Some of the most unsettling aspects of course technology are the lawless anarchic state of the Internet, and the inability of humans to fully understand it. These unsettling truths will make you wonder if the Internet is a good thing, or a bad thing.
Internet as a lawless anarchic state
The Internet is a perfect example of a large-scale anarchist organization, free of hierarchical authority. People join associations of their choosing, and information freely flows amongst them. This allows for anarchism to flourish and anarchist principles to be promoted. The Internet is a community that is open to all, free of censorship and rules, and a place to express yourself, no matter where you happen to be.
The Internet’s popularity has been fueled by this very idea. It was a symptom of the breakdown of modern societies. Lawless communities helped elect President Donald Trump, and the aggressive nationalism and isolationism in Europe is being amplified. Many European countries are turning away from centralized power and embracing nationalism.
However, the Internet’s growth has also led to debates over its legal status. The debate is not limited to legal issues, as it has extended to economic issues. Questions range from who owns the “space” of the Internet to whether local governments should have the power to tax internet sales or break up monopolies. This debate has become more complex because there are no national borders for the Internet.
Although many Internet pages promote the Internet as a lawless anarchic society, there are plenty of reputable and accurate anarchist web sources available. While some of these sources are inaccurate, others contain accurate information about anarchy and its advantages.
