The defining technology of the 20th century was the automobile and the defining technology of the 21st century will undoubtedly
be the internet.
But have you ever considered whether the ubiquitous motor vehicle would have been so readily adopted if the pioneers had realised
what death and destruction their invention would ultimately wreak upon future generations.
In a word, no. But it was unknowable (no pun intended).
I guess there must have been warning signs. Certainly in some countries the authorities of the time insisted that a person waving
a large red flag must precede any horseless carriage - which given the noise, the smell and its unworldly appearance was
certainly understandable and probably warranted.
Moving on a hundred years or so we tend to overlook these early simplistic and misguided mishaps and are more likely to
rationalise by speculating if we would all be up to our armpits in horse manure if the traditional forms of transport had
remained unchanged.
One can only assume that with the world wide web we will also worry about aspects of the technology that will probably be
overcome later in the life cycle (spam I hope) and remain quite oblivious to negative (and more important) developments which
will only become evident to all some time in the future.
Given that both sides of Australian politics have now embraced a nuclear powered future, notwithstanding entrenched opposition in
the broader community and some well known and recorded disastrous consequences, it seems most unlikely that the internet will be
encumbered in any way by authorities due to the current but less serious blights of excessive spam, online pornography or other
crime related activities.
I should admit at this stage that I personally simply could not live without my car or the internet - so I am definitely not
attempting to scale any moral high ground here.
What I guess I am saying is that any breakthrough technology will have both pluses and minuses and the challenge for all people
is to harness the good aspects and minimise, control or eradicate if possible any downsides involved.
I am told many people think all online activities are like the wild west, certainly when compared with traditional mass media in
this country.
However consider this : none of Your Online Community websites have ever at any time had chat rooms (which can provide a haven for paedophiles - unlike all major portals in Australia and the US) and YOC publications do not carry advertising for alcohol,
sex aids or escort services – most community newspapers do.
Yes, we certainly have our say (and don’t care if it is politically incorrect) so long as it is not illegal, libellous or
vilifies any group and always reflects an honestly held belief from an identifiable person.
And yes we do ask councils and other local peak bodies difficult questions about issues of community concern which they would
often rather not have to answer.
I would like to think our editorial stance is what the community actually wants (and certainly needs) from its local media – viz.
a truly authentic and credible independent voice.
I would go even further and say that increased grass roots activity (e-democracy) is in fact what the internet needs to both
unlock the full benefits of a truly amazing new technology but more importantly to help overcome the obvious negative aspects
that currently concern us.
Let me know what you think. Click Here-> | 
