Does internet contribute to eliminating borders between countries and cultures? What role does it play in your life?


Norman 26 March, 2008, 16:52	I've been using a computer since 1977 and used a variety of devices ( like teletype) since my radio days. Today, I use the internet for business, research and international communication. My secret of success is: Limit use of the internet, for what I need not want! permalink quote 0 Norman
Nan 26 March, 2008, 17:59	Yes, I do not even feel travelling would be as excited as it used to be. The internet makes my life fun and easier. permalink quote 0 Nan
Vijay 26 March, 2008, 18:55	Internet,especially with the introduction of chat Rooms,Forums, opinion polls,Debates etc, has been the biggest boon to REAL Gobalisation! Instant communication/access to International problems/real world issues/AND MOST IMPORTANTLY.It changes the way one thinks and looks at issues. You forget about yourself, your country, your region, instead look at someone far far away and start feeling his pain/pleasure/hopes and the paucity of hope! Internet has essentially marked the [beginning] of the term 'WE'. And the [end] of the term 'ME'! permalink quote 0 Vijay
DaniYah 27 March, 2008, 01:37	This is the first time that I have really valued the internet and digital media. When the internet/and PC first came out, it became most popular, it seemed, for the bored and degenerate of the earth. People joined useless internet chartrooms to hurl obscenities at people they didn't know, stalk individuals they had no care for, etc, etc. It seems that the internet community has evolved (and continues to evolve) to a significant degree. People are now understanding that real-life values DO matter even in the 'virtual' setting. (Hence RT's warnings under every forum heading.) In fact, the internet appears to provide a means for the restoration of some important 'real life' values and customs either forgotten or abandoned in the decades of rampant consumerism of the 20th century. Also, the cycle of quality control (for cultural, academic, and industrial purposes, etc.) is streamlined. Makes for good debunking! permalink quote 0 DaniYah
Democracy Sceptic 6 April, 2008, 09:56	As I approach the autumn years of my life, in the certain knowledge that my mobility will decrease, I can take comfort in the fact that I will have the internet to occupy my mind and hours. It’s a fantastic tool for accessing information and enhancing cultural pursuits. I can also exchange points of view from others of different ages, cultures and political persuasions around the world. The down side of the internet is that it mirrors the humanity that it serves. I fear that it may influence, or dare I say corrupt the younger users, particularly those of the developing nations. I should hate that the world’s youth went down the same trivia culture avenue of worshiping celebrities, the designer label cult, bad language and exposure to sexing everything up. Perhaps the answer might be to form a United Nations Standard of Internet Content Classification. The multi cultured, international panel would scan internet content and give it a classification code. Individual countries could then opt to ban specific classified internet content that they believed was detrimental to their citizens. Over time this would enable the world’s policy makers to see if civilisations protected from certain content were fairing better than those who were exposed to it. This system would also readily identify those regimes that were excessively restricting its citizens to popularly acceptable internet content. I have voiced freedom of choice through RT forums, but fear that the growing availability of the internet and its unique capability to infiltrate globally, gives it an exceptional power than should be monitored, but not by individual states. We cannot anticipate the long term effect that the internet will bring to the global community. permalink quote 0 Democracy Sceptic
Chris 11 April, 2008, 22:07	Very wise words sceptic, the only problem i would see is that its a bit late to shut the stable door after the horse has bolted. What will happen is that people will find out how stupid they have been by trying to grab '15 minutes of fame' on the net, only to discover the whole world has thier bank details. The internet is a double-edged sword, and people are only seeing the blunt side of it just now, I dont think the high and allmighty people who run the internet even know what animal they have unleashed, so much information and very little of it veryfied as being true. Im just under 40 y.o. and have watched the internet grow, i owned a ZX81 and a BBCmicro and am still bewildered at how fast things have moved, to keep it all sane we do need one regulatorary body for the whole internet, if nothing else to say what is right and wrong to publish to a global market. permalink quote 0 Chris
