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Television A Blessing or a Curse? – Debate Topics

Television- a blessing or a curse.

Television is one of the most important miracles of science. It has brought about a revolution in the field of entertainment, education and communication. It has brought the cinema and the stage both into our houses. One can now watch moving, talking and living pictures on the screen while sitting in his home.

Television has many advantages to its credit. It has three major functions- to educate, entertain and to inform. Many educative and informative programmes can be shown on the television which are of great help to students and the masses. Television is specially very valuable for an underdeveloped country like India where a great majority of the people are illiterate and live in the villages. Documentaries and discussions with suitable visuals provide education and information. Through the talks delivered by eminent scholars, people can be informed about the latest happenings and current problems. Scientists, social workers and eminent personalities can talk to the people directly. Thus they can gain a huge fund of information regarding science, political matters and social problems.

Entertainment comes in various forms. People can enjoy films, plays, dances, musical concerts, sports and games and the scenic beauty of any part of the world. Television also helps to a great extent in removing social and political evils from the society. It can highlight the evils of casteism, dowry, drinking, gambling etc. and help in their removal. Similarly, government programmes like family planning, afforestation, adult education and cleanliness can also be propagated through the medium of television.

Television can also help in educating the public regarding corruption prevailing in the society. People can be taught not to give or take bribes.   They can also be advised to help the government in curbing black-marketing, smuggling, hoarding, etc.

Television has certain disadvantages also. If a person spends too much time in watching television programmes every day, he will become lazy. Watching the television from a close distance affects eyesight. During television programmes, students do not pay much attention to their studies which will affect then-educational career. Some of the advertisements shown on the television have a corrupt influence. Most of the advertisements are on consumer goods, fashions and cosmetics. They create a craze for superficial cold drinks, harmful dishes, cosmetics and costly fashions. When semi-naked girls are focused in advertisements, they do not create a healthy influence on the young mind. Some of the programmes shown in private television channels mislead the young. Many valuable hobbies like reading are discouraged because of the invasion of television.

In spite of these disadvantages, the role of television in the field of education, entertainment and information cannot be denied.

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Is tv a blessing or a curse.

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            Television now plays such an important role in so many people's lives that it is essential for us to decide whether it is a blessing or a curse.Obviosly, television has both - advantages & disadvantages. But do the former outweight the latter?.              On the one hand, TV is a great force in the world, because it enriches intellect, informs & touches upon poignant & topical problems. It can be seen that TV is the most powerful means of spreading information, it gives publicity to various events, people, happenings,opens new horizons. What's more, TV makes people think & talk more as it gives ground for thought & much to our heart & mind. Besides, TV creates the effect of 'presence' even for those watchers, who are miles away. Furthermore TV provides family togetherness discussion, brings pleasure & amusement into homes, puts a joy for mood & in the same time, makes mind a reacher & fuller treasure house.              On the other hand, many adults are worried that TV turns their offsprings into unimaginative 'couch-potatoes',TV-fanatics & blunts theirbrains. Some people think that TV stops kids reading & distracts them from spending pastime in the fresh air. Moreover, presentation of violence on the screen might lead young people to regard violence as acceptable behavior. TV is full of irksome commersials,which terrorize you about what would befall you if you didn't use the sponsors product,also it is full of blood-curdling & hair-raising moments. What's more, TV is a time-waster, which currupts not only kids, but also adults, as the routine of their lives is geared to the programmes. It turns them into non-readers & non-theatre-goers, kills conversation, in other words, it rules their life.              To sum it up, we can't say, that TV is only evil. It is a mammouth thing which has both - advantages & disadvantages, & it's up to us how we use it. Because there are lots of good programmes, I think, on all you've got to do is be selective & act with a little bit of juggment.

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CAFFEINEA Dose of RealityWhy Caffeine? I"m at the end of my journey here at CSDH and through all the courses and topics covered I have never heard one about caffeine. I watched classmates talk about past addictions and experiences with every other drug. Many of these classmates told these stories ...

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Is television a blessing or a curse

  • Published: January 7, 2022
  • Updated: January 7, 2022
  • Language: English
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On April 7, 1927 the world was introduced to a new kind of entertainment, one that would change the world forever. This unaccustomed entertainment was known as television. Television is described by dictionary. com as telecommunication system for broadcasting and receiving moving pictures and sound over a distance. Though television has the potential to inform, educate and to entertain, it also has the competence to promote violence negative behaviors and expose children to inappropriate activity.

Firstly television informs us about what is going on around the world. There are over twenty five news channels on cable television which broadcast local and worldwide news continuously.

Additionally it has been proven by the center for promoting growth and achievement that 75% of children who do well in school started their education with television. Television programs such as sesame street and blues clues enhance children’s intellectual development. These programs teach children their A B Cs, help them develop their social skills, and introduce them to foreign languages at a very early age. Adults can even receive education from television by tuning into the history or national geographic channels. Therefore we have the right to say that television has and still is contributing to the development of our future leaders.

Furthermore, the British poet Alfred Tennyson once said, “ death is the end of life, why should life all labor be.” Mr. Tennyson is saying to us that our lives should include some entertainment and amusement. I’m sure we could think of the many long hard depressing days, when we go home and enjoy a comedy movie, our favorite talk show or watch the news. Television helps us to forget about that depressing day and to relax. Without television life would be boring to many.

In contrast television promotes violence. This does not only mean dramatic consequences like bringing a weapon to school, but how children interact with fellow students, teacher’s parents and siblings. It has been proven that the average American child sees 200, 000 violent acts on television by the time their eighteen. The relationship between what we see and what we do is very complex. When we watch so much violence on television we develop violent behaviors.

Moreover television exposes our children to inappropriate activity. 95% of teenagers have been exposed to pornography on television before they reach the age of sixteen as stated by the department of child care and development. Research has shown that when children are exposed to sexual activity on television they want to explore it themselves. As a result teen pregnancy rates are rising rapidly, and the amount of teens with STDs and HIV is unbelievable.

In conclusion, television was considered a huge step forward in technology and is continuing to progress but as it still stands all good things have a downside. Undoubtedly television can be considered as both a blessing and curse.

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television a blessing or a curse essay

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What Is Television? A Blessing Or A Problem?

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There is one activity that stands out for it’s prominent and ubiquity – the world’s most popular leisure, pastime – television. Some people regard TV as the greatest invention of the humanity and can hardly imagine their lives without it, others, on contrary, are strongly convinced that it is used only for brainwashing and is a real curse for society. So what is television? A blessing or a problem? One point in favour of television is that it is a great source of education. We can get acquainted with different cultures and ways of life and get the out of the box view which is so important in modern world. If it wasn’t for television most of us would never get to see the underwater world. Moreover it gives us a unique opportunity to watch animals in their natural habitat.

In addition to this, television can reach aesthetic heights. Thanks to this “boob tube” we can take the pleasure of admiring museum collections from all over the world, we can witness the most outstanding cultural events without even having to leave our rooms! And what’s not! One more point is that television keeps us informed. We can find out the weather forecast and listen to the latest news bulletin. Furthermore, TV makes us think and feel and TV quiz shows encourage us to acquire knowledge. Finally television entertains and amuses, providing the escape that we sometimes need so much. If there was not television we would be deprived of the pleasure of watching a witty comedy or a fascinating, romantic movie.

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There are also argument against television. First of all, it can be compulsive. Unfortunately, television addiction is not a mere metaphor nowadays. More and more people strongly sense that they ought not to watch as much as they do and still find themselves strangely unable to reduce their viewing. And that’s when the problem arises. An additional disadvantage is the negative effect that television has on our health. Prolonged viewing is very harmful for your eyes as it strains eye muscles. Not to mention the fact that Television is used for brainwashing Make people think in a certain way. Not to mention the language. And encourages the youth to go in for pleasure. Not to talk about the violence on TV.

In conclusion, I would like to say that watching television, per se, is not problematic. It can be beneficial in limited doses. Yet when it interferes with the ability to grow, to learn new things, to lead an active life, then it does constitute a kind of dependence and should be taken seriously.

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television a blessing or a curse essay

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Essay on Television: A BOON OR CURSE

Today we will read Essay on Television: A BOON OR CURSE. This essay often asks in exams so this article will be very helpful for you. 

Table of Contents

Outline: 1. Introduction, 2. Uses, 3. Harmful, 4. Future ( Conclusion ).

Introduction:

Television was invented in 1922 by a Scottish scientist. In 1959 a television station was set – up in Delhi. Since then many new stations have been set up in different parts of the country. It is one of the most wonderful inventions of science.

It is very useful in several fields of life. As a form of entertainment, its popularity is growing day by day. Its most popular program is known as ‘ Chitrahar ‘. T.V. serials like the Ramayana and the Mahabharat have been very popular. Its educative value cannot be denied. Even an illiterate person can learn a lot. A common man can know much about the pressing problems of the world. It is very useful to farmers. There are special programmes for them. They can know about the latest methods of agriculture. They can know also about the latest varieties of seeds and fertilizers. It is also useful to women. They can learn about cooking, sanitation, knitting and weaving. It informs us about the latest inventions in the field of medical science and other branches of science. We can enjoy matches being played anywhere in the world while sitting in our room. There are special programmes for children. These programmes are very interesting and educative. They give them information and inspire them to work hard and be sincere and honest.

Television is sometimes harmful too. Excess of everything is bad. If we give most of our time to television, it will affect our eyesight. Being too much busy seeing programs will hinder our studies. Vulgar scenes and vulgar songs have a bad effect on children.

However, the future of television is very bright in India. Our government doing its best to make it more and more popular. The day is not far ahead when most of our villagers will enjoy its programs.

I hope this article Essay on Television: A BOON OR CURSE is very helpful for you so please like and share this article and visit www.grammersikho.com

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Television a boon or curse essay | Important essay for all type of english Exam

 television a boon or a curse, introduction  - .

television was invented in 1922 by Scottish scientists. In 1959, a television station was set up in Delhi. Many new stations happy been set up in different parts of the country.

Television is a great wonder of the modern world of science  -

Its bad effect (it adversely affects the eyesight of children)  -  .

television is sometimes harmful too. It adversely affects the eyesight of children. too much busy in seeing programs will hinder our studies vulgar songs have a bad effect on children.

It uses proper use of television is a boon and improper use a curse  - 

Useful for education - , useful for farmers -  ,  useful to women  - , useful ness in other fields  - , useful to children in educative programs  - , conclusion  - .

