I flew to Brisbane to say hello to my cousin and wish him a well drunk 21st this weekend and somewhere between Ignoring the tedious safety presentation and eavesdropping on the two teachers next to me conversing about about students parents they didn't particularly shine to, (thanks ladies, ill add that to the mounting concerns I have about being a asshole of a parent) I began pondering the concept of a birds eye view, the relationship of space and human perception. To me it fits perfectly with the a series of ideas i have about our connection with technology and its rapid effect on our lives in the 21st century.
Cellphones, Computers, Ipods, Iphones, Idrones, they all engage us is such a illimitable way that we loose years instantly. In an endless pursuit for the next page we are constantly missing the bigger picture. Global Positioning System's or "navmen" and the newest recruits to the technological army of culprit time thieves. They rob their users of the gratification simply reading a map can bring. An exercise in problem solving and the fairest test of any relationship, simply reading a map can move your mind to see the real structure of a city, enlighten your geographic sense of self and on a more basic level aid in the sport of sounding smart when you next talk to people at work about your 'cultured' trip to Dalesford to go horse-riding with your fiance who works is sales and owns a BMW. Taking the lazy route will never teach you to explore, never give you back those tight buns and it certainly wont sound impressive in the tea room. Next time you decide to fire up your navman,log into your facestalk or sit down to watch a Jersey Shore marathon in your underwear think about how painful it is to be that person at work that everyone pretends to listen to but is effectively ranked as low as parking officer or in-law.
I have to say that I think the benefits of technological interconnectivity and interactivity certainly outweigh the costs.
ReplyDeleteAt no point in history has humanity ever been so well connected and well informed. The entirety of human knowledge is now at out finger tips, courtesy of a little device in our pocket half the size of a paperback. Granted, a large proportion of the information these devices can provide (such as what that dickhead who constantly updates Facebook is eating for breakfast) is not worth the time it takes to read. However, these devices allow us to interact with the world in innovative and unique ways that have never before been possible. This free flow of information has enormous potential to revolutionise social structures and social philosophy as we know it and gives the average person the ability to stimulate their mind with a far greater depth and breadth of knowledge than has ever been previously possible.
Let's take your map example. I will be the first to admit that there is joy to be had in beautiful cartography (although I don't think a Melways fits this description.) However, something like Google Earth allows me to experience my home city or a completely foreign city on the other side of the planet in a way that has never before been possible. I can move about and explore in a fully rendered and modelled version of the city, view satellite images and even see what the corner of 5th and West looks like through Street View. Even now, amateur archaeologists are using to discover potential dig sites in completely inaccessible areas throughout the Middle East and people are helping in the search for a cure for cancer just by leaving their Playstation on overnight. The kind of redistribution and dissemination of information that this technology allows is truly incredible. It takes information control out of the hands of traditional power brokers and puts it right in the hands of the people. It is this same philosophy that powers wikis and augmented reality. These forums free information from the constraints of its traditional sources and make it available to be enjoyed and enhanced on demand by anybody. It is this interactivity with the flow of meta-information in peoples cities and social networks that is allowing them to be more in touch than they ever have been before. People are now directly involved with shaping how the world around them is perceived not just by friends, but by the entirety of society. With our thoughts, we make the world.
Granted, it's easy to become lost in it all but I think it's very possible to enhance our 'real' connection to both places and people through the thoughtful and considerate use of these technologies.
However, I will concede that, as far, there is no iPhone app that tightens and tones your buttocks while you stalk through Facebook to find out whether or not people you went to high school with are still attractive.
Life is hard sometimes :(