The internet is Shit - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

hawkeye · 09-17-2003, 08:24 AM

http://www.internetisshit.org/index.html

Quote:

The internet is shit.

It is vitally important that we all realize this and move on. People (eg Bloggers) go on and on about how wonderful it is. About how much information is out there in cyberspace. About the way that everything is within reach in just a few clicks of their mice.

For instance:

"If I can operate Google, I can find anything... Google, combined with Wi-Fi, is a little bit like God. God is wireless, God is everywhere and God sees and knows everything. Throughout history, people connected to God without wires. Now, for many questions in the world, you ask Google, and increasingly, you can do it without wires, too."

Alan Cohen, V.P. of Airespace, a new Wi-Fi provider, New York Times, 6/29/03

I can name 20 people from my old school class who aren't in Google. I can walk into any public library, no matter how tiny and underfunded, and find facts, stories, amazing information I would never touch in a month of webcrawling. I can go into a bar and hear stories Usenet hasn't come close to in its 22 years of waffle. "Oh but what about the stuff you CAN get on the web?" the netheads say. But they're missing the point.

The internet is not the sole basis upon which you can determine existence. It sounds simple but people are starting to forget. If it doesn't have a website, that doesn't make something low quality. If you can't Google your blind date, that doesn't make them a freak. If one website says something about anything, it's more than likely pure invention and shouldn't be taken seriously. Checking your sources does not mean finding another website that says the same. Fiction is self-perpetuating.

Let's say it another way. A URL is not a mark of quality. It's not proof of honesty or approval from the FDA. Sure, people say they know this already, that a lot of the internet isn't true and a lot of it isn't interesting, no matter how angst-ridden and attention-seeking its author. But still we praise the internet for everything, from mobilising global protests to creating the latest trends, while disappearing up its backside and discarding anything outside it as 'out of touch'.

While we ascribe every first-world miracle to the electronic age, there's something truly missing that we once had in our grasp: our sense of wonder. Back in 1995, we were surprised, agog when things appeared on the net. People starting going around saying 'wow, this could really become something'. Slowly (very slowly at 16kbps), strange websites, new information, odd diversions and discussions with people around the world appeared in this brave new world. Each time it was met with surprise and delight, even if some of it was deeply obscure and slightly dull. There was no doubting the potential of the medium.

And look what we've done with it. Food wrappers and soap operas now tell us to visit their websites. Money is pumped online by people who can't even spell HTML. All manner of pointless and irritating content is continually poured down the infinite hole of data, unfiltered and over-appreciated. In accepting freedom of speech, we can't hide from its consequences - which in this case is millions of terabytes of unreliable information, badly designed and clumsily written. We have failed our own creation and given birth something truly awful. We're just too busy cooing over the pram to notice.

We need to start again. We need to stop saying how wonderful things are. We need to openly, truthfully and respectfully admit that the internet itself, in almost all of what's been done with it, is shit.

There's no point in undoing what has been done. What we need to do is to change our attitude. The internet isn't new any more. The evangelists have done their job. Everyone's heard of it even if they don't spend their lives logged on. Now its the job of the congregation to revolt. Chant it from the rooftops, spread it across your server, email it to your friends. The internet is shit.

And then what? Then we can move on. If we truly understand that the internet is shit then maybe we'll go back to looking elsewhere to check our information instead of just Google. Maybe journalists will do proper research again. If we remember that the medium isn't the message then maybe we'll stop aimlessly surfing for something amusing when we could actually be doing something fun. And, crucially, if the internet is just seen as occasionally unavoidable, maybe those websites that give us something special will be all the more amazing for it.

Give an infinite number of monkeys typewriters and they'll produce the works of Shakespeare. Unfortunately, I feel like I'm reading all the books where they didn't. I can't wait for the day when the internet makes me rejoice in its possibilities again. But right now, it's shit.

I really don't know what to say to this. I think this guy has some valid points, but at the same time, I look around, at places like TFP, and know that teh internet isn't, by any stretch, all shit.

legolas · 09-17-2003, 08:45 AM

I think he needs to just accept it.. the internet can be a great tool if used right.

Sleepyjack · 09-17-2003, 08:48 AM

as with anything it has pros and cons. Although i think much more pros than cons and find it useful. Its part of everyday life now.

a2k · 09-17-2003, 08:59 AM

I dunno... I kinda agree with him. There are exceptions, but it seems like there's more and more crap online and less and less worthwhile stuff. He's just a few years late in being revolutionary, or even insightful. I mean, arguing that that Internet Is Shit is so 2001.

