For an advancement that only took place a few decades ago, the Internet is doing a lot of work to hold up society as the world moves through what will likely be this crisis of a pandemic to define the first half of our current decade, if not longer. People still need to communicate, get schooling, and order goods. In prior lifetimes, those things would still be done, but far more dangerously, at least for when a telephone wouldn’t suffice.
Now we have more options, and more things available to keep us entertained, in contact, and working as close to normal as possible. In short, as much as anything else, the Internet is keeping humanity together and the world running, and here are the key reasons why:
Separated, but Always Connected
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While in crises before the dawn of the internet people would have to worry heavily about communication, now it is, at most, an afterthought. Do you want to send a message to someone on the literal other side of the planet? It can be done in less than a second. Do you want to call a loved one in Massachusetts from California? If you have a good internet connection in California, then it can be as though they’re right in front of you, and providers are regularly working to improve equipment in an effort to remain competitive.
To summarize, a smartphone is the ultimate communications device, always available with us, and the internet has expanded and will continue to expand in the coming years to include nearly every living human within its purview. As more people get service and as infrastructure improves (partially as a result, and partially due to market demand), the fewer problems we’ll run into, and the more we will constantly be connected, whether through social media, direct communications, shared creations, or something entirely new.
Replacing the Friendly and Family Gatherings
This crisis has occurred over Easter, which for many families is one of the busiest and most socially important holidays of the year. There is still a sense of loss associated with a lack of physical gatherings, but it pales in comparison to what it would be if we weren’t able to easily video call one another and do other things such as share photos online. Families can at the very least still see each other and share a meal, even if the food is separate.
Similarly, outside of the holidays, there are many groups of friends who can’t meet in person but instead are having group Zoom or Skype calls, online watch parties, game nights, and more. The internet in this case is not only allowing people to connect but also give them something to do as well. It might not be a night at the bar for some, but with a couch and a few drinks it feels a lot more like home for many.
Without these comforts, we can only trust that people would be far more restless than they are now.
Getting People What They Need
Logistics is an important part of any emergency, and if people weren’t able to get what they need, then they would either suffer greatly or resort to more dangerous measures to keep themselves in a stable position. And while many online retailers and shipping services are currently strained to the point of delays and price jumps, they are getting people essential items as fast as possible, and the communication capabilities created by the Internet keeps a near impossible effort organized.
Additionally, in the midst of this crisis, the internet is what is allowing governments around the world to provide resources and support to millions of their citizens who have been impacted. Imagine if the millions of unemployment claims in the United States alone had to be handled by paper, without computer systems to help process them. The same goes for other programs for businesses both small and large.
Conclusion: This Is a Worldwide Moment of Realization
In such a globalized world, we have problems that we couldn’t so easy think up centuries ago, but as evidenced by the current use of the internet during these troubling times, we also have the solutions we need. And while there are dangers and potential abuses, we need to work to utilize these opportunities the Internet has given us so that all of us over the planet can keep moving forward.
This is the proving point in history for the importance of the Internet, its vast utility, and perhaps a strong argument for its access to become a confirmed human right. Wherever we are headed, it is a sure thing that it will be a priority.