“Man is no longer indigenous, native to one place; he is global. His immediate environment is no longer local but digital. Once tied to a territory and people, now he is plugged into a network and can make his own virtual community.”
-from In the Name of Humanity
I found this excerpt while I was doing some outside reading this week and I think it echoed what was said in the Economist article, A World of Connections; we all live in a world that is becoming increasingly connected and more personalized everyday.
The invention of the internet and social media tools are making it easier for people to organize based on real interests and concerns. People can make connections with people socially and professionally with much greater ease than ever before.
Information is available within an instant. Geographic borders and locating information are no longer relevant concerns. People can communicate across the globe, instantly. This kind of interaction makes it possible for more intentional, meaningful action to take place.
This can be a double-edged sword. People of every walk of life are participating in the same activities and creating common bonds with one another. Potentially, this can help develop a deeper sense of trust world-wide. Unfortunately, people can use these tools to organize for harmful purposes too.
We all live in the “internet bubble” to some degree. We get our information ranging from news to music to events from the computer. We all share the same sources, the same servers and the same networks.
As Twitter co-founder, Biz Stone, said, there is a “trend towards greater openness” and people are “happy to share more information about themselves”. But this involves obvious dangers too.
How can this system be monitored to allow for maximum freedom yet protect people at the same time…
9/10
I agree that people feel more open with the internet today and will share almost anything on the internet which can be both good and bad. The question you pose is a very difficult one. I am not sure if it is possible. If it is and I think of it; I will be seeing a nice payoff.
ReplyDeleteYour question has been at the epicenter of the internet since it was invented...and I don't think we've found a solution yet. Short of China limiting Google's search results or parental controls, there are few limits on social sharing. What frightens me is that I think people tend to share too much...and that can be a huge cause for alarm.
ReplyDeleteI think it all comes down to remembering the importance of privacy and boundaries in all areas of life, both on- and off-line. I am sure people had the same concerns about "social connectedness gone wild" when the phone book was invented. I am optimistic that society will change and adapt to social media and eventually develop norms to keep private things, well, private.
ReplyDelete