Anyone
can pick up a camera and record, thus information is distributed and gathered at rates
unmeasurable. Individuals, such as John Total Biscuit Bain, find their careers here Mr. Bain,
a former radio spokesman, now hosts one of Youtubes most popular gaming channels: The
Cynical Brit, bearing just over 1,985,846 subscribers. ("TotalBiscuit, The Cynical Brit") A
journalist, perhaps not in the conventional sense, but a reviewer, none the less; his work typically
involves debating and observing issues within the gaming industry. His most popular series,
WTF Is, serves in part as a consumer guide, and medium for expression. Using Youtubes
partnership program, he has turned this once hobby into a full-fledged career. ("TotalBiscuit, The
Cynical Brit") Others, such as the Yogscast have found, similar success; starting as a small
organization between a group of people and eventually becoming a media empire. ("Yogscast.
Lewis & Simon") There is appeal to this practice within the Internet Community; it seems a

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general concern, that consumers want something new, something different, and the Internet has
become an avenue by which to achieve this.
As a result, many people, discontent with their condition, flock to the World Wide Web,
hoping to strike it rich among the virtual dominion; artists, writers, and journalists, being prime
examples. The artistic and creative thrive and prosper within these virtual halls, whereas in the
world previous they would suffer almost indefinitely. The Internet has opened a golden gate of
opportunity to be independent and successful for the merit of your talent and not purely the
money to your name. Individuals such as Lindsey Stirling, a professional violinist, have found
great success here, practicing and refining their art for the world to see, without compromising
personal integrity (Stirling).
On other fronts, we have humanitarianism, and activism. Of all systems of the world, none
have contributed more to human causes, than the Internet. Every year, new charity organizations
open their doors, to the World Wide Web, embracing the connection now established to improve
the world. The previously mentioned Yogscast, as a good example, partake yearly in a Christmas
Charity Drive, by which millions of dollars worth of donations are raised in the name of
humanity Organizations such as War Child and Oxfam prosper greatly, from this program, and
even awarded said group, in 2012 for its undeniably large contribution (Kinley). Last year alone,
The Yogscast raised just over a million dollars, in donation money, not including, the various
items sold on stores, whose profit also went to charity. Furthering this, we have websites such as
Humble Bundle a virtual store, by which many products can be bought, and a certain
percentage of the purchase, given to charity; a win win for everyone ("Humble Square"). And
of course, it would be foolish not to mention the now famous 2014 ALS Ice Bucket Challenge: a

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viral campaign that systematically dominated the virtual world, and brought in over 100 million
dollars worth of funding (Diamond).
Beyond that, we have activism, an entirely human-interest based concept that has proven
time and time again, to be a necessity. Those of the internet variety, often are criticized for
lacking context or practical implication, however, they do exist and play a vital role. The Internet
has become a medium of exchange, allowing different, diverse people to communicate freely
As such, information is distributed rapidly, often reaching people whom would otherwise be left
unaware That is the boon, granted upon Internet Activism. It is far easier to amass discontent
on the World Wide Web than through a postal service, far easier to rally and organize, to display
discord. As such, the Internet has become a focal point for activists throughout the world. Take
for example, SOPA, the Stop Online Piracy Act, a bill designed to stop piracy, that would
inevitably destroy, and severe the rights of Internet Media Such would allow, incredible abuse,
targeting websites for termination based on the crimes of its user-base, rather than the site itself.
Under this regime, public streaming services such as Youtube, could be held in legal contempt
for the actions of its community; people whom, by no means, bear association to the company in
question, and are purely private (Goodman). The end result would be wide-spread censorship of
information and little enforcement upon the actual pirating organization. Such an affront to
liberty would easily be overlooked, without the organizing and rallying power of Internet
Activists.
The Internets role in our modern world is advantageous, at least to a greater extent than its
disadvantage. It is, thus, important that we maintain the values listed previously, and protect the
Web, as a public common, the ground by which all men stand, and information can be
exchanged.

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Works Cited
Diamond, Dan. "The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge Has Raised $100 Million -- And
Counting." Forbes. Forbes Magazine. Web. 4 Mar. 2015.
"Google Inc. Announces Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2014 Results Investor
Relations Google." Google Inc. Announces Fourth Quarter and Fiscal
Year 2014 Results Investor Relations Google. Google. Web. 19 Feb.
2015.
Goodman, Amy. "The Sopa Blackout Protest Makes History." The Guardian. The Guardian, 18
Oct. 12. Web. 4 Mar. 2015.
"Humble Square." Humble Bundle. Web. 4 Mar. 2015.
"Internet Live Stats - Internet Usage & Social Media Statistics." Internet Live Stats - Internet
Usage & Social Media Statistics. Internet Live Stats. Web. 19 Feb. 2015.
Kinley, Al. "Video Fundraisers Send Oxfam 63k worth of Goats! | Blogs | Oxfam GB."Oxfam
GB. Web. 4 Mar. 2015.
"Maker: A Talent-first, Technology-driven, Media Company." Maker. Maker. Web. 4 Mar. 2015.
"Stirling Lindsey." YouTube. YouTube. Web. 4 Mar. 2015.
"TotalBiscuit, The Cynical Brit." YouTube. YouTube. Web. 4 Mar. 2015.
"Yogscast. Lewis & Simon." YouTube. YouTube. Web. 4 Mar. 2015.

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