Internet vs Cinema.

Do you like going to the cinema? As for me, I try to go there as often as it is possible. Well, if the film is interesting for me of course. I think that nothing can be compared with the impressions from a big screen, wonderful effects and sound. The atmosphere of the cinema is magical. All people come there with the only one goal: to take a great pleasure from what they see. It is like a tradition already: to invite a girl to the cinema, to buy a pop corn and cola (or something else – it is up to you tastes of course) and admire the film….

That is why I was a little bit surprised when yesterday the friend of mine refused to go to the cinema with me to watch the new film “2012” because, as he said, he would better watch it at the computer soon. He will wait a little till the time this film will be possible to download from the Internet at some torrents and he will watch it in a cozy home atmosphere. Moreover, he will save the money which he would spend for a ticket if he went with me! I was confused! 

From the one hand, I understand the fact that for many people it is more comfortable to watch films at home. But from the other hand, I do not understand how a monitor screen can be compared with the magical cinema atmosphere where you feel yourself as if you are a part of the film you watch?

Where do you prefer to watch new movies, my friends?

Is the Internet melting our brains?

[From an interview with Dennis Baron, author of "A Better Pencil".] ...

Computer socialization -- is this putting an end to face-to-face human interaction? Or does it let us expand our social networks when face-to-face communication is not possible, either because of geographic distance or some other barrier? Obviously, there are people who will reject these kinds of things out of hand and say the only meaningful communication is the one that I can have face-to-face with someone, who say calling Facebook "friends" friends is the end of the meaning of friendship.
On the other hand, I survey my students all the time about this, and there's confirming data from the Pew Internet and American Life Project that, in fact, what people are using programs like Facebook and e-mail and chats for is to reinforce friendships and to maintain friendships across distance. My students say I did this semester abroad and the only way I could keep in contact with my friends was through Facebook, and stuff like that. I don't think for most people it replaces anything. I think it extends it. But certainly, there are people who want to say, look I have 15,000 Facebook friends and look how popular I am.

Does the Internet kill real communication?

It seems that the Internet is altering the way we communicate in both positive and negative ways. Email provides quick and easy service for many. While it may be increasing lines of communication, it may also be isolating us from more personal forms of communication.

What do you think? Do you agree with that? How many of you were sitting with your girl(boy-)friends or wives (husbands) in one room and had one laptop each? Maybe you even communicated like those two guys at the picture? Is not it a sign?

50 things that are being killed by the internet.

Lately, the British newspaper The Daily Telegraph has published the article “50 things that are being killed by the internet”. Everybody was shocked and commented this article very much. I’ve chosen 10 the most TOP for me. The article itself you can read here: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/6133903/50-things-that-are-being-killed-by-the-internet.html

It is very interesting I think!

So, what we’ve lost because of the Internet:

1) Punctuality

Before mobile phones, people actually had to keep their appointments and turn up to the pub on time. Texting friends to warn them of your tardiness five minutes before you are due to meet has become one of throwaway rudenesses of the connected age.

2) Watches

Scrabbling around in your pocket to dig out a phone may not be as elegant as glancing at a watch, but it saves splashing out on two gadgets.

3) Memory

When almost any fact, no matter how obscure, can be dug up within seconds through Google and Wikipedia, there is less value attached to the "mere" storage and retrieval of knowledge. What becomes important is how you use it – the internet age rewards creativity.

4) Knowing telephone numbers off by heart

After typing the digits into your contacts book, you need never look at them again.

5) Viktor Yanukovych

The Orange Revolution in Ukraine was organised by a cabal of students and young activists who exploited the power of the web to mobilise resistance against the old regime, and sweep Viktor Yushchenko to power.

6) Geographical knowledge

With GPS systems spreading from cars to smartphones, knowing the way from A to B is a less prized skill. Just ask the London taxi drivers who spent years learning The Knowledge but are now undercut by minicabs.

7) Watching television together

On-demand television, from the iPlayer in Britain to Hulu in the US, allows relatives and colleagues to watch the same programmes at different times, undermining what had been one of the medium's most attractive cultural appeals – the shared experience. Appointment-to-view television, if it exists at all, seems confined to sport and live reality shows.

8) Letter writing/pen pals

Email is quicker, cheaper and more convenient; receiving a handwritten letter from a friend has become a rare, even nostalgic, pleasure. As a result, formal valedictions like "Yours faithfully" are being replaced by "Best" and "Thanks".

9) Respect for doctors and other professionals

The proliferation of health websites has undermined the status of GPs, whose diagnoses are now challenged by patients armed with printouts.

10) The mystery of foreign languages

Sites like Babelfish offer instant, good-enough translations of dozens of languages – but kill their beauty and rhythm.


Have you ever thought of it????