It can be up or down. It's more fun when it's up, but it makes it
 hard to get any real work done. 
 
 In the long-distant past, its only purpose was to transmit
 information considered vital to the survival of the species. Some
 people still think that's the only thing it should be used for,
 but most folks today use it for fun most of the time. 
 
 It has no conscience and no memory. Left to its own devices, it
 will just do the same damn dumb things it did before. 
 
 It provides a way to interact with other people. Some people take
 this interaction very seriously, others treat it as a lark.
 Sometimes it's hard to tell what kind of person you're dealing
 with until it's too late. 
 
 If you don't apply the appropriate protective measures, it can
 spread viruses. 
 
 It has no brain of its own. Instead, it uses yours. If you use it
 too much, you'll find it becomes more and more difficult to think
 coherently. 
 
 We attach an importance to it that is far greater than its actual
 size and influence warrant. 
 
 If you're not careful what you do with it, it can get you in big
 trouble. 
 
 It has its own agenda. Somehow, no matter how good your
 intentions, it will warp your behavior. Later you may ask
 yourself, "Why on earth did I do that?" 
 
 Some folks have it, some don't. 
 
 Those who have it would be devastated if it were ever cut off.
 They think that those who don't have it are somehow inferior. They
 think it gives them power. They are wrong. 
 
 Those who don't have it may agree that it's a nifty toy, but
 think it's not worth the fuss that those who do have it make about
 it. Still, many of those who don't have it would like to try it. 
 
 Once you've started playing with it, it's hard to stop. Some
 people would just play with it all day if they didn't have work to
 do.