Week 1 Questions and Answers

1) How does ‘the internet’ differ from what we conceive of as cyberspace’?

The internet is defined as the hardware of a network, such as a router, that allows a person to connect to cyberspace and find information, communicate with others etc. When a connection is attempted by the user, a signal is sent out to find a response via the user’s internet provider. Cyberspace, on the other hand, is defined as the virtual world that the user ‘visits’, such as websites where they can find information and send email. Cyberspace is where they are going, and the internet is how they get there.

 

2) Does cyberspace possess the qualities of a real world space?

There are a number of similarities between these two. They both have the facility for people to meet and exchange ideas, for businesses to be run and for friendships and relationships to be born. However, there are some differences. Cyberspace is less personal, because people usually don’t see who they are talking to. But this is better for people with lower self-esteem or communication issues. A real world space is more personal. It may be easier for people to make new friends online than it is in the real world.

 

3) Does the lack of regulatory control on the internet lead a state of adaptive and productive independence or is it fostering expression of, perhaps latent toxic behaviours and danger?

The lack of regulation on the internet allows for both of these scenarios. On the one hand, there is no limit to freedom of expression and ideas can be exchanged without any kind of oppression. But on the other hand, it does allow people to say and do things that they never would if they were being monitored. But in itself, regulation on the internet could lead to a lack of civil rights, for example if innocent civilians were spied on without their consent. There is a fine line between regulation and oppression.

 

4) What do you think the future holds for cyberspace? How might it shape society in the future?

I think that in the future, more will be done online. More businesses and communication will be conducted online, which could save time and travel costs for people at work. More relationships will be started from online dating services, and it is possible that even academic lectures will be entirely conducted via the internet, e.g. on Second Life, which will also save resources.

However, it could also lead to problems in ‘the real world’. People may communicate less with others around them, choosing instead to talk to their online friends. Also, if businesses are conducted online, this could lead to job losses as people are no longer needed. But people could then find ways of making money online, to take advantage of these changes in technology.