When I watch this video, my Luddite tendencies, as described in blog 1, stir with activity. I fear the world of Aldous Huxley, where interacting with machines substitutes for interacting with people. In his Brave New World, virtual experiences replace actual human interaction. Some would argue that "the feelies," as described by Huxley, were designed in the first place by humans and thus provide human interaction.
Wesch's video prompted me to discover more about him as an anthropologist and exactly what he is trying to say through this presentation. The following article from the New York Times provided some clarification and, to be honest, settled my own jittery reaction to the video.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/02/weekinreview/02wright.html?_r=1&ex=1354251600&en=0768bb49ae983748&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
The most disturbing portion of the video for me was the assertion that we must rethink everything, from governance and copyrights, to "love, family, ourselves." I see the last three items as constants across human history, whatever technological developments have altered the landscape.
Wesch's comments in the NYT article clarify that he is not saying that these things must change, but he is saying that people need to be very intentional not to loose sight of humanity as technology can link people thousands of miles apart. His experience with the people of Papua New Guinea led him to several interesting observations comparing tribal societies and our globally-connected society. One particular note was that social ties are often formed in tribal societies for survival; he speculates that the social and emotional effects of befriending people we do not know face-to-face might have unseen repercussions for the human psyche.
Ethical considerations should always take high priority as our society embarks on new pathways, whether they be social, scientific/technological, or a combination thereof. The essential humanity of people, including their emotions, feelings, and biology, does not keep pace with the rapidity of technological advancement. The Machine cannot feel, get sick, or old, and attempting to claim that it can seems to smack of a sort of hubris for which the Greek gods reserved their lightning.
As one who has family scattered across the globe, I appreciate technology for what it can provide -- that is, a link to my faraway relatives and one way to participate in their lives. On the other hand, it is no substitute for an actual hug from my niece or nephew, for a reassuring pat from my sister, for playing a game with my brother-in-law (though, to be sure, games on the internet can be fun and a functional substitute for having others here in person). I AM grateful for the tools which enable us to video chat, tools which many of my immigrant forebears lacked. Just this week I had the privilege of reading via iChat to my niece and nephew, who are thousands of miles away across the Atlantic.
The collaborative nature of the digital age also appeals to me. Wikis, for example, provide a common webspace for individuals to contribute to a group effort. Free software such as Google Docs enables people to share presentations, papers, or spreadsheets easily, and to allow multiple editors for those documents. Certainly, the future of digital text appears bright as people find ways to cooperate and work together.
Despite this, humans still need contact, and face to face contact, at that. When they are nursing or being fed, babies gaze adoringly at their mothers or the bottle feeders, focusing on their faces. Without this face to face contact, studies have shown that babies cease to thrive. In fact, a major sign of the developmental disorder autism is a lack of eye contact. As Voldemort said about Harry Potter's mother's love, "This was old magic." Lovers still stare into one anothers' eyes. Hugs simply are not as effective long-distance. The feeling of euphoria accompanying romantic love still exists; the bonding hormone oxytocin that our bodies produce when in contact with those close to us -- children, spouses, good friends -- is hardly disappearing. Love may perhaps be expressed in new ways, but love itself does not change.
As I read more about Wesch and consider the video, he seems to be saying that we need to rethink how we use this Machine -- or how It uses us -- to ensure that our fundamental humanity, and that of others, is not overlooked. Though worlds apart in some ways, we still have a lot in common with tribal societies from Papua New Guinea, and losing sight of that would be a mistake.
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