peter48 12 April, 2008, 23:20	I too am in the autumn of my life, born in the US in 1948 and have been on the net long before it was taken over by business interests. I'll make my comment just between Russia and the US. Does it contribute to eliminating borders? Yes. but for who is a question I pose. I see Russia as a great country with many good things to offer. I see my country in the same manner, but our politicians? Our businesses? Do they? They are the ones who set the tone on how each other is perceived and influence information that is allowed to be sent on the internet. So there are chat rooms, email etc. yes they can be the platform for spreading knowledge amongst people but they can and do spread dis-information at the same time. If I had seen this question 20 years ago there would have been no doubt in my mind, the internet will change the world. Now I"m not too sure. With the Internet I can see things from another's perspective and I like that. permalink quote 0 peter48
Chris 13 April, 2008, 08:27	If it wasnt for the internet i doubt i would know half of what is going on in the world. I visit various news sites from around the world and now look at UK media with utter contempt for what they dont tell us. The internet has loosened the media's grip on peoples attention(and money!) so they have resorted to sensationialism to try and keep us reading thier paper or watching thier channel. TV has been affected in the same way, have you watched UK TV recently? it insults your intelligence. At least with the internet you can choose weather to be insulted or not! :-) permalink quote 0 Chris
Democracy Sceptic 13 April, 2008, 09:59	I wish to add to my earlier post and additionally deal with other comments made since. I agree that a state’s regime can, and does set out to influence its citizen’s perception of other nations to parallel its own current policy within that sphere of influence. Similarly, privately owned television/ radio broadcasters can be used to reflect its owners preferred path of reporting and analysis. So far, the advantage of the internet is that it is independent of any particular government / vested interest influence. That is demonstrated by the diverse and sometimes bizarre postings from all ages, cultures, religions, politics etc. I believe that the internet is still in its infancy in global terms and still has much growing to do. Countries like India, China and others will come on stream in huge numbers in the coming years. North American and western European youth are the forerunners of internet use, their culture (or should I say non culture) for good or evil is well established. I believe that internet abuse has a unique ability to pollute vulnerable people’s minds and I’m concerned that if it is unchecked, many countries not wishing to have its citizens exposed to it will use this as an excuse to intercept huge swathes of internet content. That is why I feel we need an international organisation like UN to have a multi-national panel of internet content classification (not censorship). The classification process would require internet content to be readily identifiable. Headings and sub headings i.e. Music – Arabesque- European Classical- Hip hop – Shawm etc. Another classification would be: Politics – Current - Anarchy -Democracy -Dictatorship- Parliamentarian etc. Website owners would have greater legal responsibilities for the way that they administer their sites. This would enable users to find their area of interest more readily and would identify those regimes that had chosen to block certain classifications of internet content nationally. Multi-lingual software could be developed to stop interactive “chat” input, for example ensuring “Sexual – Explicit” content couldn’t be input into “Children’s Friendship” content. Parents could also use this system readily to block their children from viewing selected content. I’m sure that the advance of computer technology coupled with international cooperation could achieve this objective. Unfortunately the huge cost of this would have to be borne by the internet users, but the actual cost would diminish as more and more users came online. If this is not done, I have no doubt that many countries/ regimes will eventually introduce their own controls that will very from mild to fanatical. permalink quote 0 Democracy Sceptic
Jake 23 April, 2008, 16:31	.well, the internet at least has enabled me to read these comments from people on the other side of the world, for what that's worth. Bottom line is that we are all human beings with similar strengths and weaknesses and dreams.As I watch the planetary problems arising regarding food and energy and resource depletion,etc etc- I see that we had better stop this nationalism and bickering and start to solve some of our common Human problems.As an American who lives simply and conscientously, I am troubled by the corruption within my own government and the abuses of corporations, yet I know that the average person anywhere in the world just wants to have a decent life-so the political and business leaders do not necessarily represent Them. Seems to me that it is human nature to wait until a crisis is upon us before initiating real change, so maybe the rising cost of oil is finally forcing everyone to examine their own waste and greed and find more sustainable choices. .that is, if we don't all start wars with one another because we were too shortsighted to plan ahead.tough questions.just be assured that not all Americans are gluttonous pigs nor do many agree with the politicians.It merely seems that bickering and self interest have crippled cooperation and innovation-which is why this election is so critical for the future. permalink quote 0 Jake
