Information in our Digital Nation

     After watching Frontlines "Digital Nation", I realized what technology was doing to social norms and the impact that it is having on us each individually. I did not realize, and like most, underutilized, the power of technology. Today, any blogger, tweeter, or writer can put out their work onto the internet, and with the right message, be hugely broadcasted. This cuts back on the advantages people can be born with or without and gives power to the individual. When power is given, it is usually taken from somewhere, and in this case, it is taken from authority. More specifically, those in a position of power can no longer just go the the right school or know the right people to become a voice in society. The barriers to entry into publicly (and even globally) heard discussions is vastly lower than any time within the past. This translates directly to the policies we make and how we can live our lives because of this. Take for example the repercussions of a tweet about something like the presidential debate or an email to friends encouraging voting that can influence who our president is. These messages can reach countless more people in seconds in comparison to the face to face interactions of the past, yet people can still pay closer attention to make their (more informed) decisions.

   
     With the incredibly fast spread of information through technology, we can almost always uncover the truth in a situation. From a logical standpoint as an American citizen, I want to embrace the internet as a place for public conversation. Politically, economically, and socially, the internet is a more free and interactive way to communicate ideas. The fact that it rewards content over prior conditions is a strategy I hope future generations keep in mind. Abraham Lincoln once said that he is a "firm believer in people. If given the truth they can be depended on to meet any national crisis. The great point is to bring them the real facts." This is what we are doing today, and with a greater availability of information comes a solution to any problem that we may have.