The Digital Divide

We're nearly two weeks past the "Internet Blackout," when many popular sites (including this one) went dark to protest damaging government legislation. In many ways, the protest was a resounding success. SOPA and PIPA, in their current forms, were defeated. However, it is already evident that this was only a temporary victory. New legislation is currently being formed overseas, in an attempt to do many of the same things those American bills intended to.

Although the fight has left our home front, for the time being, it still poses a huge threat to our liberties and freedoms. The internet is the last horizon, with endless possibilities we've only scratched the surface of. A threat to any part of this medium is a threat to all of it. It has to remain free or it will become useless.

How can we be sure we can keep the net free? How can we protect it from lobbyists, corrupt industries, and ill-advised politicians?

We may just have to wait it out.

I've come to a belief that The Digital Divide, the difference between those who understand the internet and those who don't, may be too wide. On one side, stand the patriots of the internet. Those of us who understand the true potential in the ability to communicate and share ideas. We are the last explorers. Opposing us are those who just don't get it. I don't aim to stereotype, but these are typically people of an older generation, who have not embraced the internet. This is either out of ignorance or lack of exposure. I feel bad for these people. Unfortunately, these seem to be the people in power.

For now.

We are on the precipice of a change in power. A changing of the guard between the old way of doing things, protecting ancient copyrights and corporate interests, and a new ideology of embracing the cutting edge and the exciting. I don't know how long it will take, 10, 20, maybe 50 years, but soon enough we'll have a whole new set of people in charge. People who grew up with not only and understudying of the internet, but an appreciation of it.

Wishful thinking?