3 Things to Ponder for This Week

Internet

While I haven't been able to post much lately, I still try to keep up with the Cyberculture. Here are some things to keep in mind for coming weeks.

• Following an attack by NBC executive, Andy Wurtzel, Netflix announced three more seasons of Orange is the New Black, a new season of Gilmore Girls, and more new, original shows. Add to this the FCC's proposal regarding cable and set-top boxes, and it appears that streaming TV is set to go mainstream.

• Stocks for LinkedIn and Twitter have been showing signs of decline as investors worry about the economy and their efficacy. Twitter announced a shake-up at the top, with four executives leaving. Meanwhile, Yahoo recently shuttered several of its services, then announced a series of layoffs.

• Meanwhile, companies like Google and Facebook are taking initiative to bring the Internet to the poor. While Facebook's approach was rejected by locals, Google's free Internet has allowed low-income families access they previously did not have. At the same time, PCs are becoming incredibly cheap, even as tablets and other devices overtake the market. Representative Bill Foster even introduced a bill aimed at securing Internet for low-income households last May.

It seems we are finally moving - quickly - toward integrating the Internet into our daily lives. As most of the younger generation has always lived with it, the transition is likely to affect them least. Traditional radio, TV, and movie outlets will remain, even as their numbers diminish - and if cable and entertainment companies defiantly remain hold-outs, it will be to their future detriment.

© Copyright 2016, The Cyberculturalist