NMA- blog 2

Discuss the reading by David Bell ‘Why Cyberculture’ (2007).

A few ideas for your discussions:

Bell uses the phrase ‘material storytelling’ (2007: 5) in discussing the relationships between us and technology. Do you feel that your relationship/history of interactions with technology could be presented in this way?

Much discussion surrounds the ‘digital divide’ (2007: 5-6). Find a definition for this. Bell suggests that in order to deal with ‘clusters of connotations’ in our material stories, we often are ‘invisibilizing those people on the “wrong side” of the digital divide’ (2007: 6). Agree/disagree?

The ‘digital divide’ is “the gulf between those who have ready access to computers and the Internet, and those who do not.” (http://oxforddictionaries.com ) The digital divide is definitely a tool that segregates the world into two groups, those who have access and are literate on a computer and everyone who does not have a computer or access. This is separating the world further as the poorer countries become less present and connected through the internet. I agree with Bell that “we often invisibilizing those people on the “wrong side” of the digital divide’ (2007: 6). Because they are not on the internet and we spend a considerable amount of time online and so many things are available on the internet, we put those not connected in the shadow. Not being online leaves you out of an entire different world of connection and information. The web allows us to share culture, experiences, information and ideas global instantly. This allows us to learn and experience things that we never could of instantly. Humans are continuing to develop faster due to the availability of information, those not able to experience this are being left behind.