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The man was visibly upset and said that
Internet was not a good place for people to exchange ideas and have conversations. I laughed and replied that Internet is very young and how could he judge it so harshly in such a black and white manner? He ironically sounded a little like fascists that he disliked so much when he retorted that no great ideas had ever come from people on Internet, and for that matter, a 'real' conversation between people had to be conducted face to face. Well, I could have mentioned that on telephone you cannot 'see' anyone's face, but I thought I'd try to explain my position on matter a bit more positively.
I told him that Internet was just a simple tool of communication that was bringing individuals closer together. You can see someone across world with a web cam whilst hearing his or her voice perfectly. I then mentioned that Internet was doing exactly what he felt was necessary for society to flourish in future; it is giving voice to individuals' ideas like never before in human history. The guy was then really starting to lose his cool and was getting quite upset. I then thought I'd mention idea that Web was dissolving concept of national borders as anyone could talk to anybody else freely with simple realization that all people are same. People are no longer forced to think of other nationalities as separate 'types' of people that one should steer away from.
By this time guy had become very irate and said vehemently that there is nothing wrong with having separate nations. He then contradicted himself and agreed with me by saying that 'Empire' only wanted to 'divide and conquer' and split countries into even smaller entities that could then be taken over. I replied softly that that process inevitably produced more unnecessary borders between fellow humans.
The main point that stuck with me after conversation ended was fact that it was mentioning of Internet as a positive medium for communication and enlightenment that so severely upset guy. I guess no matter how knowledgeable about world and sure of yourself that you are, if there are things that you are still unaware of, or in this case close-minded to because of some irrational fear; like a link that snaps in a chain, so will your peace and calm will be shattered by ignorance and anger.
Spirituality and morality can be discussed on many different mediums...Politics and economics must be same.
Jesse S. Somer M6.Net http://www.m6.net Jesse S. Somer is an individual soul who may not know a lot, but knows that the Internet could be a great factor in the process of bringing humanity together into one big family here on Earth.
