---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Communicating online goes back to the…"
description: "\"Communicating online goes back to the Defense Department's Arpanet which started in 1969. There was something called Usenet that started in 1980, and t..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bd3/howard-rheingold-2794_communicate_communicating-online-goes-back-to-the-de_2097187.png"
---

#  Communicating online goes back to the Defense Department's…

![“Communicating online goes back to the Defense Department's Arpanet which started in 1969. There was something called Usenet that started in 1980, and this gave people an opportunity to talk about things that people on these more official networks didn't talk about.” quote by Howard Rheingold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bd3/howard-rheingold-2794_communicate_communicating-online-goes-back-to-the-de_2097187.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bd3/howard-rheingold-2794_communicate_communicating-online-goes-back-to-the-de_2097187.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bd3/howard-rheingold-2794_communicate_communicating-online-goes-back-to-the-de_2097187.png)

> “Communicating online goes back to the Defense Department's Arpanet which started in 1969. There was something called Usenet that started in 1980, and this gave people an opportunity to talk about things that people on these more official networks didn't talk about.”

[Howard Rheingold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-rheingold/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Early online communication originated from ARPANET and Usenet, enabling informal discussion beyond official networks.

**In simple terms:** Online talk began with ARPANET and Usenet, allowing informal chats.

Key Takeaway

Recognize the roots of modern internet culture.

Themes

technology communication history

Mood

informative reflective

Type

historical educational

When to use this quote

- academic lectures
- tech history documentaries
- online forums
- digital literacy classes

Key Concepts

network evolution social media information flow

Questions to Reflect On

- How did early informal networks shape today’s internet?
- What barriers existed for non‑technical users?

A Different Perspective

Early networks were limited to government and academia, restricting broader participation.

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[Internet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/internet/) [Opportunity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opportunity/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/)

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