Introduction
The twentieth century saw many unique developments that changed the world and made it easier for people to communicate. This scientific breakthrough has helped shape many societies’ interests and unite individuals from diverse backgrounds. The Internet has become a transformative force of revolution in communication and connectivity. The computer-linking system facilitates the exchange of information, ideas, and resources across the world without leaving one’s regular living place. This essay aims to provide a structured overview of the development of the Internet, its historical context, social impact, and its effect on the STEM field.
Background
The Internet is a global network that allows easier communication and file sharing. According to Curran & Seaton (2018), it is one of the main media sources that spreads information to the public. The system was developed in the United States by the Advanced Research Projects Agency Network, which is a part of the Department of Defense (Curran & Seaton, 2018). The initial strategy of the network was aimed at governmental workers and agencies to transfer the hidden files. However, as time passed, the Internet became open to everyone worldwide.
The key components of the Internet are the infrastructure, which includes cables and various routers, for spreading information globally. Additionally, protocols are crucial aspects of the Internet, as they ensure that data is transferred securely according to international laws. Landon (2021) explained the importance of the World Wide Web (WWW), which Tim Berners-Lee developed to display clear visual information on the screen of personal devices. The WWW system has boosted the development of HTTP to make websites more appealing to users. The comfortable design attracted more people to try the new technology.
Origins and Societal Impact
The creation of the Internet was shaped by the social context, even considering the fact that the initial mission of the system was not related to the public communities. Such factors as the Cold War Era became one of the main triggers for the appearance of the Internet. During the conflict, the United States wanted to establish a network that would control nuclear attacks and increase the speed of decision-making (Forley, 2020).
Moreover, cultural and academic collaboration was set with the use of the Internet, as the open exchange of information boosted global progress in diverse areas of life. Finally, the improvement in the creation of computing technologies, like personalized laptops, provided the necessary tools for the Internet to evolve. Therefore, the level of practical usage of the network increased significantly.
The Internet’s impact on society has touched various areas of human life. For example, communication and interaction between individuals have transformed and become easier using emails, messengers, and social media. In this case, the influence of distance between people becomes insignificant as the quality of online interaction stays approximately the same around the world. Access to information has become convenient, and people do not have to go to libraries to find specific information.
All types of information are available, from academic sources to news and interactive content. The massive availability of data allowed users to self-learn and acquire new skills online. It is also important to remember that cultural exchange appeared, and globalization sped up, making people more conscious and ethical in relation to those who share different interests and cultural heritage.
Evolution in a Resource-Scarce Society
If the Internet development had a different social context represented uniquely, the effects on people and STEM fields would not be the same. I imagined the situation when the Internet was developed in a resource-scarce society with limited access to energy infrastructure and computing. In this case, the problems and opportunities might differ from reality. For instance, with poor access to resources, the expansion of the Internet could become slower. Consequently, the use of the network could be restricted for some users, and the development of digitally privileged people might have become quicker.
Nevertheless, despite some drawbacks to the alternative context, it is important to remember that environmental issues motivate people to stay more sustainable. With the scarcity of resources, green technologies could have been developed with higher efficiency. More collaboration models could appear, and the Internet may have transitioned into a community-oriented network. Therefore, the control could be centralized, and different regulations might have been created.
Education on the Internet is related to STEM studies, and the differences in context can affect the program’s performance. Winberg et al. (2019) stated that STEM disciplines prepare students for careers in the science industry, and computing is no exception. The effects of the resource-scarce environment can boost sustainable computing. Low-power devices and energy-efficient systems can become an environmentally friendly alternative to the existing types of networking.
Additionally, communication protocols could be innovated and optimized to decrease the consumption of exhaustible resources. The emergence of new regulations influenced the area of data transmission through satellites. The development of the Internet could be adjusted to diverse societies and STEM fields. Still, its improvements depend on the surrounding issues and opportunities. Therefore, I believe that the creation of the Internet would be successful in every community context.
STEM, Sustainability, and Social Responsibility
The scenario above shows the social context of STEM and the differences that may appear in communities. The highlighted insights of STEM education are related to recognizing socioeconomic issues. In a resource-scarce environment, the generation of technological advances is progressive as people have to protect the non-renewable materials.
Furthermore, ethical and social responsibilities should not be neglected in STEM practices, as collaboration with colleagues and communication can develop critical thinking in the computing industry. Reasonable practices should be designed to promote new frameworks and regulations to decrease the effect of the current problem described in the social context. This process includes the development of privacy, security, and user well-being.
Enhancing diversity in STEM performance can create more technological advances. To maximize the Internet’s benefits, the importance of science should be considered, and innovations should correlate with gender, age, and race. Consequently, there are many benefits from STEM and its improvement. By evaluating the importance of sustainability and communication, the Internet could stay progressive in an alternative context.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the appearance of the Internet is one of the most powerful inventions in the modern world, which allows individuals to communicate and safely transfer information. The network’s impact on society is massive and positive, as people can connect from different parts of the world. Nevertheless, the social and cultural context in which the Internet was developed increases the influence of several challenges.
For example, STEM education in the modern world might be neglected as some communities do not care about the environment and have no triggers to motivate the improvement of the speed of invention-creation. Therefore, by understanding the social context of STEM, relevant solutions can be applied, and sustainability in the improvement of the Internet can appear in the near future.
References
Curran, J., & Seaton, J. (2018). Power without responsibility: Press, broadcasting and the Internet in Britain. Taylor & Francis.
Forley, J. P. (2020). Ethics in Internet. Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies. Pasadena, 32(1), 179-192. Web.
Landon, J. (2021). What is a system? The University of Texas at Austin. Web.
Winberg, C., Adendorff, H., & Bozalek, V. (2019). Learning to teach STEM disciplines in higher education: A critical review of the literature. Teaching in Higher Education, 24(8), 930-947. Web.