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is tv a blessing or a curse

Is TV a blessing or a curse?

Jul 11, 2012

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Is TV a blessing or a curse?. To write a balanced argument. TV is a BLESSING!. Many people believe that television is a miracle of modern life. Furthermore, that television is one of the greatest inventions of the 21st Century. Can you really imagine life without it?.

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To write a balanced argument

TV is a BLESSING! • Many people believe that television is a miracle of modern life. Furthermore, that television is one of the greatest inventions of the 21st Century. Can you really imagine life without it? • What are the advantages of watching TV? • How does television improve our daily lives? • How can you make television sound wonderful? • e.g Box of delights • Door to the world etc

TV is a Curse! • On the other hand,many people in our society are of the opinion that television is a curse. They argue passionately that television alone is the root cause of many problems that we face today in Britain. Furthermore, that television has cast a spell over audiences; quietly influencing people with the celebration of crude behaviour, foul language and the desire for possessions. As a result, it could be argued that crime rates in this country have soared as a direct result of audiences watching too much inappropriate television. • In addition, it might be suggested that television is preventing children from exercising regularly. Many experts agree that obesity in children is soaring. Has television led to a generation of couch potatoes? Children living their lives through the trials and tribulations of their favourite soap star, in contrast to their own real life which doesn’t come in neat half an hour programmes!

Brainstorm ideas that you could argue and flesh out! Think about both sides!

Conclusion • In conclusion, it must be pointed out that whilst television many indeed have many disadvantages, Britain has become a nation of telly addicts. It is easy to see why we have become so obsessed with television, after all how else can you receive interactive entertainment 24 hours a day at the touch of a button? • THEREFORE it is my considered opinion/ having considered the facts/arguments carefully I have come to hold the belief It is now clear, in my perspective that television itself is not the problem, but the amount of time spent watching it! Therefore, perhaps we should all spend a little less time tuning in and more time tuning out! (Is it time to pull the plug on TV?)

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Television a blessing or a curse? Essay English

By itself, no invention can be labelled as good or bad. It is the way we use it that makes it either good or bad. Take the case of the television. It is a wonderful invention, bringing the whole world to our doorstep. 

We can find out what is happening in the distant parts of the world, and even see it live by merely pressing a button on our remote. We can listen to the views and opinions of people who are thousands of kilometres away.

Then how can we even think of it as a curse? We can, because we sometimes misuse this invention. Though TV can be used as a means of entertainment and information, we, in India are using it mostly for entertainment. 

Both children and adults sit glued to the TV for hours, watching silly programmes. They become addicts. The new name for such people is 'couch potatoes'. They thereby spoil their eyes and their health. They neglect their diet and exercise. They have lost the habit of reading. 

They curtail social visits and do not like to receive visitors when they are watching TV. They are unable to enjoy the beauty of nature. Excessive violence shown sometimes makes them insensitive, and worse than that, they try to imitate these things in real life.

On the other hand, if used properly, TV can become a great blessing. A person can be educated through the programmes shown on TV. TV can even be used to teach people how to read and write. They can be made aware of their social and civic responsibilities. 

Social changes can be brought about speedily by good entertainment programmes. People can be educated to get rid of superstitions and social evils like dowry, child marriage, etc. with the help of carefully planned TV programmes. Programmes based on science and medicine can be used to teach people how to prevent disease, and how to lead a healthy life.

In villages, there can be a common TV set and suitable programmes which can be of help to the farmers, like teaching them better methods of cultivation, can be shown. One can be familiar with the latest inventions and discoveries, about animal life, and also about the arts and crafts. In fact, since TV programmes can reach millions of people in their homes, TV can to some extent take the place of the crowded classrooms of schools and colleges.

In short, if TV programmes are planned to make people enlightened citizens and better human beings, TV will no doubt, be a great blessing to mankind. Thus, according to me, TV is more of a blessing than a curse-provided it is sensibly used and watched.

curse-शाप. blessing-वरदान. distant parts-दूर किंवा लांब एखादया ठिकाणी, SET TOTA U . couch potatoes-आळशासारखे सतत घरात बसून राहणारा. curtail-कमी करणे.

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Is Television a Blessing or a Curse?

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On April 7, 1927 the world was introduced to a new kind of entertainment, one that would change the world forever. This unaccustomed entertainment was known as television. Television is described by dictionary.com as telecommunication system for broadcasting and receiving moving pictures and sound over a distance. Though television has the potential to inform, educate and to entertain, it also has the competence to promote violence negative behaviors and expose children to inappropriate activity.

                                                 

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Firstly television informs us about what is going on around the world. There are over twenty five news channels on cable television which broadcast local and worldwide news continuously.

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Additionally it has been proven by the center for promoting growth and achievement that 75% of children who do well in school started their education with television. Television programs such as sesame street and blues clues enhance children’s intellectual development. These programs teach children their A B Cs, help them develop their social skills, and introduce them to foreign languages at a very early age. Adults can even receive education from television by tuning into the history or national geographic channels. Therefore we have the right to say that television has and still is contributing to the development of our future leaders.

Furthermore, the British poet Alfred Tennyson once said, “death is the end of life, why should life all labor be.” Mr. Tennyson is saying to us that our lives should include some entertainment and amusement. I’m sure we could think of the many long hard depressing days, when we go home and enjoy a comedy movie, our favorite talk show or watch the news. Television helps us to forget about that depressing day and to relax. Without television life would be boring to many.  

In contrast television promotes violence. This does not only mean dramatic consequences like bringing a weapon to school, but how children interact with fellow students, teacher’s parents and siblings. It has been proven that the average American child sees 200,000 violent acts on television by the time their eighteen. The relationship between what we see and what we do is very complex. When we watch so much violence on television we develop violent behaviors.

Moreover television exposes our children to inappropriate activity. 95% of teenagers have been exposed to pornography on television before they reach the age of sixteen as stated by the department of child care and development. Research has shown that when children are exposed to sexual activity on television they want to explore it themselves. As a result teen pregnancy rates are rising rapidly, and the amount of teens with STDs and HIV is unbelievable.

In conclusion, television was considered a huge step forward in technology and is continuing to progress but as it still stands all good things have a downside. Undoubtedly television can be considered as both a blessing and curse.

Is Television a Blessing or a Curse?

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Tuesday 25 March 2008

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Technology: Blessing or Curse?

Technology: Blessing or Curse?

The debate over whether technology is a blessing or a curse has resulted in two opposing views. Supporters argue that technology improves our quality of life and has allowed for important discoveries such as the internet which has changed the way we communicate and connect with others. Opponents, however, believe that technology often creates more problems than it solves, citing examples such as nuclear weapons which can cause severe damage and genetic mutations. The author believes that technology is neither a blessing nor a curse, but its impact depends on how it is used. It is up to individuals to use technology in a way that benefits society and the environment.

To decide if technology is a positive or negative force is a challenging task, causing much debate and resulting in two distinct perspectives: those in favor and those against. Supporters argue that technology enhances our standard of living, enabling groundbreaking discoveries that would have otherwise been impossible. For example, the internet has greatly altered our perception of distances.

Nowadays, we have the convenience of connecting to the Internet and interacting with individuals who are geographically distant in real time. Alternatively, we could opt for air travel to personally meet these people overseas. This is just one illustration among numerous others that demonstrate the invaluable nature of technology and how it has significantly transformed our lives. However, detractors argue that technology often exacerbates issues rather than resolving them.

They firmly believe that the advantages we can gain pale in comparison to the harm we have inflicted. Occasionally, technology is employed not to resolve any issue, but simply to generate one. Take nuclear bombs, for instance; their purpose is annihilation, death. Even if someone manages to survive after being near a detonated nuclear bomb, they will likely experience mutations and severe genetic disorders caused by the bomb’s radiation. From my perspective, technology is neither solely a blessing nor purely a curse; it encompasses both aspects.

The way we use technology determines its impact. We don’t hold a nuclear weapon responsible for the damage it causes; we hold the person who detonated it accountable. The same applies to computers, medicines, cars, planes, and even everyday objects like pencils or pens. Every invention represents progress, as they all rely on technology for their creation. What we should consider is whether our actions with these inventions will bring blessings or curses to our environment and subsequently to our own lives.

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Essay on “Science- A Blessing or A Curse” Complete Essay for Class 10, Class 12 and Graduation and other classes.

Essay No. 01

Science- A Blessing or A Curse

Science has revolutionized the human existence. Much of the progress that mankind has made in different fields right from the stone age to the modern age is due to the progress made in the field of science. Not only material progress but also the mental outlook of man has been influenced by it. It has made man’s life more comfortable. Agriculture, business, transport, communication and medicine to name a few are all highly indebted to the wonders science has produced.

Electricity is one of the greatest wonders of modern science. It is a source of energy. It can run any type of machinery. With the help of electricity, we can light our rooms run buses and trains, and lift water for irrigation.

The discovery and development of a large number of powerful energy sources coal, petroleum, natural gas, electricity, etc. have facilitated the growth of fast modes of transport an communication, which in turn have changed the world into a global village. Science has given man the means of travelling cars, trains, ships, etc. Man has even travelled to the moon. Faster means of transport can be utilized for sending food grains to victims of famine or epidemics across the globe, for transporting armed men for fighting in distant places.

Science has benefited agriculture too. The food production levels and quality have improved. Soil analysis, hybrid verities of crops, fertilizers, pesticides, advanced tools and machinery, improved irrigation methods, etc. have all contributed to the increase of the production of crops.

Today we have metrological satellites in outer space sending data and pictures to earth stations helping agriculture scientists find and analyses soil patterns. They also help them trace the progress of rains winds and even locusts that endanger crops. Satellites can even forewarn about natural calamities like hurricanes which cause mass destruction.

Man with the help of science, has been able to increase longevity, arrest the gradual decay of human body and control the spread of lethal diseases by making extraordinary life prolonging drugs and medicines. Diseases like tuberculosis and many kinds of cancer which were considered fatal a few decades ago are no longer incurable.

One of the biggest achievements of science is in the field of entertainment. Leisure management industry, with television shows, music concerts and films, is emerging as emerging as the largest and the most important industry in the twenty first century satellite television has made it possible for millions of people to watch sporting and entertainment events taking place in different parts of the world simultaneously.

