tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196755095791973831.post203955992938707610..comments2023-06-07T11:59:27.937-04:00Comments on Noise Bazaar: The Digital RevolutionAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06801052755158560049noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196755095791973831.post-87785462385943360232008-09-17T11:28:00.000-04:002008-09-17T11:28:00.000-04:00Something that just came to me when I read over:"M...Something that just came to me when I read over:<BR/><BR/>"More of our "awareness" was made up of people who we wanted to focus on."<BR/><BR/>Rethinking it, I think it's rational to suggest that much of our awareness was instead focused on ourselves. I think Thompson does a good job in proving that these new digital norms aren't replacing focus on others, especially those closest to you, but the time we spend on these programs and the energy we expend socially has to be replacing something. Whether it replaces us focusing on ourselves or simply reading the paper, who knows. I'm sure it depends on the person--what they truly would otherwise be doing and how much displacement they're actually engaged in. <BR/><BR/>But I think it is a reasonable concern to explore to wonder just how much less we focus on ourselves now that we have cell phones, twitter, facebook, blackberries, 24 cable news. How much are we internalizing. How much reflection do we forego? It's subtle because we don't necessarily feel it; indeed, our focus is elsewhere. To reflect on how much you don't reflect, you'd have to reflect quite a bit--which becomes a cyclical conundrum. But it would be interesting. Going camping for three days without a cell phone or internet, you might find you come back and you're already half way through the recovery of withdrawal. The fact that there's withdrawal at all suggests something unfortunate about these new paradigms.Chrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13095003825951782038noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6196755095791973831.post-59004675774151298082008-09-17T11:20:00.000-04:002008-09-17T11:20:00.000-04:00Your take is also devoid of admissions of any down...Your take is also devoid of admissions of any downsides. Except for a quick blurb about how a lot of information on facebook is superfluous, you largely ignore the negative aspects to these new technologies and shifts in social norms. Maybe you think the negatives are negligible, or even non-existent to the average rational internet user.<BR/><BR/>It reminds me of people who argued that cell phones were an incredible advancement. It lets you keep in contact with more people, you see. And when you go out and can't find someone, all it takes is a single phone call from your hip, and Voila. Without one, they argue, we would be much more disconnected than we are now.<BR/><BR/>But we managed just fine before cell phones. People would leave a message on our answering machine and we'd return the call later. If we weren't home, the person would shrug and move on. Now there's an urgency about it. "So and so's not answering their cell phone. What's wrong?"<BR/><BR/>And before Dunbar increasors like facebook we did okay, too. More of our "awareness" was made up of people who we wanted to focus on. Friends from high school sifted to the wayside for a reason. And when we were in memphis? Instead of looking up a mediocre dude we talk to every 3 years, maybe we strolled down to a coffee shop or a bar on our own and made some new friends. <BR/><BR/>These internet sites certainly aren't the bane of our existence, but they're not the boon of it either. They're simply different. A shift in how we view and maintain social relationships that aren't in our immediate sphere. It seems to me that it disconnects us as much as it congeals us together.Chrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13095003825951782038noreply@blogger.com