What is the primary impact of the Internet and its underlying network protocols on global interaction?
Answer
It collapses time and distance for information exchange globally
In the context of recent history, the Internet and its protocols are positioned as contenders for the greatest invention because they operate on the scale of information flow, similar to writing and printing but at vastly accelerated speeds. Its defining characteristic in enabling current civilization is its capacity to shrink perceived distance and delay in communication. This allows researchers, for example, in disparate geographical locations like Germany and Japan, to instantly access shared data and engage in immediate, global discussions, effectively mimicking the distribution power of printing but at near-instantaneous speeds.
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