A smaller world...

By Anna V.

In her talk about her book, “It’s Complicated”, danah boyd mentions her introduction to the internet. https://youtu.be/9QKq15WyGkA?si=SN3bbZd82uqucVdH

When she described the “hideous sound” her brother’s computer made when it connected to the phone line, I thought, Oh! I know that sound! 

In my case, it was my Dad who worked with computers, so I watched with fascination as we connected to the internet.  For my family, the internet and social media meant being able to connect to family in other parts of the world.  It removed the waiting for the landline to ring so we could chat, and (thankfully) took away that same landline ringing at 2 A.M. (That’s time differences for you!)

At this point, we have social media apps on our phones, and it makes connecting almost an instant process.  In fact, I was messaging with my cousin just this morning.  It’s pretty remarkable how much this technology has changed since I was sitting with my Dad, learning to use the computer.  The world really does feel smaller. 

Here’s what The Evening Standard  has to say about it:

https://www.standard.co.uk/futurelondon/skills/whatsapp-viber-facebook-windows-live-google-talk-google-hangouts-instagram-snapchat-a4142736.html

Comments

  1. Ellen DooleySeptember 12, 2023 at 8:49 PM

    Most of my husband's family lives in Argentina, where WhatsAp was immediately popular when it came out because people could message without incurring text or phone charges. We were all very grateful for that and for our daughter not needing a separate phoen account for when she was in Spain last year. It does make for a smaller world! The Standard article touched on the importance of keeping elders in that world, but having worked with them in a professional setting and witnessing what my mom goes through trying to connect with technology, it makes me wonder how access could be made easier for them. I admire the many libraries that offer tech programs for the public, but the best approach would be to make home visits and leave instructions. I hope someone comes up with something technically sophisticated to help bridge that gap, as I haven't gotten far in all my thinking about it!

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