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Post by hotandspicy on Mar 15, 2014 18:55:13 GMT -5
Time to unplug?
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Post by purplehazeleyes on Mar 16, 2014 13:17:40 GMT -5
Yes, I'd argue even more so in some cases, for instance without semi-conductors there would be no internet. I just don't think it's the most important invention ever. I imagine the way to compare is to imagine what would happen if they vanished tomorrow.
People could, if needed, live without it forever. There would be no great hardship. I doubt they could live without sanitation, anesthesia, internal combustion, wheels, the alphabet etc quite as easily.
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Post by BlackHawk on Mar 16, 2014 18:56:52 GMT -5
I would be inclined to disagree, I don't think you realize just how many of our systems now work on the internet, in fact, ALL of our systems now work on the internet. Our society could not function the way it does without it.
Granted it's only been in the past 20 years we have really made this transition, but already everything uses it. It has advanced the way we communicate, the way we learn, the way we spend our free time. Try going one week without using the internet, at work, at home, anywhere and tell me you don't need it. Then go without washing your hands for a week and tell me which one made your life harder.
eta:
I wouldn't say it was THE greatest invention of all time, but it's definitely up there, top 10 AT LEAST.
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Post by specopsgirls on Mar 16, 2014 19:06:35 GMT -5
I'm not alarmed, I'm more worried that people are alarmed... they willing send all this personal data over open communications. and then claim outrage when some smug smart gubmint wants to listen. They are the idiots yelling out of the windows, and then screaming when the neighbours hear all their dirty laundry. This thread is another "Look Look they're hacking your PC!!" thread with absolutely no such thing involved. And I would not be so flippant about it, if they WERE hacking into your PC. Now some smart cookie will bring up the age old "windows XP has a nsa key so blah blah" and STILL not have a single clue. it's just a shame... such a shame... I am not sure if you agreed with me or not, but I know I needed to clarify my point so if I did go monty python on you, deflect it off to those in need. My Wutbird says it all.
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Post by bond009 on Mar 17, 2014 16:19:14 GMT -5
It was in reference to the information on my computer! This thread just made me think of it What's the alternative? Get rid of the internet? The internet has been the single greatest and most advancing piece of technology we have EVER invented. No No No No No a billion digits of NO. Might as well just lobotomize people. Here is the real answer. Just hush the Flying Truck up ! You don't wanna have someone record your stuff, DONT SAY IT IN PUBLIC. Yes the internet is public. Never, EVER, was there an expectation of privacy. It may have been implied, but never guaranteed. This is all due to STUPID PEOPLE. Not clever governments. Man... I left my diary on a bus once. It was my personal diary. How day a public person read it.
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Post by davinci on Mar 17, 2014 16:37:33 GMT -5
Please don't patronize me by assuming how little or how much I know about the Internet, it does the discussion no favours. I have been a week without using the internet. I didn't need it. I did need running water and a flushing toilet. I didn't say it wasn't important, I merely don't think it is in the whole history of mankind, in your words,
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Post by wonderqueen on Mar 17, 2014 17:01:08 GMT -5
OK... you boys please keep it chilled. I think he only meant that we don't always think about how much we use it.
You go to a shop and buy something? They just used the internet. See a time frame for your next bus at the bus stop, internet. The digital clock at your work, internet. The training video you're watching, internet. Instant mail, instant information, instant everything! 30 years a go, if you wanted to find out... how to apply paint onto a radiator that is rusting through. You would have to find someone who specialised in it, or go to the library and sit down and read a book, this could have taken a long time. I can tell you in 20 seconds and I have no speciality in paint or radiators.
I think you put too little faith in information and being able to transfer it speedily, it has increased the productivity of the world to what could be a similar extent as the industrial revolution. OK just exaggerating a tad for dramatic effect lol but it's DEFINITELY top five!
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psion
New Member
Posts: 15
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Post by psion on Mar 17, 2014 18:40:35 GMT -5
It's an interesting debate, though I fear all these posts will soon be modded away as off topic. I could easily claim the same about electricity though surely? All those shops etc using the internet? Using electricity. And semi conductors. Playing devils advocate, all the internet has done has enabled the things you mentioned to be done faster. I wonder if you end up as language/communication being the most important piece of technology ever? No right or wrong answer. Just shooting the breeze. It's an interesting discussion. I'll agree top ten though.
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Post by Apollo_18 on Mar 17, 2014 19:02:58 GMT -5
Wrong!
The single most significant invention on Earth today is the microprocessor...they are everywhere and run everything, and, it has been that way since the 1980's.
The Internet, invented in the late 1960's, was a clumsy, slow, almost useless arrangement until the Microprocessor was Invented by Intel in the early 1970's. By the mid to late 80's it became ubiquitous...
And, to date, is the most significant / important invention of mankind.
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Post by holygrail on Mar 17, 2014 19:53:27 GMT -5
Back then operators didn't have time to listen to your conversation even if they could..did you ever see how busy those folks were..it was like sorting mail at the post office only dealing with people.
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