Reposting this for more or better answers.
If someone from the 1900s or the 1950s were to see the internet, how would they react to seeing it?
If someone from the 1900s or the 1950s were to see the internet, how would they react to seeing it?
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1900's - - They would ask if this would make a steamship move any faster, or make it possible to mine deeper or any more efficiently. After you explained that *computers* can help do those things, but the internet is people cross-communicating *using* computers... they would be a good deal less impressed. They would be fascinated to learn about the technology *behind* the internet... and when they discover that the average user hasn't really a *clue* about the inner-workings (any more than the average car driver has much more understanding than 'put in gas, turn key, motor starts, go'... ahhh - they would be quite disappointed with the people of the age.
(It would take them a while before they understood that there is too much knowledge to be assimilated - the concept of 'Future Shock' as meant by A. Toffler would not immediately make sense to them.)
1950's They would be interested in 'how does this improve life for people?' The cultural and social implications would be a major factor. The 'science fiction' aspect of it would be a bit bewildering for them - and would be looked at with some skepticism. The extent to which the internet can break down cultural, social and even national boundaries between people would be perceived as 'a Bad Thing' by most - - particularly when the ability for people of almost *any* cultural background or wild-eyed-radical (or woo-woo) to be able to get their ideas in front of..well.. the whole world.. would have very troubling implications for them. The use of social media in 'people-uprisings' in such areas as China, and the Middle East would initially be viewed as very democratic and hence, 'good', but the similar 'uprising' of something like the 'Occupy Wall Street' and other 'Occupy' actions would be very, very troubling indeed.
(It would take them a while before they understood that there is too much knowledge to be assimilated - the concept of 'Future Shock' as meant by A. Toffler would not immediately make sense to them.)
1950's They would be interested in 'how does this improve life for people?' The cultural and social implications would be a major factor. The 'science fiction' aspect of it would be a bit bewildering for them - and would be looked at with some skepticism. The extent to which the internet can break down cultural, social and even national boundaries between people would be perceived as 'a Bad Thing' by most - - particularly when the ability for people of almost *any* cultural background or wild-eyed-radical (or woo-woo) to be able to get their ideas in front of..well.. the whole world.. would have very troubling implications for them. The use of social media in 'people-uprisings' in such areas as China, and the Middle East would initially be viewed as very democratic and hence, 'good', but the similar 'uprising' of something like the 'Occupy Wall Street' and other 'Occupy' actions would be very, very troubling indeed.