Information technology and computer have revolutionized our lifestyle. Automation in banks and railways stations has provided relief to the public and staff alike. Ticketing and reservation have become more efficient and convenient. In medical diagnosis, computers are used to locate and investigate accurately and reservation have become more efficient convenient. In medical diagnosis, computers are used to locate and investigate accurately and precisely any abnormalities or diseases. The internet has some very useful applications in our day to day life. Mobile phones are the outcome of information technology. But at the same time it cannot be denied that the boon in many cases has turned out to be the bane. There are innumerable examples which prove that science a blessing has been turned into a curse.

Sir Alfred Nobel experience with dynamite to clear huge mountains to turn it into productive lands. But modern man uses it to kill his fellow human beings and destroy nature. It is a fact that much of the national income of a developing country is spent on acquiring latest weapons, bombs and missiles. Guns, revolvers, tanks and fighter planners’ explosives nuclear bombs, etc were invented to develop a strong security system to protect the innocent masses, but their misuse is now crushing humanity. Apart from atomic weapons man has also started stockpiling biological and chemical weapons. These weapons are equally dangerous.

Biotechnology is a great boon for fighting disease. But along with medicines lethal biological weapons have also been developed. Germs are deliberately released into the air to spread diseases. Anthrax envelopes are used for spreading terrorism.

The negative effects of the excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides, used to increase yield are now evident. Soil salinity has increases. Traces of DDT are found in plants.

The power of the internet is also being abused through unhealthy practice such as the widespread use of pornographic materials. Lots of people spend their time in chat rooms for obscene discussions.

Science has two faces good and bad. It depends on us which face we want to see. If we use the gifts of science in a positive manner with positive intention and in positive direction it will benefit the mankind, but if we misuse it, it will prove harmful to all. To save ourselves and the world as a whole from destruction, we should use the gifts of science properly.

Essay No. 2

Science – A Blessing or Curse

This is the age of science and technology. Science has changed the face of the earth with its too many wonderful inventions and discoveries. If one of our ancestors were to return to the earth, he or she would not be able to recognize it – so tremendous, complete and fundamental has been the change.

Science has benefited mankind in an unprecedented manner by its wonderful progress and development. And still the development, research, inventions and discoveries are going on a very fast track. These are of fundamental nature and of far reaching consequences, also much so that the world would get further transformed unrecognizably.

Science touches all of us and our life at every step, as a big boon and blessing. It has helped us to conquer space and time. The world has now become a global village, thanks to very fast and reliable means of travel and communication. Science has also helped man to conquer the moon and to explore the outer space. Many a fatal disease is now checked and eradicated. The great and significant researches in the fields, of agriculture, irrigation, water – management, etc,. have helped in developing new variety of seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, and effective methods of water conservation. These benefits and facilities were not available to our forefathers.

The use of computers and super computers has further revolutionized our life and work with the dawn of scientific era, the barriers of the nations are crumbling fast and the international living and interaction are very much in sight. Nations and countries have come close rand isolation has  been eliminated. A new composite culture marked with greater tolerance and understanding , and secularism is now assured. In a sense, science has unified the world and reduced differences in outlook and thinking. By removing many superstitions and blind beliefs, modern science has inculcated scientific temper and spirit in man to great extent.

Because of science and technology there has been tremendous progress in the fields of industry, commerce and human resources development as well. Consequently, there is a new world economic order in sight and the gap between the developed and developed countries are being reduced. The new economic order ensures a great industrial and corporate cooperation, globalization, expansion and liberalization among the nations. The quality of life and standard of living, in various underdeveloped and developing countries, have improved and the countries are likely to be upgraded further. The contribution of science in the betterment of human life has been great and significant and further expectations from it are no less significant or great. The boons and blessings of science assure us further strengthening of human equality, fraternity and liberty.

Man feels more safe, secure, comfortable and important. Today than ever before, because of scientific development and advancement. The day is not far off when we shall have colonies on the moon and the planets. Science has achieved much, and promises to achieve still more and more in the years to come. Science has tamed forces of nature, conquered space  and time, eradicated  may fatal diseases given us food clothing etc. , enough to spare. Now there are no more famines, epidemics and pestilences. Science ahs even pushed further  the threats of death and increased the average longevity of man.

But science has been a mixed blessing. It has been a boon and blessing in certain fields; it has also proved a curse and bane in many others. It has given us many dangerous and destructive weapons like atom and hydrogen bombs and missiles. During the second world War itself 300,000 people died in Hiroshima and Nagasaki when the USA dropped atom bombs there in 1945. The biological and chemical weapons  are still more destructive. The bombs and other means of mass destruction now produced are far more lethal and powerful than used in 1945. The biological and chemical weapons are still more dangerous and destructive. They have the added advantage, as the source of attack can remain hidden and unidentified to a great extent. These weapons can be used to declaration of war. Then there are well- organized terrorist groups spread all over the world. They use these weapons in their desperation and sue unprecedented deaths and ruination.

Shakespeare has said that there is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so. There have been many scientific researches and discoveries which have unfortunately been hijacked to harmful destructive paths. It is reported that about half a million scientists are now employed on weapon research through hour the world. The huge amount of money spent on these dangerous recherché fan    exceeds the amount of money being spent on developing technologies for new energy resources, improving human health, raising agricultural productivity, controlling  pollution, etc.

At the end of the last world war, many of the scientists were taken away by the victorious countries for developing their own biological and chemical war  weapons. It is alleged that the outbreak of plague in India in 1994 was genetically engineered.

Obviously, science is being used so much for destructive purpose and so little for meeting real needs of humanity. This turns science into a bane. It is man who is ultimately responsible for turning science into a curse instead a blessing. By itself science can be said to  a blessing , boon or bonanza; the bane and cures are brought about by our wrong orientation and priorities.

The misuse of science has ushered in our life many undesirable elements. There has been erosion in man’s faith in sod and religion. Morality and ethics have been marginalized and materialism has increased unprecedented. Rapid , unplanned and indiscriminate industrialization has resulted in pollution on a vast scale. No doubt , science and technology has taken giant strides in recent times, but it has dehumanized human life in the same proportion.

Human values have been pushed in the background and man has become more selfish, cruel , sensual, violent and destructive. There is no more simple living and high thinking. But let us hope that ultimately sanity prevails and science is used more and more for the benefit of mankind. It depends solely upon man himself how he uses science and its discoveries and researches. Science as knowledge and power is neither savior nor destroyer.

Essay No. 03

Science is a Blessing, not a Curse 

Science is important in today’s life. We cannot live without science in the modern world. Science can be called one of the greatest blessings of this age. We owe all our progress to it. Today we can go round the globe in a matter of hours. Inventions such as washing machine, refrigerator, air-conditioner, dishwasher and geyser make our lives easy. Television, cinema and compact discs have changed the entertainment industry. Thousands of lives are saved every day due to the progress of medical science. It is impossible to run a company or a factory without a computer. We can also say that computers are the greatest invention of modern age. However., r science has also brought a lot of misery upon man. Nuclear weapons can destroy our planet several times over.

It is not impossible to remove at least some of the curses of  science. We must resolve to use it only to make life better for man. We must also not pollute our planet or cut trees any more. We must not build any more arms until every man has food on his plate. In this way, we can build a better world. Science is, at its heart, a quest; a quest whose goal is to create an understanding of the universe. In fact, science attempts to quantify reality. It does this in many ways; through experimentation and observation, through theorizing and testing. This quest has been undergoing since the birth of mankind and yet the further we go the further away the end of the quest seems to be. Despite this, it has been theorized that man will eventually understand the universe through science and its relentless quest for knowledge. Not only has it been said that this is likely, but it has been said that this understanding lies mere decades away from the present. Is this possible, not only mere decades from the present, but is it possible, at all, to achieve an understanding of the universe? In short, no. The extended answer, however, takes a little more time.

First, to begin the answer to this question, it is necessary to understand what is meant by understanding the universe. It means “the act of one who comes to know the meaning of; who apprehends”. Well, in the realm of science, understanding the universe would probably entail the creation of a TOE (Theory of Everything). The TOE is to the theoretical physicist as the holy grail was to King Arthur; it is the most desirable peak of achievement. To the uninitiated, a TOE is a theorem that explains, literally, everything, from the motion of subatomic particles to the existence of black holes and the motion of galaxies. The TOE would, in effect, explain the behaviour and nature of everything in the universe. It could, in effect be a way through which we could understand the universe and it has been theorized that such a theory is not far away.

Does this theory, however, if it is created, indicate that we do understand in full, the nature of the universe. The answer is, simply Put, no; not in any regards at all. First of all, the creation of a TOE that works does not even mean that it is right. It is possible that any formula created may function out of mere coincidence instead of out of a profound truth. Discounting this fact for a moment, the  creation of a formula in no way imparts understanding. Man has discovered and expressed the speed of light (in vacuum) as being 3 x 10 8 m/s. However, this in no way means that everyone understands this and, in fact, it is improbable that anyone can even begin to imagine this speed. Thus, how can we hope to derive understanding out of a formula that would be almost infinitely more complicated then a mere number? The answer is, of course, that most of us, if not all, could not begin to understand such a formula much less its implications or meanings. Why, however, can we not hope to understand such things? Are we not sane, rational beings? Well, to put it simply, human beings seem far to simple to actually understand the universe in all of its entirety, even if it is reduced to a formula. It has been theorized that there are hundreds of billions of galaxies each containing an equal number of solar systems. Despite this, most stars’ closest neighbour is more than 10 light years away. How could a human mind, being comprised such a tiny amount of brain cells, hope to understand something so big? The fact is that there is such a limited capacity in the human mind that such understanding almost unequivocally escapes us.

Essay No. 04

Science – A Blessing or A Curse

Science has benefited man in several ways. It has made man’s life more comfortable, more secure and more powerful. But it is not an unmixed blessing. There are several disadvantages of science.  However, the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages.

In the early stages of civilization, man used to be scared of the natural forces. Thunder, storm and lightning frightened him. He used to worship every object of nature-sky, earth, trees, air, sun and moon. Even animals were worshipped. It was because man could not understand the natural phenomena and he wanted to keep those forces happy. So he did that by bowing before them. He believed that if he kept those forces happy, they would not hurt him. He was, in short, a slave of nature.  But today, man has become the master of nature. His area of knowledge is vast, his power over nature immense. His mastery of the sky and the earth is nearly complete. The moon and other objects no longer fill man with fear. The earth holds few secrets not known to man. How has this tremendous change come about?