DaniYah 27 April, 2008, 02:54	Skeptic- It would be insane for the same people who make the world media content that is already so despised by the majority to be involved in any such "classification" of Internet content. The fist time you made a comment on this topic, your perspective seemed to be made via a broken time machine. You said that the Internet "will", I quote again "will" corrupt the minds of young people. What century were you coming from then? Hasn't the Internet already corrupted the minds of young and old alike, removing senses of innocence and respect? or is it that you haven't seen enough of the corruption to be satisfied, yet want to block out the rubbish fighters? Anyone reading your proposal could feel a bit grossed out. And I have a proposal for you: create your own intra-net, where you and your friends can practice whatever understanding of morality that you consider proper, under the "classifications" you deem fit. The rest of the world will do fine to shred the existing garbage propaganda that the CIA worked so hard to make appear eternal. permalink quote 0 DaniYah
Russ 5 May, 2008, 12:49	The internet, like most tools, has the potential of becoming an instrument for the common good, but it is just as much at risk of being taken over by big-money interests and misused in their relentless greed-driven pursuit of personal power and profit. I think that the internet's chances of becoming one of the most important tools in promoting true democracy and enlightenment are pretty good as things stand right now. But this is by no means assured in the future. So a system of internet content classification as a means of general orientation proposed by Sceptic would be a very good thing. But I'm sceptical about having the UN run such a system, because the UN - like the World Bank, the IMF etc. - is controlled by the USA and its corporate elite. And the world has seen since the neocon takeover in the 1970s, and especially in the past 7 years, how far the US has veered off course in just about every respect. Sadly, people like Jake are still in the minority in that country, so there is little hope for progress breaking out there anytime soon. So perhaps the classification system should be subject to a democratic international control system along the lines of the Wikipedia, with the classifiers gradually building up their reputation based on wisdom and good judgement and themselves being subject to continual public scrutiny. permalink quote 0 Russ
Sevodnya_Net 9 May, 2008, 08:01	I wonder if the posting of links to ones blog is the cyberspace equivalent of getting the holiday photos out (!!) The great thing about the internet however, is that, from the safety of ones computer many miles away, one can safely decline the offer without embarrassment. All good stuff, but how any of this contributes to the breaking down of barriers defeats me :-) permalink quote 0 Sevodnya_Net
DaniYah 16 May, 2008, 03:38	Breaking down CIA polonium dirty bomb lies, for instance? permalink quote 0 DaniYah
keith 28 May, 2008, 18:39	why does russia and europe have this eternal debate,we are the same peoples and have much to share,it seems to me that just when we are getting together something comes along and spooks the whole thing.when i was in the ukraine the russians there seemed to have the same sympathys as me,so put politics to one side and move closer,zdarovia ! permalink quote 0 keith
Steve 31 May, 2008, 17:44	Our culture is alive and well, thank you very much. While I do agree that the internet poses some very real problems.especially for children.I feel that the advantages far outweigh the negatives. In the US, like many other nations, ISP's come with parental control features. This allows the parents to decide which content their child may view. As one who is generally opposed to big government taking over the responsibility of parents, the idea of an internationa Big Brother approach is frightning. Democracy Sceptic April 13, 2008, 13:59 I wish to add to my earlier post and additionally deal with other comments made since. I agree that a state’s regime can, and does set out to influence its citizen’s perception of other nations to parallel its own current policy within that sphere of influence. Similarly, privately owned television/ radio broadcasters can be