The Internet - Friend or Foe?

It was ironic that it occurred on the day it was announced, here in the UK, that an anti-cyber abuse organisation is being set up involving government and corporate bodies to monitor and share information about threats and protect against attack. It has been said, with some justification, that cyber warfare is the most serious issue confronting our world, another and very critical aspect of terrorism and it is good that this is recognised and that it is being addressed: it is a problem that is not going away. If some very good security systems, set up by the anti-spam company that was the focus for yesterday's retaliatory attack, had not held up, the entire Internet may stopped bringing worldwide chaos and great economic and security damage as well as inconvenience to us all. The ability to bring down the World Wide Web exists now, and it is likely to happen one day, possibly lasting for some time.  If cyber-terrorists do not bring this about, solar flare activity may do so instead - equally damaging and less controllable. I love the ability to communicate instantly with anyone through e-mail and social media, to Skype and to shop and to find all the information I need on any subject whenever I want thanks to the Internet, and I would miss it tremendously, not just for professional reasons, if it were not there. Like you, I am sure, it is a part of my life. It can be addictive, however, distracting too and it makes life faster not always in a good way. To be forced to live without it for a while could be salutary, a reminder of what, truly, is important and an opportunity to have a simpler, more peaceful lifestyle. While cyber-terrorism itself is damaging, always, the thought of what it can bring is a reminder of the need to balance the joys of the Internet with its domination, and to try to lessen our global dependency on something ephemeral, and possibly already out of control. Claire Montanaro is a spiritual teacher, channel and blogger with special interest in esoteric philosophy and the world in transition. Loves nature and wildlife. Author of “Spiritual Wisdom”.]]>