I don’t say “must read” very often in any context–much less to the diverse readership of my blog. This time, however, I say it. You must read the below web page.
World of Ends: What the Internet Is and How to Stop Mistaking It for Something Else.
Immediately upon reading “World of Ends” I realized everyone who has a website, everyone who does Web design, everyone involved in her company’s use of networks or the Internet, everyone who surfs, everyone who uses e‑mail, Usenet Newsgroups, or does anything whatsoever on the Internet should be required to read to “World of Ends.”
To many, the information contained in this easy to read, humorously informative essay is already common knowledge. To the vast majority of the hundreds of millions of Internet users, however, not all of it is already known or understood. And its information you need to understand.
If it were up to me, I would mandate that every human on the planet read and pass a quiz on the material contained within “World of Ends” prior to being able to access any feature of the Internet by any means. I would make it the opening screen to AOL, MSN, and the other online services that push people by the thousands through their saccarin-coated curtains onto the Internet without fully preparing individuals to handle the Internet. I would hardcode into the chips on modems, routers, and network cards a kill switch that doesn’t unlock until the user reads and successfully passes a quiz on “World of Ends”. I would make IT/IS departments the world over make new employees read and agree to the terms of “World of Ends” simultaneous to the various non-disclosure and system usage contracts employees must sign. I would make domain registrars make the “World of Ends” essay and a passing grade of a subsequent quiz prerequisites before registering or renewing domain names–and all the officers of the entity that owns corporate domain names would be subject to the requirement, not just the IT department registering the name. I would increase Apple’s “1–2‑3 and you’re online” process to “1–2‑3–4”. I would make every member of Congress begin each and every speech or fillabuster at a hearing regarding an Internet-related bill begin her recitation with an affirmation of the key points of “World of Ends” and swear under oath her understanding and commitment thereto–and repeat the same with each vote on such a bill.
If you’re reading this post, it is my opinion that you are required to read “World of Ends” and understand it.
If you are a blogger or other website owner, I urge you to, at the very least, link to “World of Ends”. You should strongly encourage your site’s visitors to read “World of Ends,” as I have. It might not be a bad idea to even cite “World of Ends” as a requirement in your site’s Terms of Use.
World of Ends: What the Internet Is and How to Stop Mistaking It for Something Else. is categorically required reading material for anyone or any age who makes use of the Internet for fun, profit, work, avocation, education, or any other possible reason, using any device or protocol.
Go! Go and read it now!