used to reflect its owners preferred path of reporting and analysis. So far, the advantage of the internet is that it is independent of any particular government / vested interest influence. That is demonstrated by the diverse and sometimes bizarre postings from all ages, cultures, religions, politics etc. I believe that the internet is still in its infancy in global terms and still has much growing to do. Countries like India, China and others will come on stream in huge numbers in the coming years. North American and western European youth are the forerunners of internet use, their culture (or should I say non culture) for good or evil is well established. I believe that internet abuse has a unique ability to pollute vulnerable people’s minds and I’m concerned that if it is unchecked, many countries not wishing to have its citizens exposed to it will use this as an excuse to intercept huge swathes of internet content. That is why I feel we need an international organisation like UN to have a multi-national panel of internet content classification (not censorship). The classification process would require internet content to be readily identifiable. Headings and sub headings i.e. Music – Arabesque- European Classical- Hip hop – Shawm etc. Another classification would be: Politics – Current - Anarchy -Democracy -Dictatorship- Parliamentarian etc. Website owners would have greater legal responsibilities for the way that they administer their sites. This would enable users to find their area of interest more readily and would identify those regimes that had chosen to block certain classifications of internet content nationally. Multi-lingual software could be developed to stop interactive “chat” input, for example ensuring “Sexual – Explicit” content couldn’t be input into “Children’s Friendship” content. Parents could also use this system readily to block their children from viewing selected content. I’m sure that the advance of computer technology coupled with international cooperation could achieve this objective. Unfortunately the huge cost of this would have to be borne by the internet users, but the actual cost would diminish as more and more users came online. If this is not done, I have no doubt that many countries/ regimes will eventually introduce their own controls that will very from mild to fanatical. permalink quote 0 Steve
Homer 2 June, 2008, 03:57	I enjoy your report program about the nomad and Buddhist Russia Nation recently. Did never know much Russia keep such good program. permalink quote 0 Homer
ROBERT (U.S.) 20 June, 2008, 05:50	The Internet is a great tool to communicate with other countries to reinforce that we are all the same. For examples. I don't like to gossip its not my nature but what the heck. Some new neighbors move across the street and the first thing my mother said look our new neighbor is a walking art gallery.I agree the guy had tatooes all over his. body. His son just came back from iraq and wheres a belt that says (one nut)on the back. We are still trying to figure out what that mean. Is he crazy or what. The mother told me today that she went to the doctor to find out her test results and the doctor asked her do you want to hear the good news first or the bad new. She said the good new first of course. So the doctor said the test result finds that your going to die in 30 days. So she asked if thats the good news what the heck is the bad news. The doctor replys we got the test result a month ago. permalink quote 0 ROBERT (U.S.)
davincispb 6 July, 2008, 16:15	The internet made it possible for me to finally visit Russia. For years I had read all the great writers but was sceptical of going there until I met some people online and decided I wanted to see the country for myself. Once I got to Saint-Petersburg I felt like I was home. I have been to Europe many times and lived for awhile in Paris, but nothing can compare to walking through the area where Dostoevsky wrote Crime and Punishment and being immersed in what I once considered an alien culture. Thanks to this experience I have begun learning the Russian language and plan to visit Vladivostok. If more Americans would open their eyes and minds instead of being mindless sheep following our ignorant leaders to the edge of the cliff, the entire world would be a better place. I now get my news exclusively from Russian and European news outlets. Even though they are sometimes slanted in their coverage, especially Russian news regarding the Georgia/Abkhazia conflict (I believe the US is backing these problems on the side of Georgia), the news is still more relevant to me than the garbage being fed to American viewers of CNN and FOX news. permalink quote 0 davincispb
Rita 24 July, 2008, 07:10	I use internet 10 years. The internet especially open the world and give possibility to communicate.I think the satellit also, because there you can see other people 's life and thinking, which is increase your knowledge. permalink quote 0 Rita

