I think the part that stood out the most to me from this chapter was in the very beginning- I assume that is why I enjoyed the reading so much. In the first chapter, the author talks about some major questions that living in the digital age brings up. The first question that the author asks is "what do private and public mean?" For me, I don't think that I ever thought of the digital age in that way. Most people always assume that if you set your profile to private, it is just that, private. When in actuality, it can still be accessed through different loopholes. While I have always heard the saying "whatever you put on the Internet isn't private" I never thought how real it actually was. I also never considered how much the Internet and the digital age blurs the lines between both public and private.
The author then goes on to speak about the idea of "reality". While I am aware that everything I read on the Internet cannot possibly be true and that people often make false identities, I never thought of that fake life transcending into the real world. The author explains the idea of "absent present" and how technology alienates people from the world around them. While they are immersed in the digital world, they are excluded from the real world. In the book the author says "Where is 'he'"? Which also helps relate back to the first point of luring the lines to two things that we think to be true.
After reading this chapter, it makes me look at my digital life a little more closely. It makes me look into my relationships and how I communicate with people. I will be the first to admit that I am addicted to technology, I use it almost every waking moment of everyday. I will also be the first to admit that I know it is bad but I do see both the positives and negatives. Unfortunately today, we live in a world where everyone wants immediate gratification. We live in the now and we expect the answers to all of our problems to appear right when we need them. I really does make me look at what I think to be reality. When the author asked the question of "what is real" I thought I knew the answer. Looking back now, I am not as sure.
i also find the topic of realness relating to digital media to be interesting. last year, i wrote a paper about living in virtual realities. there are some people out there who can become so immersed in the online world that they can become someone else. because, when behind a screen, we can become whoever we want to be. and for some people, they think this person they become online is better than the person they are in their actual real life.
ReplyDeleteI like how you talked about what is "real" which really resonated with me and my love for reality tv which I am learning is not in fact "real." :) I also appreciated how you noted how you see these media forms present in your own interactions with friends. It is true, there are positives and negatives to these new forms of communication and as long as we keep these in mind we will be able to adapt without losing sense of who we REALly are.
ReplyDeleteI love your discussion on the public vs private matter. I think it's crazy how the digital age blurs the line between what's private and what's public. I also liked how you talked about what is "real" and the "absent present." I can totally relate to your addiction to technology :)
ReplyDeleteI am having the same feelings after reading this chapter. I have found myself consciously avoiding my phone and computer while in the company of others, and even while alone outside (still rather chilly). I will also admit that I may be addicted to social technology, but am working very hard to come away from it.
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