Science has revolutionized the human existence. Take, for instance, electricity which is one of the many gifts of science. All one has to do is to press a button.  The room is flooded with light, the fan begins to whirr and give refreshing air, or still more, a desert cooler or an air conditioner turns the room into a hill resort. Thousand types of machines are run by electricity. Room heaters, electric ovens and cooking ranges and several other household appliances are operated by electricity. It runs factories which produce innumerable things of our daily use.

Science has also relieved to a great extent human suffering. Advance in the field of medicine and surgery have reduced the rate of infant mortality. The average life span of man has increased. Today, many the dreaded diseases like cholera, small-pox and even tuberculosis are easily curable with the help of medicines. Surgery can remove malignant also proved to be harmful. The machine age made many people unemployed. Now there is no need for so many hands to do a task. Only one person is required to manipulate the machine. Thus, it has led to unemployment.

Machines have also led to degradation of our environment. The poisonous fumes and gases emitted by vehicles and industrial units have polluted the air we breathe and pose a threat to the health of the people.

In the light of all these grave dangers, it is imperative that man tries to make judicious use of machines. After all, man had applied his mind to invent new things not to make his life miserable, but to make it more comfortable and better.  Machines should serve mankind. Man should ensure that he does not allow them to destroy his environment and health and put the life of all living things in grave danger beyond a point of no return.

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television a blessing or a curse essay

commentscomments

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Sir please help me

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What help you want?

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I was also writing an essay and I needed some points…. This essay was really helpful… 🙂

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plz give me the quotations about this essay??

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Science of today is Technology of tomorrow

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Emerson Says ” Science surpasses the old miracles of mythology “.

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The essays are on point with soo many Knowledge and broader understanding on the concept of science.Thanks a lot.

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do u have an essay for class 6

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good English used and sentence construction is awesome and ,grammar………..is perfect .THANKYOU

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Sure scientific knowledge or advertisements is a greater understanding;blessing to mankind. Scientists has contributed to the development an a wealthy room for man. We live in a 🌍 that has been developed by scientific. Science are making the world more popular with the help of inventing new things to acquire a more and more greater power to make lives easier, and enjoyable and comfortable

Thousands of lives are saved every day.

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An Essay on Computer: Blessing or Curse

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  • Introduction
  • Blessings of Computers
  • Potential Downsides and Concerns
  • Striking a Balance

In our fast-paced modern era, computers have seamlessly woven themselves into the fabric of our daily lives. They stand as powerful tools that have redefined how we communicate, learn, work, and find entertainment. From revolutionizing education to enhancing global connectivity, the impact of computers is undeniable. However, as with any powerful tool, there are also important considerations about privacy, security, and the potential for overreliance.

Computers have bestowed numerous blessings upon humanity. Firstly, they have revolutionized communication. Through emails, social media, and video conferencing, we can now connect with people from all corners of the globe in an instant. This has strengthened relationships and enabled collaborations on a global scale.

Secondly, computers have transformed education. They provide access to a vast repository of knowledge through the internet, making learning more interactive and engaging. Online courses and educational resources have made quality education accessible to a wider audience, breaking down geographical barriers.

In the realm of business and work, computers have greatly enhanced efficiency. Tasks that once took hours or even days to complete can now be accomplished in a fraction of the time. This has boosted productivity and allowed for more time to be devoted to creative and strategic endeavors.

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However, alongside the blessings, there are also potential downsides to consider. One significant concern is the overreliance on computers. Some individuals may become so engrossed in their screens that they neglect real-world interactions, leading to a sense of isolation and detachment.

Another concern is the threat to privacy and security. With the increasing amount of personal information stored online, there is a risk of unauthorized access and misuse. Cybersecurity breaches can lead to financial loss and compromise sensitive data.

The rapid pace of technological advancement can result in a digital divide. Those who have access to the latest technology may have significant advantages over those who do not, creating disparities in opportunities and access to information.

To ensure that computers remain a blessing rather than a curse, it is crucial to strike a balance. This involves being mindful of our screen time and making an effort to engage in face-to-face interactions. It also means taking measures to protect our privacy and being vigilant about online security.

Efforts should be made to bridge the digital divide. Providing equal access to technology and digital literacy programs can help level the playing field and ensure that everyone has the opportunity to benefit from what computers have to offer.

In conclusion, computers have undeniably brought about a multitude of blessings, transforming the way we live, work, and connect with one another. However, it is important to acknowledge and address the potential downsides and concerns associated with their use.

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An Essay on The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Society and Workforce

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The Internet: A Blessing or a Curse? Essay

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Introduction

The internet, a blessing, the internet, a curse.

The invention of the computer and the subsequent birth of the internet has been seen as the most significant advance of the 20th century. Over the course of the past few decades, there has been a remarkable rise in the use of computers and the internet and these two have revolutionized the way in which we carry out our day to day activities. In addition to this, the unprecedented high adoption rate of the internet has resulted in it being a necessity in the running of our day to day lives. With this wide-scale penetration of the internet into many facets of our life, it has become apparent that the internet has both positive and negative effects on individuals and society at large.

In light of this reality of the two faces of the internet, there has risen the question of whether the internet is a blessing or a curse to mankind. This paper shall argue that while the internet does pose many real dangers, the internet is overall a blessing to humanity and its positive impacts far outweigh its ills. To reinforce this assertion, this paper shall highlight the significant merits of the internet and demonstrate how the ills can be mitigated for the good of all.

One of the most monumental effects of the internet is that it has led to the speeding up of globalization which is a process characterized by a major integration of economies and cultures. Globalization is characterized by a reduction in barriers between nations as the world strives to become a harmonic society. Sahay (2005, p.36) asserts that the ability of computing technologies to traverse geographical and social barriers has resulted in the creation of a closer-knit global community. The internet is to a large extent responsible for breaking down the barriers between different nations and therefore making the move towards making the world a global village feasible. This is because the internet exposes people to varying cultures and traditions therefore making us appreciate the differences.

Knowledge has always been seen to be critical to the advancement of any civilization. As such, man has always sought for ways to accumulate and disseminate information for the betterment of his kind. The internet has greatly aided this task by enabling the sharing of information among people at a previously unprecedented scale. This sharing of information has resulted in an increase in knowledge as people exchange ideas through the internet. With the help of the internet, are no longer confined to physical libraries as their only source of information. They can now tap into the vast resources that computers present through the internet. The internet’s connectivity has also led to more collaboration among students and scientists in their quest for knowledge thus further enhancing their educational experience.

The internet has afforded people the chance to get an education at their convenience. In the early years, one had to physically attend school facilities for educational purposes. This locked out multitudes of people who had the will to obtain an education but lacked the time to make it happen. Computers have changed this by enabling learning to be more dynamic by the use of online classes. This is in the form of the phenomenon known as “online education”. Students can take classes from wherever they may be and at any time by using virtual classrooms. The internet has therefore increased the number of people currently enrolled in higher learning institutes thus making education more universal than it was before the inception of computers.

The internet has led to a shift in the power bases by taking power from the political and economic elites, big businesses and governments and transferring the same to ordinary people. Ward (2003) suggests that through its distributive ability, the internet will decentralize traditional media channels, therefore, allowing for the interactive community which will result in citizen-based, participatory democracy. Therefore, as a result of the internet, people are no longer privy to government misinformation or even propaganda since they can report the news for themselves. This is a desirable change especially in countries whereby power is wielded by a few elites who control mainstream media and oppress their people.

As more people give information or perform activities online, the internet continues to cause a great infringement on individual privacy which is defined as “the right to be left alone” (Moran & Weinroth 2008, 46). This is especially through online shopping whereby one may be forced to enter personal details. When a person accesses the internet, their activities online may be monitored and information about them stored. User privacies have been violated by the use of tracking software and cookies which have enabled organizations to profile individuals. This information is normally collected without consent and sometimes without the knowledge of the user. Moran and Weinroth note that a more daunting reality is the possibility of this data being accessed and utilized for activities that may negatively impact the individual.

The internet has brought about the creation of a new class of people known as Hackers who are people who break into computer systems mostly for the fun of it. Hacking is one of the things which make the internet a very dangerous place. This is because hacking might lead to the exploitation of the vulnerabilities of a system resulting in harm or obtaining some illegal gains for the hacker.

While computer hacking is a criminal act under federal laws, this has not helped to deter the hackers and the fact that some countries do not have laws against hacking only makes dealing with hackers more difficult. While some hackers present themselves to the public and the hacking community as good or fighting for a good cause, this is not always the case as some hackers do use their skills for destruction or even blackmail (Jones & Valli 2008). As such, usage of the internet exposes one to dangers from hackers who may steal ones identity and use it to commit fraud.

One of the uglier effects of the internet is that it has made the world more dangerous for children. This is especially with regard to sexual exploitation since the internet has exposed children through its great connectivity power. The Canadian Resource Centre for Victims of Crime (2000) states that pedophiles may and actually do use the internet to find potential victims and trade in child pornography. By use of chat rooms, children may be lured into meeting strangers who may then proceed to sexually abuse them.

While such acts were there before the internet era, the internet has made prying on children easier and more effective than was in the past. The internet is also used to facilitate the sex trade through websites that offer detailed information as to the counties where pedophiles may go to exploit children owing to the place’s lax child protection laws. The fact that the internet gives anonymity to people is one of the features which have led to the increase in child sexual exploitation through the internet.

The internet has brought about the possibility of cyber terrorism which is defined as “the premeditated, politically motivated attack against information, computer systems, computer programs, and data which result in violence against noncombatant targets by sub national groups or clandestine agents.” (Bidgoli 2004, p.354). The most notable of these attacks was perpetrated against Georgia and Estonia following the dispute with Russia. Korns and Kastenver (2009) note that these attacks resulted in the disabling of communication means for the Georgian government. These realities are bleak considering the fact that a small terrorist group may make use of the internet to severe essential infrastructure of a country.

For all its good, the internet remains as a dangerous and unregulated highway whereby crimes are committed and accountability is low. From the discussions presented above, it is clear that there are a number of real dangers that exist as a result of the internet. Some of these dangers e.g. the risk of children falling prey to molesters may be resolved by the use of a police force that has the power to monitor the internet.

