The Role of the Internet in the Evolution of Human Communication (2015)

Undergraduate: Kevin Jacoby

Faculty Advisor: Leslie Frost
Department: Undecided

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Twice as many people are alive on Earth today than there were in 1968. With a population of 7.2 billion and counting, we collectively face the challenge of sustainably allowing every man and woman their rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The Internet will play a central role in our ability to accomplish this goal ¿¿¿ the world must become more connected, efficient, and mindful than ever before for us to build a society where everyone has equal access to education, news, and other valuable information that helps drive economic growth and well-being. Already, nearly 3 billion people use the Internet. As the remaining 60% of the world¿¿¿s population connects to the Internet over the coming decades, tremendous social change will continue to progress at an unprecedented scale and rate. Because the Web allows people to converse with others around the world in real-time, cultural boundaries may become increasingly blurred and ideologies will gradually change. As this occurs, we must recognize that communication via the Internet is fundamentally different than other methods of communication and might affect both the way we convey information and the way we interpret what we hear. I am interested in further researching the subtle roles the Internet plays in shaping human communication and cognition which we must be cognizant of as the Internet plays an increasingly critical role in our daily lives.