Perhaps I didn't phrase the question right. I'm not talking if the internet is fundamentally good or bad, I'm asking if you think, thusfar, if it's had an overall positive or negative impact on the world, society, cultures, etc.
Which is a perfectly fair and answerable question. Using your example I could say "Yes I think the hammer has had an overall positive impact on the world since its invention".
Oh I see.
In which case, I feel, it has effected our world in both manners equally based upon the path we were already going. And, while it has torn some cultures apart, it has grown and created new ones. It has formed new communities and new societies, while hurting others. It has a seemingly anonymous outlook, which has been used for good and bad.
Essentially, the internet changed the world. How and to what extent, no man can ever be sure. But I feel both the positive and negative have balanced each other out fairly well, though I'd be more tempted to lean to the negative side if only because of my upbringing. :o
Poll