Too fast too furious

· by · in DIGC202. ·

“For most of us over the ages of 40, there is no cyberspace, even if there is an Internet […] But for our kids, cyberspace is increasingly their second life. There are millions who spend hundred of hours a month in the alternative world of space.”
(Closs 2011, “Four Puzzles of Cyberspace”)

When I went through these sentences, I suddenly realised that it’s describing me. This is exactly me, sitting hours in front of the laptop surfing the Internet. Okay, I can sophisticate that’s because of my degree’s characteristic, but who can tell I wouldn’t stick my eyes to the screen if I’m doing other degree?

This isn’t true to only me, it’s true to the vast of the current population. Cyberspace was and still spreading faster than cell phone. Have a seat, these are what I thank are the reason for it:

  • Speed. No one can deny its speed. It can be said to be the fastest means of communication. Flying back to the old days, we had to wait for days (probably for weeks) to get a mail from the other side of the sea. The emergence of email (or electronic mail) has brought the communication process to a new level. There’s no need of mailman or days waiting, distant communication can be done in minutes.
  • But speed is not everything. Just so you know, when the first trans – Atlantic cable was introduced in 1938, it takes $100 for a message of 10 words (8 words per minute). So if we keep using that method, it would take $1470 for a 10-word-message. Meanwhile, how much do you have to pay for a 500-word email?

Email is just a simple example for the widespreadness of cyberspace. From the first commercial telegraph in 1837, to the use of Morse code in telegraph since 1838, to the introduction of the Internet, humans have been through a huge step in communication technology. There is not only email, but there are also social networks, , blogs, games, etc. Cyberspace is getting closer and closer to real life. Born and raised in the era of the Internet, I am very keen on living a virtual life. There were times, I spent 12 hours a day on Facebook.

And finally, have you watched the movie Warcraft?

 

  • Closs 2011, “Four puzzles from cyberspace”, Social Text
  • Mitew 2014, “A global nervous system”, lecture slides, University of Wollongong

 

 

 

2 responses to “Too fast too furious”

  1. While I agree that email is a huge part of the internet, I must question whether it is a valuable ‘cyberspace’ experience. In “Four Puzzles of Cyberspace”, Closs (2011) defines cyberspace as something more than a google search or an email inbox that needs checking occasionally. “Cyberspace is something you get pulled “into,” perhaps by the intimacy of instant message chat or the intricacy of “MMOGs”). Based on your opening statement, I believe that you do engage with cyberspace, simply because you get lost in the ether of the internet, perhaps an emphasis on social media (fFacebook messenger or snapchat perhaps) would have been a better example to use when discussing cyberspace while focusing on its communication. Snapchat for examples fits that context well as it creates a sense of anticipation when checking the short pictures in inboxes, prompting instant replies, and creating a sense of belonging to the experiences of those around us.

    Relating the readings and the topic of the week to your own personal experiences was a great way to engage the reader and give some context as to where your background of understanding fits into the topic. Just a few constructive criticisms re: post structure: Make sure that when listing points you follow a similar structure. Your first point is clearly labelled ‘Speed’, however when you move onto your second point, instead of clearly labelling it ‘cost’, you start to tangent a bit before coming to the actual issue. I’d also suggest you hyperlink to further research and the things you are referencing (ie the cost in the context of 2013 for sending the 10 word messages could be attributed to a specific lecture YouTube video).

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