The Times article, Battle for the Soul of the Internet, describes the timeline of how the web became more and more accessible to the average person. It points out that this decentralized network, while allowing for many positive uses, could equally be used for less-than-noble causes. The entire article is a running metaphor of the Internet being like a large city, with its "safe neighborhoods" and dangerous, crime-ridden areas. It gives specific instances of how people have misused the Internet with things like spam and pornography, such as Laurence Canter and Martha Siegel with their green card law service spamming. Even unintentional misuse can cause serious problems, especially in journalism. Spreading falsehoods can easily get a person sued for libel if they do not check their facts carefully.
Despite this, the article predicts that in the near future, the web can have advanced commercial functions, such as verifying signatures. Some people will want to exploit it for money, but the beauty is that no one person or power "owns" the Internet. This article shows both sides of the Internet, the good and the bad. But the conclusion is that it is a useful tool that can be navigated for its benefits by a knowledgeable user. Information found on the Internet can reach a staggering number of people-- this is where the network's power truly lies. As it continues to expand, new problems will surely develop. But with these unforeseeable challenges, there will also be things to make it more user-friendly and easy to navigate.
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