Internet And Culture
Discoveries and innovations in technology have directly and indirectly brought about profound changes in most basic institutions, social groups, worldviews and human values, ethical issues, the character of everyday life, and ways and means of satisfying human needs and international relations in modern society. Yet, the technological element which could be said that has deeply penetrated both the developed and developing nations of the world is the internet, bringing with it changes towards a more fluid flow of different cultures. The accessibility of the internet enables the differences and complexities among cultures to be presented to the world and be understood. If long ago, traditions of some ethnic minorities and far-flung societies were unknown, people nowadays could have a glimpse of what is happening at the other side of the globe. This proliferation of information and knowledge is one of the benefits of the internet phenomenon since people are no longer ignorant of the intricacies among cultures. Moreover, biases and prejudice are reduced because people can have the chance to comprehend the rationales behind some traditions and rituals that they might find strange and disturbing. Other than this, the internet also made way for the fusion of cultures as one internet user may acquire the habits, literature, and entertainment of other countries. Transferring of cultures is not actually rare in mankind’s history. A civilization adapts to the culture of its predecessor, and a group of people borrows some elements from another race, at the same, combining it with their existing culture. The Romans had done this with the Hellenic culture, and colonized countries gained the influences from their colonial masters while retaining their indigenous culture. Hence, it is not only technological knowledge itself that is being transferred and exchanged in the internet but also cultures, traditions, and ideas. In line with this is the advent of popular culture