Can they even do that? If they took down search engines and the technology behind it then maybe, but can they really just flick a switch to take down
everything - I don't think they could??? (slight doubt on my behalf) There will always be somebody that could access it, some group of computer geeks
would use it as a tool/weapon like the freedom fighters used the radio during the last few wars to spread their word or like the pirate radio DJ's
used the FM radio back in the day. "You can't stop the signal Mal!!"
But that isn't what your asking.... Apololgies!
I can see what you mean. It would affect me a lot. I see that other posters have said that they wouldn't mind as they have lived without it in the
past but it would have a huge affect on the population of folk that are used to having it and use it as a way of expressing our right of freedom of
speech or even just checking the footy scores or latest game reviews. I'm not sure about anybody else but my work colleagues spend their lives on the
internet through their smart phones! A whole generation has grown up with the internet at their fingertips, you have to remember, not everybody can
remember dial up or times before that!
If the internet were to dissapear altogether (switched off) the knowledge would still be available to most if they looked (like really looked), but
it would be as the printed, written or verbal word and wouldn't be readily available as we know it today. A lot of knowledge is available on the
internet these days and accessible to everyone, be it good or bad. Religions use it, Governments use it, news corps use it, all for there own agenda
and to spread a message they want us to read but for the open-minded its a way of expresing ourselves and debating on what we have read on other
sites. If they (whoever they are) turn it off or take it under state control and give us what they want us to read and view via our news feeds then
our world may turn in to something we wouldn't like. We could end up like China!!!!
Anyway, I'm gonna answer all your questions in turn. I'm actually going to answer them as if the turn off was a complete turn off, like the worlds
powers had had enough of this freedom of speech malarky. (These are only my opinions!)
1. Why havent they done so already?
They probably prefer us being obsessed by something like the internet rather than us thinking about politics and policy. Lets face it, with us staring
at our PC's in our spare time and not thinking about the latest law that has been passed then they can get away with a lot more. Everybody has there
own goals and worries these days and with our spare time we just like to relax - and go on conspiracy websites. Lets not also forget, its a great way
to keep tabs on us with up to date information that we openly give weekly if not daily! We're like one man band doomsday books! "Here I am, Mr
Cameron! Just purchased some new jeans from Next and they have been sent to my new address at ........ oh wait, you already know! haha" *we high
five*
2. Do you think that this is thier intention later down the road?
Probably not, but I do think the speed in which the internet took off took them by surprise and they are still struggling to get it under some sort of
control. I don't think they will ever shut it down, even for a short while, but they will keep on pushing new laws through that limit our rights and
give them greater power over content. All for the "greater good!"
3. Do you think that even though they would like to, it is just to important?
A key question IMO. They will never shut it down in total because they depend on it too much. If we can't have it then they can't and running a
country of x amount of million of people with paper records will probably increase employment (yeyyy!) but will be too much of a ball ache. So, if
they have it, even if they have a super strong firewall constructed entirely out of Chuck Norris bone marrow coated in Xena Warrior Princess spit
there will always be somebody that can hack in to it and use their network.
4. Its just too important and risky for the economy
Again, another reason why it will never happen. Although not as important. In regards to internet shopping they could limit what we use the internet
for and how we use it. It could end up like an Iphone where we have tabs installed for our favorite shops, Amazon for example. Instead of opening
Google and searching for Amazon and picking from the results you would just have an app that you have installed and that gives you access to that
website only. For companies using it to trade or for the stock markets they could just operate on seperate servers, which I'm sure they do already?
5. "One day you wake up, try and log on and can't. You turn the tube on to find out that some event has happened (according to what the media has been
told) has taken the internet down and they did such a great job it could take months to fix."
If this happens then we are at the mercy of our masters! But as long as it's only for a few months then it shouldn't be too bad!! We still have our
previous knowledge and can hopefully make good judgement!!
Nice OP!!!
edit on 5-11-2012 by broddeb because: (no reason given)