David Lano » internet http://www.davidlano.com Riffs on Business, Marketing, Web Development Mon, 12 Dec 2011 14:37:42 +0000 en hourly 1 The Big Bad Wolf http://www.davidlano.com/2008/12/05/the-big-bad-wolf/ http://www.davidlano.com/2008/12/05/the-big-bad-wolf/#comments Fri, 05 Dec 2008 19:13:08 +0000 David Lano http://www.davidlano.com/blog/?p=138

We all know what the big bad wolf looks like right? Well no, not always. The internet is a fairly anonymous environment. Sure, we all have a unique IP address, but from the onset most look like innocent little red riding hoods.

In my post TV vs. Internet I talked about how great the internet is, but we all know it’s not perfect.

I just recently topped 5,000 spam comments on my blog and continue to receive 30+ a day. Some big name bloggers receive 10x that amount. It shouldn’t be much of a surprise really, considering the net is an open invitation to all kinds of activity.

I’m sure you’ve heard about this woman and how she got tricked out of $400k. Deceived by Little Red Riding Hood? You bet.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying we should tighten the reigns and smother our own freedom, but where are we headed? Hopefully not down the same path as China. Every +1 spam we have to deal with is -1 freedom from that opportunistic web we all grew up to love. How long before we experience a diminishing return?

I don’t have the answers. I’m hoping someone does or this could get ugly.

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I don’t know about you, but I’ve always considered TV to be somewhat of a black hole.

Yeah, yeah…I know TV has it’s advantages and I’m not trying to say nothing good can come out of TV (I’ll admit I’m obsessed with 24), but for the most part TV is a dead end.

You’re entertained, but your mind turns to mush. That’s it.

You may think my view on TV is extreme, and maybe, just maybe it is. But, you get my drift. So…

What about the Internet?

I’ve had a few people compare TV with the Internet. Saying something like, “The Internet is a waist of time…” etc. etc. I, of course, defended the Internet to the core…but wait. Is there a similarity? The Internet of course is more interactive. And, depending on how many channels you have, both TV and Internet offer several choices. But, really when it comes down to it, what are the real differences?

I would argue that TV is a one way communicator (One Lane) and the Internet is a two way communicator (Two Lanes). TV only provides value (Sometimes) to you; while the Internet gives you value (Sometimes), but you also have the option of providing value back (Lane Two).

Ok, so what? Well, I see the two way communication as a HUGE advantage. The Internet isn’t a dead end. You have the ability to provide value to others, not just soak up what’s coming your way.

Of course, it all depends on what you’re doing on the Internet. Just because the Internet can be interactive doesn’t mean it will. I of course could watch TV shows on the Internet all day long, and that wouldn’t make it any better than watching TV. The Internet is a gateway. An opportunity to participate and provide value to others. But, of course you choose whether or not you take advantage of lane two.

Ok, sweet so I can spend all my time on the Internet?

No. I’m not implying that we should all live on the Internet. I do think the Internet is better than TV, but the Internet is a pitiful substitute for real life. The Internet, just like most anything else, should be used with moderation.

So, what’s your take on TV and the Internet? Do you think one is better than the other? Do you hate me now?

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