How can we take advantage of virtual globalization?

Internet has opened doors to more possibilities. Like other modern inventions, internet was developed in the military to connect computers across the globe for military intelligence in the cold war. Email had been the primary use of the internet. One day, Sir Tim Berners Lee proposed a model to his boss that later

Tim Berners Lee was working for an underground operation of the intelligence of allied nations. He thought hat file sharing was slow and inefficient since one must know the exact file name to retrieve files from another computer. So he later wrote a proposal to better improve file sharing by a unified language, the html, and a server.

His solution allows more flexibility in the system that can bring more innovations to its functionality. Instead of patenting and profiting from his project, he generously opened it freely to the public. He believes that the ability to share information should be free to everyone. People can access to information from different parts of the world without having to pay for it. Soon, many webpages were developed for organizations, media groups and aesthetics. The most controversial move to take advantage of internet for profitability is Microsoft's internet explorer. In later years, business over the internet becomes a norm.

In 1994, a website intended to sell home made goods, took the initiative to make a virtual marketplace for everyone. They started by testing an auction of a damaged laser pointer. Surprisingly more than expected participated in the bid. They believe that any item you have in your home, wether damaged or in good working condition, can be of interest of someone in the other side of the world because people have a variety of tastes. This empowers both sellers (profit) and buyers (satisfaction). The internet has given more opportunities for common people to transact with a bargaining power. This auctioning site continues to grow and later purchased a financial site which allows easier electronic transfer of money from either your bank or credit/ debit card by only using and disclosing your email address while in a transaction. These companies are eBay and PayPal. They continue to grow and allow more flexible solutions for satisfactory experience and safety and security.

Many banks and other financial institutions establish their own e-transactions where banking transactions can be easily completed inside your bedroom with your laptop. Internet not only allows flexibility but also time freedom. You can easily access financial reports on your investments which contributed to the growing dependency of financial markets. Movement of capital becomes easier across borders. Because of the increasing attraction of money and vital information flowing over the internet, this cyberspace of freedom is challenged by people who want to abuse it. Identity theft and fraud still often happen even when secured websites have their own restrictive measures.

Terrorist groups use the internet to send information, that can be embedded in images on unsuspected websites, an innovation from the traditional and obvious email. Cyber terrorism has many varieties. Terrorists can use the internet to recruit and to spread their revelation. Since many computers and data base are linked with the internet, such as government and military documents and operating systems (some modern weapons can be used through the internet), terrorists try to penetrate their cyber territory to attack them from the inside. Ordinary citizens also deal with this kind of rebellion; however, more small scale, from computer hackers who send viruses or bugs. The world was in a state of panic when a notorious bug spread in 2000, the I Love You Bug. People realized that the dependency of the human civilization on the internet and computers is too immense that if there will be a complete shutdown of systems where financial, governmental and private institutions rely almost 75% or more, will create global chaos and destruction to the current civilization. The terminator series show the perfect apocalyptic example of cyber failure.

From the year 2000 and onwards, many sites offer more flexibility from their predecessors. Google expanded and developed surfing through the net with greater ease. People can easily search for websites by using keywords in a faster and most effective way. Chat sites also boomed during those years. People can now meet all kinds of people of different cultures in just one sitting. Group sites also progressed and allowed different people in all walks of life to unify by sharing common interests.

Businesses can now be easily transacted online. People themselves can be reporters and send their video reports and photos online. People can show their daily rants by posting videos online. The internet has given power to anyone. People can show their identity and expose it to the whole world. You can be your own star. Kids can bully kids further online. It hurts them more since it targets them emotionally. Scandals can easily spread o all parts of the world within hours. With power within their reach, they forgot about thinking of others.

We become too consumed about our own virtual world that we forget about the real world, the real communities that we live in. Many kids suffer from obesity because of virtual addiction. We rely on the internet to keep connected, but lose our connection to the real world.

But there is still hope for the world. People find ways to invite everyone to participate in change. Many donations can be done easily online. People can get a message across people easily through facebook. They can support an advocacy or a program online. People can discuss serious issues online and debate about them.

I keep updated with my favorite sports especially formula one and WRC. I have my own facebook account. I only have 4 friends in facebook because I don't use it like any college girl would do. I use my facebook to join groups to discuss relevant issues.

The internet has made things easier for me. I can use yahoomail to communicate with groupmates and transfer files for assignments through groups and express our opinions in our own blogs. I also use the internet for research especially in the field of economics.

We just have to keep our eyes open and realize that so many people around the world are not able to enjoy the internet as we have. We have to keep vigilant about the things going on around the world and use the internet to keep you in it and not away from it. We shall act beyond our PC's and laptops but with the assistance of these, to make a change. We live in a globalized world and we should make use of the technology that we are endowed with to help others understand the world they are living, bridging gaps and misunderstanding and encourage them to be aware and active.