For so long, the internet has essentially been a neutral port of opportunity. An unfettered access to tons of free information with no consequences. But now that companies are realizing the effects, it's quickly beginning to be controlled and individualized. Here are some examples:

1. I've recently noticed ads on sites I've never visited before, mimicking what I've searched on Google. That's Google's Personalized Ad looking at your entire search history on your personal computer's IP address. Apparently Google keeps everyone's personal search history, and now in court cases, that "secret" history can be requested. Moral of the story is, don't search for anything you'd want another person' s lawyer to know about.

2. Do I want my preferred search engine to be comparatively slow or do I want my internet/cable price to be lowered? It's been proposed with companies like AT&T that certain search engines will be limited. It looks like the future trend is no neutral internet carriers. This completely defeats the purpose of the internet! It's supposed to be free trade from computer to computer. If the your carrier is limiting certain parts of the internet, it's not necessarily "free" internet access anymore. If the sites you want to access don't coincide with your carrier's, you have to pay (with time.)

3. Fact: everything (and I mean everything) will eventually be online. Consider your future career, employment opportunities, and online name. Websites you create, comments made on blogs or websites, accounts, and things you buy on eBay will compose your digital image. This image and brand better be unique, because there will be 6 billion others competitively pushing and shoving you aside with their good ideas. Advice? Obtain and cultivate a specialty that you're good at, and few people have. When someone needs that specialty, you'll have a chance when your name is Googled.