Internet Gets Nomination For Nobel Peace Prize: Does It Have A Chance?

At first, we suspected this was all a joke. And in the end, it may windup being exactly that. But right now, there's a real possibility thatthe Internet could be nominated to wind the next Nobel Peace Prize. Youmay be chuckling right now, but don't be surprised if this idea doesn'tgain a huge amount of traction. There's seems to be quite a bit ofpolitical discord going on right now, and individuals may end likingthe idea of supporting an entity rather than a human, and have you evermet someone who actually despised the Internet? Is that even possible?


A new website has been established to rally Mr. Internet as the leadcontender for the next Prize, with "Internet For Peace" urging visitorsto look at all of the benefits that that Internet has and get behindthe idea of supporting it. Here's the full spill of why the World WideWeb deserves the next Nobel Peace award:

 We have finally realized that the Internet is much more than a network of computers.
It is an endless web of people. Men and women from every corner of the globe are
connecting to one another, thanks to the biggest social interface ever known to humanity.
Digital culture has laid the foundations for a new kind of society.
And this society is advancing dialogue, debate and consensus through communication.
Because democracy has always flourished where there is openness, acceptance,
discussion and participation. And contact with others has always been the most
effective antidote against hatred and conflict.
That's why the Internet is a tool for peace.
That's why anyone who uses it can sow the seeds of non-violence.
And that's why the next Nobel Peace Prize should go to the Net.
A Nobel for each and every one of us.

Of course, people are looking at this from very different angles. Forinstance, many really do feel that the Internet has brought the worldcloser together, enabled fund raising to happen in nations thatwouldn't otherwise get attention and provide an avenue for discussionbetween people who would otherwise never come into contact. On theother hand, some say that the Internet has enabled arguments anddivisions to intensify, and that it was caused just as much harm asgood.


We're somewhere in between. We think the Internet deserves all of theattention and credit that it gets, but we're not sure it reallydeserves a Peace Prize. Besides, who accepts the award if it wins? Andwhy hasn't it been nominated before? It's not like the Internet hasjust suddenly become worthy. What do you think? Are you voting yes orno?