Lucky
Software
Culture |
 |
| What you are
marketing on the Internet doesn’t have to be a product; you can market ideas, and
this business is largely untapped in Iran |
In the “age
of information”, the significant question is that what is the best way to use the
Internet and how could the human use the Net to achieve a better life and to eliminate
economic and social problems? Once these questions are answered we can hope that the
Internet can serve the human being as a precious tool.
In recent years, the human world has
witnessed the realization of one of the great revolutions in its entire life. This
transformation has left, and will continue to leave, impacts on productivity, welfare,
development and lifestyle of the world’s people. New phenomena in human life include
a quick progress in information technology which brings about with itself the elimination
of distance and new networked learning. On the one hand this revolution has naturally
positive and valuable effects on our lives, and on the other hand it may bear threats for
political, cultural and economic conditions of humanity, if not properly used.
In the recent Summit of Group of Eight countries in Japan, one of the topics discussed was
“digital divide”. This divide, along with other divides in the world, is a
source of concern and may add to other gaps between the developed world and the developing
countries.
It may be very harmful for a country including Iran if it does not carry out a precise,
comprehensive and long-term analysis of this phenomenon and does not draw up a strategic
plan to keep pace with other countries in utilization of this technology. Statesmen,
experts and all others who work with social problems can play a noticeable role in this
regard.
There are three various viewpoints with respect to exploitation of the Internet:
Using the Internet without any
restrictions (allowing absolute freedom in information flow): The assumption here is
that no barrier must exist in the way of free flow of information and news, and all human
societies must be allowed to use this flow freely and equally. Many critics of this
viewpoint argue that the control of advanced countries over the global flow of information
denies the principle of the free information flow. But the opportunities which have arisen
today on the Net for all countries, can moderate such arguments.
Restricted use of the Internet
(Filtering the information): The advocates of this viewpoint believe that through
filtering the undesired stuff, it is possible to make a better use of the Internet. In the
eyes of these people, the negative aspects of the Net surpass its positive aspects. It is
time to watch the cyberspace and prevent its negative impact on society and culture. The
policy which is adopted based on this perspective, is “selection and observation of
information”.
Using the Internet while
participating in the management, organization and production of information on the Net: A
new horizon has been set forth based on this viewpoint that not only this global medium is
accepted, but one should endeavor to play a role in the management and organization of the
information to be transmitted via the Net. Companies which produce information, and the
culture prevailing in the information software will benefit from the Internet the most. At
first, it may be assumed that those who use the information on the Internet get the most
benefits, because the Net is able to satisfy the customers’ needs for information
with minimum costs and highest speed, but the fact is that the benefits that customers get
from the Internet are far less than those of the companies and institutes which provide
the information. A deeper examination of this issue would reveal that with the growing
development of companies, even their investors are not the ones who get the most of the
Net, but the culture that prevails in the software on the Net gets the most benefit.
Advantages: Positive features of Internet based on the third
viewpoint can be briefly put as:
Net as a tool for integration of social
concepts: Today’s human is witness to a number of social disorders. He is after the
norms and a tranquility which fit his character best. He wants to achieve development in
all political, cultural and economic areas and that’s why a paradigm is needed for
organizing the human knowledge. By organization, we mean creating of a ground for better
thinking of thinkers and a model for integration of sciences. This is possible through the
Net — with its conventional definition— and organization of various scattered
activities through linking them with each other. In other words, the Net is a tool for
evolution of sciences. The objective of the Net is increasing the efficiency of the
concepts related to the administration of society, economy, social and economic concepts,
marketing, coordination or management. Each society needs a powerful tool for direction
and leadership of scientific research, through making them systematic and integrated.
Establishing a connection between
various scattered thoughts and linking researchers with each other: Interaction between
researchers will lead to higher efficiency of their work. The Net plays a significant role
in this field by organizing various sporadic thoughts through creating a link between
them. Net is a channel for thoughts and is a tool for human development.
Despite all minor shortcomings in our
society, we are able to rely on our lofty beliefs and thoughts in order to play a more
active role in bringing a better life for the human beings. Internet is a precious tool by
which we can promote understanding between the world’s people and eliminate poverty,
ignorance and other social problems.
Through our creative presence on the Internet at macro and micro levels, we can also
endeavor for a better society. It is obvious that governments can play a significant role
in this respect by creating a suitable basis to facilitate this free flow of information.
Until we can find a long-term multi-dimensional strategy which guarantees our national
interests, each of us should play a more effective role for the materialization of this
idea. |
