Of Playthings and Puppets

My friend and coworker, Sean, asked me an interesting question today. He said, “Do you think the Internet does more good than bad?”

Honestly, I had a little trouble answering. Sure, the Internet has done some outstanding things for our civilization, particularly within the research and media industry. Whereas years ago, extensive library research was required for any type of in-depth reporting, a simple Google search could practically do exactly the same. Articles can then be posted to the Web immediately and be seen by millions across the globe.

It’s limitless information at your fingertips. Ingenious. Wonderful.

Yet the question is valid because the Internet has done as much harm as, or perhaps more than, good. Without even breaking the topic of online pornography (Actually, have any of you seen the latest episode of Family Guy? Resident pervert Quagmire displayed perhaps one of the most memorable scenes of Internet porn discovery ever seen on television) and the widespread purveyance of sex offenders, the Internet has led to increases in crime, particularly theft, impersonation and fraud. That isn’t to mention the massive effects instant access to news, statistics, and price comparisons has wrought on society.

But technology, particularly the Internet, is here to stay, so like any other massive change in the way we live, it must be adapted to no matter the consequences. Being only 23 years old, I’ve already seen far-reaching technological advances completely throw my world out of whack. Don’t believe me? Let’s look at a few examples (with handy dandy links for those who don’t know what the Hell I’m talking about!)

• The first family TV was a 23″ color floor model surrounded in faux wood complete with a remote affixed permanently with a thin wire.
• Our VCR came later, attached through the cable jack, and did not rewind the tape. For that, we had to have a separate Rewinder that sat atop the VCR.
• Around 8 PM, the channels “changed” between programs, and some even switched off around 11 PM, turning to a static screen or otherwise.
• Nintendo’s Entertainment System (NES) was my first video game console and originally hooked up to our second TV, a 13″ color screen. My first game was Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Arcade Game, a 2-D side-scroller more enjoyable than most games I’ve played since.
• We had one phone in the kitchen. It had a cord that stretched just far enough to sit down at the dining table. An answering machine, with tapes, was next to it.
• Our first stereo system could play only cassettes and records and had two speakers.
• The first upgrade was the stereo system, with the new one offering a CD player (just one disc). This was later expanded by a 5-Disc CD changer.
• After stabbing the family TV with scissors to find out what was inside, we had to buy a newer, larger one. This was 32″ and was quickly joined by my own 27″ screen.
• I remember buying my first cassette. And my first CD. My first MP3.
• Our first computer was a Gateway with a 17″ monitor (tube) and no memory whatsoever. The sound of a cheetah accompanied by a video of one running attracted me to it. The entry was from Encarta.
• I didn’t have a cell phone until high school. It had a monochrome screen and no options for a wallpaper, let alone a camera, MP3 player, and whatever else is offered in phones today.
• My first DVD player was the PS2, my first Blu-Ray player the PS3. My iPod is a fourth gen, amazingly still works, and shows lovely pictures in full color.
• I finally have a car with keyless entry. Oh, what a wonderful thing.

Those are only some of the examples I can think of off the top of my head, an evolutionary overview of the technology I’ve owned. It amazes me to think, like I’ve done with black and white TVs, 8-Track tapes, turn-dial phones, etc., my children will look back at the technology we considered so advanced at the time and think it nothing more than a relic. They will find them at flea markets and tag sales, throw them into piles of junk when we die, and read about them in textbooks.

Of course, I’m without a doubt certain of this: technology will fail them just like it’s failed us. They will smash things, they will throw them against the wall, wonder why the batteries aren’t working, deal with slowdown, and absolutely hate whatever it is they’re buying in twenty years time.

Though, I don’t think they’ll ever have to blow dust off of an NES cartridge. That’s just for us.

Seriously, why did that work so well?