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thefarthestshore — Digital Communication
Published: 2010-09-14 09:53:40 +0000 UTC; Views: 6736; Favourites: 100; Downloads: 0
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Digital Communication / The Agony Machine IIThis is roughly the way digital communication makes me feel.
The loss of real human contact leaves a hole where there should be emotional sustenance. The bi-directional monologue replaces dialogue, and the time gaps in important conversations -as well as the lack of visual queues of understanding- lead to increased unanswerable self consciousness and aggravated neurosis.
We are loosing community/scene centralization and direct contact, and replacing it with empty placeholders and token interactions.
If you like this piece, please show it by going to a cool coffee shop and talking to a stranger or calling a friend and arranging to meet in person to wander around town and cause trouble or something. It will be much more rewarding than say, posting a comment.
Good luck out there.
________________
Photo is self portrait taken by me, stock by me too.
Other stock used:
Lightning_II_Brushes by ~redheadstock
Bannock_County_Museum_143 by =Falln-Stock
Magic_Pack_1 by `pendlestock
Abstract_Sparks_3 by =sd-stock
Wet_machinery by *otherunicorn
Related content
Comments: 43
I understand what you mean. However, I'd like to also point out that some people who find communicating in person very difficult and limiting because they cannot understand social cues, facial expressions or body language (such as those with Autistic Spectrum Disorders) find Internet communication very liberating. I'm working with a year-8 at the moment who can barely speak a word in person (not because he can't physically speak), but chats incessantly on Facebook.
It might be argued that it shouldn't be a total replacement for one to one contact, but I personally consider it an extremely helpful crutch. Another reason I believe this is that I have Aspergers myself, and have also experienced this liberation.
Sorry for the massive comment. You may well already be aware of the things I've mentioned, but I just fel it needed to be said.
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Sure no statement can be absolute, nor do I mean that all digital communication is evil. But as a society it does seem to be becoming a problem. I also think that in cases where it is so useful, that makes it extra dangerous because the inclination is to give up the outside world, and I think that is where the real tragedy lingers.
If you want, you should read The Machine Stops, a short story written in 1909 that predicts some of the pitfalls rather aptly. You can get it here:
[link]
Whatever the case, it's the fact that it is so good and so useful that makes it so powerful and so dangerous. Just like walmart, which offers so much so cheap, but erodes local economies and removes product diversity.
I think the danger is in letting advancements oppress us as a society and culture. Yes they are advancements, but we have so learn to use them positively without letting them eat us alive.
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Firstly, I'd like to thank you very much for giving me that link. The story is amazing, not least because of the many parallels between that world imagined a century ago and the present world we live in today. I'm very glad to have read it.
Secondly, I agree that an over dependence on new advancements isn't good. This can be clearly seen in our current problems, such as the rise of MRSA and other super-bugs due to overuse of antibiotics, the fuel crisis that looms ever nearer, and the fear that a solar flare could cripple society by wiping out it's electronic systems.
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Glad you read it, it was remarkably well written wasn't it. Yes I agree about those other things. Though I haven't heard about the solar flare possibilities, my wouldn't that be interesting.
The one that I am particularly concerned with (aside from the internet) right now is homogenization through transportation. Centralized food and product distribution leads to the carrying of bugs and blights, as does moving firewood and such things. Logging has caused one type of murderous owl to escape their natural habitat and run across previously untraversible country to land in another area and wipe out the indigenous owl necessary to the local eco system. Our effects are slowly being seen and there are surely ever more than we can count.
The internet phenomena though is so directly visible to me, but we adapt so quickly to taking it as the way of life that the blasphemy of questioning it is already upon us.
I hope by some miracle that we can overcome it. Me as well, who makes an effort, but is still overly dependent.
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Sadly there are many cases like that, and it's not even a new thing, just look at what happened because of the first humans to settle on New Zealand. I wish you lots of luck with your efforts.
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totally true! and so perfectly expressed here!
i sometimes talk to old ladies on busses.. it's really quite rewarding!
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Wow this is so strong. It has a Darkseed II H.R. Gigar vibe to it as well, which I love
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Oh and I'm going out for pizza with friends tonight
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All I can say is that you have a point, and that image is utterly amazing,
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Analog Communication, Community Involvement project: [link]
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Cool. Yeah I've started going out to a lot more performances and things lately. it's nice.
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the internet is scary!
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At least his "do it yourself" attitude will cut down on his telecommunication bills?
Really loved this though! Sometimes the thought is daunting and almost surreal that we're talking to someone on the opposite side of the earth so easily in real time (just about)
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i saw this after i agreed to go out with a friend and watch the river while talking to each other. makes me feel even better for the choice i`ve made
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This is intense!
"(...) or calling a friend and arranging to meet in person (...)" - Funnily enough I did this 5 minutes before I found this oiece of art.
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what a nice coincidence
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I find it quite ironic that as I sit and read your artists comments and enjoy the visual representation before me - that I'm sat in a coffee shop awaiting the arrival of my mother as we're having lunch together.
Fantastic concept, brilliant execution.. Bravo
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Good! Hopefully you'll even bump into strangers or have a fun conversation with your barista and the random social elements of existing in the real world will add even more to your human interactions for the day
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Really well-thought-out and well-done project! Love it!
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very deep. i'm really glad you explained it cuz i wouldn't have gotten it
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