Chapter 10 from The Wealth of Networks by Yochai Benkler: My take on Benkler's ideas here.

http://www.congo-education.net/wealth-of-networks/ch-10.htm

Above is the chapter (10) I am reflecting on, from The Wealth of Networks by Yochai Benkler, Yale.

Benkler has a sound argument here. He provides plenty of evidence in response to claims (today and years ago) that the internet will have a mostly negative effect on human social behavior. I especially appreciate the many studies done in the earlier days of internet, when it was not so clear as to how it would affect us, that hypothesized a decrease in local social interaction (family, friends, etc.) with increase in internet use. These were found to be wrong in the end about most of what they hypothesized, and instead we now find that the web has broadened the possibility of becoming a much more dynamic personality without sacrificing certain face-to-face reputations. It is mind-blowing to understand that, if preexisting social connections are not disappearing altogether but are instead dynamically modified, then there is a cultural phenomenon taking place via the web that might call for a need to modify the idea of Culture as well. The social sciences have categorized material and non-material components in culture, but until the invention of global media technology, the most complex non-material culture that could exist distributed less information since it's invention, than the internet can produce in only a brief moment.

I think Benkler was also trying to make an important point that the internet is not the first technology or means of social change to be scrutinized by pessimists. Every other technological and cultural revolution has been criticized as devolution of humanity and loss of certain "innate" traits that make our species special, usually by those unaccustomed to the new development (previous generation) and of course those who fear change for whatever reason; I think it is commonly due to fear of losing a belief system that is difficult to adapt to the new circumstances.
In regards to my own research which includes web bots, artificial intelligence, and the shift from an easily identified human presence to something as complex as a computer program, I feel that adaptation to internet technology is not a choice. It will not disappear from the Earth, and therefore it is crucial that we harness the internet and technology to come for the entirety of the species, in excelling our understanding of each other and our potential to become intelligent and morally adept within a world community.

Some important questions in reference to this article is about Benkler's idea of "Human Community": To Be Announced