Noting that 150 million people use the Internet today, Kohler said use of Internet technology is growing at a much steeper rate than did radio and television technology. But perhaps the most overlooked impact of the Internet is on society. Kohler said that in the past, there were no controls at the receiving end when information was transmitted. And we can control the information we receive. The speed of an idea is now traveling at the speed of light.
Intelligence is now at the point of creation.
We're seeing the erosion of media-dominated opinion. Unbelievable resources are available to students and teachers and those in the Third World and the underprivileged can pull themselves up and help themselves. The efficiency of Internet technology will do more than level the playing field for users, Kohler said. But if you're looking at a magazine ad and the doctor calls you in, you forget about it. The Internet and its digital capabilities allow you to pursue that spark.