The creation of global and enforceable laws which will make people legally accountable for their actions will also result in making the internet safer for all. While this goes against the basic idea of the internet as a place without any restrictions, every day realities dictate that law enforcement is necessary online to contain crimes that are continually being instigated through the internet. By so doing, some form of order can be brought to the internet, therefore, making it safer for all.

The threat of hackers is very real and presents a big challenge especially to organizations handling critical data. To cope with this, there are tools in place to secure computer networks against attacks. These tools ensure that threats against a network are identified and neutralized and that vulnerabilities are identified and protection measures are adopted. By detecting and defeating the intruders, the advantages of the internet can be reaped without any real danger to the individual or the organization.

The threat of terrorist attacks is very real in today’s world. Wilson (2005) notes that many international terrorist groups are actively using the internet to communicate amongst themselves, spread propaganda and even recruit new members. This raises the possibility that the internet could be used to carry out a well coordinated cyberattack on the critical infrastructure of the country. Wilson (2005) declares that it is unlikely that cyberterrorism will pose the same threat that physical attacks such as Nuclear, Biological or chemical threats pose. As such, the internet does not greatly empower terrorists to carry out their actions and as such, the fear of terrorists causing significant harm through the internet is unfounded.

This paper set out to argue that the internet is mostly benevolent to man. To reinforce these claims, this paper has highlighted some of the positive impacts of the internet on man. The negative impacts have also been stated and a discussion on how real the dangers are undertaken. From the findings in this paper, it is clear that some of the dangers associated with the internet are exaggerated and the real once can be gracefully handled through available means. This paper has noted that by adopting these measures against the dangers inherent in the internet, the dangers can be mitigated or even extinguish all together. Once that is done, the positive attributes of the internet can be exploited therefore making the internet a blessing to mankind and his endeavors.

Bidgoli, H 2004, The Internet encyclopedia, Volume 1. John Wiley and Sons.

Canadian Resource Centre for Victims of Crime (2000), Child Sexually Exploitation and the Internet . Web.

Jones, A & Valli, C 2008, Building a Digital Forensic Laboratory, Butterworth-Heinemann.

Korns, WS & Kastenverg, EJ 2009, Georgia’s Cyber Left Hook . Web.

Moran, JT & Weinroth, J 2008 , Invasion Of Privacy On The Internet: Information Capturing Without Consent, Journal of Business & Economics Research, Volume 6, Number 7.

Sahay, R, 2005, The causes and Trends of the Digital Divide . Web.

Ward, D 2003, Impact of New Technology on the Traditional Media: A Special Issue of Trends in Communication, Routledge.

Wilson, C 2005, Computer Attack and Cyberterrorism: Vulnerabilities and Policy Issues for Congress, Congressional Research Service.

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The Internet: A Blessing or a Curse? Essay

1. introduction.

This paper sets out to explore the research and opinions of those who believe that the internet has a negative influence on society. There is a significant amount of information available on the internet that it can be a great resource for anyone attempting research. However, there is no way of verifying the quality or the truth of the information that is found, even by using search engines. It is argued that encouraging individuals to ask people face-to-face or to obtain information from books, which would generally provide much higher quality information, would result in today's youth becoming wiser. A main example which led to all this research was the quality of information found in most Wikipedia articles. Wikipedia can be edited by anyone and it is often impossible to detect whether the information found on the site is accurate, which could potentially lead to someone's research being based on false information. Another aspect that raises concern is the amount of time adolescents are spending online as a result of the growth of social networks. Today's youth tends to spend more than 20 hours a week on the internet and most of this time is spent on social networks such as Facebook or Twitter. During their time on these sites, they are minimizing face-to-face communication and are increasing the likelihood of becoming isolated, which can in turn lead to a lack of social skills. This abundance of internet use can cause an addiction. A study conducted at Stanford University has shown that nearly 1 in 8 Americans exhibit signs of possible internet addiction and this can have a drastic effect on their lives. This problem is more prevalent in adolescents today since they have grown up in the generation in which online activity has been widely encouraged. Internet addiction can lead to an array of problems that include a lack of motivation, decline in behavioral self-regulation and an increase in procrastination, all with seemingly more serious effects, as time progresses.

2. Positive Effects of the Internet

Access to information on the internet has enabled an improvement in the quality of education. For many people, access to the internet for educational purposes would be too expensive if it were not available in public places. The internet also acts as a low-cost method of communication, allowing the delivery of information through email, forums, blogs, and other platforms. Communication changes accessed through the internet have improved information exchange. This has had implications in our society in terms of trade and creating information-based economies. This has included the increase of import-export levels and lower barriers to international trade. The technology sector has been the fastest-growing sector in the economy, and the internet has played a major role in the migration of this sector. The ability of digital on-the-fly translation means that a native Chinese speaker can, for example, play an online video game with a native English speaker. In modern society, games and activities can be shared and enjoyed regardless of first language, and the internet has globalized cultural integration. This enhanced communication has allowed people to build communities and expand businesses no matter their physical location. Step-by-step tutorials on websites such as YouTube harmonize people in solving various problems in their life, and this has been a major influence in decreasing economic inefficiency and increasing redundancy in problem-solving.

2.1. Access to Information

The greater the capacity of a society to communicate, the more complex its dealings become. The internet has made human communication and information sharing not only simple, but inexpensive, immediate, and widespread. One of the main positives of the internet is the access it provides to huge volumes of information. It vastly increases the potential for a society to access knowledge that has previously been restricted to the elite and well-educated. Stored knowledge is a precious resource, and the internet makes it an unlimited one. Part of the information revolution is the volume of information available and the speed and ease of access. Newspapers are struggling with the drift of readers turning to internet news sources, but one of the main advantages the internet holds over traditional forms of media is its wealth of information. James et al argue that information is "the raw material of knowledge," and the greater the availability of knowledge, the greater the potential for education. The internet has opened up opportunities for individuals to seek out information on an almost infinite number of issues, greatly increasing the potential for self-education. It has transformed the nature of education and learning. Online courses and vast libraries of information available have meant that the marginal cost of gaining an education in a formal setting has increased. Teachers and students can access information previously contained in textbooks and academic journals, vastly increasing curriculum potential. This can also be seen in the global nature of information available. The internet has made the 'global village' an almost attainable goal, allowing for the free flow of shared information around the world. Information is no longer restricted to nation-states; the potential for global information sharing can increase awareness and understanding of issues that affect the entire human race.

2.2. Communication and Connectivity

The internet can facilitate easier communications by opening up doors to new forms of messaging and meeting others. Video conferencing and chatting to a friend pages are just some examples that have come about with the increase in internet usage. This can be highly beneficial to some people, perhaps disabled or the elderly, who may otherwise have difficulty leaving the house. These people can use modern communication methods to stay in contact with friends, family or carers. Similarly, internet communication enables people to overcome cultural barriers that may prevent face to face communication, and in doing so, helps to create understanding and tolerance of others. Another benefit to the increased flow of communication eventuates in more connections between people and a widening of social nets. This can be especially important in work life where the internet is having a profound effect, as it has enabled the rise of home based telecommuting work. For the worker this tends to provide more freedom and less stress, while companies may find lower costs and increased quality of output. For workers required to spend long hours in the office, the idea of a less stressful job with flexibility to spend time with family and possibly gain a better work-life balance is highly appealing. The internet can open up new possibilities for these workers to find telecommuting jobs with global companies, some of which may never have considered this form of employment without the communication capabilities provided by the internet. Communication can be seen as a two-edged sword however, for while the internet can enable easier contact with others, it also increases the chance of privacy being invaded through data mining, identity theft and personal attacks to name a few. It is important for users of the internet to understand the potential risks involved with communication and the ways in which they can protect themselves from such dangers.

2.3. Economic Opportunities

Economic development is the process by which a nation improves the economic, political, and social well-being of its people. The internet has been seen as an engine of economic growth, development, and productivity, particularly within the past five years. Economic opportunities arising from the internet and e-commerce fall into four main categories: global marketplace, cost reduction, product and service innovation, and finally small business growth. The global marketplace is probably the most well-known success story of the internet. Here, companies are able to carry out import, export, and overseas trade without incurring the costs of travel, establishing a physical business presence, and correspondingly the setup and running costs of such a venture. The homepage is the marketplace, and here companies can list products, services, and their terms and conditions for the whole world to access. Yahoo! Executive Tim Koogle said that the internet would reduce the importance of location, and that could not be more true for the global marketplace. Here, it does not matter where your business is located; what matters is the quality, usefulness, and most importantly, the availability of what the business is offering. Market success can be tracked in terms of hits on the company's webpage, so a company can instantly gauge the effectiveness of an advertising campaign. Coca-Cola chief executive M.D Callahan said that his company would one day generate 90% of its revenue from abroad. The internet is clearly a facilitator in realizing this ambition for companies all around the world.

3. Negative Effects of the Internet

Another problem the internet has caused is the problem of increased availability of illegal means of spying or hacking into people’s private accounts and being able to steal information such as medical records, credit card information, and other personal data. This can lead to such information being used in a detrimental manner such as identity theft. The internet is an extremely vast community where there are very limited regulations. This can have its benefits, but unfortunately, this is usually a double-edged sword. The fact that there are very few regulations as to what can be published on the internet opens the door to a vast amount of inappropriate and explicit material to be available to almost anyone. The main victims of this problem are usually children or young adults who, in the process of researching information for school or general interest, can easily stumble into such material by accident. This can be rather scarring for a child and can lead to desensitization to such material and a growing curiosity of it, potentially affecting their mental health. One of the biggest problems the internet has created is the presence of online predators. The rise of the social media age has created multiple platforms for people to interact with one another and even meet new people, but this has its risks. Often, common targets for such people are young adults or children who are unaware of the dangers of the internet. The process of grooming such victims can lead to very detrimental relationships and have a long-lasting and scarring effect on the victims. An unfortunate product of the rise of internet communication is the birth of "Cyber Bullying". The internet is a place where people can communicate easily and have access to large amounts of information. This can lead to people using communication platforms to insult or verbally attack someone, out of sight of any supervision. This can have the possibility of people doing so anonymously. These are just a few problems that the internet has created in modern society. They are issues that have been born from the very vast progress of the internet but unfortunately come with the territory of modern communication. The internet is an ever-changing entity, so it is unsure as to what the possible solutions to these issues are, but in order to keep evolving as a global community, they are issues that need to be addressed.

