The Internet Cathedral, Internetization, Infostrada, and Globalization

Abstract

The purpose of this investigation is to define the historic roots of the Internet and its implications in the 21st century. The interdisciplinary, civilizational methodology is applied to evaluate the evolution of the Internet. Among findings are; the possible atomic war in 1962 led to the conceptualization (by Paul Baran) and development (as the Internet Cathedral) of the Internet to communicate “a day after.” Later it was split into two nets; Milinet and Internet. Behind the Iron Curtain the similar project led to the launching a pilot INFOSTRADA, later adapted as the Information Superhighway in the U.S. Today, the Internet communicated the whole world. It empowered individuals, organizations and the society. The society is particularly strengthened by the dissemination of negative feedback as “Occupy Wall Street” movement. It has been developing since the Internet triggered Global Economy and allowed for outsourcing jobs to countries with low labor cost. Practical implications suggest that individuals like the Internet but the Western Civilization is losing its leading role in the world due to the activation the Asian societies and taking over Global Economy. Social implications require certain corrections in modus operandi of the Societies, depending too much upon the Internet. Since people communicate more but having less to say. The findings of this investigation are original and go beyond of a traditional approach to research of the Internet.