It is not in vain that the metaphor for using the Internet is
"surfing" (and not, let's say, browsing).
The problem is that the Internet is still predominantly an
English language medium (though it is fast changing). It
discriminates against those whose mother tongue is different.
All software applications work best in English. Otherwise they
have to be adapted and fitted with special fonts (Hebrew,
Arabic, Japanese, Russian and Chinese - each present a
different set of problems to overcome). This situation might
change with the attainment of a critical mass of users (some
say, 2 million per non-Anglophone country).
Comprehensive (Virtual) Reality
This is the first (though, probably, not the last) medium
which allows the user to conduct his whole life within its
boundaries.
Television presents a clear division: there is a passive
viewer. His task is to absorb information and subject it to
minimal processing. The Internet embodies a complete and
comprehensive (virtual) reality, a full fledged alternative to
real life.
The illusion is still in its infancy - and yet already
powerful.
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