3.1. Privacy and Security Concerns

Privacy and Security Concerns The internet, as we know it, is a large community that continues to grow, but it is said to be unregulated. This has caused many concerns for many people. If you do not want information about yourself to be available to others, then the internet is not for you. The types of information available range from the name of the street you live on to your credit card information, and even a satellite photograph of your house. The ability to access and publish personal data quickly and cheaply has proven to be a revolution in information gathering. The seduction and risk with online credit card shopping and marketing has led the credit card industry to spend over millions in attempts to contain credit card fraud and even try to eradicate it. An example is the latest security measures Visa International has taken to protect against internet credit card fraud. Thus far, the negative effects have outweighed the positive consequences. A study done by the Georgia Institute of Technology found a serious flaw in the security features of web browsers. This has led to untrusted parties being able to monitor unaware users. Monitoring software has also become a large problem in the attempt of gathering personal data. Many ISPs, such as ATTBI, have even been caught signing up members involuntarily to monitor programs in cooperation with certain software companies. In the case of ATTBI, subscribers were signed up with no prior notification and there was no easy way to uninstall the program. This has caused a class action lawsuit and a settlement of 35 million dollars to be paid in the case of invasion of privacy. With the proliferation of companies saying that privacy policies may change at any time without notice, and the current lower state of enforcement due to fewer regulations set today, it is clear that there will continue to be a privacy problem in the future.

3.2. Spread of Misinformation

Internet is a place for the free flow of information. However, the information being spread is not always vetted for accuracy. Information overload is a common occurrence. Due to the vast quantity available, attempting to sort through all of it can lead to decision paralysis. In the TED lecture "Filtering What's True," Eli Pariser argues that the internet is featuring an increasing number of sites that provide "ideologically segregated" information. He notes that a person who consumes news from only one part of the political spectrum may be getting an extremely biased viewpoint. In the article "The Impact of the Internet on Society: A Global Perspective" by Manuel Castells, the author states that "small, informal and intimate circles of sharing are social networks, where misinformation spreads fast." He goes on to describe how a man who hears a certain piece of information from a friend on a social networking site is likely to believe and spread it because of the informal nature of the interaction. An internet user is not likely to carefully fact-check information that he is exposed to in a casual context on an internet filled with so much other information. He also alludes to the formation of "cultures of validation" wherein people will create networks of support around a preconceived idea. These cultures will include media sources and leaders who validate the idea, effectively creating an echo chamber. Castells believes that the global implications of such an occurrence are "critical if a major crisis, such as climate change, requires social and behavioural change on a global scale with an uncertain outcome." Misinformation, also very possibly being spread from a culture of denial, could hinder efforts to affect change on global issues. Any sort of obstruction in global communication has potential to breed international tension, and Castells offers the example of the relation between South Korea and China in the wake of a dispute over the origin of an ancient migrating people; a misunderstanding which was caused by misinterpretation of scientific data from East Asian genetics.

3.3. Social Isolation

A revolution in communication: a century of social isolation? A onetime fee is all one pays for a lifetime of social isolation. A profound implication of the internet involves individuals who intend to escape the ostracizing tendencies of the real world falling into what would seem infinite cyberspace hiding spots. Shy and introverted individuals find it easier to initiate contact with strangers and become accustomed to freer self-expression. Often the fear of rejection or the inability to confront the awkwardness of a situation involving others prevents one from instigating an interaction. With the internet, such barriers are eliminated and as a result, new communities are formed stemming from common interests. Although this may seem an ideal setting for such individuals, these communities can often place people in a situation where they are only furthering their lack of human contact. An interesting example may be found in a realm of internet gamers: individuals who seek escape from derogatory real-world social labels find camaraderie in fellow gamers with similar experiences. This sort of exploitation of the internet as a shield from the real world inhibits these individuals from taking their shot at resolving long-term problems. If all the world is a stage, then the internet is a mirror to a society with a desire to turn its back on the maladies that afflict it. A 2001 study by Kraut et al. found that the amount of time spent on the internet by an individual correlated to increased feelings of loneliness and depression. The study further discussed how chat room contacts, though initially generating happiness, were viewed as insubstantial leading to decreased well-being. While the internet can bring family members living at a distance closer via email or instant messaging, the lack of true accountability to one's availability can make establishing predetermined contact times exceedingly difficult. This lack of contact can result in family members simply missing one another. Given the nature of internet communication, one can choose to respond to an email or inquiry at any given time. The ability to make these responses sporadic is often taken advantage of in situations involving acquaintances. Just as predilection is often to put off an undesired phone call to a later time (and eventually forget it), the same can happen with email exchanges. The difference in timing often results in the loss of the depth of a conversation. Step questions? Those steppingstone-like inquiries leading to better familiarity and possible invitation to a planned social activity? Go widely ignored as emails become interchanged days apart, and often questions will go unanswered. This in-depth yet insufficient mode of communication can stall the development of friendships and put a halt to the birth of new ones.

3.4. Cyberbullying

There are a number of ways in which cyberspace has become a new platform for bullying. Due to the relative anonymity given to the bully online, it is easier for the perpetrator to engage in bullying and the potential for the victim to be able to identify the person is often less than in offline bullying. The power relationship between the bully and the victim is also less disparate in many cases with online bullying. The victim can sometimes return the abuse or seek revenge, in this case blurring the lines between the victim and the bully. Another issue is the desensitization to violence. Research has shown that people are more likely to act aggressively after being exposed to violent media, and with the steady increase in mediums through which the Internet can be accessed, more and more children are using the Internet as their primary source of entertainment, which may in turn lead to increased levels of aggression. Cyberbullying has been shown to cause higher levels of depression and anxiety in victims, which can often lead to behavioral problems and an altered psychological state. A victim may start to exhibit behavioral issues because of the cyberbullying that may lead to an altered state and even more victimization, creating a vicious cycle. In the modern age, it is very difficult to escape cyberbullying and as such, the victim may take the abuse home from school and have it continue into what was previously considered a safe place. The abuse can continue anytime and anywhere so long as the victim has access to the Internet. Furthermore, cyberbullying can have more severe effects than traditional offline bullying. There have been several cases of victims of cyberbullying committing suicide and a study in the US has shown that cyberbullying victims are almost twice as likely to attempt to take their own life than offline bullying victims. Even after the bullying has ceased, the victim may still have quick and easy access to the content and often the knowledge that the data still exists can be a reminder to the victim of the abuse and provide anxiety about it happening again.

4. Conclusion

The impact of the internet on society is deep. It brings people together. It can reduce social and economic divides, although there are concerns that the internet may widen these gaps. The internet may be one of the greatest equalizers. The internet empowers those who have access to educate themselves and improve their social and economic situations. The internet can help bridge the gap between social groups internationally. Global development is an area that will highlight the internet's true potential in closing the gap between nations. Global development is about increasing the quality of life for all people throughout the world. John Kiyonaga, in his article on global development and the internet, argues that the internet must be embraced to ensure a more prosperous future for all nations. While many view global development as the process of poorer nations being guided by richer, developed nations, much can be learned from one another. Yet, it is difficult for the two types of nations to interact due to economic and political barriers. Kiyonaga suggests that the internet may provide an impartial and inexpensive way for nations to learn from one another. The internet may indeed be a tool that allows nations to interact as equals in solving common problems. As global development ideally brings nations closer to one another, the continued expansion of the internet will help to tie the world closer. Infusion of internet access in developing nations and increased interaction between nations that it will bring, is fostering a global community of shared knowledge. The full impact of the internet on global development remains to be seen, but it is sure to provide new and innovative ways for nations to work together for a better future.

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News | Technology a blessing, a curse for remote island

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In this Oct. 6, 2010 photo, Muggs Bass, 70, sits in her kitchen in her home on Beaver Island, Mich. Bass was born and raised on the island and returned 12 years ago. A year later she was diagnosed with breast cancer which has since spread to her bones. She sees doctors on Michigan’s mainland but is able to connect with a cancer support group through video conference at the island’s health center - a service that helps patients who live in this remote place feel less isolated. (AP Photo/Martha Irvine)

“When you don’t have it, you don’t miss it. That’s what I say,” says the spunky 70-year-old grandmother, who’s as comfortable telling jokes at the local pub as she is attending Mass each morning.

Technology isn’t really her thing. So, it’s a small miracle when Bass drives, once a month, to her island’s rural health center to sit down in front of a wide-screen television. There, she and a handful of other islanders connect by video conference with a similar group in Charlevoix, Mich., a two-hour ferry ride to the south and east.

They chat. They laugh. They cry together.

All of them have, or have had, cancer, Bass included. Hers started with a lump in her breast and has since metastasized to her bones, making her cancer treatable, but incurable, her doctors tell her.

Her own grandmother died of the same disease and went off the island for occasional treatments, as Bass does every few weeks. But that grandmother could hardly have imagined a day when islanders talked openly about their cancer, face-to-face with people in a support group miles away.

It’s just one of many ways technology is making this rugged place less remote than it once was and, some would say, more livable for more people.

It also gives islanders hope for new jobs that could attract residents to this island in northern Lake Michigan where the year-round population is about 650 people, give or take a few dozen.

“In the last few years, technology has sprung,” says Joe Moore, a retired teacher who’s known as one of the geeks on the island who helps keep computers running.

Not that the change has come quickly, or that technology always works perfectly.

That’s just how it is on an island where a popular bumper sticker reads “Slow Down! This Ain’t The Mainland.” It’s aimed at anyone who’s in too big a hurry, including lead-footed tourists who kick up dust on the many dirt roads or who panic when cell phone service drops.

That’s life on wired – or at least, semi-wired – Beaver Island.

So, where is Beaver Island, anyway?

Some Michiganders would show you by holding up their right hands, palms up, and pointing just above the tip of their ring fingers – in other words, just off the far northwest tip of the state’s lower peninsula. But that’s if even THEY know where it is.

While Michigan’s Mackinac Island is well known, Beaver Island – much of its 54 square miles covered in lush hardwood forests, sand dunes or pristine inland lakes – is not.

That’s partly because it is more difficult to get to, especially in the off season. Ferry service runs from Charlevoix, from April through mid-December. Quick flights in small propeller planes are available year-round, weather permitting. In winter, it’s not unusual for islanders to be physically cut off from the mainland, unless an emergency sends the U.S. Coast Guard to their rescue.

So when high-speed Internet service became available to most of the island last spring, this was more than just a convenience. For many, it was a godsend – even if having the service simply meant being able to shop online for just about anything, to play an online game or to watch a newly released movie. For others, it meant being able to stay on the island longer because they had a more reliable connection to do work.

