Monday, February 12, 2007

Chapters 7-8

The final chapters in Smart Mobs made me re-examine what are society considers powerful or "in control." Children in our society are raised to believe that the government is not only the highest authority, but it is the most well organized and, as a result, powerful structure in the world. Of course at this time we are young and impressionable and are under heavy influence within the school systems to conform. It doesn't take long for us to learn that the government, like our parents, is an authority to be challenged. However, I still think that this notion of an all-powerful central, rule-based government stays with us. Some of us still believe, despite our own best judgement, that the government is something much bigger than us, and they will always have control.

It was amazing to me to read of the organization of the people within Smart Mobs in opposition to the government. They were successful. It occured to me that, we the people, are much bigger than the government. If we find ways in which to band together for a cause we believe strongly in, the government will have no choice but to listen. Working with eachother using these new forms of communication technology is a world-altering development. Not only are tehnologies changing the way in which we communicate on a day to day basis with eachother, they are changing the way we wage war. With these new developments, "democracy" will surely take on a whole new meaning; one much more reflective of its true idealic definition. Smart Mobs proves that strength comes in numbers, knowledge, and cooperation. "...the emergent capabilities of decentralized self-organization can be surprisingly intelligent (pg. 177)."
The comparison of these new forms of rebellion using communication technology to groups of animals, such as fish, that work together for protection was perfectly representative and pleasantly unexpected. I found it ironic that while discussing the developments in the latest technologies we have developmed, we were being compared to animals. We think of ourselves as the most intelligent specious on the earth, but maybe we are no more intelligent than other species using their innate knowledge and tools to survive in the world. These technologies are not talking away from our capabilities as humans beings, they are augmenting them.

The final chapter, however, was cautionary for the right reasons. "Every rose has its thorn." As cliche and over used as this analogy may be, it is the truth. If we are willing to embrace the positive attributes technology will bring to our lives, we must also be willing to defend ourselves against its possible negative effects. If we did not question, we would not see progress. If we did not examine technologies harmful effects, we could not take steps to avert them. Rheingold would not provide us with a book that takes us to so many different places, speaks with so many different people, and brings to light so many different viewpoints (the Amish are even quoted briefly) if he wanted us to believe, like many do, that only good can come of technological development. We most be open minded, in all aspects, in order to be sure we are making the best decisions for ourselves, our families, our communities, and our society. My favorite aspect of this book is this fact. He encourages us to understand technology rather than simply accept it. He provides us with a hearty knowledge base to cultivate our own opinions and make our own decisions. Ignorance is not bliss. This can be applied to both sides of the coin. No good will come of turning a blind-eye to technology, however, no good will come of accepting it with open arms. We must find a healthy middle ground, and I think Rheingold has done just that.

1 comment:

Alex Reid said...

Lizzi, I think you've really hit upon a primary message of this text when you note that Rheingold is not acting as some kind of cheerleader for technology but neither is he spinning some tale of doom either.

I don't know if I'd call it a "middle road," between those two, equally useless positions, but you're right that he is arguing for the importance of understanding how technologies function and engaging in the cultural processes surrounding them.