Is the internet becoming greatly overused? Is it being used when something else should?

[john]

I ask this question because of a few different personal reasons.

I have recently arranged two job interviews, I done this by using no other element but the internet. All of the communication between me and the employer was relayed through email. This interview time and date was arranged in a relatively quick succession, Probably much quicker than sending mail or telephone calls.

However, I also feel the 'email' route is possibly hampering my chances of getting an interview with the many other employers that I display interest to. I feel that by only using email, that it is depersonalizing the realtionship between the recruiter, and me (the potential employee) I feel sometimes that If I was able to have a quick 5 minute phone conversation with the employer, I could increase my chances greatly of getting an interview. As attributes such as enthusiasm , a clear well spoken voice, and personality are often difficult traits to put across in an email.

Secondly, a more social reason I feel the internet is becoming overused.

Everything my girlfriend does seems to be related to the internet is some way. The main sociable relationship with friends she seems to have, is within social networking sites such as 'Facebook' and MSN messenger. My friends are also guilty of this, all to often they are happy to sit on MSN chatting to me, and nearly always I will suggest we go for a drink which will usually be met with the reply of ''can't be bothered''. I wonder if they would be more bothered if the internet wasn't available?

If I suggest we go shopping, she insistson doing it on the internet. From food to clothes, she opts to purchase through the internet and have it delivered. My problem with this is, I like to physically see things before I buy. As I think the internet can sometimes misrepresent products using well crafted photography.

What are your views on this?

[TeamHans]

I think the internet is more misused than overused.

I think the internet is fantastic for job searches. It allows companies to get many more qualified applicants easier, and it allows job seekers to apply to many more jobs they might otherwise never find. Would your 5 minute phone conversation increase your odds of getting hired? Maybe, maybe not. If every applicant received a 5 minute phone conversation, which would only be fair, then it would even the playing field. Either way, ultimately any company worth its salt will bring in finalists for face-to-face interviews. To do otherwise would definitely be misusing the internet.

As for Facebook and the like, I think it's a great way for people to keep in touch more often with their friends and family both near and far away. I prefer it greatly to the phone, but that's debatable. Now, should Facebook replace in person communication? Absolutely not. I would argue I probably spend more time with people as a result of Facebook, because it reminds me how much I like everyone. However, if your friends are truly eschewing face-to-face contact for online contact then perhaps they are misusing the internet.

To your final point about online shopping - my argument would be somewhat similar to the job search - but in this case companies can more easily sell their products, and we have far better access to more products we would otherwise never know about. Can the internet misrepresent products? Sure. But websites like amazon.com, nike.com and the like don't build their reputations based on misrepresented products. Should you shop at those sites? Not if you don't want to. That's the other great thing about the internet - it gives us another option. If you like physically seeing things before you buy them but you shop online anyway - we'll then you're misusing the internet now aren't you!?

I hope this helps and good luck.