VIRTUAL FREEDOM

There are many devices that make our lives easier and more carefree such as the internet, but the internet can consume our time and enslave us rather than operate as a servant. The internet can be used as a tool to perpetrate or solve crimes, to educate, or propagate falsehoods. Though it is a tool subject to the whims of those who use it; I believe the World Wide Web affords greater freedom than other communication mediums because it brings them all together in one place. Fact checking is made easier as the internet provides easy access to multiple sources of media. You want balanced news? You don't feel the TV stations, or even cable, is giving that to you?. Again, the internet can give a far more balanced opinion and show the other side of news stories that you won't see on TV. Just let your fingers do the searching. Multiple sources of news and information can be accessed within minutes. Online news contains everything from top stories to the hottest fashions and celebrity gossip. Your favorite morning or evening paper, your magazines, crossword puzzles and comics books are among the many available online resources. Yes, you can get your horoscope too!

The internet can help Utah residents regain freedom by virtue of the fact it allow individuals, companies and local government to see what other parts of the country and indeed the world are doing. In this way, citizens are not influenced solely by their own culture and morays. An Arab for example can talk to an American and not even know they're talking to an American and vice versa. In this way both parties are able to communicate with one another without being subject to biases. People can judge an idea on its own merit rather than prejudging based on the person. The internet is a great equalizer, acting as a loophole in racism, ageism, sexism and even nationalism. We can be a part of the bigger world, and what's nice is that you can choose how much you take part in the bigger world. Facebook settings illustrate this principle by allowing its users to customize account privacy settings. Facebook settings limit or expand what others see of a users online activities. Additionally, every form of how to instruction and self help can be found online, including anti-paranoia exercises which allow people to use the internet itself more freely.

You can use your internet buying power to price and order items from anywhere in the world. You can make a statement by purchasing from/recommending local businesses as opposed to national chains. Also, lets say you like a product that isn't selling well enough to be mass produced and distributed in supermarkets. For instance, I prefer tinted acne medication because it doubles as makeup base. I've gone online and ordered it from drugsupplystore.com before, because my nearby supermarkets only carry clear acne medication. Overstock.com provide jobs for 1,300 people. Overstock.com harnesses the internet to catch consumers who want to enhance their personal buying power through online resources.

Musicians who may have gone unnoticed can gain sudden popularity on web sites like You Tube. Popularity on You Tube gains the attention of major recording labels. Not only can artists make money when someone purchases their CD or downloads their music from iTunes or some other music service, but they get royalties from the radio stations each and every time a song of theirs is played.

Sites like eBay allow for re-use because the items sold there many times are listed by individuals and not companies. Online auctions provide a service because games, books, or movies that you can't get other ways, can be obtained through eBay. We all have valuable stuff beneath the dust bunnies. We're all setting on something.