We can divide human history into three important eras: agricultural, industrial and digital. In the digital age, society has been called the “information society”, one whose culture and economy depend essentially on technology, communication and information. In theory, everyone participates in some way in the interaction, sharing knowledge based on the information they have.
Through technological convergence, the communication exchange process is greatly facilitated. Today we can process varied information in one form: the digital form. Different devices are multifunctional, using only a small chip. Through cell phones, for example, we access the Internet, listen to the radio and music in mp3 format, send emails, photos, videos and short text messages (SMS), among many other functions.
The era is new and the name they have given to today's society is pompous. One must be careful, however, not to generalize, given the Brazilian reality, which is marked by digital exclusion. With the drop in prices and the growth of the Internet, digital inclusion has been happening little by little, but still at a snail's pace.
Let us observe what Hugo Assmann, professor and Doctor of Theology, with an emphasis on Philosophy of Education, teaches us:
“The information society is the society that is always constituting itself, in which low-cost data and information storage and transmission technologies are widely used. This generalization of the use of information and data is accompanied by organizational, commercial, that will profoundly change the way of life both in the world of work and in society in general.
In the future, there may be different models of the information society, just as today there are different models of industrialized societies. These models can diverge in that they avoid social exclusion and create new opportunities for the disadvantaged. The importance of the social dimension characterizes the European model. This model should also be imbued with a strong ethic of solidarity.
The mere increasing availability of information is not enough to characterize an information society. The most important thing is to trigger a vast and continuous learning process.”
In this context, we can speak of the Internet. The Internet emerged in the 60s, at the time of the Cold War, in the United States. The US Department of Defense intended to create a computer communication network at strategic points. The intention was to decentralize valuable information so that it would not be destroyed by bombing if it was located on a single server.
Thus, ARPA (Advanced Research Projects Agency), one of the Department's subdivisions, created a network known as ARPANET, linked by a backbone (“backbone”, that is, network structures capable of handling large volumes of information) that passed under the ground, which made it difficult to undoing. Access to ARPANET was restricted to military personnel and researchers, it took a while to reach the general public, as they feared the misuse of technology by civilians and non-allied countries.
In Brazil, connecting computers over a network was only possible for state purposes. In 1991, the Brazilian academic community managed, through the Ministry of Science and Technology, access to international research networks.
In May 1995, the network was opened for commercial purposes, leaving the private sector in charge of operating the services. Today, to connect your computer, the user pays for the services of an access provider or has a direct connection.
The Internet phenomenon differs from other means of communication known so far, given that the attitude of the receiver in the radio and television is merely passive, while in relation to the Internet the receiver participates by selecting and emitting information.
There are several ways to exchange and obtain information through the Internet, including: World Wide Web (www), search engines, e-mail (email), peer-to-peer, IRC (Internet Relay Chat), VoIP (voice over IP), mailing lists, chats and messages instant messages. The network itself, in turn, is accessed through various means, featuring the typical example of technological convergence, of facilitating the communication exchange process. The Internet is present in computers, cell phones, palms, and different multifunctional devices.
Let's go back to time. Can we imagine ourselves without this wonderful invention that today is an opportunity to cross borders, break down barriers and share ideas in a unique way? Above all, the internet increases reading capacity (also stimulating new readings), it helps to find information, solving problems and, without a doubt, acquiring skills that are increasingly required in the work. The question remains, whose answer sounds rather obvious to most users of this incomparable tool.
Carolina de Aguiar Teixeira Mendes
Consultant, Educator and Researcher
Law & Education - New Technologies
Columnist - Brazil School
Curiosities - Computing - Brazil School
Source: Brazil School - https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/curiosidades/como-surgiu-a-internet.htm