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Technology and Society Term Paper

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Submitted By Javy364
Words 3674
Pages 15
Essay Assignment: Option 3

Nathan Young
11 March 2010
SOC 3116 E (Winter 2010)
Andrew Wigmore 4470968

Introduction
Imagine having the ability to take part in romance, friendship, and sex; be fed, clothed, and entertained; receive medical, legal and any other type of advice; collect any type of information, from historical facts to secrets about others– all without leaving the comfort of your own home. A technology now exists which enables a person to lead many secret lives, broadcast their opinions, beliefs, and most intimate thoughts, not to mention their physical features, to an unbelievably wide audience. For the first time in human history, a technology exists that gives us the ability to do so; society knows this technology as the Internet (Siegel, 2009).

Many individuals may argue that the Internet providing such convenience and mediums for connectivity to society is a blessing. A different perspective is seen in the book, “Against the Machine: How the Web Is Reshaping Culture and Commerce and Why It Matters.” Author Lee Siegel argues that the Internet is “obscurely a curse” (Siegel, 2009) in that “more and more people are able to live in a more comfortable and complete self-enclosure than ever before (Siegel, 2009).” This paper argues that the Internet is both a blessing and a curse with regards to Siegel’s aforementioned statement. The argument will be supported through the notions that: the Internet creating a global network society versus the digital divide, through the customization of information and through a shared sense of community, and elimination of diversity.

Global Network Society vs. Digital Divide
The Internet has given society the ability to connect with people over substantial geographical boundaries. However, the areas that are deprived of Internet accessibility are, and will continue to fall behind with respect to

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