Hi Nick!   
      
   Sorry for the late reply ...   
      
   14 Aug 2017 04:38, from Nick Andre -> Richard Menedetter:   
      
    NA> While that may be true, the information available is in most cases no   
    NA> different than one can (and have) obtained from libraries.   
      
   There are major differences.   
   Access got much easier and faster.   
   (you do not need to wait for somebody to finance and write a book, but you   
   have often access to the papers).   
      
   You have much easier access to geographically diverse information.   
      
   Etc.   
      
    NA> Remember the early to mid 90's... The world did not suddenly morph   
    NA> into some magical utopia when the Internet became popular, nor would   
    NA> the "information superhighway" bring us together or improve our social   
    NA> standings with eachother by removing those geographical limits.   
      
   It depends on how technology is used.   
   But the fact remains that it is now much quicker and easier to communicate   
   with people from other continents, etc.   
      
   Sure ... you could always just give them a call.   
   But it cost you an arm and a leg, now you can make a SIP, Skype, Trigema,   
   whatever call with or without video.   
      
    NA> In fact, I think the opposite happened. People by and large just stare   
    NA> off into their smartphones, or are addicted to Facebook, or seem   
    NA> compelled to share pictures of what theyre about to have for supper.   
    NA> Cybercrime is more advanced and prevailent than ever nowadays.   
      
   There we are again, that it depends on how technology is used.   
   And it also requires more education on the user side.   
   Eg. checking the crowd sizes for inauguration and to fact check "fake news"   
      
    NA> I realise its not all doom and gloom and there are a few good websites   
    NA> out there, but IMO western society's social skillset and intelligence   
    NA> level did not improve whatsoever by the Internet.   
      
   That is why education is important.   
   People need to LEARN to use the tools that are already widely available.   
      
    RM>> The Internet is just a tool for communication.   
    RM>> You need to select with WHOM you communicate.   
    NA> I really wish I could share the same sentiments, truth is, the   
    NA> Internet is by and large powered by companies who by and large earn   
    NA> profits by tracking and manipulating individual's on-line activity.   
    NA> Google, Microsoft, Amazon, etc.   
      
   -> education   
   Learn to use Privacy Badger, Adaware and other useful tools.   
      
   EFF is usually a good read on those topics.   
   One interesting part is browser fingerprinting.   
   https://panopticlick.eff.org/   
      
   CU, Ricsi   
      
   --- GoldED+/LNX   
    * Origin: Never judge a man by his taglines. (2:310/31)