Norman 26 March, 2008, 16:52

I've been using a computer since 1977 and used a variety of devices ( like teletype) since my radio days. Today, I use the internet for business, research and international communication. My secret of success is: Limit use of the internet, for what I need not want!

permalink quote Norman

Nan 26 March, 2008, 17:59

Yes, I do not even feel travelling would be as excited as it used to be. The internet makes my life fun and easier.

permalink quote Nan

Vijay 26 March, 2008, 18:55

Internet,especially with the introduction of chat Rooms,Forums, opinion polls,Debates etc, has been the biggest boon to REAL Gobalisation! Instant communication/access to International problems/real world issues/AND MOST IMPORTANTLY.It changes the way one thinks and looks at issues. You forget about yourself, your country, your region, instead look at someone far far away and start feeling his pain/pleasure/hopes and the paucity of hope! Internet has essentially marked the [beginning] of the term 'WE'. And the [end] of the term 'ME'!

permalink quote Vijay

DaniYah 27 March, 2008, 01:37

This is the first time that I have really valued the internet and digital media. When the internet/and PC first came out, it became most popular, it seemed, for the bored and degenerate of the earth. People joined useless internet chartrooms to hurl obscenities at people they didn't know, stalk individuals they had no care for, etc, etc. It seems that the internet community has evolved (and continues to evolve) to a significant degree. People are now understanding that real-life values DO matter even in the 'virtual' setting. (Hence RT's warnings under every forum heading.) In fact, the internet appears to provide a means for the restoration of some important 'real life' values and customs either forgotten or abandoned in the decades of rampant consumerism of the 20th century. Also, the cycle of quality control (for cultural, academic, and industrial purposes, etc.) is streamlined. Makes for good debunking!

permalink quote DaniYah

Democracy Sceptic 6 April, 2008, 09:56

As I approach the autumn years of my life, in the certain knowledge that my mobility will decrease, I can take comfort in the fact that I will have the internet to occupy my mind and hours. It’s a fantastic tool for accessing information and enhancing cultural pursuits. I can also exchange points of view from others of different ages, cultures and political persuasions around the world. The down side of the internet is that it mirrors the humanity that it serves. I fear that it may influence, or dare I say corrupt the younger users, particularly those of the developing nations. I should hate that the world’s youth went down the same trivia culture avenue of worshiping celebrities, the designer label cult, bad language and exposure to sexing everything up. Perhaps the answer might be to form a United Nations Standard of Internet Content Classification. The multi cultured, international panel would scan internet content and give it a classification code. Individual countries could then opt to ban specific classified internet content that they believed was detrimental to their citizens. Over time this would enable the world’s policy makers to see if civilisations protected from certain content were fairing better than those who were exposed to it. This system would also readily identify those regimes that were excessively restricting its citizens to popularly acceptable internet content. I have voiced freedom of choice through RT forums, but fear that the growing availability of the internet and its unique capability to infiltrate globally, gives it an exceptional power than should be monitored, but not by individual states. We cannot anticipate the long term effect that the internet will bring to the global community.

permalink quote Democracy Sceptic

Chris 11 April, 2008, 22:07

Very wise words sceptic, the only problem i would see is that its a bit late to shut the stable door after the horse has bolted. What will happen is that people will find out how stupid they have been by trying to grab '15 minutes of fame' on the net, only to discover the whole world has thier bank details. The internet is a double-edged sword, and people are only seeing the blunt side of it just now, I dont think the high and allmighty people who run the internet even know what animal they have unleashed, so much information and very little of it veryfied as being true. Im just under 40 y.o. and have watched the internet grow, i owned a ZX81 and a BBCmicro and am still bewildered at how fast things have moved, to keep it all sane we do need one regulatorary body for the whole internet, if nothing else to say what is right and wrong to publish to a global market.

