Alex Krotoski: The Virtual Revolution

Consider a future device . . . which is mechanized so that it may be consulted with exceeding speed and flexibility. It is an enlarged intimate supplement to his memory.”

VANNEVAR BUSH, THE ATLANTIC MAGAZINE, JULY 1945

Many ideas and approaches to these ideas can be found in the work by Alex Krotoski, so a useful starting point would be to look at an episode of her series The Virtual Revolution. For example, she looks at the pioneering work of Vannevar Bush – ‘As we may Think‘ (1945) that describes a memory machine that would make knowledge (and thereby understanding?) more accessible.

The idea of how our minds process information is interesting, with the suggestion that we do not think in a linear or sequential way, but associatively and sensorily, so that information is linked to patterns, consequences, almost like nodes of hyperlinked information. Does this mean that we are superficial? That we can only read with short term memories? Does it suggest that we have breadth rather than depth of knowledge? And how are our own neurological pathways similar to the neural networks of the new media? Are computers super-human beings or just processors? A useful discussion on this topic is provided in THE DIGITAL APE, a book which re-considers our relationship with new media technology and in particular with Artificial Intelligence.

Krotoski also looks at the network effect, ‘the constant loop of digital information’ (Krotoski), which create a loop of action/reaction which allows for (companies to predict?) future action. This is an important concept for understanding how and why business masquerade their operations as personal interactions, which often appear to be ‘free’, but which can actually generate great reward. So the transaction is not based on monetary exchange but is the release of data. Many now argue that this relationship needs to be recognised and reorganised so that we are all able to maintain rights to our own data.

Summary table for The Virtual Revolution episode 4

TOPIC	NOTE / COMMENT
The Printing Press (Gutenburg) in the Medieval period mid 1400’s	the impact of new technology
Impact of new technology in South Korea as a result of promoting greater digital interaction (speed, connectivity, spread etc)	mental health internet addiction? Choices made? ‘A world without consequences’ ‘Senses over meaning’
On-line / digital connection stats	8 hours 31 mins daily screen useage for teenagers Facebook most used media social media 2.93 Billion 5 years 4 months average lifetime on social 4.9 billion social media users 5.07 internet users worldwide 16 million new members Netfilx in pandemic China most 1,021 million, India 750 million, USA 302 million social media useage USA checking phones 344 times a day once every 4 minutes 15-16 year olds increased chance of developing ADHD from high digital media use (medical news today) 2021 average daily use internet 415.5 minutes per day = 7 hours South Africa 607 minutes per day / over 10 hours ’24 hour movement guidelines’ 2018 self help site recommend 2 hours max on line student B (media studies 2022) 1,250 hours of Spotify in 2022 20-29 largest demographic user of social media (Data Reportal) 2021 report that Jersey is number 1 (global) for internet speed and connectivity
Theodore Vail	The Network effect
Norbert Weiner Loop Theory	Loop Theory – predictive behaviour But is behaviour shaped and altered through networking and digital communications (pushing / pulling) Issues around privacy and individual psychology (mental health / wellbeing) and the environment Virtual worlds / virtual identities (hypperreality, simulation, implosion – Jean Baudrillard) (Judith Butler ‘gender performance / David Gauntlett, Anthony Giddens etc ‘fluid & multiple identities’ The
Robin Dunbar – The Dunbar Number	The Dunbar number suggests that connectivity for individuals, communities or groups is typically 5 o 6, with an upper limit of 150. So who benefits from greater connectivity? Companies, organisations, institutions – ‘small elites dominate’ (Andrew Kean)
Clay Shirky
Vannavar Bush	associative not linear thinking the demise of long form reading So changing rules for logic, rationality, truth, understanding, knowledge. Baudrillard implosion (a culture imploding in on itself rather than expanding and developing?)
Tim Berners–Lee	the inventor / creator of the World Wide Web – developed and given to everybody for free?!! Why? What did he hope it would achieve? Is he satisfied or disappointed with how it has developed and made an impact on society?
Marshall McLuhan	The Global Village – ‘a sophisticated interactive culture’
	The impact on political and economic decision making
Conclusions, suggestions, reflections and predictions