The internet has been around for some time and many have no idea of the origin, discuss what you find interesting about the origin of the internet covered in Chapters 7 and 8. I would like to see your insights on what you feel they got right, wrong, and still has room for improvement.
Contribute one main post, then post at least 2 responses to classmates. Please strive to enrich the main post with citations, references, links, data, graphs, Youtube videos, podcasts, quotes, etc. Also, remember to include supporting references from those references within the body of your discussions.
Main Post: The Evolution of the Internet – What They Got Right, Wrong, and What Still Needs Work
The origin of the internet is a fascinating journey of innovation, collaboration, and sometimes, unintended consequences. Chapters 7 and 8 trace the shift from government-funded research projects like ARPANET to the widespread commercialization and global connectivity we know today. What I found most compelling was how the internet’s foundation was built not as a commercial tool, but as a resilient communication system to survive potential wartime disruptions.
What They Got Right
One of the most significant achievements was the decentralized design of ARPANET, the predecessor to the modern internet. Developed in the late 1960s by the U.S. Department of Defense’s Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA), ARPANET was intended to ensure communication could continue even if parts of the network were destroyed (Leiner et al., 2009). This concept of packet switching, pioneered by Paul Baran and Donald Davies, remains foundational today and has allowed the internet to scale globally with remarkable resilience.
Moreover, the transition from academic/military use to commercial availability in the 1990s was critical. The development of the World Wide Web by Tim Berners-Lee in 1989 provided a user-friendly interface, making the internet accessible to the general public (Berners-Lee, 2000). This democratization of information has revolutionized nearly every aspect of society—from education and commerce to politics and entertainment.
What They Got Wrong
However, what early developers perhaps underestimated was the lack of built-in security. Originally, the internet was designed for a trusted network of researchers and academics. As such, there was minimal attention to user verification, data encryption, or content moderation. Today, the consequences of this oversight are profound—cybersecurity threats, misinformation, identity theft, and data privacy breaches are rampant (Zittrain, 2008).
Another misstep was the uneven distribution of internet access. While the internet was supposed to be a global connector, the “digital divide” persists both domestically and internationally. Rural communities, low-income households, and developing nations often struggle with limited access, impacting education, job opportunities, and healthcare (Pew Research Center, 2021).
Still Room for Improvement
One critical area that still requires attention is net neutrality and the governance of internet infrastructure. The open nature of the internet is increasingly threatened by monopolistic control by tech giants, uneven content access, and political censorship. Maintaining a free and open internet will require constant policy advocacy and public awareness.
Furthermore, digital literacy must be a priority. The internet’s benefits can only be realized if users are equipped to navigate it responsibly and critically. Misuse of platforms—whether through spreading disinformation or falling for scams—underscores the need for education at all levels.
Multimedia and Supporting Resources:
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📹 The Internet: How It Works (Code.org, YouTube)
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📘 Berners-Lee, T. (2000). Weaving the Web: The Original Design and Ultimate Destiny of the World Wide Web.
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📰 Pew Research Center. (2021). Internet/Broadband Fact Sheet. https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/fact-sheet/internet-broadband/
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📄 Leiner, B. M., Cerf, V. G., Clark, D. D., Kahn, R. E., Kleinrock, L., Lynch, D. C., … & Wolff, S. (2009). A brief history of the Internet. https://www.internetsociety.org/internet/history-internet/brief-history-internet/
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📕 Zittrain, J. (2008). The Future of the Internet and How to Stop It. Yale University Press.
In conclusion, while the origin of the internet is a story of remarkable success, it also carries lessons of caution. As future practitioners, policymakers, and digital citizens, we have a responsibility to ensure its continued evolution aligns with equity, security, and accessibility.