Text of Essay:
People have always dreamt about the future. From biblical prophecies to modern day predictions, we’ve looked forward to what incredible advances the future will hold, to a day and age that improves upon the present. Whether or not we are continually moving in a positive direction is hard to say, but throughout recorded history there have certainly been some major improvements. With each passing generation, the world seemingly becomes more connected and aware of the challenges it has yet to overcome. The advent of the internet and new media have especially accelerated that process. What does the future look like for us? The modern age is advancing at an exponential rate, and although there is still much to overcome, history and current trends seem to suggest that we could use new media and technological advancements as the primary tool to solve the major problems of this century.
A major advancement that has come of the information age is globalization. People across the world are able to communicate far more freely, both as groups and as individuals, thanks to internet forums, online gaming, and social media sites such as Reddit or Facebook. This increased communication has made the world feel small. Greater communication has the capacity to build bridges across cultures and countries that would otherwise be impossible. An increase in communication can often prevent prevalent misunderstandings and misconceptions, such as the idea the people in other countries are radically different from one another. It can propel social change and awareness of social issues without being filtered by mainstream media PR machines. It can lead to greater unification, such as people changing facebook avatars and coming together online to “#PrayForParis” in response to the multiple terrorist attacks in 2015. Over the past several years, many discussions surrounding social issues have been propelled into public awareness and even pressed into public reform by being shared on social media. From LGBTQ rights to gun violence, people can immediately join the conversation and share information. Many voices that may not typically be heard can be shared through social media and step by step, globalization has the ability to lead toward greater unification. In these instances, public opinion is often able to shift and dominate and normalize issues that may have taken years to evolve otherwise.
Some of the issues born out of social media are complex and have not yet been peacefully resolved. Nevertheless, increased global awareness and open discussion can be considered a step forward, despite the occasional violent nature of the movement. For example, the unrest of Ferguson, MO in 2015 sparked a debate in the United States about the relationship between law enforcement and African Americans. This led to the #BlackLivesMatter movement and an increased exposure and exploration of the issue. A major component in the controversy surrounding Ferguson was its coverage. When people began to share their own accounts of what was really happening through social media, the world tuned in, and main media outlets began to change their rhetoric. New media has given other movements, such as those of the Arab Spring, the abilities and platforms to communicate, assemble, and revolt where they would not have been able to otherwise because of government control.
Of course, it is important to note that for every Arab Spring there is an ISIS, and that the development of this technology has not done away with hate groups or prejudices; in many cases it has also given them a voice and a manner in which to grow. New media has also accompanied a time of polarization, particularly in the political arena of the United States of America. We certainly are not more united than we’ve ever been. However, the opportunity is there to move past these problems, as are the tools, and we are slowly and surely making headway. History shows us a progression overall, and we can look at the United States as a case study. Racism is not gone, but we no longer have legal and institutionalized slavery. Misogyny still exists, but women are able to vote. Even if we typically take two steps forward and one step back, these tools of new media can help us in the right direction in the long run. As we continue to face social injustice and division, the advances of technology and connectivity will help continue to be a key tool in battling them.
Another key component of the information age is the education that is readily available. Over time, it is possible that people will begin to care less about cultural conflict as access to information allows prejudices and narrow views to slip away. This doesn’t mean that going on facebook will suddenly make a racist somehow less of a racist. But it does mean that over time, generationally, these ideas will become weaker. For example, it is not uncommon for children to have different accents from their parents and ones that are similar to their peers. More and more young people are “plugged in”, interacting with their peers online, and this type of globalization can eradicate more than just accents. As new generations spend more time on digital media than ever before, creating, exploring, sharing, and interacting, it is possible they will simply lose interest in the cultural battles of the past. Ideas of race, gender, and identity generally have evolved far more quickly because of the information age, and younger people propel these ideas by accepting them as normal. Their immersion within their own communities drown out antiquated ideas and beliefs, such as opposition to interracial marriage or that women shouldn’t be educated. If we continue these kind of trends socially and technologically, we may one day only be asking what we can do with so much information and entertainment, rather than spending time and energy telling each other what to do.
Obviously, the possibilities provided by new media are able to improve the quality of life. Many of the abilities we have now are convenient and even leisurely, such as having communication, personal data, schedules, internet access, and games all in one device. As more people benefit from increased technology and become more interconnected, perhaps they will want to share those developments with the rest of the world, friends who they’ve connected with across the globe. Perhaps online gamers will take an interest in the political climate of teammates in the Middle East, or friends on a forum will find solutions to wage inequality. This interconnectivity can allow people to invest in one another, and take an activist role in quality of life everywhere, as it has with groups such as the Harry Potter Alliance, largely organized online. If globalization and unification could help quality of life improve, less unrest and frustration would grow out of inequality and poverty.
Perhaps new forms of media and technology can solve these problems. Perhaps they’ll be the tool that eradicates the biggest issues facing us. It’s not unlikely. But even if they don’t prove their potential, it’s important to focus on the future, to envision a day of peace and prosperity. We’ve invented the impossible, so as we continue to dream up incredible innovations, perhaps we can eventually dream ourselves into that perfect age.
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