[village-idiot]

In the long run, I can’t help but wonder if creating the internet was a mistake. We’ve effectively encouraged the absolute worst elements of society to come out and have a field day without the social pushback that had kept them in line for millennia.

[krapp]

>We’ve effectively encouraged the absolute worst elements of society to come out and have a field day without the social pushback that had kept them in line for millennia.

We've also effectively given everyone else access to information, communication and opportunities to expand their worldview that have been more profoundly transformational than even the printing press.

No, creating the internet was not a mistake, any more than any means of mass communication is a mistake because it can be misused as well as used wisely. Without the internet, global culture would be entirely controlled, centralized and limited by media conglomerates, digital rights management and distribution by physical media, and our means of mass communication limited to telephones. The same internet that grants freedom of expression to the "absolute worst elements of society" grants it to you and I as well.

The internet is just a network, but I believe the good it's done for humanity has far outweighed the ill.

[Razengan]

Did you somehow miss all the bad things that came to light mostly thanks to the internet, after having a field day "for millennia" without any social pushback to keep them in line?

Like the sexual abuse in Hollywood, for one example.

Do you really prefer the "absolute worst elements of society" to remain hidden rather than come out?

[myaccount4real]

Mistake? At least there is visibility. I don't know what the answer to the issue is, but I know hiding it in the corner, unobserved by the masses is not the answer. This leads to NO social push back, as there is nothing to push back about.

[xeromal]

If you combine that, social media, and porn, how much of the internet is still 'wholesome'? I think niche forums are my favorite part of the internet left.

[village-idiot]

I genuinely think Social Media is going to get us all killed.

Porn might prevent the next generation from being born, worst case.

[krapp]

>Porn might prevent the next generation from being born, worst case.

You know it's possible to watch porn and have sexual relationships with other people though, right?

[village-idiot]

Worst case, not expected case.

[krapp]

Worst case scenarios have to at least be possible. I don't believe it's possible that internet porn can or will 'prevent the next generation from being born', so I reject it as a valid worst case.