Throughout history, new inventions have continued to make the world a much small place. Written word allowed for the spread of information; the ship, locomotive, automobile, and airplane each cut travel time significantly allowing greater and greater distances to be traversed in less and less time.
With the invention of the Internet comes information at our fingertips. Virtually any subject you wish to study can be found online with just a little bit of computer savvy. With this ability comes the opportunity to learn about lands we may not have ever heard of before. We can look at the stories of the people who inhabit these lands and make a human connection with their plight. We can begin to see the interconnection between countries be it economic, humanitarian, or environmental. We come to understand that what happens in one region may affect many more.
Possibly the best use that has come from the invention of the internet is the opportunity to become a globally aware citizens who use the information found to make an impact on the world and strive to make the world a better place for all to share.
Through digital age communication we can speed information we have found to friends and family all over the world to spread the need for support for a certain region. We may choose to e-mail our Congressional representatives in hopes they will pick up the fight and work to make positive change. People living in the middle of turmoil have used their cell phones to spread news from ground zero via Twitter and Facebook making traditional news outlets seem a thing of the past.
Yes, digital age communication means that an uncle you haven't seen since you were 10 may now be able to tell you why the opinions you post on Facebook are exactly what is tearing the country apart, but that is a small price to pay when you consider the freedom of information that is available to so many who would otherwise never be heard.
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