I wonder what future historians would make of us – especially our world of technological gadgets. Take a few examples: Communicating via what used to be written letters (post-snail mail) is not our first choice when it comes to contacting people. Even telephones are becoming silent, except for those call centres! We are increasingly being pushed to communicate via twitter, sms texting, facebook and other forms of social online networking media. We are in instant and constant contact, with wires enmeshing us in our own designed world. Some may wish to argue that all these technology have made life simpler and easier. It is comforting to know that I can be in contact at an instant with those very close to me. But do I really need the devices? Should I be pressured to use them just because people around me use them? It is difficult asking someone for direction without tapping them on the shoulders and then having them unplug their earphones! I have found that having a mobile phone while doing shopping only serves to make me less decisive and creative in what I need to purchase, as I more than often revert to a call home for advice on what kind or sort of the needed item I should purchase or check on some unnecessary item, not on my shopping list, just because there is a deal on. Also, why should I be checking how my sons are doing at university every weekend or during the week, when I was more than happy during my university days to have the freedom and space to enjoy university life with my peers and without my parents checking on me!
And the technological advancement does not stop with the above. If, for instance, you are stuck in a traffic-jam, salvation is at hand! Instead of fuming more than your vehicles' exhaust pipe, it is now possible, with some help from bump http://goo.gl/djnU to pass your time more creatively! In our wired world you can pass your time by perusing the face-book profiles of your new neighbours in that traffic jam. The above website and iphone appliance use registration numbers to bring social networking to the roads: just forget road works, social networking is more exciting! While a US craze, it is only a matter of time before it is here. The possibilities are mind boggling with what one can do with “bump” while caught in a traffic-jam! The only caveat is that you should not be behind the steering wheel. I am sure though that with the development of virtual augmented reality, sitting behind the wheel will not be a problem in coming years!
And if the above is not enough: how about what is referred to as persuasive computing: the idea of using software to change our beliefs and behaviour. The tools used range from the power of suggestion to surveillance and conditioning methods such as positive reinforcement. The intention, as with most scientific advancement, is to use this method to encourage good behaviour from us: for instance eating less, exercising more, and not forgetting trying to get us to buy something. After all we need to spend to get the economy going – even though we do not need the stuff! But the larger question looms like the sword of Damocles over our head: what would happen to us when such personalised subliminal mind control via our PC’s and other gadgets become a way of life? Facebook’s question as soon we are logged on may look simple. But “What’s on your mind?” is not a value free question! It is smart persuasive deployment known as “tunnelling”. The psychology runs this way: it will make us feel good that our friends know and care about us: but the reality is that it hooks us to only want to come back again and again. Just try keeping a tab on your computing and online behaviour and even try calculating the time you spend on face-book to understand what is actually happening! By becoming hooked to the webpage, we end up making the site very profitable. But more than this, there are a host of “peeping companies” targeting us with selected advertisements and products. And according to one observer: before we know it our lives are subtly taken over and we are unconsciously sucked into changing our behaviour without even being aware of it!
And a final thought: how about the fact that we also end up saying and doing things in cyberspace that we wouldn't ordinarily say or do in the face-to-face world? Our gadgets and our online world allow many of us loosen up, feel less inhibited, and express ourselves more openly. Researchers call this the “dis-inhibitive effect”. But it is also - a double-edged sword. Sometimes we share very personal things about ourselves: revealing secret emotions, fears, wishes. Or we may show unusual acts of kindness and generosity. On the other hand, the dis-inhibition can spill over into rude language, harsh criticisms, anger, hatred, intolerance and even threats. If dis-inhibition affords us an opportunity to understand and explore oneself, to work through problems and find new ways of being, then great! But if on the other hand, it is simply unaware catharsis, about acting out our bigoted needs, and wishes without any personal growth at all, then we have a real problem!
© copyright February 7, 2011
