Author: Bonnie Chan

“Long Live The Web”

I’ve spent some time thinking about open sourcing coding. The idea that everything coders do nowadays are shared worldwide and the idea that when I am creating code half of it comes from someone else. However, the reading reminded me that sharing on the Internet is more than just that. Individual privacy and freedom is often comprised as the Internet begins to grow larger and private companies take advantage. Its scary to think that the majority of the Web that is so vast and large is actually only managed by a few companies that control over everything. And to remind ourselves that everything that we do nowadays is online. Just thinking about my first week of China I’ve realized how much technology and the Internet has taken over our world. To think that we may have no control over all the information that we have shared with the world is terrifying. For individuals that are scared of where modern technology has taken us don’t even have a choice as to whether or not they would like to share their information. Our technology filled society has forced us to become immersed in the Web. Just think about the fact that some restaurants or stores only accept Alipay or WeChat Pay and have entirely eliminated the old fashioned use of cash. Not only that, but also how the Internet connects us to such a large network terrifies our society even more. Someone across the world could easily have access to your information with a click of a button. Something new and interesting to me was the thought that the Internet and the Web as separate entities. Since applications and web sites have required the use of the Internet for so long, all these factors have been mushed into one for me. However, to think that technology has evolved to the point where applications such as itunes is considered a separate entity has really surprised me. Separate private programs that are no possible means that the potential for technology has no limit – something that can be so powerful but also so malicious. 

“The Internet is Everywhere”

When I speak to my parents about web applications and the Internet, they simply scratch their head asking me if their photos were all backed up on the “Cloud” and how would it be possible to get them back. It was as if they saw technology as this god-like entity that had so much power over them. It made sense, something that was physically unseen, untouchable and yet could house all of the things they would ever need; they never would’ve imagined that was possible ten years ago and yet here we are. I’ve never took notice of the wires that line the roads or the large servers stored somewhere in the mystical world that powers everything that I use on a daily basis. But, for some reason technology didn’t seem as godly to me anymore. To think that a simple push of a button would be capable of turning off all the servers and websites online that I use every day is such a crazy thing to believe. Somehow, I suddenly feel like I still have power over the Internet (as Tim Berners-Lee has mentioned in his article the idea that the Internet is still very much under our control). As well as thinking back to when I would code and debug, I realized that technology is not as smart as we think. Instead, it is us – the creators – that make machines come to life. 

Its only been three days since I’ve arrived in Shanghai, but the use of QR codes and technology show a shocking similarity to the society described by Forester.  The experiences of the physical world through physical sensations will soon be nuances and disregarded elements of physical reality. The idea that text messages and phone calls now become mediums that strengthen the relationships between individuals rather than the physical experiences and memories that are made together. Our society has reached a point where pixels have replaced the presence of an individual and the basic societal norms pre-technology is now dismissed. The physical five senses that is the basis of memories and experiences is no longer needed. The imperfections of the world are no longer enjoyed. Instead, individuals prefer the beauty of a man made reality that will yield to any preferences they have. Curiosity and creativity that had fueled our society to progress at the fast pace it had will soon be diminished by the technology that is so readily available to us.

Our need to share perspectives and ideas will then become nonexistent as the Internet becomes a place where all information can be found. Information and arguments that are now given are often simply other’s thoughts taken from the Internet. Our own contributions to different perspectives are no longer made, as different physical experiences don’t create distinct individual memories that fuel each person’s unique opinions. The machine that has been a submissive aid will soon become the very thing individuals yield and accommodate for. We often forget that the basis of the universe and physical reality is comprised of the physical things that we disregard. Soon, our digital society will make us forget to take a look at the very things that had made the development of technology possible. A society that had been a hodgepodge of cultures and perspectives will soon transform into a monotonous society governed by machines. Would we still remember what it was like before technology if machines were to stop now..? Would our society come to a halt as we readjust ourselves and return to the roots of our world? Perhaps that is what we need in order to create a powerful collaboration between technology and physical reality in order to gain the most benefits from both sides of the spectrum.