Either way, the outside world was even more readily available, at least virtually.

Schoolchildren on the island were ahead of this curve: The main public school knew how valuable it would be for them to be technologically savvy, especially when students headed to college. In the last decade, those students have been encouraged to take language and advanced-placement classes online. Some in high school also take college courses. They learn how to download and evaluate statistics using palmtop computers.

Connie Boyle, a teacher at the school, helped implement the technology program. She had a vested interest in it, partly because she and her husband decided to raise their daughter on the island after moving here from Chicago 25 years ago.

“We were worried – ‘How do you bring up a kid on very tiny Beaver Island?'” Boyle says. An answer came when their daughter, now a freshman at Michigan State University, called recently about her computer class.

“Mom, I don’t get it,” she said. “I’m helping everybody here. We did all this in high school.”

Today’s state-of-the-art Beaver Island school is quite different from the one Muggs Bass attended. For her, books were the only real window to the mainland, especially in elementary school.

Like many who settled on Beaver Island, her great-grandparents and a grandmother had come from Ireland, to farm, fish and find a better life. Her own father was a dairy farmer. Born Mary Margaret but called “Muggs” as long as she can remember, Bass went to a small school across the field from the family farmhouse.

Until her school combined with another in the island’s main town, St. James, she didn’t even know some of her own cousins on the island. Other than a trip to the doctor when she was a young child, she didn’t go to the mainland of Michigan – “across,” as the islanders like to say – until she visited an aunt in Detroit when she was 12 years old.

“It was big and noisy,” she recalls.

She didn’t mind that her family didn’t have a television until she was a teenager. For a long time, the closest thing she had to a technological device was the family radio, which she sat beside with her father to listen to boxing matches.

Her world was small in those days. That’s how she liked it.

But after she graduated from high school, she left the island to find work and she ended up living in other parts of Michigan and then Illinois, where she met her husband. They then moved to northern Indiana, where they raised their son and his children from a previous marriage. Always, she longed to return to the island one day.

It’s not the kind of life that appeals to just anyone.

Donna Kubic, a registered nurse who heads the island’s rural health center, gets that. She tells the story of a young woman who came to the island to apply for a job at the health center. The woman had planned to stay for a week, but left after staying just one night in a lakeside cottage.

It was too dark out there with no street lights, she told Kubic. Too solitary.

This is, indeed, a place where one doesn’t take modern convenience for granted. There is one grocery store, a couple of gas stations, a handful of restaurants and bars but no movie theater. There is no full-time doctor on the island, though two visit from the mainland twice a month. Critical patients are airlifted off the island, by the Coast Guard if weather shuts down other options.

As recently as two years ago, if someone needed an X-ray, the films had to be flown to the Charlevoix hospital so a radiologist there could read them. Depending on weather, it could take days.

Kubic knew there was a better way. She persuaded the hospital to help her apply for a grant that recently helped her purchase digital X-ray equipment for the health center. Now images can be transmitted in a matter of minutes.

Next came video conferencing, connecting the island’s nurse practitioner and physician’s assistant to the mainland hospital’s emergency room. It’s the same technology that allows Bass and the other islanders to take part in the “Circle of Strength” cancer support group.

“Without it, we’d be out here, in the lake, without a lot of support,” Kubic says. Eventually, she hopes that primary care doctors and specialists – even mental health care providers – will be more willing to offer their services to islanders (though so far, she says, they’ve been reluctant).

“I think it’s just education, saying the technology is there, getting the docs used to it,” she says.

When Muggs Bass moved back to the island 12 years ago, she had no idea that she’d soon be dealing with a serious health issue.

A year after she’d been there, she traveled to the mainland for her annual mammogram, which revealed cancerous tissue. She had surgery to remove a breast.

“Then I went along fine for 10 years,” she says, until she got a cough she couldn’t shake. One morning, she got up and said to her husband, “I need to go across, to the doctor.”

Her lung was filling with fluid. The cancer had spread to her bones.

So for the past 18 months, she has traveled to the mainland every six weeks for an infusion of a drug that keeps her bones from fracturing, and also takes a daily pill to slow the cancer’s growth. The goal is to extend her life as much as possible.

“I’m going to hold to this until I reach something else,” Bass recently told her support group. “And then I’ll have to make another decision.”

The group in Charlevoix includes an 80-year-old woman with lung and colon cancer, as well as younger mothers who’ve survived breast cancer and those who are in the thick of the battle. They talk about infections and drainage tubes, mammograms and mastectomies. They somehow manage to find humor in topics such as constipation.

One of the moms, introduced to the Beaver Island group through video conference, thanked Bass for sending her a card and a prayer.

“I read it every day,” the woman, who has 11- and 16-year-old children, told Bass. “I’m in it for the long term fight. I’m prayin’ hard, too.”

“That’s what you do,” Bass said, as she grabbed a tissue to dab her eyes.

Diane Gorkiewicz, who began the Charlevoix “Circle of Strength” six years ago, marvels at the intimacy that has developed so quickly between her group and the islanders.

“The only thing you’re missing are all the hugs and stuff,” Gorkiewicz told the islanders during a recent video conference.

“And the food,” Bass said, teasing the Charlevoix group that they need to share the treats they bring to their meetings.

Joe and Phyllis Moore understand the dynamic.

Earlier this year, the longtime islanders were able to “attend” their youngest granddaughter’s first birthday party via Skype. Guests at the party in Washington state sat at a computer to introduce themselves. The Moores saw the cake. They gave real-time wishes to the birthday girl.

“Just thinking about it, it almost brings tears to my eyes,” Joe Moore says.

It’s not ideal, but the best they can do – better than they could’ve hoped for, really. The hard reality is that the cost of getting off the island can be prohibitive.

Most islanders have to “wear many hats” just to get by, Moore says. In addition to his computer work, he’s one of the island medics and also runs a local website that provides video footage of township meetings, as well as the school’s soccer and volleyball games.

Phyllis Moore is now the assistant librarian, but when she moved back to the island after college, she and Joe ran a vacation lodge while he did his student teaching.

“Like most graduates, I was going to get off this rock and never look back,” says Phyllis Moore, now 62. “And look where I am now.”

Many young people who live here say technology – social networking and their cell phones included – make life on the island better for them, too. But in the end, they face the same dilemma as everyone else: How do you make a living here? And what if there’s really no place for the kind of work you want to do?

Brontae Cole, a 17-year-old high school senior, will be heading to college next year and wants to become a homicide detective.

“There’s one cop here, two in the summer if we get lucky,” Cole says. She grins. “And not a lot of dead people.”

Jewell Gillespie-Cushman, a 14-year-old freshman, also wonders where he’ll land. His late grandfather, an island icon for whom he was named, was born on Beaver Island and lived here his entire life. Gillespie-Cushman isn’t sure he could do the same, even with more contact with the outside world than his grandpa had.

“I’m still debating whether to stay here, or move over there,” he says.

Like Muggs Bass, though, a growing number of people want to find a way ONTO Beaver Island – many of them among the thousands who visit each summer and would like to make it home. For many of them, technology is the key.

Jeff Stone and his wife, Sarah Rohner, were able to start spending more time on the island in 2006, when a satellite-based service began offering an Internet connection that was about two-thirds as fast as the newest service, and much faster than the sluggish dial-up service that had been the only option.

The satellite option enabled Stone to quit his real estate job in the Chicago area to start a website design business that he and his wife run from the island much of the year, though not without some initial glitches.

He recalls how snow from a huge storm covered their satellite dish, cutting off their Internet service just as they were about to launch their site.

“We ended up going out in the back yard and throwing snow balls at the dish,” he says. That knocked off enough snow to get the Internet working, and they were back in business. But it’s not always that easy, or quick.

Laurel Vietzen, a college professor, also from the Chicago area, who now spends several months a year on the island, remembers a violent summer thunderstorm two years ago that left much of the island without Internet and phones. “We had a daughter at the University of Iowa and we were hearing about terrible flooding in Iowa City,” she says. “It was three days before we could reach her!”

Now that Internet service on the island is more reliable, many islanders say cell phone service is the big hurdle. One mobile provider’s service works well here, though only on the upper third of the island – and outages happen more frequently than most would like.

Even those who reap the benefits of technology feel torn, though. They worry that it infringes on one of the very things they love about the island – its inherent, blissful peacefulness.

Technology is, at once, their blessing and their curse.

On a summer night, it’s not unusual to see more than a dozen people sitting outside the library’s memorial garden, on picnic tables and in their cars, tapping into the free wireless that’s left on 24 hours a day.

At the same time, islanders and summer residents alike regularly complain about all the people who now walk around the main streets of St. James, staring at a smart phone screen or iPad instead of their beautiful surroundings.

“The technology is wonderful, but … ,” Phyllis Moore says. She raises her eyebrows, noting how, on a nice day, she isn’t opposed to kicking kids out of the library after they reach their 30-minute time limit on the computers there.

Meanwhile, it used to be the joke that, by St. Patrick’s Day, anyone who lived here year round couldn’t stand the sight of anyone else. In many ways, communicating with the outside world helps with that, but not always.

“I don’t think it’s eliminated cabin fever or getting at each other’s throats,” Joe Moore says, chuckling. “Sometimes, I think it makes it worse because they can communicate more and get on each others’ nerves even more.”

Muggs Bass knows about the squabbles and the way a rumor can take on a life of its own, computer or no computer. She wasn’t too happy, for instance, when she heard that some islanders were calling her cancer “inoperable.” She didn’t like the sound of it – wished they’d just ask her directly.

But that was nothing, she says, compared with the support she’s gotten from her tiny island community.

“We joke. We kid. We take care of each other,” she says. “I can’t imagine living anyplace else.”

When she got her latest diagnosis, islanders organized a “50/50 raffle” for her, where the winner is supposed to take half the donations. Instead, the winner gave his portion to Bass, a common outcome on Beaver Island. All up, she received nearly $9,000 to help with flights to the mainland and other expenses related to her illness.

“You talk about emotional,” Bass says, tearing up again.

She recalls sitting down after that to pray and, as she might say, have a chat with God.

“I thanked Him, and thanked Him, and thanked Him. I was so grateful that I was able to come back and live here, and for holding me up at this time in my life,” she says.

The support group and her new friends on the mainland are part of that.

