Two different definitions for the Internet

[Odessa Dawn]

Happy New Year to all of you and, therefore, I hope and pray that you and all yours emerge healthier and better than ever before.


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1. "the Internet: the large system of connected computers around the world which allows people to share information and communicate with each other using email"

2. "Commenting on the historic event's impact on the world, Mr Edwards said:''The internet means there is nowhere and no one in the world you can't reach easily and cheaply.''

Two different definitions for the same term. Question: Do we call #1 technical and #2 metaphorical?
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[konungursvia]

In my view, 1 is a definition, though not a very exact one, I understand, as the Internet is meant to refer specifically to the network of networks that use Transfer Control Protocol and its cousin, Internet Protocol, or TCP/IP (basically a method of dividing transmissions into packets that arrive independently by their own routes).

The second isn't actually a definition, so it's not a metaphorical definition either. It is a judgment of the consequences of the existence of the internet.

Not sure if that's too pedantic, but I'm trying.

 

[emsr2d2]

I agree. The first is a definition. The second is simply Mr Edwards' views on what the internet is/does in a global, social capacity. I'm sure if he was asked to supply an actual definition for the word "internet", he would come up with something more technical.