The Internet: Into the Future

For our presentation, the details of transhumanism and the Google Glass project really took me by surprise. The idea of transhumanism, that humans and machines will soon be so intertwined that it will be difficult to know the difference, is difficult to comprehend. At some point in the future (as soon as 2037 by some predictions) memories will be able to be stored. Massive hard drives will hold all your memories and your eyes can be used as security cameras. 

An iteration of this odd future is demonstrated by Google's Project Glass. This project is dedicated to creating augmented reality glasses like the ones shown above. The glasses integrate with all of your social media networks and act as a phone, computer, and camera. These seem like a futuristic device that would never gain real traction, but in fact, they are actually being made. Google is expected to release a product in 2014 and Microsoft is in the process of developing their rival device. Creepy, I know. 

Personally, I don't want my vision to be impaired every time someone writes on my Facebook wall. If people ever want to separate their real lives from their online networks, they better not buy these glasses.

Do They Care?

After watching Page One: Inside The New York Times, I got thinking about the way young people consume media today. The movie made a very good point of emphasizing the speed at which the print media industry is declining. Almost nobody who grew up with the Internet uses primarily print media. But I still think people care about traditional media. When I want more information on a news event, I instantly go to the New York Times website. While I know not everybody does the same, there is still quite a bit of trust and gravity that accompanies the name.

If I read a story in the Times, I do not doubt its validity, unlike other online sources without such a large reputation to uphold. On the Internet these days, it is not easy to ensure that an article is truthful. There are now quite a few satirical or even half-satirical news sites that appear very accurate at first. When I think of what would happen if the New York Times shut down, I would care a great deal. I would not know where to turn to in order to get reliable news from all over the world. I am not sure if the rest of my generation agrees, but I can safely say that I will support the New York Times until its dying day.

Anthony Giddens and the Reflexive Self

In class the other day, we discussed Anthony Giddens' idea of the "reflexive self." This idea is that the self is not simply a static being created by genes; it is something malleable and improvable. I find this idea very applicable to my own life. I have always believed heavily in self-improvement, and that people can reflect upon their actions and use that reflection as a tool for the future.

These days more than ever, it is possible to reflect on one's self. If you look at your Facebook timeline, you can trace your entire presence on Facebook, down to every single like, post, or status update. From the moment you created a profile, you've been tracked, and now you can reflect on your actions.

Also, now, with liberal arts degrees, it has become easier and easier to change career paths multiple times throughout your lifetime. With self-reflection, people often find themselves wanting more, and in this day and age, it is often very doable to get what they are looking for.

Take Aways From Class

Last class, we talked about the panopticon, synopticon, and their relation to the world today regarding the Internet and television. I took away a few interesting tidbits that I'll share with you here.

1. It is frightening how (like the panopticon) so few watch so many when it comes to the Internet. While some consider it empowering to the many, it is also mind-boggling how closely the many can be watched. But, most people should have no fear of being watched, because there may be no reason to watch them. 

2. I had never compared this type of structure to the plague in Europe before, but it really makes a great deal of sense. In fact, the same idea can be compared to many large group, collective happenings. Protests are an activity that often attempts to go against the few watching the many ideal. 

Got any other examples?

The Danish Swoosh

Danish hair is magical. It reaches heights that no other hair has even dreamed of. I kid you not, almost every young Danish man has a hairstyle like the one above, or with even more gel, sticking it up even higher. The typical Dane also has the sides of his head shaved very short, leaving most of the hair on top of his head. While this style could be considered popular back in the States as well, it is almost the only option here. Would you opt for this cut?

Hilsen

When I arrived in Copenhagen, I signed up for a visiting family. That means that a Danish family will have me over for dinner, or other activities a few times during the semester. The other day, I was contacted by the mother in the family. She wrote that they would love to have me over for dinner this week and was very welcoming. She signed the letter:

''Sincerely/ Hilsen Helle''

Merely thinking that the '/' was a mistake, I assumed her name to be Hilsen Helle. Not too weird right? So I wrote back: ''Hello Hilsen,'' and so on. As it turns out, her name is Helle. 'Hilsen' means 'sincerely' in Danish! So I had said ''Hello sincerely.'' Great start to my Danish language adventures. . .

Above The Law

At first, Danes and Americans can often appear very similar. Danes in fact speak English very well, often with little or no accent. But when you approach an intersection, the first differences appear. The walk sign is on and everybody walks. Sounds normal right? But then the light turns red, and everybody (and I mean everybody) stops. The Danes do not believe in jaywalking, even if there are no cars in sight. According to guidebooks, if you walk on red you appear cocky, or above the law. That might take some serious getting used to for New Yorkers, who notoriously walk whenever they want, but in a way, it adds some nice order to the big bustling city that is Copenhagen. Do you jaywalk at home? Or do you prefer to follow the rules and wait?