The Internet Wont Put an End to the Diversity of Style in Composition

The Internet Won't Put an End to the Diversity of Style in Composition From 1982, when the term â€Å"Internet† was first used, until today, over 520 million users have gained access to the Internet.[1] This gigantic leap in Internet usage suggests that in the coming years, even more people will be able to view material online. As more people continue to gain access, others will want to post their creations online with a greater frequency, allowing a wider range of viewers to see their work. Will this increase in compositions being made available on the Internet, however, lead to homogeneity of style? This is not at all the case. Assuming that diversity of style existed before the rise of the Internet, even as Internet usage continues to grow, the diversity of style in composition will continue to exist. To begin with, what is style, and what are compositions? Webster’s Dictionary defines style as â€Å"manner of expression in language; characteristic manner of expression, design, etc. in any art, period, etc.†[2] To make things easier, this paper will simply say that style is the particular way that one expresses oneself. Compositions are creations, especially those of literary, musical, or artistic works. The last two terms are important to remember, as many of those claiming that diversity of style is ending pay attention only to compositions created on instant messengers and chat rooms, devices which are text-based.[3] For now, however, a concentration will be made upon a claim of homogeneity brought upon by the dominance of American culture. Jonathan Rick asserts that â€Å"American culture has infiltrated even the most remote areas of the world.†[4] This contention cannot be denied. American cultural icons such as M... ...Rick, 1. [5] http://www.amnh.org/ and http://www.louvre.fr/index.html, respectively [6] Dibble, 4 [7] 544.2 million people [8] ComputerScope Ltd. Bibliography American Museum of Natural History. http://www.amnh.org/. Dibble, Chris. â€Å"Does the Internet entail an end to the cultural and historical diversity of style in composition?† 22 April 2002. http://www.duke.edu/~cfd3/essays/style.htm. The Louvre Museum. http://www.louvre.fr/index.html. Nua Internet How Many Online. February 2002. ComputerScope Ltd. http://www.nua.ie/surveys/how_many_online/ Rick, Jonathan. â€Å"Does the Internet entail an end to the cultural and historical diversity of style in composition?† 27 March 2002. http://www.duke.edu/~jhr4/writing20/essays/essay2.pdf. â€Å"Style.† Webster’s New World Compact School and Office Dictionary. 3rd College Edition, 1994.