NCJ Number
191422
Date Published
2000
Length
19 pages
Annotation
This essay highlights the Internet and the fundamental changes in human affairs.
Abstract
The Internet is the visible architecture of a process of human interconnection that promises to tie together all people. There were four evolutionary periods. The first, from the early 1970's to 1994, was a demonstration period. The Internet was in a controlled environment of military and academic nodes. The second period took off as it was opened to commerce and ordinary people. The third period is the present, which is characterized by three expectations: everyone is connected; they are connected everywhere; and there is a world forum. Maybe 10 years from now, it will no longer be the Internet, but a New World called the “Infosphere.” Globalization is an interweaving of peoples and economies that allows all to share the fruits of labor and feel a common kinship. The first real conflict of the Infosphere will be over the nature of world order: between the Western Empire and its Infosphere successor. Societies that have migrated to the Infosphere will be mixing and re-sorting there while other societies will be desperately seeking entry. Some elements will be breaking off and trying to adapt the new, while others clinging to the old will be fighting to restore what was. Rogue elements sensing opportunity will be making mayhem, thus provoking civic resistance from those seeking Infosphere autonomy. The evolution of the Internet coincides with a deliberate weakening of national identity. Weakened national ties make it easier for people to embrace affine-identity as primary identity. Therefore, the migration of the Infosphere is already assured. 42 endnotes