CyN1caL · 09-17-2003, 09:01 AM

The internet is the future however one likes it or not.

Eventually people will grow to understand all the great points about it, and hopefully fix the bad in a way that many can accept.

I know I love the internet

Midnight_Son · 09-17-2003, 09:17 AM

the internet is very literally what we make it. If you’ve got a hard-on about
something and you can’t find it on the net, put it on the net. If you don’t agree
with one website’s opinion on something…start your own.
This guy’s alittle confused about reality I think.
And just to prove it, I say this:
Assuming he’s 100% correct, the fact that I read it on the internet
Means it’s complete shit and I should pay no mind to it.

Macheath · 09-17-2003, 09:21 AM

Quote:

I can go into a bar and hear stories Usenet hasn't come close to in its 22 years of waffle.

I used to be a bartender - hearing some guy bitch about how he hates his wife or how much he loves bourbon and coke isn't any more intersting in real life than it it is on Usenet. At least on the net you don't have to nod your head and feign concern or interest, then make up some polite excuse to walk away.

Quote:

A URL is not a mark of quality. It's not proof of honesty or approval from the FDA.

Being in a library isn't a mark of quality either. And, in light of this quote, what about the irony of using a political watchdog website to get info on the latest FDA scandal, hmm?

Thraeryn · 09-17-2003, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by cnor
the internet is very literally what we make it. . . . And just to prove it, I say this:
Assuming he’s 100% correct, the fact that I read it on the internet
Means it’s complete shit and I should pay no mind to it.

Exactly.

He's definitely a little confused, and sounds like he has bought into what businesses want the "internet" to be more than anyone else.

kurty[B] · 09-17-2003, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by cnor
Assuming he’s 100% correct, the fact that I read it on the internet
Means it’s complete shit and I should pay no mind to it.

Precisely what I was going to say. Yeah, there's tons and tons and tons of crap on this so called thing we call the internet, and yes I agree the internet shouldn't be a person's be-all and end-all of life and knowledge and the search there-of of it, but at the same time the internet can be a fantastic tool if used properly.

Come on, I can't check my bank account and view porno all at the same time on the phone now can I? Like various "new" arising technologies people have to learn to use it responsibly for themselves. I've had to learn to drink responsibly, watch TV (or not watch TV) responsibly, and yes, use the internet responsibly. The internet may not achieve the grandeur that it was once promised to be, but I remember as a child watching Disney's representation of the year 2000 with Goofy driving around in flying cars and having settlements on the moon and Mars. Most everything in life doesn't live up to initial possibilities assigned to it.

spectre · 09-17-2003, 10:16 AM

The net is like real life. There's a lot of bullshit out there, but if you look hard enough, you can find some good places.

wherearemypants · 09-17-2003, 10:57 AM

I think spectre's said it best, so far.

The internet is an amazing resource for everyday life. There's a prodigal amount of information on it, but it lacks direct human contact. This, however, can be a good thing; most of the ideas that get talked about here couldn't be discussed by this many people with this many viewpoints anywhere else.

Esoteric · 09-17-2003, 11:07 AM

All I know is there's definately some sick shit out there on the internet..

sixate · 09-17-2003, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by spectre
The net is like real life. There's a lot of bullshit out there, but if you look hard enough, you can find some good places.

Bingo... Now you need to teach me how to deliver one of my opinions like that.

CSflim · 09-17-2003, 02:31 PM

What a dumbass! Of course the marketing people are going to spew mindless garbage about how great the internet is! I guess he was disappointed when his new washing powder didn't revolutionise his world, or when his new deodourant didn't suddenly make him irresistible to the opposite sex. Give me a break.

I could equally well claim that "books are shit". I could point to thousands of books which really aren't worth the paper that they're printed on. The only difference with the net is that somebody's "book" doesn't have to go through the process of being published. This is both the net's strongest and weakest point.

Yes there is a lot of corporate marketing hype about the net, that's what marketing types are paid to do! If you spend your time on the blogs of angst ridden teenagers, and URL's you found on the side of a tin of baked beans, of course you're going to come to the conclusion that "the net is shit".

Go look harder, and you will find that there is plenty of "really good stuff" just waiting for you. Just open your eyes. Or hell better yet, sop your fucking whining, and go do something about it! Why don't you start some amazing website, and YOU can change the world. Or you can sit around and bitch about the fact that nobody is doing it for you.

