These books don’t grow on tree’s you know… you can only get them through an app…
Today in the twenty first century where social interaction consists of ‘liking’ a friend’s status update and reading a publication requires the latest instalment of Flash, society appears to have reached a point where innovation and technological advancements no longer proceeds to astound, but more so alleviate individuals, as the introduction of new publication technologies are not only predictable, but have now also become a social expectation. As society inevitability progresses it is an underlying fact that technology in turn will advance and simultaneously reflect social change. However the concern is not within social progression itself, but society’s response to new publication technologies and how they influence our current socio-economic climate. Technological advancement is not by all means a negative thing, as it is usually created in relation to some form of human need or intention, and most often that not is always aimed at solving a problem or improving a pre-existing social situation in order to benefit society and improve it’s future (O'Neill, 2008, p. 3). However the introduction of new digital publications affect different people in different ways, as individuals have the power to appropriate, adapt and subvert technologies depending on their own purpose and agenda (O'Neill, 2008, p. 3). The issue is how new technologies are effecting and influencing individuals, and consequently shaping a new wave of social relations, as these new technological changes within publishing have the potential to create competitive opportunity, but at the same time they also have the power to create competitive problems (Tyson, 1997, p. 7).
As a product of Generation Y, I feel somewhat isolated in the fact that I do not share the same anticipation that the majority of my peers do towards the new release of the Apple iPad. While most people cannot wait to experience the new technology, the thought of its introduction into society actually leaves me feeling more disturbed than delighted. Maybe I am just the black vinyl among the mp4 file family and need to embrace our seemingly inevitable technologically saturated future. However, I cannot help but look past it’s seductively sleek and sophisticated exterior and into the potential long-term ramifications that such a product can have on our society. Although surprisingly, the people that I discussed the iPad with were somewhat cynical of the product, it was however not in relation to media convergence and the broader issues of digital publishing, but in relation to its actual relevance as a product. It appears that the iPad may actually be generating more publicity on its failing functionality, rather then that of it’s innovative reputation.
In the 19th century, the impact of mass-producing and the printing press had a profound effect upon the global society in that the wide distribution of information and ideas allowed greater accessibility of knowledge for individuals. The ability to print and document information was completely revolutionary not only in the sense that people now had the ability to access such information and form their own opinions, but also in the way that history and ideas were now able to be physically imprinted, saved, stored and preserved for the education of future generations. This brings us to the current issue of within publishing- the introduction of the iPad, and whether this new device is going to ‘save’ the printing industry, or conversely destroy it. However, the very nature of the book has now been destabilized, as new publication technologies such as e-readers and the iPad have not only eradicated the usage of books but also undermined their purpose, as books have now been reduced to redundant old objects with little relevance in today’s digitally enhanced world.
Today, the number of students who have NEVER borrowed a book from their university’s library is shocking, and quite frankly just sad. However, how are we to blame the individual for not utilizing library resources, when most publications are now available through online applications? How can we actively choose to resist new technologies, when they are not only completely immersed within our current environment, but that their existence is undeniably more convenient and accessible then often that of traditional forms? Today, individuals now find themselves engrossed amongst technology in nearly every aspect of my everyday life, as our pockets are filled with ever flowing data, bombarding us constantly with information that update, notify and digitize images through these multi-purpose devices (O'Neill, 2008, p. 1). Individuals are becoming relentlessly linked to such technologies, as they promote the notion of persistent connectivity and availability of content and contacts. With this ever flowing, over-powering flood of information, I find myself in fact resorting back to older, traditional forms of publishing such as reading actual books, collecting actual magazines and purchasing actual CD’s. So why is it that so many youth of our generation are becoming increasingly obsessed with everything ‘vintage’ and products from pre 2000? Is it because the notion of a tactile object in today’s digitalized sphere has suddenly instigated a longing to preserve traditional forms of publishing? Or that new publications such as the iPhone have now over-saturated the market and ironically tainted their status into something that is now ordinary and mainstream? This growing desire among the youth of 21st century in utilizing conventional modes of publishing has become increasingly emphasized through the collecting, preserving and protecting older physical forms. The desire to re-create and utilize forgotten publications reinforces the growing feeling of nostalgia present within 2010, as individuals are longing to preserve what has typically been overridden by technological advancements.
