How internet access and online freelancing can save humanity and the world

photo credit: dankulpinski

I know, “save” is a tall order; maybe “benefit” is a better word, but I’m not feeling all that realistic at the moment. For now, allow me to stretch your imagination, suspend your cynicism and disbelief, and entertain the idea that the internet and online freelancing can actually save the poor and the hungry, and rid this world of poverty and oppression. Daydreaming once-in-a-while can’t hurt. So put on your rose-colored glasses and read on.

The possibilities

With an online job or business, you don’t add waste to the world and affect the earth with all the plastic, trash, or goods that you have to buy or supply. You can live lightly. You have low to zero overhead. You don’t exploit workers or laborers (you only exploit yourself). Niche internet marketing is also the best way to reach the audience who are interested in what you have to say so you don’t have to impose on the people who don’t care about you or are even against what you do.

The internet revolution has changed the world, indeed, and this is just the beginning; its full power has yet to be realized. Is it possible that the internet can help us rid one of the greatest problems humanity has ever known?

The general thesis

The Internet can help alleviate poverty and oppression by helping developing countries be a powerful force in the world, bring in money (dollars) and increase buying power, expand the middle class, create opportunities for the young, give access to free education, maximize potential, create real productivity, hone real talent, cut middlemen exploitation, improve communications, lessen physical (and imposing) advertising garbage, and increase competition and idea generation.

Creating a powerful force

The Internet makes information accessible to everyone at a minimal cost, thus creating “equal opportunity” for all. For developing countries that are under the mercy and whims of multinational corporations, foreign aid, and globalization, information access is an invaluable weapon. As part of foreign and trade policies, developing countries are left with no choice but to lower their standard of living (by cutting budgets in education and health) to pay off huge debts. Having access to information empowers the people and gives them a voice. They can build communities in the internet, and together, create a powerful force.

Education as a tool

The Internet can also be used as a cheap tool for educating children in school, as well as a knowledge database for gaining an edge in one’s profession or in any field, or for any human activity or thought for that matter—from picking the right lipstick shade to making one’s own pneumatic engine. Most people in developing countries, notably the rural areas, tend to have a clannish or small-town mindset because of their lack of exposure to diversity and ideas. The internet can provide them a wider view of the world.

Going home

Mass unemployment and low standards of living compared to their western counterparts create a Diaspora in the developing countries, hurting their intellectual resources, morale, dignity (for those who have to settle for a job lower than their professional status at home), families, and homes. Working online gives professionals an infinite resource for acquiring jobs and clients all over the world and allows them to earn at fair rates, according to the world’s standard.

Sustainability and Simplicity

Going online and transferring the workplace to the home will not be too big a shift for people in the rural areas who are still centered in the agricultural industry. The meaning of progress and development can be reassessed and structured to health, safety, education, leisure, and creative opportunity. Meaningless factory work and office jobs only alienate and dehumanize. Further industrialization only creates more pollution, saturation, and a zombie nation. A digital revolution in these countries can mean less pollution and urban traffic (since people do not have to leave their homes that much), more time spent with the family, and a satisfaction in living simpler, better, and more efficient lifestyles.