Brave New....And Problematic World

So sorry, I've not been posting regularly but I'm hopefully updating this blog and 'moving' it to Drupal Gardens. If you're familiar with Drupal, it's a very interesting free Web Development Tool/Information Management  site that could have far reaching potential. I would recommend people checking it out. Thanks to Sean Monahan for introducing me. Either way, I'm thinking this blog will continue to explore issues in health and nutrition, but also discuss overall wellness and productivity. These two issues are the basis as to why I even considered changing my diet. Future posts will elaborate.

On to today's post. It's in response to a RSA Animate that I saw;

The Internet: Empowering or Censoring Citizens.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uk8x3V-sUgU&feature=g-vrec&context=G242ef33RVAAAAAAAAAA

I'm very passionate about how the technology, social media, and the internet can be a force for emancipation, disseminating information, and learning. However, we have to look at the potential pitfalls and how to avoid them. I'm all for celebrating what the youth will hopefully accomplish but we also have to look at the ways that modern living has negatively impacted them. If you were born in the 80's or later, you also grew up during the digital age, but IMHO during a time when consumerism is at it's most sophisticated and insidious. To ignore the negative consequences would be to remain stunted and uncritical.

I get the feeling that this video will illicit passionate responses for and against the democratizing effect of the Internet and web connectivity. I'm sure that Morozov sees the potential for the internet, but is critical of what is called "cyper utopianism." The thing I appreciate is that he problematizes the role of technology in society: "If you want to look at the actual net impact and net effect of technology, you have to look much broader, in fact [looking at] the negative consequences as well."

I don't necessarily agree with everything said and if I may, I think that power, or potential, of the internet or the digital age is it's ability to more widely disseminate information, much like the Gutenberg's printing press. Just as the Enlightenment and the Protestant Reformation took time to talk hold, I feel that true power of the internet and social media has not yet reached its full expression. Although I don't it will take hundreds of years, I'm hoping it happens in the next 10-20 years. Or less.

I do also feel like the rapidity of change allows Digital Natives to more quickly realize the unintended consequences much faster, correct them, and reap the benefits. The potential for change and emancipation is perhaps greater than before, but so is the potential for self-reflection. I'll say it again for the last time, (sorry it feels like I'm repetitive) we have look at both the good and bad if we are going to ever realize the promise of these crazy and exciting times we live in.