A new term, a new task; Most would consider it a tedium. For me, it is A delightful tedium: A weekly blog based on concepts and lessons learnt during "com125" class (Introduction to the Internet). The foremost question on everyone's mind would be this: Who needs to be introduced to the Internet?
It is everywhere, ubiquitous. Once the domain of the rich guys with computers the size of a cabinet, now accessible in the palm of your hand. With the tap of a touch screen, one is able to access this global grid of ideas, news, views, and yes, trash. The very concept of the Internet was the inspiration for the name of this blog, the Mind grid. Of course the more common term would be "web" but i prefer to call it a grid only because it sounds cooler. "Web" sounds flimsy, like thin silken threads that would rip to shreds in the rain and poor itsy bits spider would have to build it up again.
"Grid" implies something more permanent. A section may shut down, but the rest of the grid would still be there, ever changing, ever evolving. So long as one computer is connected to another, there will always be an Internet. For that is what the Internet is: An interconnected collection of computers forming a global networked environment. "But a grid is rigid and well ordered", some might say. Yes the Internet may seem like a chaotic place, but there is order within that chaos. What seems like an anarchic maelstrom of websites that appeared suddenly one day is actually a pretty well thought out structure with a rich history.
It is said that War brings out the best and the worst in people. I choose to believe the former. In the case of the Internet, it came about because of war, The Cold War. It is common belief that the fear of nuclear warfare wiping out centralised information servers led to the invention of "ARPANET", the "grandfather" of the Internet. Sources indicate that this might not be completely true however as ARPANET was first and foremost created merely to increase convenience for accessing computer terminals across different parts of the country. Creating a military computer network was merely a secondary concern.
Through ARPANET and related projects like RAND, developments like X.25 came into being making use of the "packet switching" concept pioneered by its predecessors. Unlike ARPANET which was confined to the military, these new developments were available for commercial businesses to use. From businesses, this growing network soon became accessible by anyone willing to fork out a lot of extra cash for connection to it via phone lines. The invention of TCP/IP in 1978 allowed this to happen and the term "Internet" was officially coined by 1980.
Today, the grid known as the Internet has become the new frontier for exploration. A virtual frontier where new things come into being every day. A vast and infinite world that gives an insight into the mind human beings; their joys, their fears, their needs, their desires. It showcases the best and the worst of mankind, the potential for great good and great evil, who we were, who we are and who we can become. From its tendrils we humans glean information about each other and the world we inhabit. Its only limitations are the very humans who create the Internet and the knowledge that the it holds. While some humans called scholars trade world-changing ideas, others termed pedophiles stalk the chat rooms. As the virtuous trawl the digital seas of knowledge, the less morally upright plant seeds of their corruption in a bid to lure others. The Internet is a place where philosophy and pornography co-exist, where the people express their thoughts with no restrictions other than those they make themselves, where control is in a constant state of flux. In summary, the Internet is only what we make of it.
Beautiful, horrible, wondrous, dangerous. Both a boon and a bane thanks to the diverse nature of humanity.
Welcome to the mind grid. Welcome to the Internet.
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