Epilogue: Cyberspace

Epilogue: Cyberspace, Shmyberspace

“In the epilogue to this volume, he raises the most basic question of all- Do we actually need cyberspace technologies? Is there a problem that cyberspace is needed to solve? Postman suggests that the difficulties contemporary information technologies were meant to address were, in fact, resolved in the 19th century. Thus, we suffer from too much information and from empty simulations that take the place of genuine experience. Far from a dismissal, Postman reminds us that in fulfilling new functions, older, more important, ones may be ignored; in creating new forms, more traditional and satisfying ones may be forgotten; and that in generating new codes and meanings, we may become lost in a Babel-like sate of incoherence.”

Postman believes that the problem we faced in the 19th century was trying to increase the ability to communicate with people faster. He suggests that this problem was solved with inventions such as the telegraphy, photography, radio, movies, penny press, and more. He believes that “we have solved the problem of information scarcity” and should instead be trying to gain meaning in our lives. He goes on to state that “people who are enthusiastic about virtual reality machines” are those trying to escape the real world and are seeking friendships in a simulated world because they lack the social skills to make friends. Postman states that their real problem is “boringness, friendlessness, thoughtlessness.” This reminds me of Second Life and how people are using it to create an avatar in order to belong to a simulated world. The fabricated world created with the idea that they can escape the real world and create a fantasy one. This empty simulation is what Postman argues against. I don’t believe Postman is against new media, but rather is disheartened by what it has created.

Postman states that the “tie between information and human purpose has been severed.” In some ways I have to agree with Postman. Our generation has been inundated by information and new media and has been captivated so much as to say were trapped by new mediums. For example, so many people will rather text some one or write on their Facebook page rather than call a person. There’s an intimate connection lost when you text someone or use a social networking site that is present when you call someone. This relates to Postman’s suggestion that people continue to want to communicate information faster and have lost some meaning in doing so. Moreover, Postman states that “we must now turn to our poets, playwrights, composers, theologians, and artists, who, alone, can create or restore the narratives that will give a meaningful pattern to our lives. They are our weavers who can liberate us from cyberspace and put us back in the world.” Postman made a real bold statement because it’s difficult to entirely agree with him; I’m a bit torn between both ends of the spectrum. Although I feel that we have lost some meaning through the use of cyberspace, I don’t think that we need to liberate ourselves completely from it. Instead we should limit our use of cyberspace and try and gain a greater connection with the real world. However, Postman’s argument creates a skeptical outlook about the future. As we keep moving towards an increasingly technological and cyber world, will we be entrapped by it and are we going to need total liberation as Postman states? It’s definitely some worth thinking about.