FIXING THE INTERNET: An overview of choices

The internet is a digital system of communication which now links most of the people on earth through satellite and other transmission to computers, tablets, and digital phones.  The changes to human interactions and the impact on communities and the political system are just beginning to be appreciated.  This series "Fixing the Internet" is intended to describe several aspects which would benefit from more careful consideration by users.  No recommendations are made to the companies that supply the network, the companies and provide individual access, or specific companies providing internet services.  There are literally millions of recommendations by viewers, journalists, and advisors to these organizations,  which so far have had negligible effect.  Instead, this series of blogs is aimed at helping the user be more educated and mindful about the process of interaction with the internet in order to make better personal choices.  One sometimes gets the impression that the interaction is completely controlled by the providers,  but this is incorrect,  the result of failure to understand the process of interaction.  Different blogs will focus on separate areas:

#1 OWNERSHIP:  Who owns the data, sender or receiver?  Or the transmission service?

#2 PRIVACY AND SECURITY  How to ensure that the message is only received by the intended receivers? How to maintain privacy or disregard it for economic benefits?

#3 EVALUATING DATA CONTENT: Is the data true?  Is it legal?  Can it be used to make decisions?  How is it biased?

#4 CAN YOU MAKE MONEY FROM THE INTERNET? Can others steal from you over the internet?  How to prevent this?

#5 THE SOCIAL AND POLITICAL IMPACT: What social and political effects does this communication provide and should it be politically regulated?

#6 PARTICIPATION:  How does the individual decide whether to use/participate in some aspects, most aspects, or totally reject participation?

Subsequent posts will address aspects of each of these topics.   Each blog will focus on some aspect of the basic issues. The topic is open ended and ongoing with the changes in the internet.  AI is an example of a recent  consideration which is not restricted to the internet but will impact its influence and services in dramatic ways.