permalink quote Chris

peter48 12 April, 2008, 23:20

I too am in the autumn of my life, born in the US in 1948 and have been on the net long before it was taken over by business interests. I'll make my comment just between Russia and the US. Does it contribute to eliminating borders? Yes. but for who is a question I pose. I see Russia as a great country with many good things to offer. I see my country in the same manner, but our politicians? Our businesses? Do they? They are the ones who set the tone on how each other is perceived and influence information that is allowed to be sent on the internet. So there are chat rooms, email etc. yes they can be the platform for spreading knowledge amongst people but they can and do spread dis-information at the same time. If I had seen this question 20 years ago there would have been no doubt in my mind, the internet will change the world. Now I"m not too sure. With the Internet I can see things from another's perspective and I like that.

permalink quote peter48

Chris 13 April, 2008, 08:27

If it wasnt for the internet i doubt i would know half of what is going on in the world. I visit various news sites from around the world and now look at UK media with utter contempt for what they dont tell us. The internet has loosened the media's grip on peoples attention(and money!) so they have resorted to sensationialism to try and keep us reading thier paper or watching thier channel. TV has been affected in the same way, have you watched UK TV recently? it insults your intelligence. At least with the internet you can choose weather to be insulted or not! :-)

permalink quote Chris

Democracy Sceptic 13 April, 2008, 09:59

I wish to add to my earlier post and additionally deal with other comments made since. I agree that a state’s regime can, and does set out to influence its citizen’s perception of other nations to parallel its own current policy within that sphere of influence. Similarly, privately owned television/ radio broadcasters can be used to reflect its owners preferred path of reporting and analysis. So far, the advantage of the internet is that it is independent of any particular government / vested interest influence. That is demonstrated by the diverse and sometimes bizarre postings from all ages, cultures, religions, politics etc. I believe that the internet is still in its infancy in global terms and still has much growing to do. Countries like India, China and others will come on stream in huge numbers in the coming years. North American and western European youth are the forerunners of internet use, their culture (or should I say non culture) for good or evil is well established. I believe that internet abuse has a unique ability to pollute vulnerable people’s minds and I’m concerned that if it is unchecked, many countries not wishing to have its citizens exposed to it will use this as an excuse to intercept huge swathes of internet content. That is why I feel we need an international organisation like UN to have a multi-national panel of internet content classification (not censorship). The classification process would require internet content to be readily identifiable. Headings and sub headings i.e. Music – Arabesque- European Classical- Hip hop – Shawm etc. Another classification would be: Politics – Current - Anarchy -Democracy -Dictatorship- Parliamentarian etc. Website owners would have greater legal responsibilities for the way that they administer their sites. This would enable users to find their area of interest more readily and would identify those regimes that had chosen to block certain classifications of internet content nationally. Multi-lingual software could be developed to stop interactive “chat” input, for example ensuring “Sexual – Explicit” content couldn’t be input into “Children’s Friendship” content. Parents could also use this system readily to block their children from viewing selected content. I’m sure that the advance of computer technology coupled with international cooperation could achieve this objective. Unfortunately the huge cost of this would have to be borne by the internet users, but the actual cost would diminish as more and more users came online. If this is not done, I have no doubt that many countries/ regimes will eventually introduce their own controls that will very from mild to fanatical.

permalink quote Democracy Sceptic

Jake 23 April, 2008, 16:31

.well, the internet at least has enabled me to read these comments from people on the other side of the world, for what that's worth. Bottom line is that we are all human beings with similar strengths and weaknesses and dreams.As I watch the planetary problems arising regarding food and energy and resource depletion,etc etc- I see that we had better stop this nationalism and bickering and start to solve some of our common Human problems.As an American who lives simply and conscientously, I am troubled by the corruption within my own government and the abuses of corporations, yet I know that the average person anywhere in the world just wants to have a decent life-so the political and business leaders do not necessarily represent Them. Seems to me that it is human nature to wait until a crisis is upon us before initiating real change, so maybe the rising cost of oil is finally forcing everyone to examine their own waste and greed and find more sustainable choices. .that is, if we don't all start wars with one another because we were too shortsighted to plan ahead.tough questions.just be assured that not all Americans are gluttonous pigs nor do many agree with the politicians.It merely seems that bickering and self interest have crippled cooperation and innovation-which is why this election is so critical for the future.