For her, technology – at least her little slice of it – has allowed the best of both worlds.

Beaver Island site and webcams: https://www.beaverisland.org

Martha Irvine is an Associated Press national writer. She can be reached at mirvine(at)ap.org

BEAVER ISLAND, Mich. BEAVER ISLAND, Mich. —  Muggs Bass doesn’t own a computer. She’s pretty much dead set against e-mail. Anyone who calls her home on Michigan’s remote Beaver Island should be prepared for a busy signal, if she’s on her land-line phone. She has no cell.

“When you don’t have it, you don’t miss it. That’s what I say,” says the spunky 70-year-old grandmother, who’s as comfortable telling jokes at the local pub as she is attending Mass each morning.

Technology isn’t really her thing. So, it’s a small miracle when Bass drives, once a month, to her island’s rural health center to sit down in front of a wide-screen television. There, she and a handful of other islanders connect by video conference with a similar group in Charlevoix, Mich., a two-hour ferry ride to the south and east.

It’s just one of many ways technology is making this rugged place less remote than it once was and, some would say, more livable for more people.

“In the last few years, technology has sprung,” says Joe Moore, a retired teacher who’s known as one of the geeks on the island who helps keep computers running.

That’s just how it is on an island where a popular bumper sticker reads “Slow Down! This Ain’t The Mainland.” It’s aimed at anyone who’s in too big a hurry, including lead-footed tourists who kick up dust on the many dirt roads or who panic when cell phone service drops.

That’s life on wired – or at least, semi-wired – Beaver Island.

Some Michiganders would show you by holding up their right hands, palms up, and pointing just above the tip of their ring fingers – in other words, just off the far northwest tip of the state’s lower peninsula. But that’s if even THEY know where it is.

While Michigan’s Mackinac Island is well known, Beaver Island – much of its 54 square miles covered in lush hardwood forests, sand dunes or pristine inland lakes – is not.

That’s partly because it is more difficult to get to, especially in the off season. Ferry service runs from Charlevoix, from April through mid-December. Quick flights in small propeller planes are available year-round, weather permitting. In winter, it’s not unusual for islanders to be physically cut off from the mainland, unless an emergency sends the U.S. Coast Guard to their rescue.

So when high-speed Internet service became available to most of the island last spring, this was more than just a convenience. For many, it was a godsend – even if having the service simply meant being able to shop online for just about anything, to play an online game or to watch a newly released movie. For others, it meant being able to stay on the island longer because they had a more reliable connection to do work.

“We were worried – ‘How do you bring up a kid on very tiny Beaver Island?'” Boyle says. An answer came when their daughter, now a freshman at Michigan State University, called recently about her computer class.

“Mom, I don’t get it,” she said. “I’m helping everybody here. We did all this in high school.”

Today’s state-of-the-art Beaver Island school is quite different from the one Muggs Bass attended. For her, books were the only real window to the mainland, especially in elementary school.

Like many who settled on Beaver Island, her great-grandparents and a grandmother had come from Ireland, to farm, fish and find a better life. Her own father was a dairy farmer. Born Mary Margaret but called “Muggs” as long as she can remember, Bass went to a small school across the field from the family farmhouse.

Until her school combined with another in the island’s main town, St. James, she didn’t even know some of her own cousins on the island. Other than a trip to the doctor when she was a young child, she didn’t go to the mainland of Michigan – “across,” as the islanders like to say – until she visited an aunt in Detroit when she was 12 years old.

“It was big and noisy,” she recalls.

She didn’t mind that her family didn’t have a television until she was a teenager. For a long time, the closest thing she had to a technological device was the family radio, which she sat beside with her father to listen to boxing matches.

Her world was small in those days. That’s how she liked it.

It’s not the kind of life that appeals to just anyone.

Donna Kubic, a registered nurse who heads the island’s rural health center, gets that. She tells the story of a young woman who came to the island to apply for a job at the health center. The woman had planned to stay for a week, but left after staying just one night in a lakeside cottage.

This is, indeed, a place where one doesn’t take modern convenience for granted. There is one grocery store, a couple of gas stations, a handful of restaurants and bars but no movie theater. There is no full-time doctor on the island, though two visit from the mainland twice a month. Critical patients are airlifted off the island, by the Coast Guard if weather shuts down other options.

Next came video conferencing, connecting the island’s nurse practitioner and physician’s assistant to the mainland hospital’s emergency room. It’s the same technology that allows Bass and the other islanders to take part in the “Circle of Strength” cancer support group.

“Without it, we’d be out here, in the lake, without a lot of support,” Kubic says. Eventually, she hopes that primary care doctors and specialists – even mental health care providers – will be more willing to offer their services to islanders (though so far, she says, they’ve been reluctant).

“I think it’s just education, saying the technology is there, getting the docs used to it,” she says.

When Muggs Bass moved back to the island 12 years ago, she had no idea that she’d soon be dealing with a serious health issue.

A year after she’d been there, she traveled to the mainland for her annual mammogram, which revealed cancerous tissue. She had surgery to remove a breast.

“Then I went along fine for 10 years,” she says, until she got a cough she couldn’t shake. One morning, she got up and said to her husband, “I need to go across, to the doctor.”

So for the past 18 months, she has traveled to the mainland every six weeks for an infusion of a drug that keeps her bones from fracturing, and also takes a daily pill to slow the cancer’s growth. The goal is to extend her life as much as possible.

“I’m going to hold to this until I reach something else,” Bass recently told her support group. “And then I’ll have to make another decision.”

The group in Charlevoix includes an 80-year-old woman with lung and colon cancer, as well as younger mothers who’ve survived breast cancer and those who are in the thick of the battle. They talk about infections and drainage tubes, mammograms and mastectomies. They somehow manage to find humor in topics such as constipation.

“I read it every day,” the woman, who has 11- and 16-year-old children, told Bass. “I’m in it for the long term fight. I’m prayin’ hard, too.”

“That’s what you do,” Bass said, as she grabbed a tissue to dab her eyes.

Diane Gorkiewicz, who began the Charlevoix “Circle of Strength” six years ago, marvels at the intimacy that has developed so quickly between her group and the islanders.

“The only thing you’re missing are all the hugs and stuff,” Gorkiewicz told the islanders during a recent video conference.

“And the food,” Bass said, teasing the Charlevoix group that they need to share the treats they bring to their meetings.

Earlier this year, the longtime islanders were able to “attend” their youngest granddaughter’s first birthday party via Skype. Guests at the party in Washington state sat at a computer to introduce themselves. The Moores saw the cake. They gave real-time wishes to the birthday girl.

“Just thinking about it, it almost brings tears to my eyes,” Joe Moore says.

It’s not ideal, but the best they can do – better than they could’ve hoped for, really. The hard reality is that the cost of getting off the island can be prohibitive.

Most islanders have to “wear many hats” just to get by, Moore says. In addition to his computer work, he’s one of the island medics and also runs a local website that provides video footage of township meetings, as well as the school’s soccer and volleyball games.

“Like most graduates, I was going to get off this rock and never look back,” says Phyllis Moore, now 62. “And look where I am now.”

Many young people who live here say technology – social networking and their cell phones included – make life on the island better for them, too. But in the end, they face the same dilemma as everyone else: How do you make a living here? And what if there’s really no place for the kind of work you want to do?

“There’s one cop here, two in the summer if we get lucky,” Cole says. She grins. “And not a lot of dead people.”

Jewell Gillespie-Cushman, a 14-year-old freshman, also wonders where he’ll land. His late grandfather, an island icon for whom he was named, was born on Beaver Island and lived here his entire life. Gillespie-Cushman isn’t sure he could do the same, even with more contact with the outside world than his grandpa had.

“I’m still debating whether to stay here, or move over there,” he says.

Like Muggs Bass, though, a growing number of people want to find a way ONTO Beaver Island – many of them among the thousands who visit each summer and would like to make it home. For many of them, technology is the key.

“We ended up going out in the back yard and throwing snow balls at the dish,” he says. That knocked off enough snow to get the Internet working, and they were back in business. But it’s not always that easy, or quick.

Laurel Vietzen, a college professor, also from the Chicago area, who now spends several months a year on the island, remembers a violent summer thunderstorm two years ago that left much of the island without Internet and phones. “We had a daughter at the University of Iowa and we were hearing about terrible flooding in Iowa City,” she says. “It was three days before we could reach her!”

Now that Internet service on the island is more reliable, many islanders say cell phone service is the big hurdle. One mobile provider’s service works well here, though only on the upper third of the island – and outages happen more frequently than most would like.

Even those who reap the benefits of technology feel torn, though. They worry that it infringes on one of the very things they love about the island – its inherent, blissful peacefulness.

On a summer night, it’s not unusual to see more than a dozen people sitting outside the library’s memorial garden, on picnic tables and in their cars, tapping into the free wireless that’s left on 24 hours a day.

“The technology is wonderful, but … ,” Phyllis Moore says. She raises her eyebrows, noting how, on a nice day, she isn’t opposed to kicking kids out of the library after they reach their 30-minute time limit on the computers there.

Meanwhile, it used to be the joke that, by St. Patrick’s Day, anyone who lived here year round couldn’t stand the sight of anyone else. In many ways, communicating with the outside world helps with that, but not always.

“I don’t think it’s eliminated cabin fever or getting at each other’s throats,” Joe Moore says, chuckling. “Sometimes, I think it makes it worse because they can communicate more and get on each others’ nerves even more.”

Muggs Bass knows about the squabbles and the way a rumor can take on a life of its own, computer or no computer. She wasn’t too happy, for instance, when she heard that some islanders were calling her cancer “inoperable.” She didn’t like the sound of it – wished they’d just ask her directly.

But that was nothing, she says, compared with the support she’s gotten from her tiny island community.

“We joke. We kid. We take care of each other,” she says. “I can’t imagine living anyplace else.”

When she got her latest diagnosis, islanders organized a “50/50 raffle” for her, where the winner is supposed to take half the donations. Instead, the winner gave his portion to Bass, a common outcome on Beaver Island. All up, she received nearly $9,000 to help with flights to the mainland and other expenses related to her illness.

“You talk about emotional,” Bass says, tearing up again.

“I thanked Him, and thanked Him, and thanked Him. I was so grateful that I was able to come back and live here, and for holding me up at this time in my life,” she says.

For her, technology – at least her little slice of it – has allowed the best of both worlds.

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