The Virtual Revolution Episode 4

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

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	-Individuals check their phone around 58 times a day. – Kids from 8-10 spend 6 hours on their screen a day, 11-14 spend 9 hours, 15-18 spend 7.5 hours – Facebook is the most used social media platform with 2.93 Billion using it. – Spend an average of 5 years and 4 months of our lives on social media – 5.07 Billion internet users – 16 million new members joined netflix during the pandemic
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	Shirky argues that audience behaviour has changed from passive consumption to an interactive experience with the products and others.
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