We are living in a ‘digital age’. It is now virtually impossible to go about one’s day without running into ‘digital technology’ in one form or another. In 21st century Brit- ain, you can find personal computers every- where: offices, schools, libraries... you name it. Almost everyone I know; myself included, has their own personal mobile phone that relies on digital ‘technology’; consequently, a wealth of information is readily available at the touch of a button. Moreover, with the rise of popular ‘social-networking’ websites like Twitter and the Facebook, it seems as if we have truly gone ‘computer mad’. But is the ‘digital age’ a good thing? Or is it actually a bad thing?
Indulge me, if you will, with a little thought experiment; I am currently sitting in my bedroom in London, England. However, at the very same time, I am chatting with my friend Geoffrey in Los Angeles, America; 1 can see his face as if he was in front of me and his voice is crystal clear. How can this be? Have I lost my mind? No, my mind is fine! Believe it or not, the answer to this seemingly impossible situation lies in the ‘digital age’ - at the touch of a button, I am able to have ‘video-calls’ with anyone, anywhere on the planet.
“It’s all very well being able to chat to your friends, Carlton!” I hear you chortle, “but is this ‘digital age’ actually good for any- thing else?” For you, I have two words: Arab Spring. Did you know that ‘social-network- ing’ played a massive role in the Arab upris- ings against dictatorships that happened last spring? Ordinary citizens were empowered by “Twitter" to provide the locations for dem- onstrations. Ordinary citizens were empow- ered by “YouTube' to broadcast footage of government brutality. Ordinary citizens were empowered by ‘Bebo’ to connect with other revolutionaries. With the touch of a button, the ‘digital age” has brought democracy to the Middle-East.
“This ‘digital age’ sounds great!” I hear you chuckle, “but are there any drawbacks we should be aware of?”. Unfortu- nately, the answer is yes. Thanks to the digital age, paedophiles are now able to access depraved and disgusting images at a touch of a button. Whereas during the analogue era, they were forced to draw sick images of children on paper and post them to one other, the rise of electronic mail (‘email’) and digital cameras ( 'digicams' ) has made their repulsive behaviour far easier.
“Well, it seems like this ‘digital age’ is both a good thing and a bad thing!” I hear you guffaw, “what advice do you have for us, Carlton?”. I advise you act with cau- tion, maximising all the good capabilities of the ‘digital age’, like video-chats and Arab Springs, while minimising all the bad things, like paedophiles. Perhaps with this approach, the “digital age’ will herald in a new era of peace and prosperity, at the touch of a but- ton.