We Didn't Start the Fire

As I've been reading Jurassic Park, I've been wondering about the benefits of such a fast-paced, instant-gratification kind of world. It's not all "monster munch time"; there are definitely things to be gained. After all, even after being chased by T-Rex, and raptors, and compies (oh my!), Dr. Allen Grant, a renowned paleontologist first mesmerized by the park but quickly wary of its flaws, demands the dinosaurs be left alone. He is protective of the environment and allowing it to play out even though he is aware of the danger involved. 

I was reading many a posts from The Blog of Innocence where the author talks a lot about our digital world. In one, entitled "Is the Internet Killing Culture," she admits her voracious reading habits have died down because she is too busy on the internet. But I was especially interested in her point that, through her work (based via the internet), she has "[developed] a social network...fostering relationships with people who share the same interests." Then she says this: 

This, I would say, is not an act of "killing culture"; but an act of embracing it, an act of helping it flourish and grow. 

A commenter, piercival, in response to this neverending debate, wrote,

Whenever culture undergoes transformation there are cries of alarm. Are we losing our way, forsaking tradition? Perhaps...perhaps not. New paths are being discovered--some will have the curiosity to blaze them while others stand aside and curse the moon. 

Dramatic, yes. Probably true, too. There was actually a wide range of comments made from varying standpoints, something reminding me of the arguments on ethics involved in Jurassic Park. Like Allen Grant, I think a lot of people are aware of the changes, especially in cultural di/progression. We are eager to pick a side and scream at the other, but perhaps the digital divide isn't so obvious.
Another commenter, omnipotentseal, said the following:

The net is not a homogeneous culture, but instead a patchwork of subcultures each adding their own bit to the dialogue. 

Most interesting, carlomarx comments about the effects the internet has already had on culture, going over the good and the bad, mentioning musicians, newshouses, publishers, and local cultures, each suffering in some ways but thriving in others--most normally with the new availability of content. In the end, he concludes

There is a seismic shift occurring in the way that print is distributed and monetized. But I don't think we are going to suffer for it culturally. I think it will have quite the opposite effect. 

This optimistic point of view is pretty normal. But you do have people raising their voices to complain. I posted earlier on bullying and the internet's role in some horrific real-life stories. My dad and mom constantly complain about me giving life updates on twitter or facebook--a social media they don't appreciate or understand. I was also mulling over the digital culture's effect on art, especially film, in this post. Point is, people have lots of complaints. There are definite dangers and risks involved in such a global and uncontrollable culture--artists hate life because copyright infringements while parents hate the ease with which their kids can't get online and chat with some kid in the middle of nowhere (or who they hope is really a kid. and that they hope stay in the middle of nowhere). You have the craigslist killer, epic facebook stalkers, bad IM etiquette, crazy youtube videos, wikileaks, etc., etc., etc.

But there is good there too. A commenter called gingatao wrote in the comments of this post,

I think a great realisation of our complete interdependence is a result of spending time on the web. That interdependence is a fact in the real world, no one can survive in isolation. The internet makes collaboration so much easier, the world is experiencing an explosion of creativity. (emphasis added)

And this is true. We are connected, and that's not bad. I can talk to my brothers in real-time from thousands of miles away; I kept up with friends and family while I was in Europe this summer; I can connect to people all over the world, liking pictures on instagram, trending topics on twitter, getting readers on blogs, finding tips on pinterest. In another post, "Social Technology is Transforming Our World," blogofinnocence references the many changes we've faced economically, claiming the recent economic downturn effected the old world while our new world is far better and more fulfilling than any office, five days a week, 9-5 job. In another post about global collectivism, they write that

Social media and Internet collectivity is changing the order of scoiety. We don't know the extent social media will overturn aspects of the traditional.   

But that's part of the suspense. There is no solution to this digital war. People are playing out the unknown, arguing about if that dark alley of distrust holds the secret to true happiness...or if the past with all its predictability is better. And who's to say, really? I use internet everyday; I can't imagine (or remember) a world without it. Backwards is never better.

So, hey, maybe Allen Grant had the right idea: let it play out, control-free. Step back and let life happen, monsters and all.

...we just won't talk about what happens in The Lost World. No need to be a downer.