Introduction

The internet is quickly becoming the largest forum for communication and social interactions. People from around the world have the ability to discuss and interact like never before. This incredible growth has changed the way people view the world, and has permanently altered the way people interact. The internet has provided a level playing field where anyone's ideas and opinions can be shared and where anyone can stand up and be heard regardless of their economic or social standing. Gone are the days when the media controlled what people could see or read. The internet has allowed the masses to take a stand.

This explosion of technology has not come without problems however. In a world where nothing is the same as it was rules and regulations that applied to the physical world have less meaning. Issues of speech, privacy, and anonymity are some of the most important in this day and age. Is it anyone's job to regulate the internet? And if so, Whose? Who's job is it to protect people from slander and defamation on the internet? What should people be able to keep private and what do they give up to become part of the society online? When does anonymity become a burden to society rather than a blessing. These are all highly debated and extremely important questions that will determine the future of the internet and our society.

In this blog, Michael and I hope to discuss our views on these topics and decide what we think the best course of action will be. Both of us are interested in these subjects yet have very torn opinions. Because neither of us have drawn strong conclusions about any of the topics, we feel that such a discussion would be both interesting—as both of us could easily sway back and forth when strong arguments are presented—and beneficial—as it may help us make up our minds.