So who's afraid of the Internet?

About a year ago I met a young doctor who asked me about the pros and cons of the Internet. I told him the usual things, like the information one could get, the savings on telephone bills etc. We parted with the words: "See you soon in cyberspace."

Six months later I met him again and asked him what had happened. He told me he had bought a computer and learned how to use it, but hesitated over the Internet because he had heard about pornography in cyberspace.

"Not until they have eradicated pornography on the Internet, will I subscribe to it," he said, "I have to think of my children, who are now in their adolescence and may like to see the pictures."

I told him that I had never seen those pictures but that I was proud to belong to an Internet circle of a Professor S. The doctor's answer however, was very disappointing: "Well, I heard that a lot of old people are now on the Internet because they want to see the nude pictures."

My answer was simple. I told them that Professor S usually sends me his articles and editorials on business and the economy and now and then he forwards me the jokes he receives from friends, and if he stills peeps at those pictures in his spare time, I think, we must show our understanding. He knows how to handle them and what's more, who knows maybe they inspire him to write more.

I ended the conversation saying: "Remember, the Internet is not only pornography, and pornography can be found on every street. Just walk along the sidewalks where crowds gather and you will be offered pictures of nude women. Sometimes they are even forced upon you."

These words I regarded as a prophecy when his son was caught by a teacher with pictures of nude girls in his bag. Where did he get them from? Not from the Internet, I suppose? Anyway, while my young friend tried to rethink his objections, he heard that viruses could be transmitted via the Internet and was worried about the dangers of "chatting", because many young couples were divorcing to try a new life with their "chat-friends".

Well I have now stopped trying to convert him, because he seems to be seeing only the negative side. He reminds me of a friend of my mother's who is always afraid of dust and dirt in her house. She has hired a servant to dust all her furniture and windowsills twice a day and in addition to that the poor woman had to mop the floor three times a day. What a waste of manpower!

And her grandchildren hate to visit her because they have to wash their hands and take their shoes off before entering the house. The fear was that they could bring viruses and illnesses into the house.

My mother tried to help her take her mind off the dust and now and then invite her to play a game of cards, but whenever the old lady returned home, she would complain that the servant had not done her job well and would make her mop the floor all over again. So much for trying to convert someone.

I myself continue to enjoy the Internet for all that it has to offer. I can communicate with my friends all over the world. We exchange the latest news and gossip and yet we never disturb each other. They don't call when I have guests in the house, or when I am having my dinner or when I have just entered the bathroom.

I can send mail orders for books, clothing and other merchandise if I want to and I can even get psychotherapy counseling from a well-known psychologist, or access my astrological readings.

Best of all, I don't have to sit through traffic jams, because I can send my articles via e-mail. The only thing that I do have to take care of is that my name is not mentioned in any subversive e-mails, because then I would be in real trouble!

-- Myra Sidharta