Tute Task Day 9

Given all the things we talked about in this course, what do you think the future of the cultural internet might be.. say in the next 10 years?I'm not talking about flying cars or things like that. What would be a 'realistic' future?
Consider such themes as
* censorship* ability to put information and content online, * ability to communicate in new ways (mobile devices, instant messenger, social network sites, etc), * access to media / technology, * social sharing formations - like "folksonomies" (tagging of media), digg, del.ic.ious, * political forces like the google-isation of the world, or the impact of china's economic activity... * impact of education and literacy of younger generations and so on.

What I think the future of the internet might be and what I would like it to be are some what different. I don't think that things are going to change dramatically for the average Joe Bloggs (pun intended). I think we will still have access similar to what we have now. There may be (and possibily should be) some more regulating of the content and use of certain sites. By this I am referring to undesirable sites such as porn or others that may incite violence or prejudice. I think through the power of the people, we will still have access to ART being music, movies, etc. Sharing information through web home pages, blogs etc will continue and may even grow. But for the 'hard users' life on the internet may get more frustrating before it gets easier. I believe the internet should be available to everyone and we should all be able to enter our own content. However As with the invention of the car, we had to draw up laws to ensure we could all enjoy and benefit from it. So we need laws to ensure the enjoyment and full benefit of the internet for all users. But who is going to draw up and govern these laws? If this is a public domain then we the public should have a say. I don't believe that big business (those with money) should be the ones to dictate to us. TV radio etc are run by corporations that dictate the content etc. But we are only receivers and don't contribute content as we do / can on the net.

My vision for the internet of the future is one that is available to all, at realistic costs. (possibly free) The governing body should not have a financial interest in it and should only be the voice of the masses. Any commercial entity (ieGoogle) using the internet for financial gain should also be accountable to the governing body. To overcome the issues of information proprietorship, the producers (IE Musicians) should get online direct. I am sure most people would gladly pay a nominal fee for the right to download and copy music posted by the original artist. There is so much scope for progress, I just hope we are given the opportunity to realise it.