Internet Introverts

Re “Are We Creating Internet Introverts?” by Michael Shulman, Commentary, May 3:

This morning after Mass, and reading my regular mail, I logged onto the Internet to check my e-mail. There were four. One from my family in India apprising me of a situation at home, another from a priest colleague in London and yet another two from friends in other parts of the United States.

Late at night, when the last counselee is gone and the outside light is turned off, I sit at my computer and cruise the world. I check into many religious web sites, and learn about beliefs, traditions and customs of religions and ways of life far different from my own. All of which have influenced my homilies and my spirituality.

Needless to say that I do not share the grim and bleak view of Shulman about the Internet. To me the Internet is the new Gutenberg ushering in a new Renaissance. I would much rather see children sit at their computers interacting with children from other parts of the world, sharing ideas, dreams and fantasies than passively watch hours of mindless television.

The Internet has its problems. But then so did the printing press. It, too, in the 15th century, was exploited for titillation, propaganda and misinformation. It was accused of taking people away from prayer and the experience of God and replacing them with counterfeit concepts of loyalty. The authorities, both cathedra and throne, were afraid of it. But it brought forth new ideas, new visions, the Enlightenment and the unique experiment we call the United States.

I am confident that the Internet will ultimately bring intellections, philosophies and beliefs on a new plane of understanding, making our world truly a village, putting a human face to the “other.”

Meanwhile, we struggle to give it direction.

THE REV. VIVIAN BEN LIMA

Associate Pastor

Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church

San Pedro