As we have discussed the challenges of finding balance between the real world and virtual worlds, I thought this was an interesting op/ed from Michael Gilbert, a senior fellow at the Annenberg Center for the Digital Future at the University of Southern California and author of "The Disposable Male." I think he sums it up pretty well... that while "ominous clouds loom," he also says, "there's hope, because families are wondrously varied and resilient. Over the years they have managed to survive many technological innovations and potential intrusions." He also gives several excellent examples of the "good side"... perhaps, we can think of it more as "the Force" vs. "the Dark Side". May the Force be with you...
http://www.newsday.com/news/opinion/ny-opgil275592834feb27,0,176990.story
8 comments:
I like your optimism. THis is a cautionary tale that expresses hope while mentioning phrases "we can hardly stand in the way" (of the technology), which is a feeling we all know too well, and the usual response is to go with it without concern. He ends with "But we need to remember that big new technologies can first appear bearing gifts for households but later wind up a threat."
Another short reminder. When you provide a URL, make sure you link the URL by clicking in the little chain (link, get it?:-) icon on your post window.
I just did it for you. (only this time ok?:-)
Dealing with technology, whether from a family or individual perspective, as to it's impact on our lives is not a new concept. Others have written (see Neil Postman, for example) critically of technology's influence on our lives. I think it is important to realize that ALL technology is a product of its creators and at the same time MORE than its creators. For example, the internet was created as a military network but has evolved into something much more. Why did it evolve? Because of cultural, group, and individual needs and demands.
Is all technology amoral? I'll let you decide that. But it can definitely become a sort of Pandora's box that you may wish you never had opened...
I liked the article and it makes me think of a new kind of networking, with families involved. How about Familybook? College students could have pages that didn't have all their party photos on it. Families, including the extended versions, could use it to update each other or put together family events. This would be a possible utilization of the new Internet possibilities for the family. I wonder...
West,
Why specialize? The fact is, its heading in that direction anyway. Our generation will be the generation to do this. In 20 or 30 years, organizing events and communication as a whole will be done over the internet, in ways we wont even begin to comprehend as possible now.
We know that nomatter what the demands are, we never reach where we want to be. It drives us to innovate further, and by doing so it also alienates those who are hesitant to adapt that much more.
I was at GDC and some guy as rambling about how in 10 years we will have microchips in our HEAD to play video games. While I think thats a stretch, it goes to show you how crazy innovation can really be. If thats what you want to call it.
Actually there is a good reason to specialize: we present different aspects of ourselves in different contexts. Everyone - not just college students - has different facets of themselves that they show in different contexts, and you may not want your "fun" facet to mix up with your "church" facet, or your "parent" facet to mix up with your "crazed sports fan" facet or whatever. Sure you're the same person, but you do act and respond differently in different contexts. The question is how the technology deals with this. I do agree that we are "heading this way" since the technology will always adapt - but whatever solution evolves will need to allow some kind of partitioning.
One other resource on the topic of parenting and use of the Internet:
For those who have not seen it, the recent PBS special "Growing Up Online" is really time well spent. The web site companion to the show lets you watch the show for free and provides a lot of additional content.
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