The “Rhymes of History” are those things in our society that seem to repeat themselves in different forms to accomplish tasks and answer requirements that have become very basic in our Human society. One such item is that of the relating of information or stories from one individual or group to another. Information was originally shared by word of mouth and depiction by crude drawings or other made objects (mud or clay figurines, carvings of wood or stone, etc…) Scrolls and books became later archival devices for information and remained so for many years.
Recent improvements in technology have carried on the passing of information (fact and fiction) in the form of laser disks, VHS tapes, CDs and DVDs, and most recently Blueray Disks. This includes information for instruction, fictional information (movies) for relaxation, and music and games (for recreation).This rekindling of the sharing of information has become a very lucrative industry, with one left guessing as to what new developments will be made public in the near future. The question of, “Will I have to buy another copy of the White Album?” constantly appears as a minor concern.
It may be that within the next 5000 days (about 13½ years), there may be little need to purchase too many new items. We may have access to more than we can now imagine if the Internet and the computer network presently growing within our global society continue to expand as they have been. Dr. Kevin Kelly relates the development of the World Wide Web as a kind of evolution of an electronic over-mind of which we are all a part. His Ted presentation in 2007 is extremely interesting and worthy of sharing. The link to Dr. Kelly’s presentation is listed below. Please take a look and comment.
http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/kevin_kelly_on_the_next_5_000_days_of_the_web.html
John,
ReplyDeleteI see your point about not needing to buy new items in the future. I have realized that almost any program one might purchase to use on their computer has a free open-source alternative. The one thing I don’t yet understand is why inferior products sometimes beat out superior ones. VHS beating Beta for videotape has been one example discussed, but I don't understand why Beta is superior, or why VHS became the standard. I wonder if marketing makes the difference, or if it’s something else.
I also thought Dr. Kelly’s presentation was very interesting and thought-provoking. The idea of all objects being connected electronically is hard to imagine. But then, so is teleportation, and I enjoy imagining that in place of my 3-hour daily drive!
John
ReplyDeleteInteresting point about not having to purchase . . . but also very ironic, in my perspective. Ironic, because I think what drives the technology industry is money. The bottom line is the bottom line. My thoughts today (could change) is that man's basic instinct to survive has now translated into money. Need money to survive. The more, the better. (I'm not saying I agree with "the more, the better." I'm just saying I think we have evolved into that mentality.)
So, while we may have more than we need on the web, the technology industry will never allow it to be such that they are not making money, is my guess.
Koh