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As we discussed in class, the Internet has made life livable without having to leave your reclining computer chair. Thousands of developers have created ways that allows us to indulge in our own desires by giving us the opportunity to have whatever we want at the click of a button, and in a matter of days our purchases will show up at our door step (on a side note it would be interesting to research consumption patterns in our economy as we have gained more buying power). The World Wide Web is like the BFF you’ve always wanted: something someone who is always looking out for your self-interests, always giving you what you want when you want it.
Adam Curtis’ “The Trap” discussed the mental traps of game theory, psychosis, etc, but what is important to note is the issue that something we think gives us freedom may ultimately trap us. The internet gives us the freedom to say whatever we want, to buy whatever we want, to research whatever we want, and so on. But there is definitely something to be said (err, its already been said) about relying too much on technology, which may ultimately trap us in the future.
This sort of fear has been explored numerous times in pop culture. I’m sure well all can recall back to “2001: A Space Odyssey” when the ship computer system HAL (exhibiting explicit human emotions) began to really develop a mind of its own and tried to control the mission (I mean hello, he wouldn’t let Dave back in the space craft after attempting to fix the exterior of the ship because he was afraid Dave was going to disconnect him.
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This issue is seen again in the more light-heartened Disney-Pixar flick “Wall-e.” In this film when we are transported to the future, we see that society has gone beyond the point of over-relying on computer technology, but is actually being controlled by it. People are depicted as being obese beings that are permanently strapped to their chairs and are moved around and aided by robots. Once again, we have an issue of human intelligence vs. the greedy computer personality that is trying to keep society as is.
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Not only is this a fear examined in Hollywood, but also there have been legitimate reports on the future of the Internet and how we may or may not be trapped by it. In a survey taken by leaders of the internet/technology community, the consensus was that by 2020, “Humans will remain in charge of technology, even as more activity is automated and “smart agents” proliferate. However, a significant 42% of survey respondents were pessimistic about humans’ ability to control the technology in the future. This significant majority agreed that dangers and dependencies will grow beyond our ability to stay in charge of technology.” If we are all afraid of the future, is there any way we can avoid being controlled by the technology we create?
The survey also found that “Virtual reality will be compelling enough to enhance worker productivity and also spawn new addiction problems.” While the survey doesn’t specify the kind of addiction problems that may occur, I think any kind of addiction relating to the Internet will ultimately result in the physical demise of the human race. When researching the future of the internet and reading about potential addiction problems, one image, and one image only comes to mind:
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In the “World of Warcraft” episode of “South Park,” audiences got a glimpse of the physical stature of Kenny, Kyle, Stan, and Cartman’s bodies deteriorating away as they spent endless hours battling an equally pathetic character in on online computer game. While this was a video game and not just Internet addiction, its clear that allowing the Internet (or technology) to consume your life will have harmful physical effects (not to mention it will completely alter social relationship practices as well).
Perhaps it seems like I’m trying really hard to make a creative connection between these films, shows and the Internet, but I swear I have a point. If people are predicting that the Internet will harm us, and they even fear we are becoming too reliant on it, then how can we prevent this from happening? Should we ban or limit Internet use? Or should we just let this artificial nature run its course?
