The Future of the Internet

A part of the "At Issue" series, "The Future of the Internet" is a compilation of twelve articles (written by different authors including noted scholars, government officials and business leaders, and drawn from various journals, magazines, presentations, reports, etc.) which addresses many topics dealing with the Internet and its diffusion into today's society. An interesting book, it gives the reader a well rounded grounding into the issues that surround the Internet from user addiction, to privacy invasion, copyright infringement, embedded technology, to the burgeoning field of e-commerce as well as its potential effects on education. Reading this book gives any reader an appreciation for the controversy that is the Internet. In the process of reading this book the reader gains a thorough introduction to the origins of the Internet and the impact it has had on society in such a short period of time. The book starts off by introducing what the Internet is, how it came to be, etc, before going into the issues.These are the topics the book addresses:1. The Information Superhighway Will Have Many Benefits2. The Internet Will Improve Education3. Internet Commerce Is Poised to Flourish4. Internet Technology Will Be Embedded in Everyday Products5. Competition, Rules and Technology Can Increase Access to the Internet6. The National Information Infrastructure Could Be Harmful to Individuals7. The Internet Will Impair Education8. Inadequate Security Will Threaten Internet Commerce9. Compulsive Internet Use Will Become a Behavioral Disorder10. Copyright Infringement May Increase on the Internet11. The Internet is CollapsingIn addition the book also contains a bibliography of sources and list of agencies' contact addresses which are beneficial to students doing research.On the downside, the book is oddly organized with the complimentary articles NOT being next to each other. Also, written back in the mid-1990s some of the technological issues and problems discussed have already come to pass and been resolved. However, the social issues that are discussed are still very relevant even today, a few years down the road.Overall, this book is a GREAT introduction to the Internet and its many problems and issues. The articles, though at times some are a little inaccessible, are very thought-provoking. You can get a good picture as to "both sides" of the issue and therefore get a deeper understanding of the many problems and concerns the rise of the Internet has brought.I read this book as a supplementary text for a telecommunications course I took back in 1998. It is a great overview to Internet issues and a great tool for discussion and critical thinking. In sum, it is worth a read.Recommended.