GYoung Digital Blog

The internet has made a huge impact in our lives, and in the world. But it’s worth remembering that, it’s still evolving.

The internet has changed so much in the past few years alone, and the world is changing along with it. Given today’s social and political talk, it’s probably safe to say that the internet is going to change even more in the next few years.

And that’s an interesting thing to think about. It leaves one to wonder how the internet could change.

Considering those political and social tensions, in the more immediate future, it’s likely that the internet is going to change by going under public scrutiny. That’s the big issue of today, and there are lots of talk about the role in technology and the internet in how it communicates with the mass public.

That’s a deep conversation. For now, let’s take a quick, broad look at the internet, and where it’s going. So, let’s ask the question:

Where will the internet be in the future?

That’s a tough question. After all, where else can the internet go? What hasn’t it gone yet? It would seem that’s a better way to start with an answer to that question.

So, again, where is the internet going? 

Short answer, I have no idea. I’m more interested in asking, what hasn’t the internet done already?

The internet has already effectively created an entire economy in and of itself. There’s Amazon, which has effectively become a universal shopping mall that exists thanks entirely to the internet. Google has become a universal source for any kind of information – an actual god. If someone has a question – where should I move… What should I do for work… Should I break up with Timmy… If you got a question, just google it. Google isn’t just the name of a company anymore, it’s a verb. An action. (By the way, Timmy sucks, you should definitely break up with him.)

But it doesn’t stop at just shopping malls and encyclopedias, (or by mass frustration venting, a la Facebook) but the internet is also a giant marketplace for independent freelancers, providing work and services. Someone could go on to Fiverr, or Upwork, and get some kind of work done. Heck, even giant tech companies like Microsoft rely on Upwork from time to time. 

Social media has made a giant town square for people to share ideas, Fiverr provides a professional workforce where people can work from home, and with little to no overhead cost, since it’s all digital, and Amazon is a place where people can go to shop. 

Then there’s the discussion of Bitcoin, which has become a legitimate form of currency that’s actually accepted by businesses around the country. Now, bitcoin is not standard, but companies are working at it. Facebook has been working with their Libra currency, and it’s not really gaining steam – but Facebook is trying. It’s only a matter of time before someone perfects it. And at the very least, the exchange of money is already widely accepted, with the likes of Paypal. 

So, what the internet has already done is that it’s changed our shopping habits, it’s changed our workforce and labor market, it’s changed our dating habits, it’s slowly changing our currency, oh, and our heads of state are threatening war via social media. So, that’s fun. 

So, it’s changed our attitudes about money, love,  sex, friends, work, retail, business, politics…

Where else can the internet go?

An idea of the future of the internet

With the way the internet has changed our lives in the world, it’s probably logical to think that the internet will slowly change our personal, internal lives. Some companies are getting further involved with healthcare. Apple already has the Health app on it’s phones and watches, and Google and Amazon are both in the process of disrupting the healthcare industry. 

According to Popular Mechanics, some experts believe that the internet will be wired into our physical being, and we can consume media simply by thinking about it. Rather than typing in search querys, we literally just think to ourselves, “what is that thing?” And data will physically appear in front of us. 

Crazy idea? Maybe, maybe not. The internet was a crazy idea at the time…