Obviously, the majority of internet users do more “goofing off” during their surfing than do researchers and scientists globally connected to share information, research, and thoughts. Is this any different from real life? However, when people need answers, share a particular passion, or want to connect with people of like minds, and more – they can do it on the internet (and, just as an aside, did you know that the telegraph was the world’s first internet? People around the world met, talked, fell in love, got married, etc.). For example, in the substance abuse field, an addict or alcoholic going through a 12-step program are in treatment together, meet regularly, and form close friendships in recovery. These folks reach out on the internet, too, for help and support, to tell their story, and share successful strategies for recovery. Perhaps, more important, their families and children, wrapped in “shame and silence,” reach out anonymously through chat rooms, blogs, and forums to seek support, comraderie, understand addiction, and seek treatment services for those they love (e.g. Drug Rehabs, Addiction Treatment, Detox, dual diagnosis, residential treatment homes, etc.).

Humans are the only animal that, once hurt or wounded, will leave warning signs for others. Or, alternatively, if happy, discovered safe passage through hazardous territory (recovery) will broadcast their accomplishments for others to learn from.

So, yes, I’m a great internet advocate. A smart person will learn from his/her mistakes. A wise person will learn from other peoples mistakes. And the internet is chock-full of real life stories. See Robert Fulghum’s The Mirror for an astonishing and profound story.

Thank you for your blog.

Warm regards,
Gary
Addiction Recovery Directory of Treatment Centers

you have a point that social system/organisation can reproduce.

As a substance abuse specialist, I am surprised you are encouraging folks to participate so strongly. First comes first it seems to me, Humans need other humans.

Some findings from a psychology research database
Computer use has no demonstrated impact on the well-being of older adults.
Communication Via Instant Messenger…, IM use was associated with feeling that one used the Internet too much, and reduced life satisfaction.
Internet Chat Room Use… Time spent in chat rooms was positively correlated with loneliness but only weakly and negatively related to satisfaction with life.

How they participate may be key to the effect of the internet.
Results show that Ss used the Internet primarily for 2 reasons: (1) socio-affective regulation (SAR), a social or affiliative orientation toward Internet use; and (2) goods-and-information acquisition (GIA), a utilitarian or practical orientation toward Internet use. Internet use driven by SAR negatively influenced psychological well-being through reducing social integration. However, Internet use motivated principally by GIA appeared to have a favorable effect on psychological well-being through increasing social integration.

Even with “GIA”, I lean towards regarding the internet as fascinating but ultimatly empty, and spending more time with folks in person when I can.

Once a “distributed intelligence” synergistic system is created, it does reproduce via the addition of hundreds, thousands, even millions of people giving/taking to the exchange of information, replicating and modifying as they go along passing along critical knowledge, skill-sets, and danger/pain signals to alert the unwary and uninformed. Indeed, even parents who participate in this “human distributed intelligence” symbiotic construct pass the skills on to their progeny. Does it now reproduce?

So, what else needs to be done? I can answer by saying that I’ve been in the substance abuse field for many years to help inform, educate, and provide resources for health professionals and the general public, addicts, addict’s families, and support groups. As an online company, we help thousands of people each month find drug rehab treatment centers, alcohol rehabilitation, chemical dependency recovery centers, detox units and much more. So, what else can be done? What ever your specialty, your particular talent or skill, get it out on the web, get it out to millions of browsers, get them to participate, invite them in and get them to interact – spread the knowledge. Help every one help others by connecting them to the single greatest human achievement – the internet – to pass on “survival knowledge.” Unlike the styrofoam white cup to the ducks, information is a “food item” and ingested by the human mind in order to survive and grow.

I look forward to reading more of your blog, don’t quit, share the knowledge. Human intelligence is not “empty” in any sense of the word. If we didn’t share or pass on information we’d all still be painting ourselves “blue,” living in caves, and running around with clubs. Blessings.

Gary
Treatment Centers Drug and Alcohol Rehab Info