A few years back my family bought my 80 year old grandfather a computer; he'd never used one before, and when he received the gift - in spite of all our encouragement and joyful faces - he refused to take it. He wanted nothing to do with a computer, or any sort of technology more complex than a television.
Part of me found this highly odd at the time, especially living in an era of such constant and impressive technological advancements. 'Why wouldn't you want to try something that the current generation is so fond of?' I thought to myself.
But recently, after reading a curious science fiction novel, I found myself sympathetic to my grandfathers views.
In the novel (The light of other days, by Arthur C. Clark and Stephen Baxter) a method of looking into the past is discovered. Not time travel, but an actual window into time. Now, initially this sounds like an amazing discovery; we can establish truths in a muddy history, watch the rise and fall of dinosaurs and dynasties, view pinnacle moments in our past.
And then the reality hits you.
You can view anything from the past.
Anytime, anywhere. You know what this means? It means if your neighbour is a pervert, he can watch when you undressed last night. Rabid fans could watch their favorite stars make love. Every single embarrassing and personal moment of your life is available to anyone with the inclination.
So wrap your head around that - the fact you're potentially always being watched. The people in the novel couldn't handle it. The paranoia pushed some so far as to live completely covered/hidden/in the dark. But then there were those who embraced it; made houses out of glass and walked around naked - no point hiding anything at this point, right?
The thing is though, the children born to that generation were raised knowing nothing but that kind of world, where everything is watched. They grew up without shame or embarrassment, uncaring of wandering eyes or the judgement of older generations. (Which is truly how I'd imagine the world should be). They didn't understand why their elders were so self-conscious.
When I think of the future, and attempt to theorize the crazy technological advancements we'll make, I like to think I'd be open to it all; being born in a time of constant change probably helps. But this book struck a chord with me... Even attempting to be open minded, I'm not sure how I'd cope with living in a world like that - where everyone could see everything you do and have done. It'd be such a drastic change from the life I have now.
Anyway, long story short, it got me thinking; is there some sort of technological advancement or a great change the next generation is simply born into, that you don't think you could come to terms with or accept?
Be it something as widely detailed as cybernetics; humans being implanted with technology used to enhance or correct the body (yay for Deus Ex!) - to virtual reality hubs that allow us to explore the world safely, removing the inclination to actually go outside and see things for ourselves.
Part of me found this highly odd at the time, especially living in an era of such constant and impressive technological advancements. 'Why wouldn't you want to try something that the current generation is so fond of?' I thought to myself.
But recently, after reading a curious science fiction novel, I found myself sympathetic to my grandfathers views.
In the novel (The light of other days, by Arthur C. Clark and Stephen Baxter) a method of looking into the past is discovered. Not time travel, but an actual window into time. Now, initially this sounds like an amazing discovery; we can establish truths in a muddy history, watch the rise and fall of dinosaurs and dynasties, view pinnacle moments in our past.
And then the reality hits you.
You can view anything from the past.
Anytime, anywhere. You know what this means? It means if your neighbour is a pervert, he can watch when you undressed last night. Rabid fans could watch their favorite stars make love. Every single embarrassing and personal moment of your life is available to anyone with the inclination.
So wrap your head around that - the fact you're potentially always being watched. The people in the novel couldn't handle it. The paranoia pushed some so far as to live completely covered/hidden/in the dark. But then there were those who embraced it; made houses out of glass and walked around naked - no point hiding anything at this point, right?
The thing is though, the children born to that generation were raised knowing nothing but that kind of world, where everything is watched. They grew up without shame or embarrassment, uncaring of wandering eyes or the judgement of older generations. (Which is truly how I'd imagine the world should be). They didn't understand why their elders were so self-conscious.
When I think of the future, and attempt to theorize the crazy technological advancements we'll make, I like to think I'd be open to it all; being born in a time of constant change probably helps. But this book struck a chord with me... Even attempting to be open minded, I'm not sure how I'd cope with living in a world like that - where everyone could see everything you do and have done. It'd be such a drastic change from the life I have now.
Anyway, long story short, it got me thinking; is there some sort of technological advancement or a great change the next generation is simply born into, that you don't think you could come to terms with or accept?
Be it something as widely detailed as cybernetics; humans being implanted with technology used to enhance or correct the body (yay for Deus Ex!) - to virtual reality hubs that allow us to explore the world safely, removing the inclination to actually go outside and see things for ourselves.
