Op Ed

Analysis of “Why the Internet Should Win the Nobel Peace Prize”

            Jamil Zoki wrote “Why the Internet Should Win the Nobel Peace Prize” to try and support the nomination for it in 2010. Zoki has a PhD. in psychology and neuroscience, mostly dealing in altruism. The nomination was met with criticism and skepticism of course due to the nature of “The Internet”. Zoki uses human nature mixed with his research on Altruism to show the balance of the argument, yet the vague sources diminish the quality of the support.

            Now one problem with the Internet being a nominee for the prize was the fact that it was an inanimate technology. Zoki presents his logoical appeal toward this direct problem for its nomination. He quotes a friend who asked “why not nominate paper, since most peace treaty agreements are written upon them”. He also goes on to reference William Saletan who  warned that the internet lures people away from the real world and leads us more towards a Terminator-esque dystopia in which digital life gains the upper hand. Now pointing out all these negative reactions to the nomination, Zoki immediately lays his point by presenting the word Altruism. Altruism is the principle or practice of unselfish concern for or devotion to the principle or practice of unselfish concern for or devotion to the welfare of others. Now as more of a discussion for Pathos, Zoki appeals logically with the word Altruism and its appeals towards the Internets nomination. He also cites a paper published about the contagion that is the internet and what people do on the internet is “turned up” by the social networking aspects and how altruism lends some type of helping hand. To help drive his point he quotes Marshall McLuhan when he first coined the phrase “the medium is the message”. Though it was directed towards internet and radio at the time of the saying, it directly focuses on the effect of media on our society.

            Pathos was the weaker of the appeals the paper addresses, yet is still used to a sympathetic effect. One great example that Zoki points out is that the internet is of course inanimate and not an actual person. William Saletons’ quote describes the internet driving people towards a type of “Dystopian” future in which the digital world rises up and takes over. This statement is a bit dramatized yet evokes an emotion of fear and causes the audience to feel somewhat hesitant as to why the Internet is nominated. Zoki brings on this quote to challenge his opinion and his support for it is more heightened. The Internet of course is mostly just a way for people to pass time away on social networking sites, and Zoki does not detract from that. Yet he introduces the idea of Altruism. Zoki says the tendency for human nature to naturally act when someone else is in trouble is the empathetic aspect of Altruism. Social Networking and the Internet is turning up that human nature according to Zoki. People tend to follow an example when a mass population also follows that example and social networking ups that example.                     Zoki uses the example of past natural disasters such as the recent Haitian earthquakes and Hurricane Katrina. Zoki says that social media played a key role in creating an outpouring of private aid towards the earthquakes. Instead of people updating about their own lives, posts were put up requesting txt message donations to the Red Cross. Now with the Internet lending this helping hand that sent ripples through social media and public outpouring, Zoki contends how the nomination for the Noble medal could not be given to the Internet. Of course Zoki also explains how William Saletan first opposed the internet and he became outspoken about it after a couple let their child starve to death while being too busy to raise their virtual child online. The Internet does have its pros and cons, and Zoki understands this. Of course a technological achievement and possibly the greatest one since the invention of the wheel, most people are found on it just updating statuses and Google ling useless information. Zoki evokes both supportive and non-supportive feelings to cause the audience to think about how they feel about the internet and its worthy nomination for the Nobel Peace prize.

            Yet opinionated with great support Zokis paper is flawed and its argument diminished with vague sources and lack of more credited opinions. The paper states that Zoki has a PhD. in psychology and neuroscience, preferably in dealing with Altruism. This after the fact helps his   discussion on Altruism and its relevance toward its meaning. The audience can trust Zoki with the authenticity of his argument when it comes to his area of expertise. Throughout the paper though vague references from people and “friends” bring support to the paper but more credentials would help. Why not say who William Saleton is and what he does. Executed with more background his opposition towards the argument could be met with more merit.

            Although lacking in some credibility Zoki presents his argument clearly and concisely with emotionally evoking ideas with language that doesn’t go over the audiences head. What could’ve been a rant on how the internet is awesome and nothing else compares is really a paper on how the Internet really does help society in some cases. Plus presenting ideas from both sides of the yet never breaking said fence intelligently supports Zokis paper.