Or could the Internet be an uncontrollable nuclear weapon?

By Dr. Jeff Mirus ( bio - articles - email ) | Jan 23, 2014

I really like Pope Francis’ new message for the World Day of Communications. Our news coverage provokes interest with this headline: Internet is 'gift from God,' Pope writes. And the Pope has indeed written some of the most profound thoughts yet about how this gift, and the media in general, should be used.

But there is the dark side, the side that makes one wonder if the internet is not a gift somewhat in the same mode as a nuclear bomb, an explosion with fallout that may never be controlled. Still, I have no desire to bite the hand that feeds me. Clearly I believe that the internet can and should be used for good.

Perhaps the main thing to understand is that the net is not going to heal itself. We need to foster an entire culture based on the principles the Pope enunciates, before the internet will change. So here we are. It always comes down to evangelization in the end.