When I think about the content of our economy today, I think of Neverland- Peter Pan and TinkerBell flying through the air. I know, it is quite a far out thought but bear with me here. Neverland, a world created by the imagination and ideas of children, is all too similar to where our world is heading.
I am referring to how we make money, how we develop business, how we meet with each other, how we get work done, how we buy music, how we learn, how we communicate, how we live. Yes, that’s right. Virtually. Intuitively. Imaginatively. A world built on imagination where the exchange of ideas is completely and utterly virtual. How cool is that? Interestingly enough, our entire idea of time and space has "been given a run for its money". We can be anywhere and everywhere in mere milliseconds. Science-fiction is becoming more and more reality. Take a look at Star Trek, communication via video and audio displayed on a screen. Teleportation to distances far reaching, i.e. conference calls, virtual business, etc. Now look at Star Wars, communication via holographic projections which are slowly making their way into our world beginning with projection TV’s [now a display of the past] and moving onto 3D projection.
The onset of social media as a prime conduit for the transfer of ideas intensifies innovation. As time and space become things of the past, I would argue that reality is no longer a graspable concept. What is real? What constitutes something being real? Is it merely a physical presence? An observable action? Space is no longer a relevant idea now that I can sit at home in New York, talk with a friend in California, all while completing a job in Ohio. Time is becoming more irrelevant as standing on line for tickets has gone out the window. Christmas shopping hell is now a breeze through paradise. What more need do we have for time? We have all the time in the world to get things done. Time is exponentially reduced each and every day. What is artificial? What is real? Potentially, nothing.
I love this episode of The Simpsons! One of my favorites.
Ok all. That is my other worldly post of the month. I have loved science fiction my entire life. While letting my mind wander during my lunch break at school today, I looked up old sci-fi stories and current science and tech articles. Sparks began to fly in my head as the neurons bounced off of each other in a bevy of realization and thought. We all need to let go of reality sometimes. Music is my outflow. Try it. Check out my LastFM weekly favorites.
Hmmm…reality getting even more difficult to grasp as a result of technology, like the internet…I’d agree.
Another reason why it should be collectively destroyed before it does further damage to our way of life.
Nice post.
JAY
The points you mention makes me wonder, and as other philosophers have asked, what constitutes reality ?
Do these conversations on this blog not constitute the same reality as a conversation occurring between the three of us in close geographic proximity [i.e. together at the same pub] ? What is lost or different between those two conversations ?
[Jay] First off, reducing technology to preserve what you think is the destruction of our way of life does not seem to be a sound solution. How about tossing out the notion of reality for a notion of innovation. Move forward with technology, not back.
[Skora} Secondly, I do not think that comparing the differences between methods of conversation will bring you closer to an answer. Moreover, try to understand that reality is a useless and outdated concept. To get past it is to unleash great understanding and human potential.