After reading the article ‘Say Everything’, it sounded very futuristic at some level- and at the same pace glimpsed Post-modernism or probably an ‘ism’ of its own choice(the Internet’s) considering the protruding generation gap. I think it was quite sensible to the fact that online activities, social networking, practically anything everything we do on the Internet has enforced a new sense of identity in us or deepened the meaning of ‘self’. The fragments that we have of us on various different sites becomes additive to the turbulence of who we are, in some way then Internet is a medium of self expression and recurrence. This also reminds me to an article I had read about visual expression in Digital contexts specially via social websites such as Facebook, Myspace and so on. Taking the example of Kitty discussed in the begining of the article ‘Say Everything’, she was who she was much because of the Internet considering her stories in accordance with her life. Just like many of us, she has also possibly faced the phase of life prior to when the Internet and Computers were brought into market. But still our primes of childhood were almost quite with it.
So it is difficult to parallel our emotions and understandings completely with our previous generations, because I agree as also the author says, we have grown up with this world - gadgets, technology, computers, media and so on. I feel their influences are major contributions to how we are who we are. And I am on the bright side with the influx of Internet I think it is one of human wonders with technology. It has furthered the meaning to human life and also in some way of how we exist. As I always say with this advent in technology we cant be surprised to see brighter wonders - hopefully not blunders.
Although for the sake of balance to the arguement, the blunderous side of the Internet as an entity and so simultaneously the world of technology, there are people who are against it- who think harming is gaining joy. I cant list a set of bad activities that persist on the Internet but if according to ones clear conscience, self awareness and principles, if one thinks that their relationship with the medium is proper(or according to them is) I’d say let be.All we can do is protect, be aware and have fun. People always come to realizations( something I have learnt very crucial about human existence) so lets hope, the harmers awaken to their illuminations, transforming their root of connections and setting the Internet freer.
Getting to the discussion of privacy, online sharing and similar issues, as long as I know what I am putting up there, importantly being clear to my conscience and intention then whatever I put up on the net has meaning. I see it as a place for connection, sharing, entertainment, creativity.Over years privacy issues have also depleted taking in consideration the openness of the online environment and multiplying free thinking individuals.
I feel at the end it all comes down to the fact on how one sees their self, individually and collectively. What one intends to do with their self, if one thinks posting naked pictures of themselves is okay and fine with them then why not? Privacy issues are not as pertinent as before and depleting over years, it seems, so again its individual conceivance of the medium, ones choice of behaviour and indulgence.
