Internet For World Peace

CNN has an article up concerning the nomination of the internet for the Nobel Peace Prize.

Because the internet is inanimate, I think the chances of it winning are extremely small. Also on that list of nominees are many of the great minds responsible for the creation of the internet, I find it more likely that one of them will get it instead if the internet is deemed worthy of such a prize.

That said, let's entertain the scenario where the internet does win. Why would the internet win? What would that mean?

Let's think about all the good things the internet is currently responsible for. Instant access to worldwide news, shopping for anything from any location, video chat, keeping in contact with friends, spreading ideas across the world, sending aid to countries/organizations/people located anywhere, job searching, online gaming, having music and videos from anywhere in front of you in seconds, the list could go on for a very long time.

Now what about the bad? Child pornography, software/entertainment piracy, easy identity theft, easy stalking, degradation of face-to-face social interaction, increased laziness, false information proliferation, easy access to material unsuitable for minors...this list too could go on for a long time.

The internet is neutral to everything. Summed up, it's purpose is to allow worldwide interaction for better or for worse. We're talking about a technology that has single handedly connected one out of every 4 people in the world, and that's only growing. Even if it can be used for bad just as easily as for good, surely that single accomplishment is worthy of the award.

What would that mean for us if a technology won an award historically, with no exceptions, given to human beings? Maybe nothing. Perhaps we accept that, at this point in humanity, technology is just as prevalent in securing world peace as any person can be.