Reminds me of a person spending hours flicking through the t.v. channels, complaing that "there's nothing on" and asking "what sort of a moron would actually watch this garbage?"

09-17-2003, 08:45 AM	#2 (permalink)
legolas shit faced cockmaster Location: CT	I think he needs to just accept it.. the internet can be a great tool if used right. __________________ "To alcohol! The cause of, and solution to, all of life's problems."

09-17-2003, 09:17 AM	#6 (permalink)
Midnight_Son The Cover Doesn't Match The Book Location: in a van down by the river	the internet is very literally what we make it. If you’ve got a hard-on about something and you can’t find it on the net, put it on the net. If you don’t agree with one website’s opinion on something…start your own. This guy’s alittle confused about reality I think. And just to prove it, I say this: Assuming he’s 100% correct, the fact that I read it on the internet Means it’s complete shit and I should pay no mind to it. __________________ SWM, tattooed, seeks meaningful tits and beer. Enjoys biker mags, pornography, and Sunday morning walks to the liquor store. Winners of erotic hot dog eating contests given priority.

09-17-2003, 10:16 AM	#10 (permalink)
spectre Junkie	The net is like real life. There's a lot of bullshit out there, but if you look hard enough, you can find some good places. __________________ "Fuck these chains No goddamn slave I will be different" ~ Machine Head

09-17-2003, 10:57 AM	#11 (permalink)
wherearemypants Upright Location: The District of Columbia	I think spectre's said it best, so far. The internet is an amazing resource for everyday life. There's a prodigal amount of information on it, but it lacks direct human contact. This, however, can be a good thing; most of the ideas that get talked about here couldn't be discussed by this many people with this many viewpoints anywhere else. __________________ And Shepherds we shall be, for Thee, my Lord, for Thee, power hath descended forth from Thy hand, that our feet may swiftly carry out Thy command. So we shall flow a river forth to Thee, and teeming with souls shall it ever be. In Nomine Patri et Fili Spiritu Sancte. -Boondock Saints

09-17-2003, 11:07 AM	#12 (permalink)
Esoteric Tired Location: Florida	All I know is there's definately some sick shit out there on the internet.. __________________ From a head full of pressure rests the senses that I clutch Made a date with Divinity, but she wouldn't let me fuck I got touched by a hazy shaded, God help me change Caught a rush on the floor from the life in my veins

09-17-2003, 08:48 AM	#3 (permalink)
Sleepyjack Fast'n'Bulbous Location: Australia, Perth	as with anything it has pros and cons. Although i think much more pros than cons and find it useful. Its part of everyday life now.

09-17-2003, 08:59 AM	#4 (permalink)
a2k Crazy Location: Seattle	I dunno... I kinda agree with him. There are exceptions, but it seems like there's more and more crap online and less and less worthwhile stuff. He's just a few years late in being revolutionary, or even insightful. I mean, arguing that that Internet Is Shit is so 2001.

09-17-2003, 09:01 AM	#5 (permalink)
CyN1caL Crazy	The internet is the future however one likes it or not. Eventually people will grow to understand all the great points about it, and hopefully fix the bad in a way that many can accept. I know I love the internet

09-17-2003, 02:31 PM	#14 (permalink)
CSflim Sky Piercer Location: Ireland	What a dumbass! Of course the marketing people are going to spew mindless garbage about how great the internet is! I guess he was disappointed when his new washing powder didn't revolutionise his world, or when his new deodourant didn't suddenly make him irresistible to the opposite sex. Give me a break. I could equally well claim that "books are shit". I could point to thousands of books which really aren't worth the paper that they're printed on. The only difference with the net is that somebody's "book" doesn't have to go through the process of being published. This is both the net's strongest and weakest point. Yes there is a lot of corporate marketing hype about the net, that's what marketing types are paid to do! If you spend your time on the blogs of angst ridden teenagers, and URL's you found on the side of a tin of baked beans, of course you're going to come to the conclusion that "the net is shit". Go look harder, and you will find that there is plenty of "really good stuff" just waiting for you. Just open your eyes. Or hell better yet, sop your fucking whining, and go do something about it! Why don't you start some amazing website, and YOU can change the world. Or you can sit around and bitch about the fact that nobody is doing it for you. Reminds me of a person spending hours flicking through the t.v. channels, complaing that "there's nothing on" and asking "what sort of a moron would actually watch this garbage?" __________________