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Informatization pollution ("Infollution")

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Informatization pollution, also termed infollution, is defined as any undesirable side effect brought about by information technology and its applications. These side effects may be economic, social, cultural, or psychological. We are still in the expansion phase of informatization, and the tip of the iceberg is only beginning to emerge.

The term infollution was initially coined by Dr. Paek-Jae Cho, former president & CEO of KTC (Korean Telecommunication Corp.), in a 2002 speech at the International Telecommunications Society (ITS) 14th biennial conference.[citation needed]

Information revolution and informatization have produced the material abudance of society as well as some negative secondary effects, which only recently received attention by sociologists. The information revolution has affected not only the structure of the society but also human nature itself. The sad part is that with regard to the impacts on human nature, we have noticed only the tip of the proverbial iceberg. As internet use becomes widespread, the major mode of contact among people is changing from analog to digital communication. The internet allows for anonymity as the basis of interaction. Faceless contact on the internet strips away emotional feelings that people communicate through physical contact. Life can become too dry and too dehumanized. There is no doubt that the advanced communications infrastructure of optical fiber and mobile networks gives people the benefit of instant and convenient communications, but it also seems to encourage people to be more quick-tempered, impatient, and impetuous. People in the information society do not tolerate delay any more. They are frustrated by slow or interrupted internet connections; They change or terminate links and interfaces at will; they approach communications on the model of purchasing fast food. Even though people managed to live without the internet for thousands of years, we now see more people who are addicted to the internet. The balance of life for some is in great danger. While it is certain that information technology has increased economic efficiency and given rise to many new business opportunities, it is uncertain ‘the quality of life’ has been enhanced by the technology.

Major forms of infollution

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Addiction to the Net

Net addiction is widespread. Even average people experience some degree of Net addiction. Economists say that for commodities and services, people exhibit a law of diminishing marginal utility, but for the consumption of the Net, this law does not seem to hold. Think of checking e-mail. In the first phase, you check e-mail daily, but in the second phase, you check it in the morning, noon, and evening; finally, you check it every hour. There seems to be some narcotic potential with the Net, and it is reported to be more prevalent among younger users.

Anti-social communities on the Net

There are some anti-social communities emerging on the Net, including Web sites for suicide and for easy guides to make explosive bombs. These kinds of communities may have existed even before the information revolution, but the Internet has given added impetus to their formation. Here is one case reported in a newspaper: "'I want to die beautifully. Tell me how.' This is the kind of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) you commonly see on a suicide website. In Korea, The Police reported that more than 36 suicide websites are in service. One teenager was arrested for suspicion of aiding a man to commit suicide in return for 700 dollars. They met each other through a suicide website.

Exclusiveness of Online communities

It is reported that an online community is more exclusive than an offline community, on average. [citation needed] This exclusivity is typified in the communities of online multi user dungeon (MUD) games. They view themselves as rival clans. If one clan's user attacks another clan, they form adversarial relationships easily. The problem is that this virtual relationship can amplify itself and spillover into the physical world. This type of extreme exclusiveness is not a basis for the development of community culture on the Net. A community, whether it be physical or virtual, needs to be tolerant and somewhat open. The Net can change human behavior and compromise the building of genuine communities.

Information overload

Spam-information

Easy access to violence and obscenity

See also

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Articles on how people's behaviors can be changed in the cyberspace

Information overload

Internet safety for kids

Cyberbullying / cyberstalking

Internet addiction

Category:Information technology

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