One of my all time favorite public radio programs Is "On The Media". It's produced through WNYC In..NYC. Luckily, every weekend on my way home from work, I get to hear a decent chunk of the program on Baltimore's public station WYPR.
Why am I telling you this? Because this afternoon they discussed something that I've been thinking about a lot lately, the internet and it's toll on humans. I've been spending the majority of my time online the last couple months. For me, It's a real source of entertainment and companionship. It feels weird admitting that, but for now, It's the truth. I have all the shows I love at my fingertips, radio shows I can listen to at any time, job hunting, recipe searching, music downloading, writing and blogging, etc. That's MY experience with the internet and I consider It MOSTLY positive.
But the debate is clear: Is it a positive source of education and entertainment? Are we exposing ourselves to new ideas, gaining intelligence and really connecting or just becoming isolated, inhumane and just plain dumb(er)?
On The Media explores this question on a repeat show that originally aired in February of 2011.
Click on this week's show (August 5, 2011)
What do you think?
It's hard to say, but it really does change everything. It's something that (like you said) gives you everything you want at your fingertips, including feeling less isolated, but in reality you ARE more isolated...does it mean you are less likely to go out and do things and meet real people and have real one on one conversations?....I'm not sure. I'm pretty torn on this one. I do have to say, I have mostly heard how people feel BAD about spending so much time online than doing other things...so, that is kind of telling.
ReplyDeletethey made a good point during the program. Brooke Gladstone mentioned that if you are typically a loner than the internet probably enhances that about you. If you are typically social and crave personal interactions than the internet facilitates that via social networking, finding events, etc. I'm not sure I'm fully behind that theory. From an entertainment standpoint, it could force you into this cave of never needing or desiring interaction because your needs are met online. I DO think the internet damages human interactions, makes them less authentic..tricks us into thinking that these conversations are maybe typically more worthwhile than an actual face to face conversation. We miss something. There's a lot to say on this topic.
ReplyDeletewell, I like to think it's all positive, I'm already isolated at work at my desk, so the internet helps connect me (to you two) and it makes the day fly :)
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