In the pandemonium that we call 'progress', humans are perhaps losing the ability to discern the depth of things. We are becoming so obsessed with getting 'results' that we compromise the very process leading to it! Ever wondered why reading books is becoming a lost cult ? Perhaps because 400 pages of mental scanning has become too time-consuming for the modern brain. A 'yes', 'no' or just a 'tick' could fetch more credit than well explained cogent answers. Individual research heavily relies on instant 'googling' rather than 'reading' fundamental work. Most of the times Google directs one to a more 'popular' document rather than a more 'accurate' document. The deviation though not certain, is highly probable. Hence, inaccurate research(which is worse than no research). Wikipedia, which is the most common source of information (even for someone genuinely researching a topic) is vulnerable to malicious misinformation. Anyone can 'edit' any topic in wiki and 'save' the change, to instantly make that (mis)information available to the world.
As the human race cruises on the Autobahn of time, the Human mind could be making its own adjustments to cope with the paucity of the same. The part of the human mind which chewed on books , memorized mathematical tables, drew topographical maps, recited verses could be the next rudimentary tail. Soon, holding the pen could stop becoming an involuntary process. Typing with 10 finger could become one. The desire to see and hear loved ones could be replaced by a time set actuator in an audio-visual gadget which automatically connects to a similar device on the other end. In such a world where things are becoming increasingly ephemeral, i wonder, if the art-of-forgetting will become an evolving trait of the human brain?
Will childhood memories be cherished, since they would only remind us of what's obsolete. Will friendship matter, since the circles of friends would only be crazy Venn diagrams of social networking websites? Will parents matter, since they would have only taught us what's 'value'less in the present? Will teachers who taught us subjects matter, because those subjects could become instantly pre-historic; besides, the Internet could teach us more with its 'plethorapedias'?
All progress comes at a price. Some prices outweigh the progress itself. The Little Boy and the Fat Man stand testimony to that. The Bhopal Gas Tragedy, The Gulf Oil Spill are all casualties of driving on the Autobahn. Sometimes it is prudent to slow down, just a bit.
Albert Einstein once said (after World War-II)
" I know not with what weapons World War-III will be fought, but World War-IV will be fought with sticks and stones "
Change could very well be the only thing that is constant. However, a thing constantly changing has a very high probability of returning where it started. Beware of the planet of the apes !
As the human race cruises on the Autobahn of time, the Human mind could be making its own adjustments to cope with the paucity of the same. The part of the human mind which chewed on books , memorized mathematical tables, drew topographical maps, recited verses could be the next rudimentary tail. Soon, holding the pen could stop becoming an involuntary process. Typing with 10 finger could become one. The desire to see and hear loved ones could be replaced by a time set actuator in an audio-visual gadget which automatically connects to a similar device on the other end. In such a world where things are becoming increasingly ephemeral, i wonder, if the art-of-forgetting will become an evolving trait of the human brain?
Will childhood memories be cherished, since they would only remind us of what's obsolete. Will friendship matter, since the circles of friends would only be crazy Venn diagrams of social networking websites? Will parents matter, since they would have only taught us what's 'value'less in the present? Will teachers who taught us subjects matter, because those subjects could become instantly pre-historic; besides, the Internet could teach us more with its 'plethorapedias'?
All progress comes at a price. Some prices outweigh the progress itself. The Little Boy and the Fat Man stand testimony to that. The Bhopal Gas Tragedy, The Gulf Oil Spill are all casualties of driving on the Autobahn. Sometimes it is prudent to slow down, just a bit.
Albert Einstein once said (after World War-II)
" I know not with what weapons World War-III will be fought, but World War-IV will be fought with sticks and stones "
Change could very well be the only thing that is constant. However, a thing constantly changing has a very high probability of returning where it started. Beware of the planet of the apes !
6 comments:
Why so grumpy gandpa!
You forgot to mention attention span. When I read books before the internet, 300-400 pages reading used to take about 2-3 hrs. But now, I have this uncontrollable urge to google for background information or to check the authenticity of every small detail while I'm reading. Webpages have links, links lead to 'related' topics.. and it goes on. Finally three hours later I realize I've read only 40-50 pages from the book, but my head is filled with all sorts of (un)related crap.
Other than this small rant, I love the internet. Finally I don't have to depend on someone for answers, I always know what to look for, where to look for, anytime of the day.
Before the internet came along, my sources of information were random books, teachers and parents. Judging by the tone of the post, you might disagree but internet beats them all. Except maybe books.
My teachers and parents were not very encouraging when it came to questions. Because saying 'I don't know' was not an option. I don't blame them but, they'd get really defensive when it came close to saying those three words. Google on the other hand does not feel the same way ;)
Tell me something, how many times did you read something on wiki and say - ok, this is wrong! ?
For me, the answer is never. But even if you did consider the percentage of number of visits to incorrect/unsatisfactory results, the results are impressive.
In my opinion our age group has had the advantage of both worlds. Years of school without computers with education which was based on pure recollection and repetition. And then came computers, information overload and everything that you pointed. We did learn to write long before we could type. We had no other choice, but I guess it was the right thing to do.
PS - I did not know what Autobahn meant. Wiki rocks.
Very well narrated...
I understand that change can be very dis-consorting, but I am ok with it... its after all the natural course of life ..... as far as the internet goes, it can never replace books, but it can definitely complement them... i find it very handy to read to up on the author, the reviews etc soon after i finish a book... but i do know the pleasure of reading an actual book too.. i guess the current readers will have to come up with something like "the right reading" !!!!
good one saptu!!!
A whiff of Fresh Air.Nice to see that you are back on the track and 'ink'has again started flowing through the 'nib'of your pen-Keep a firm grip.
I concurr with your views.Never there was and Ever there will be any "Toll-Free" high way ride to the realm of knowledge.Any short-cut route with the help of electronic gadgets is bound to lead to maze and quag-mire of virtual and superficial knowledge.How many people known to us,including our children and grandchildren,who do not start the day without browsing 'Yahoo'have bothered to know its umbilical link with Jonathan Swift?
Stay away from 451degreeF and read as many Good Books as you can.'On The Choice Of Books'by Carlyle can still serve as the 'Light House'to navigate you to the right book.
"In an abundant society where people have Lap-Tops,CellPhones,I-Pods and minds like empty rooms,I Still plod along with Books".No better pass-word can be there for you.Signing off with A BOW TO MADAM HERPER LEE.
Internet is definitely revolutionizing the whole thought process...but people who love to read books always will...change is good...depends how u r accepting it ...
good thought and very well-written !!!
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