permalink quote Jake

DaniYah 27 April, 2008, 02:54

Skeptic- It would be insane for the same people who make the world media content that is already so despised by the majority to be involved in any such "classification" of Internet content. The fist time you made a comment on this topic, your perspective seemed to be made via a broken time machine. You said that the Internet "will", I quote again "will" corrupt the minds of young people. What century were you coming from then? Hasn't the Internet already corrupted the minds of young and old alike, removing senses of innocence and respect? or is it that you haven't seen enough of the corruption to be satisfied, yet want to block out the rubbish fighters? Anyone reading your proposal could feel a bit grossed out. And I have a proposal for you: create your own intra-net, where you and your friends can practice whatever understanding of morality that you consider proper, under the "classifications" you deem fit. The rest of the world will do fine to shred the existing garbage propaganda that the CIA worked so hard to make appear eternal.

permalink quote DaniYah

Russ 5 May, 2008, 12:49

The internet, like most tools, has the potential of becoming an instrument for the common good, but it is just as much at risk of being taken over by big-money interests and misused in their relentless greed-driven pursuit of personal power and profit. I think that the internet's chances of becoming one of the most important tools in promoting true democracy and enlightenment are pretty good as things stand right now. But this is by no means assured in the future. So a system of internet content classification as a means of general orientation proposed by Sceptic would be a very good thing. But I'm sceptical about having the UN run such a system, because the UN - like the World Bank, the IMF etc. - is controlled by the USA and its corporate elite. And the world has seen since the neocon takeover in the 1970s, and especially in the past 7 years, how far the US has veered off course in just about every respect. Sadly, people like Jake are still in the minority in that country, so there is little hope for progress breaking out there anytime soon. So perhaps the classification system should be subject to a democratic international control system along the lines of the Wikipedia, with the classifiers gradually building up their reputation based on wisdom and good judgement and themselves being subject to continual public scrutiny.

permalink quote Russ

Sevodnya_Net 9 May, 2008, 08:01

I wonder if the posting of links to ones blog is the cyberspace equivalent of getting the holiday photos out (!!) The great thing about the internet however, is that, from the safety of ones computer many miles away, one can safely decline the offer without embarrassment. All good stuff, but how any of this contributes to the breaking down of barriers defeats me :-)

permalink quote Sevodnya_Net

DaniYah 16 May, 2008, 03:38

Breaking down CIA polonium dirty bomb lies, for instance?

permalink quote DaniYah

keith 28 May, 2008, 18:39

why does russia and europe have this eternal debate,we are the same peoples and have much to share,it seems to me that just when we are getting together something comes along and spooks the whole thing.when i was in the ukraine the russians there seemed to have the same sympathys as me,so put politics to one side and move closer,zdarovia !

