42 lines
2.5 KiB
HTML
42 lines
2.5 KiB
HTML
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<p>Recently I was studying for an exam. Normally I do this by
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downloading the material to my computer (typically PDF documents) so I
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can have access to it locally. I could most definitely simply view it in
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the university's web platform, but I've always found it more comfortable
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to have copies of these files on my computer. It was at this point that
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my brother wished to restart the router, saying he was having problems
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with the internet connection, which he needed to study for his own
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classes. In my case, I had not noticed any problems with the internet in
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the slightest, nor any disruption to my work flow. The reason is simple:
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I didn't need the internet for my work - or at least I needed it less.
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Once I had downloaded the PDF documents, they were on my computer and I
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could access them at any moment in time without reliance on a proper
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internet connection.</p>
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<p>This anecdote got me thinking about how reliant we've become on the
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internet in general, especially normal computer users. We seem to be
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reluctant to keep files on our computers, opting instead to rely on
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foreign storage services (i.e. cloud storage) and <i>streaming</i>
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alternatives. This means, however, that our use of all these nodes of
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information (e.g. documents, songs, spreadsheets) depend completely on
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having access to a stable internet connection.</p>
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<p>Now, it is undeniable that these presents certain conveniences over
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maintaining all our files on personal computers. Yet, like in any such
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system, it presupposes the proper functionality of all its components.
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That is, whereas to access a file on my computer I simply need to rely
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on my computer working properly and (at most) a good power source, to
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access files through an internet service one depends not only upon
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these, but also the entire framework and infrastructure where the data
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is hosted and everything in between. This, as is obvious, presents many
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vulnerabilities and makes a flaw in the system - and therefore a chance
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to experience a problem - ever more probable.</p>
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<p>The problem, as one can imagine, is that even if we wish to avoid
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such dependency (as I do), our society does not mind forcing this
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dependency upon us. Rather, those who wish not to be dependent are
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viewed as strange and (even) masochistic. "Why are you trying to make
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your life more difficult?" one may hear. This results in all kinds of
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situations where, since those in charge of choosing the method of
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communication or the technologies used for a project will often choose
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that which is most convenient.</p>
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