For Better or Worse

Originally posted by FreakyKBH
Is the question that difficult for you?

If a tool has utility (for better or worse), the users are obviously changed as a result of its invention. If a tool has no utility, it is discarded and no change is realized.

Since Americans have only small problems with firearms, they should have even less with the internet.

edit: 4 for

Originally posted by karoly aczel
Since Americans have only small problems with firearms, they should have even less with the internet.

edit: 4 for

Definitely better off. I can get my porn for free now!

--- Penguin.

Originally posted by Phil Hill
Just to throw a wrench in the works, are we still better off when some psycho or psychos decide to learn how to build a thermonuclear bomb with plans they downloaded off the internet and to make matters worse they set it off in the city you live killing the entire population? As I said, tools can be used for good or for bad so the question is phrased badly ...[text shortened]... hands of a psycho it can be a great tool for bashing in a skull. Do hammers make us better off?

With pluses and minuses added up it is still plus. Besides terrorists learning to make bombs, there are those deeply involved with ways of detecting such activity. We get better and better at detecting smaller and smaller amounts of deadly material, whether it's explosives or biological warfare material.

Originally posted by Phil Hill
How is the question to difficult? It is a badly phrased question and if you do not like my answer, then refrain from asking in a public forum.

I think we are better off, not sure why you found that so hard to grasp as far
as questions go for crying out loud.
Kelly

Make that 5 for.

Originally posted by SwissGambit
Make that 5 for.

One thing for sure it has done is to greatly increase the flow of scientific ideas, which is one of the strongest ways to increase creativity and to realize new knowledge.

Originally posted by SwissGambit
Make that 5 for.

Six.

Originally posted by FreakyKBH
Had this discussion the other day with my wife; curious to see what direction folks herein would choose, given the option.

Considering all that is available on the internet, from the good[hidden]education, medical, religious, etc.,[/hidden] to the bad [hidden]http://www.buzzfeed.com/reyhan/how-child-porn-and-the-other-awfulest-things-ever[/hidden], are we better off having the internet?

The only thing it is good for is chess and maps.

Originally posted by RBHILL
The only thing it is good for is chess and maps.

If that's all you think it's good for, you're not doing it right. 😛

Originally posted by FreakyKBH
For 3.
Against 0.

You don't need to do a poll on RHP. Just look at how many people use the internet and how many are boycotting it. I guess one could argue that boycotting it won't stop all the bad stuff, but still, if there were a lot of people against the internet you would think they would at least be making some noise about it.

Originally posted by RBHILL
The only thing it is good for is chess and maps.

Since you didn't list 'discussion forums', can I take it that you don't actually think posting here is a good thing?

Originally posted by twhitehead
Since you didn't list 'discussion forums', can I take it that you don't actually think posting here is a good thing?

Anything that helps spread RJ Hinds message gets my vote.

It's an excellent tool.

Needs much more acountability for content posted and more user control on content searched.

Originally posted by divegeester
It's an excellent tool.

Needs much more acountability for content posted and more user control on content searched.

When you say 'user control' do you mean control given to, and/or used by, the user or control imposed on the user?

Originally posted by Rank outsider
When you say 'user control' do you mean control given to, and/or used by, the user or control imposed on the user?

Control for the user to monitor, limit, filter, and report and hold sites accountable.

Although I do forsee a time coming when the internet will be a lot more controlled in general than it is now.