I used to think that computation was one of the higher mental processes. But now I see its low place in the hierarchy. The lowest form of thinking is passive observation, then comes organization, computation, creativity, personal communication, truly understanding, and finally intimacy. These types of thinking can be represented by technology. TV is passive; reading and writing allows storage and organization (and exploration). The Internet allows ordinary people to creatively publish their own work; E-mail is actually one step ahead because it fosters more personal communication (on an Internet forum you never know if anyone cares). The telephone is yet another step ahead because it's one-on-one, and it allows immediate feedback, so you know as you speak if the other person is listening. Friendship, while not a technology, sometimes depends on transportation to be in the same place at the same time; it allows commitment, conversion, and accountability. Finally, the life-long commitment that comes with marriage and dedication to God brings all the lower forms of thinking to perfection.

So that brings me to the question, what is the purpose of the Internet? It is not an end in itself. Rather, it should lead people upward to the higher forms of communication. Sure it's better than TV, probably even more stimulating than reading, but it is only useful if it leads us up the heirarchy into more personal relationships. Any web site should have the purpose of leading people to do something in the real world, or at least starting an e-mail conversation.

On a related note, why is it possible for us to find anything we want on google.com? Is it because of the great technology behind the browsers, servers, and search engines on the Internet? No, it's because thousands or millions of human beings took the time to enter all that information in the first place. It's PEOPLE!!! The Internet is made of PEOPLE!!!