Networked Media Production week 6

This week Michael talked about how being in one place at one time is a physical limitation, and how the internet can defy these physical limitations. For example: Using the internet to email, sending information to more than one place at the same time, which is considered a physical limitation especially if each recipient is in different locations around the world. Talking about how a book; hundreds of years ago was seen as an advanced piece of technology. But today is not really seen as technology that would be considered as somewhat advanced. Which brings me to ask, what can be considered as advanced technology? Is it the technology that we have now? A mobile phone nowadays has become so accustomed to our everyday belongings, something that we find useful, is not really seen as advanced technology when comparing it to the latest rocket ship or outer space satellite, but if you were to send a phone 200 years in the past, the reaction would be different. So is technology only advanced if we are not familiar with it? Or is it only advanced if it doesn't exist 'yet'? Sure NASA uses probably the most advanced equipment on the planet, but in 50-100 years, perhaps the technology they use can be modified and used by everyday people within their own backyards, where every kid on the block can build their own spaceship. When we talk about reality, yes the way we perceive it is heavily influenced by our culture, but 300 years ago, the internet let alone a mobile phone, is something that did not exist, therefore would not be seen as something you would consider to be real. Instead nature and physical surroundings would be the elements of reality. But what about today? It seems that the internet has it's own reality, and the reality in the outside world, is becoming less real than that of the internet (technology). Teenagers that get trapped in the reality of video games, this culture can influence how differently they would perceive what everyone else considers reality. To me the internet is a useful way to take advantage of the technology that has been founded 'for us'. Perhaps it's a world within reality, and the reality of it is, most of the time, depending on what it is you want to search, you're gonna find things on the internet that are useful, things you want, even things that you don't want. Internet being not so much a reality, but a useful piece of technology that can be used to defy physical limitations. If the internet and technology are playing bigger and bigger parts in our lives everyday, I wonder how beneficial it's going to be in many years to come. Watch Wall-E and you'll see where I'm coming from. Also have a look at this site - http://faculty.washington.edu/smcohen/320/cats320.htm - it's all about Ontology and Predication, two interesting topics that were raised in the lecture and sort of what I based my blog on for this week.