permalink quote keith

Steve 31 May, 2008, 17:44

Our culture is alive and well, thank you very much. While I do agree that the internet poses some very real problems.especially for children.I feel that the advantages far outweigh the negatives. In the US, like many other nations, ISP's come with parental control features. This allows the parents to decide which content their child may view. As one who is generally opposed to big government taking over the responsibility of parents, the idea of an internationa Big Brother approach is frightning. Democracy Sceptic April 13, 2008, 13:59 I wish to add to my earlier post and additionally deal with other comments made since. I agree that a state’s regime can, and does set out to influence its citizen’s perception of other nations to parallel its own current policy within that sphere of influence. Similarly, privately owned television/ radio broadcasters can be used to reflect its owners preferred path of reporting and analysis. So far, the advantage of the internet is that it is independent of any particular government / vested interest influence. That is demonstrated by the diverse and sometimes bizarre postings from all ages, cultures, religions, politics etc. I believe that the internet is still in its infancy in global terms and still has much growing to do. Countries like India, China and others will come on stream in huge numbers in the coming years. North American and western European youth are the forerunners of internet use, their culture (or should I say non culture) for good or evil is well established. I believe that internet abuse has a unique ability to pollute vulnerable people’s minds and I’m concerned that if it is unchecked, many countries not wishing to have its citizens exposed to it will use this as an excuse to intercept huge swathes of internet content. That is why I feel we need an international organisation like UN to have a multi-national panel of internet content classification (not censorship). The classification process would require internet content to be readily identifiable. Headings and sub headings i.e. Music – Arabesque- European Classical- Hip hop – Shawm etc. Another classification would be: Politics – Current - Anarchy -Democracy -Dictatorship- Parliamentarian etc. Website owners would have greater legal responsibilities for the way that they administer their sites. This would enable users to find their area of interest more readily and would identify those regimes that had chosen to block certain classifications of internet content nationally. Multi-lingual software could be developed to stop interactive “chat” input, for example ensuring “Sexual – Explicit” content couldn’t be input into “Children’s Friendship” content. Parents could also use this system readily to block their children from viewing selected content. I’m sure that the advance of computer technology coupled with international cooperation could achieve this objective. Unfortunately the huge cost of this would have to be borne by the internet users, but the actual cost would diminish as more and more users came online. If this is not done, I have no doubt that many countries/ regimes will eventually introduce their own controls that will very from mild to fanatical.

permalink quote Steve

Homer 2 June, 2008, 03:57

I enjoy your report program about the nomad and Buddhist Russia Nation recently. Did never know much Russia keep such good program.

permalink quote Homer

ROBERT (U.S.) 20 June, 2008, 05:50

The Internet is a great tool to communicate with other countries to reinforce that we are all the same. For examples. I don't like to gossip its not my nature but what the heck. Some new neighbors move across the street and the first thing my mother said look our new neighbor is a walking art gallery.I agree the guy had tatooes all over his. body. His son just came back from iraq and wheres a belt that says (one nut)on the back. We are still trying to figure out what that mean. Is he crazy or what. The mother told me today that she went to the doctor to find out her test results and the doctor asked her do you want to hear the good news first or the bad new. She said the good new first of course. So the doctor said the test result finds that your going to die in 30 days. So she asked if thats the good news what the heck is the bad news. The doctor replys we got the test result a month ago.

permalink quote ROBERT (U.S.)

davincispb 6 July, 2008, 16:15

The internet made it possible for me to finally visit Russia. For years I had read all the great writers but was sceptical of going there until I met some people online and decided I wanted to see the country for myself. Once I got to Saint-Petersburg I felt like I was home. I have been to Europe many times and lived for awhile in Paris, but nothing can compare to walking through the area where Dostoevsky wrote Crime and Punishment and being immersed in what I once considered an alien culture. Thanks to this experience I have begun learning the Russian language and plan to visit Vladivostok. If more Americans would open their eyes and minds instead of being mindless sheep following our ignorant leaders to the edge of the cliff, the entire world would be a better place. I now get my news exclusively from Russian and European news outlets. Even though they are sometimes slanted in their coverage, especially Russian news regarding the Georgia/Abkhazia conflict (I believe the US is backing these problems on the side of Georgia), the news is still more relevant to me than the garbage being fed to American viewers of CNN and FOX news.

permalink quote davincispb

Rita 24 July, 2008, 07:10

I use internet 10 years. The internet especially open the world and give possibility to communicate.I think the satellit also, because there you can see other people 's life and thinking, which is increase your knowledge.

permalink quote Rita

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