A sad truth emerged when a few misguided souls actually suggested that the Internet be considered for a Nobel Peace Prize earlier this year: While there is great potential for the Internet to be used for good, many projects that seemed like good ideas in theory have fallen short of reality on the Web.
Sure, Twitter, Facebook, and other social sites have been used to get the word out about various political struggles, but the idea that the Web by itself qualifies as a peacemaking entity in its own right is nonsense. The Internet is only a tool for good, albeit a powerful tool when in the proper hands. Sadly, a lot of proper hands can't seem to get a grip on the Net, and the potential of the Web to better humankind simply hasn't been realized.
Indeed, the Web is littered with the detritus of worthy projects that began with fanfare and ended with little or nothing of substance – except the disappointment of supporters who rallied 'round only to see their causes evaporate. Whether dreams of putting online technology to use involve improving the lot of urban dwellers, increasing the quality of education, making government more accountable to its constituents, or ensuring better use of the Web for healthcare, many have simply disintegrated into lost bits.
All this is a testament to the questionable motives of some project initiators, as well as a lesson in the need for greater persistence in putting a good cause above what's expedient or immediately profitable online.
In this report, Internet Evolution explores the good ideas that have fallen short on the Web, as well as some great ideas now at risk of being lost. We also discuss what causes this shortfall of good intentions and what can be done about it. What do these failed projects teach us about questionable motives, the need for ethics, and our priorities as creators and users on the Web?
Without further ado, we present Opportunities Lost: Why Good Internet Ideas Burn Out.
Not every idea deserves to grow, but this list is just dissapointing.
Who would have thought that inexpensive laptops for kids in developing countries -- or -- donations to disaster areas -- or -- government transparency would be a lost cause? It's a sad day when publicly available information is not available or that the benefits of broadband are being passed up because some company wants to make a buck at it.
A few comments on the thought-provoking questions you raise.
First of all, as you point out Mary, the internet is just a tool. So it can be used for self-serving purposes, justified as commerce, or public good, with short-term or long-term value. It will be determined and the use established by the entity involved, so there will be both good and bad.
Second, to your point, Michael. It is disappointing. I think we all come to realize in the current economy that pure greed still exists as much as altruism. The reality is that we have to have the commitment of leaders in both business and government that will use our tools of commerce in ways that produce a larger value than just profit.
There was an interesting article in the December issue of Harvard Business Review that lays out a balanced business approach for society and commerce to build "Shared Value". The days of operating in separate econmies no longer make sense.
Excellent leadership, such as IE, continues to keep these issues in the forefront. That will continue to force us to confront the temptations to advance solely our own interests.
There's nothing wrong with making a profit - you all need to go see "Atlas Shrugged." While I don't completely agree with the philosophies espoused in the movie or book - I think that it is important to help others as well as being rewarded for our labor and ideas - it's wrong to accuse companies of greed just because they aren't as altruistic as you may like them to be. Without the motivation of profit, there is very little that would get done, and you wouldn't have such nice tools to be working with.
Web access is not a human right, nor is it even a need. Before we worry about getting everyone in the world online, we should make sure everyone has sufficient food, water, clothing, and shelter. We've still got quite a long way to go with that.
Before we worry about getting everyone in the world online, we should make sure everyone has sufficient food, water, clothing, and shelter. We've still got quite a long way to go with that.
Trevorh, I come across logic like that so often and I just don't buy into it; oftentimes I think its just an excuse to do no thing.. You know, before we worry about tattoo removal let's cure diabetes. The panoply of human endeavors rarely work in such a uni-linear way. If we truly wait to feed, clothe and shelter humanity before doing anything else I think a lot will go undone. The people out there best suited to spreading online access probably don't have a clue on how to dig wells, and it's not just a matter of throwing money at something.
It was not intended as an excuse to do nothing - it was actually intended as encouragement to start with things that really matter. My family is involved in providing real, basic human needs to people. Just because I'm a programmer in my profession doesn't mean I can't learn how to do completely different things that will provide benefit for those in need.
And I'm not saying the Internet or other forms of technology can't be used in doing this - they can and are. But the last thing a kid in Africa that hasn't eaten in days wants is a computer (unless it can be traded for food), much less online access.
Here is an online project that is actually working, that is enabling thousands of volunteers to help provide for spiritual needs through the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints:
it's wrong to accuse companies of greed just because they aren't as altruistic as you may like them to be...
Greed gets a bad rap, eh?
I think business ethics is an important area and should be linked to corporate success. Greed to me indicates that a company has exceeded the limits of ethical conduct in reaching for profit. That isn't acceptable, and making excuses for it is part of what got Wall Street into the mess it's in.
What I am trying to say is that rarely is the choice so clean cut as either provide online access or food to the hungry. Grey areas abound, let Bill Gates provide food for the hungry, and google online access for the unconnected, and if their efforts overlap then so be it.
That's a nice wish but I doubt it will happen any time soon. Meanwhile, it's not possible to stop the advancement of technology. Broadband access is a right in Finland, by law.
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