The Potential of the Internet as a Platform for Human Culture and Society

Look at the massive potential that is being ignored. For the first time we have the chance to build an informed and involved electorate, the cornerstones of any healthy democracy. People can organise, network, make themselves heard and push for change. The reality of our way of life is that the majority of us are not involved in the political process. We don’t believe we can make a difference, because only a small percentage of us are in a position to do so. We have never had the platform. It is often strange to think how uninvolved the average person is in the decision making processes going on around him or her. Is this a true democracy?

We have a chance to aim for the storytelling ideal. Instead of coming home every night and panning out in front of the latest product from RTE, the UK and the US, people could be part of a network creating content and sharing ideas on a daily basis in a collaborative, community environment. The technology allowing them to do so will only get cheaper and more accessible. People will be able to record and represent themselves in the public arena like never before in the ‘modern’ world. Again, what doesn’t exist yet is a suitable platform.

We could also rebuild the network of strong local communities ripped apart by the workings of industrialisation. Throughout the industrialised world, there is a strong sense that we all live in our own little houses, hooked up to and connected by the traditional broadcasting soap boxes. These ‘imagined communities’ are connected by a shared past, a geographical boundary, national sports events and those very broadcasting institutions. But on a daily basis the majority of us don’t know our neighbours, don’t have a strong sense of belonging to the community around us; don’t have a sense of collective purpose. But the networking infrastructure linking every house is being built. It’s called the internet. Again – no solid platform.

Maybe its time we started building those platforms.