How is the web different today than 5 years ago?

Agreed 100% Between that and text messages, people have forgotten how to speak to one another. I'm all for using modern technology when it makes sense, but when you are actually with living and breathing human beings, converse with them instead of staring into your phone!

 

The other thing that is different is that it's much more accessible from mobile devices, and for someone who travels weekly, that is awesome. I use my phone for lots of spur of the moment things like using Yelp! to find a new lunch spot, looking up an address on Google, or using barcode apps to scan products and find the best price near where I'm at. So while it kills a lot of social interaction by overuse, there are a lot of benefits too.

 

I'm interested in the way the Internet has changed language. Yes, we all lament the fact that instant messaging and texting have changed the English language, perhaps in a detrimental way, but one thing we don't often consider is the role memes in particular can play in changing language. Take the construction: "I can has." We all know where that one is from. "I can has" is showing up in multiple places these days. For instance, Stephen Colbert used the construction when he was awarded his SuperPAC. While Stephen Colbert might contend he is not mainstream media, I would argue that he is, and that he is in a position to influence changes in language.

I enjoy using WoWspeak with a coworker of mine. It is like our own secret language that other coworkers don't understand.

 

I don't verbalize to many internet memes, but the main board that I spend time on has literally hundreds of emoticons. I have several buddies from there that I play WWF with, text with, email with, etc. We will often use the vb code for those emoticons in our messages to each other on those platforms. I guess that's kind of along the same lines, but not QUITE as bad.

 

I dunno. A part of me sees great things. Another part of me sees it becoming a glut of meaningless noise.

The future of the Internet lay in filters.

 

If you want something cool to read about the changing of the internet, check out this link:

http://www.lettersofnote.com/2011/07/internet-tidal-wave.html

It's a memo that Bill Gates wrote 16 years ago. It blows my mind how accurate he was in many of his predictions as to what would happen with the spread of the internet. Obviously a portion of his predictions came true because of his influence, but it is still pretty much genius.

 

Another great thing about the internet now, that is far more popular than it was 5 years ago (but still possible in some cases then) is ordering food and other household goods online.

I just ordered a pizza for dinner online. I order a ton of household goods through Amazon.com's Subscription service. Most things that I would've went to Walmart for 5 years ago I now by on Amazon for the same price, but without having to deal with Walmart.