Ielts task 2: Books versus The internet

Not long ago, people stored information in books. These days, people store knowledge on the internet. Do you think the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?

The internet has been said to eclipse books as the main medium preserving knowledge in the modern age. While the internet as an information distributing tool has numerous benefits, I still believe that the pros of safeguarding information in that way are not enough to override the drawbacks.

The internet is a convenient and efficacious medium for storing knowledge. The process by which users transfer information to the internet is straightforward and effortless. With just a simple click of a button, users can save all sorts of information, some of which cannot be stored in books. In contrast, books can only enable writers to present particular types of information such as text and pictures. Moreover, when the writers want to revise the text, they will need to reprint or rewrite the whole book again, which is an arduous and time-consuming task, whereas on the internet users will just have to amend the information via editing apps and software. Furthermore, storing data in cyberspace is a better method for conserving knowledge as the information can be stored indefinitely as opposed to the information stored in books which is dependent upon the books’ durability.

Having said that, the disadvantages of using the net as the main storage for information still preponderate over the benefits. First and foremost, the internet is often rife with misinformation and falsehood about various subjects. This is because cyberspace is intrinsically a platform in which people with internet access can exchange information with each other. The information need not be verified or validated in order to be uploaded to the net. For instance, despite implementing policies to compel users to fact-check their posts, well-known media websites such as Facebook and Twitter still face the ongoing problem which is the proliferation of misleading news and distorted information. Another noteworthy drawback is personal information. In the past, people would have to purchase tabloid magazines to get wind of the latest gossip on celebrities. However, with the advent of the internet, gossip is spreading widely and almost instantly, often to the detriment of whomever the scandal is directed. Also, malicious rumors are not limited to famous people anymore as anyone can be the subject of gossip and scandal. On top of this, people can comment anonymously, and their comments are often tactless and hurtful.

To recapitulate, while the internet is a great medium for preserving knowledge because of its convenience and effectiveness, it cannot supplant books as the main source of information storage as its advantages are not enough to compensate for its drawbacks.