Isolated in a web of one. That was the punchline to an article on TED this week. It explores the idea that our main internet search engines and social media connectors are so focused on keeping us entertained and thus continually using their services, that what we SEE, despite what we SEARCH, is becoming too one-dimensional. Instead of cutting through the infinite mass of information available, these companies are really just limiting our exposure to new ideas and thoughts and opinions.
Have you ever noticed a certain friend has dropped off your FB feed, so you think about them and go look on their profile page. And that they had been posting all along? Or when using Google, no matter what word choices you try typing in, you don’t see the same results as when you switch over to BING?
Now I subscribe to the theory that if I don’t know about it, how can I be interested in it? But is it really wise to rely on a corporation to help me be a well-rounded person? Does Google prevent me from receiving both the New York Post and People Magazine if I want them? Does my missing friend on my FB feed mean I don’t see a billboard for the same Ballet that she would have tweeted about?
While I truly get the heart of this article, and the authors plea to show us a choice- give us more information and to stop thinking for us-these companies are in the business of pleasing. Bore me, and I won’t log in. No logging in, no advertisers. No revenue, then no company to begin with.
I am currently immersed in the frustrating field of Twitter- desperately trying to figure out this business tool and I don’t like it. I am valuing the idea of why I have been asked to incorporate use it, but trust me. I would never log in otherwise right now. Little by little its growing on me as I figure out the codes, people, odd-looking symbols and short, cryptic postings. But its been work- not entertainment. The information I am gleaning is worth the aggravation. Twitter is letting you think for yourself what you want to see, search and read. It works off of realtime tweets if you punch in a topic. You can look at maps of “trending topics in your area” then chose to jump in. These topics aren’t always my speed. But atleast the variety is there. But the convenience is not.
In the end I think it’s an interesting topic to consider, and perhaps we all should act on. Find something totally out of your comfort zone that you can observe or participate in- then share it with your usual followers. Twart the system abit. If you don’t consider yourself politically minded- go to your local city council meeting and report on it. If sporting events aren’t your thing, find an event that isn’t mainstream and observe it. If you aren’t passionate about a cause, volunteer for 10 hours this month somewhere and let your friends know how it impacted you. If you have family in other countries share a favorite recipe. For me, my stretch would be actually turning ON that country music station. (as I shudder). My point is don’t go so big that you just never go at all. Lets not depend on a giant industry that revolves around profit and marketing to think for us. Lets depend on our friends, associates and neighbors whom we already know and value to enrich us. ASK THOSE LEADING QUESTIONS the next time instead of the standard “How are you?”
