In wonderful Star Wars fashion, the Pew Internet Project has written up their latest wonderful report on the Future of the Internet. It’s called “The Future of the Internet III“. I wish they had subtitled it. Perhaps The Future of the Internet III: The Mobile Hope?

Pew surveyed hundreds of leaders in the field, asking them to give their feedback on several predictions. One of the prediction responses I found pretty disheartening.  It seems as though many don’t believe social tolerance will be radically improved due mostly to the Internet.

Most say while there is no doubt the Internet is expanding the potential for people to come to a better understanding of one another it also expands the potential for bigotry, hate, and terrorism, thus tolerance will not see net gains. Still, about a third mostly agreed with the premise, optimistic that gains will be made, while adding the qualifier that negative agendas will always also be well-served by advances in communications technologies.

It’s a shame that the opportunity for such positive social gain is overshadowed by the potential for hate to expand.  As a girl geek who works for a nonprofit that examines hate, I have to believe that the Internet will ultimately prove to be a powerhouse for positive change.  Intolerance in large part is due to a lack of understanding of other cultures. The Internet has proved to be so successful in providing information to so many people who, a generation ago, didn’t have it, or had to seek it out.  On top of this, the ability to form community online with people that one would never have met before would seem to increase the likelihood of greater tolerance. Yes, hate communities can form just as easily as those about social justice. But, I’m referring to those communities created along apolitical lines, bringing together the housewife from Topeka, Kansas with the teacher from Seattle, Washington. Whether it’s a sewing community or a group of Harry Potter fans, people can come together regardless of culture or background. Opportunities for learning about different people abound.

That said, whatever positive change happens, I’m sure it will be a long and slow process. But ultimately, social tolerance is improving and the Internet will likely continue to help in the long run.