War's Digital Fallout: The Future of the Internet and Coding Amid Global Conflict
- Aditya Jadoun
- Feb 28, 2023
- 2 min read
War, a tool for the power-hungry and the profiteers of the military-industrial complex, stands as a stark reminder of the destructive forces that shape our world. For those who orchestrate and benefit from war, it's a boon. But for the rest of us, particularly in the realms of the internet and software development, war poses existential threats.
Let's entertain a few speculative outcomes of war on the future of the internet and coding:
In the best-case scenario, current conflicts might resolve in a matter of weeks, allowing us to return to our coding endeavors and the so-called golden age of development. This is the ideal outcome, where disruption is minimal, and we continue to innovate in our tech-driven society.
A more dire scenario sees the outbreak of World War 3, where developers swap their keyboards for combat gear, halting the creation of apps and NFTs. Learning Python amidst the chaos of war is unimaginable. This would be catastrophic, dragging society into the horrors of trench warfare and global destruction.
A more nuanced and plausible outcome is a cyber war. Institutions like the World Economic Forum have long anticipated this, simulating global internet crises through events like Cyber Polygon. Imagine a world where a comprehensive cyber attack cripples power supplies, transportation, hospital services, and the internet itself. Such a scenario dwarfs the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a cyber war, the internet as we know it could be reset. The aftermath might bring tighter government regulations and reduced privacy under the guise of global security. Developers, especially those skilled in cybersecurity and resilience, would find themselves at the forefront of this new digital landscape. Javascript developers, in particular, might rise to new heights of relevance and power.
The seeds of cyber warfare are already sown, with nations like Russia and the United States engaging in digital skirmishes. Propaganda prepares the masses for larger cyber conflicts, underscoring the need for robust cybersecurity measures. Personally, I've experienced cyber attacks on my website, where attackers tested thousands of stolen credit cards. Fortunately, tools like Firebase and its App Check feature helped fend off these attacks, highlighting the importance of securing our digital infrastructure.
The most pessimistic outlook foresees all-out nuclear war, leading to the obliteration of society. In such a grim scenario, coding becomes a trivial pursuit as humanity faces its demise.
For now, the best advice is to continue honing your coding skills and secure your applications. Ship your projects while you still can, as the future of the internet remains uncertain.
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