In this Information Age, the internet is becoming increasingly accessible for obtaining information on various topics, including history and culture. In this circumstance, most of the individuals argue that we should change our way of seeking information from museums to the internet. Although this proposal may offer some benefits, I generally disagree with it.
Admittedly, there may be some significant upsides of using the internet to find the information in advance to museums. One of them could be its efficiency in terms of time, cost and effort. Whereas a person has to cover long distances, purchase tickets and spend days visiting museums abroad that house famous artworks, the internet can give users instant access to all the exhibits or artefacts available without leaving their homes. Moreover, the content capacity of the internet sources is virtually unlimited, which means anyone can get whatever they want with extra options. In contrast, museums and art galleries have limitations that a visitor is usually able to find only a limited number of historical exhibits. For these reasons, the point about moving to online sources might seem to bring certain benefits.
Having said that, despite these advantages, I still believe it is more disadvantageous. First and foremost, if the transition is gradual, we can easily lose the sense of truly engaging with historical artefacts. This is rooted in our nature as a human being, because we have an inclination to enjoy experiences when they happen in real life rather than viewing them online. For instance, take the very famous embalmed bodies of ancient Egypt, mummies, though the wide range of pictures about them spread out through the internet, the place attracts a large number of visitors every year. This is because many people still want to see them in person rather than just watching online.
Secondly, closing museums worldwide could be a serious problem for governments, as they usually invest in tourist attractions. Famous art galleries and museums can attract plenty of tourists from overseas who can enable governments and local people alike to generate massive revenue which is something the knowledge available online could never do.
In conclusion, while the internet can save time and money, I disagree that museums should be abandoned. As they can act as a great place to have a rewarding experience as well as bring immense income to communities, I believe we should continue running and enriching them.