I believe that our growing nostalgia in traditional forms has been instigated by either one (or both of) two things. 1: Youth are just simply bored by the constant persistence and accessibility of new technologies, that they are now resorting to older forms to generate some feeling of entertainment, or 2: The overwhelming bombardment of new technologies is making individuals reject these forms and resort to more traditional modes of publishing in order to establish a sense of reverie and comfort found within familiar forms. For me, I choose to embrace older forms of publishing not only because I am bored with the mind-numbing new applications available to our generation, but I also want to collect these forms because I find comfort and pleasure in preserving the tactility of information that symbolizes our current culture. Do people store all their iPhone applications on a backup program in a hope that one day future generations can access them? No- because we know very well that the temporality of such technology will most likely not be compatible to with that of future innovations. It is this point alone that emphasizes the importance of conserving older modes of publishing such as journals, magazines and catalogues as it is ultimately preserving the history and knowledge of culture within a time of monumental socio-technological change.
As technology continues to advance and saturate society, individuals are becoming born into this increasingly digital world, however rather than being surrounded by such mediums, we are actually becoming immersed in the technologically enhanced environment. (O'Neill, 2008, p. 2). I couldn’t help but feel completely disturbed the other week when I read a status update posted by one of my contacts (who shall remain unknown for privacy and humiliation purposes) saying, “Facebook and iPhone you are both starting to bore me yet I still can't manage to put you down. Hmmmm”. The honestly within such a statement made me not only feel empathetic towards such a sad and pitiful existence, but more so ashamed, as I knew this statement not only summarized our current generation’s predicament, but also ironically my own. It was a painful realization that lingered in the back of my mind for the rest of that week. These words that appeared so seemingly innocent and lightly thrown, epitomized a much more sinister and overwhelming issue within today’s society- that we are now both inescapably dependent, yet undeniably bored with technology and it’s programs. As society has become immersed within this repetitious cycle, our demand for constant innovation increases and technology is undergoing more transformations than a chameleon in a colour crisis.
With technology becoming increasingly more sophisticated and entrenched within our social environment, our reliance grows stronger and stronger. As this process inevitability continues, individuals are becoming inured into the way in which our surroundings are being re-built, and we ultimately begin to take new modes of publishing for granted (O'Neill, 2008, p. 1). Through technology’s exponential advancement in the 20th century, the once new and exciting capabilities of publication technology now appears to be reduced to a somewhat mundane experience in the 21st century, as individuals in 2010 are becoming increasingly desensitized to new innovations. Like an addict who is forever and inevitability longing for their drug, I can’t help but contemplate whether society is really ever going to be satisfied by technology- as our increasingly fast turnover of products emphasizes not only the transience of new publications, but also questions the extend to which mankind’s relationship with technology will remain controllable.
BibliographyJenkins, H. (2006).
Convergence culture: where old and new media collide. New York: New York University Press.
Kirn, P. (2010, January 27).
How a great product can be bad news: Apple iPad and the closed Mac . Retrieved June 4, 2010, from Create Digital Music: http://createdigitalmusic.com/2010/01/27/how-a-great-product-can-be-bad-news-apple-ipad-and-the-closed-mac/
Ling, R. S., & Pedersen, P. E. (2005).
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O'Neill, S. (2008).
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Competition in the 21st century . CRC Press LLC.
So naturally, I got together with two of my favorite COFA girls- Adela & Laura (excluding Hannah, Gracie & of course Nicholas) and we thought it was only fair that we were finally able to see what all the fuss was about. Basically- the exhibition was a just a good excuse to flee Sydney, catch up, talk shit about art and go on a roadtrip!
To be honest, once I finally saw the Masterpieces exhibition I can't say that I was blown away. Yes it was great to actually see the iconic works, but the highlight for me was ironically the normal gallery collection. Being in the presence of work's by international artists such as Jackson Pollock, Andy Warhol, Ah Xian, William De Kooning, Marcel Duchamp, Mark Rothko, Salvador Dali & Lynda Benglis, as well as Australian artists such as Patricia Piccinini, Fiona Hall & Shayne Higson was by far the most exciting experience I had within the gallery. Maybe I'm just biased because I'm a product of the 21st century, but the Modern and Contemporary collections made the trip all the more worth it! AND I bought an amazing portrait of Nick Cave by Australian artist Howard Arkley that is now framed and hung in my bedroom- double bonus! :)
