Blog 1

 The internet, and its ongoing evolution, has profoundly changed our culture. Some of these shifts in culture have had positive impacts on society, while some of these changes have affected us negatively. There are three things about how the internet has changed our culture that really stand out to me.

First, we are a more connected society. Long gone are the days of snail mail and pay phone calls. Now, we are able to use the internet to connect with almost anybody in the world in a matter of seconds. This ability to connect via the internet (e-mail, social media, etc) has allowed for a new era of advanced communication, no longer limited by distance. For me, the internet is especially important while my husband is deployed, because we are still able to communicate despite thousands of miles of distance between us. Emma Patterson from datingnews.com explains that, according to a recent survey, 65% of singles are open to long-distance relationships. With the connection we are able to receive thanks to the internet, physical proximity isn't as important in a relationship as it once was. Additionally, I am able to chat with all of my coworkers on a work-unique app, as well as view my schedule and read the employee handbook. The explosion of social media, in general, has allowed us to forge and continue connections in spite of distance or timing. It also allows us to connect to each other as well.

The next thing that really speaks to me is the sharing/accessing of information. We no longer need to search for the answers to our questions by reading through books, like thesauruses or encyclopedias. Now, we are able to use search engines to quickly present us with a variety of information compiled from all over the internet. According to Chris Essey of The Medium, "A search engine is a digital system that helps users find information on the internet. It crawls billions of web pages, organizes that information, and delivers the most relevant results when someone searches." This ability to view information makes learning more accessible than ever before. The downside to this advancement in the way we receive information is that it becomes harder for us to know which sources to trust for accurate information. Anybody can make a website or post to the internet

Finally, the internet allows us to grow as humans and access the support and resources we need. Not only are we able to use the internet to complete classes and gather information, but I also think of the endless support groups on social media, connecting strangers from all over the world. Connecting and communicating is genuinely easier than ever. Websites like Reddit have thousands of unique communities, all designed for different topics and interests that people may have. Once again, a lack of physical proximity no longer affects the way that we are able to connect or find community. Sometimes, this sense of community can be profound, like The Trevor Project, which provides support for LGBT youth. The Trevor Project states, "The Trevor Project is the leading suicide prevention and crisis intervention nonprofit organization for LGBTQ+ young people." This safe-space available anonymously via the internet has saved countless lives and given support and resources to young people who may not otherwise receive them. 

Works Cited:

Essey, C. (n.d.). How search engines work: A complete guide | by Chris Essey | Medium. https://medium.com/@chris.essey/how-search-engines-work-a-complete-guide-77bdd722def7 

Patterson, E. (n.d.). 65% of daters open to long-distance, pushing apps beyond the match. https://www.datingnews.com/industry-trends/65-of-daters-open-to-long-distance-pushing-apps-beyond-the-match/amp/ 

Support homepage. The Trevor Project. (2026, February 2). https://www.thetrevorproject.org/