“Man the food-gatherer reappears incongruously as information-gatherer.”
Modern methods of communication, whether intentionally or not, seem to be quickly zeroing in on optimal ways to reward users. Corporate techniques like instant gratification and reward loops are not secrets, nor are they problematic in the eyes of users who wish for such norms to stay. Paralleling this, in its quest to understand the universe, science has been constantly expanding humanity’s capability of gathering, storing, and sharing information, with no signs of stopping. This scientific hunger for answers gives rise to technological advancements in information technology, which result in easier, novel means of communication and media consumption.
I find it hard to imagine that such a cyclical relationship between information, technology, and communication could ever wind down until it’s been satisfied. In his book The Information, James Gleick mentions that “we have information fatigue, anxiety, and glut” and that “every new medium transforms the nature of human thought” (11, 12). Taking into account the world’s rapid progress since the invention of transistors, and the negligible amount of time we’ve spent in the “Information Era” compared to the rest of human history, it’s slightly worrying to think about the unforeseen consequences of our new toys. Collectively and individually, how we manage our digital “hygiene” and presence could affect many aspects of our lives going forward.
On a more positive note, there are more options available with digital communication than ever before. It’s possible to practice some self-restraint, go fully digital, or live like it’s the 1960s. On the one hand, the constant exposure and easy access does draw people away from personal, tactile moments; or even from cultural inventiveness like the shift from the African talking drum to cellphones. On the other hand, a family like mine, spread across multiple continents, can set up a video chat in seconds. To me, it’s a matter of finding the right balance and using a communication medium when I truly need it. I don’t see the switch to digital communication as a deathblow to the concept of the talking drum, but as yet another addition to a long list of platforms, each with their own pros and cons, and each existing only as needed based on our demands as users (which, to be expected, are constantly evolving).