"People in Motion"

Even with the monumental advancements in technology in the late 20^th century, we may have made it easier to communicate via fax and cordless phone, but never did we comprehend the advancements in the next two decades. The wireless phone and fax progressed into analog and then digital cell phones but with limited access points or towers. The turn of the century had brought about lavish forms of communication…or so we thought. For the longest time we were tied to a pc set on a desk to reach other parts of the world, or we were tied to a land line telephone. Although we communicated with everyone around the globe, we still had hurdles such as premium charges or limited internet users in some parts of the world. … we then became ‘people in motion’…, but not to the degree we are today.

We no longer are identified by our home phone number when we call somewhere and if we answer the home phone we may not be home, for all anyone knows we could be in Hong Kong, because of technology and call forwarding.  It is amazing that our time travel and communication has now taken on a new form. In just the last decade alone, people are able to become a part of a participatory culture all through the means of innovations. If you are sick and can’t make it to the office, you could conference call or Skype in. You could Skype from your cell phone and it doesn’t have to be from a PC on a desk. Not for nothing, I was sitting in a College Council meeting a couple of months ago and one of the delegates started talking to his phone…he was dictating a message back to a voice mail he had received. I sat there is sheer amazement of the opportunities and continued connections that technology has given us.  People have been in motion for the last few years and only time has made it easier and easier. As Varnelis describes the transformation of network culture in the conclusion of his work, in part and parcel …. "one day we realize we can read our newspaper on line, the next day we decide we do not want the paper edition anymore and then all of a sudden we can bookmark the digital version to our mobile device, and “vhola” there you have, your favorite newspaper in motion with you wherever you go (p.145)." 

However, it really doesn’t matter what mode you ask for, it is available for people to be uninhibited and to be able to participate no matter of past stereotypes: race, gender, age, socio-economic statuses….people who are a part of the gaming, social media and globalized corporate world, no longer care what you look like, what sex you are or if you are poor or rich, they care about your contribution to their cause or community and create virtual space to be a part and socially participate to the level you feel comfortable. It could be via video, audio , cell, ipod, or from your watch or cell phone.

Teaching an on line course is no longer sitting at a table or desk with a computer now we can be at the beach monitoring or teaching the class.  Our own revolutions have been giving us the abilities to share our knowledge and information with anywhere at anytime. We are no longer hindered by having to be in certain location. In the first stages of cell phones and mobilizing our communication, we were able to leave the house and not necessarily be home, but in the beginning we had to search for service or look for tower access and in some cases in the beginning of ‘people in motion’ we had to stand on a red dot in the airport to make a phone call from that access point.

As our technology has progressed our ability to communicate has advanced we can do it from anywhere at anytime. We do not have to be home tied to a monitor or stand on a dot, we can now participate with society with different people or communities on the move.  We are not tethered to any restrictions. I could be dictating this right now while I am waiting on line at the grocery store or I could Skype Denise and discuss her thoughts on my blog ideas.  Perhaps I could call or text my brother in Mexico and get his perspective from being away from the family for the last 2 decades.

I am a Realtor and can do my work from the road anywhere. I have been in other countries and my clients do not need to know where I am or what I am doing.

Participatory culture is here and I feel that it has its benefits as well as it comes with negatives.  The benefits are the obvious, time nor space can hinder deadlines and progress however my concern is that there is a total need of instant gratification. In my career my clients expect 24 hour service and unfortunately I have allowed it to be that way and it makes me feel guilty if on a Sunday morning at 730am my clients are calling and I am not responding.  After all I am up, but then I ask myself ‘do I really have to be up and responding to them, just because this new communication has changed what is acceptable and expected?’

Solace and the need for privacy have become near impossible. We willingly post our lives on the social media networks as a matter of course. “The ideas of locks on diaries today seem almost preposterous as individuals, especially teenagers, discuss their most intimate, and illicit, details online (Varnelis, 2012, p.153)”  It has become a part of mainstream life and we take it for granted as part of the fabric of life. Unless we make efforts to get off the "grid" we are part of the participatory culture. Even if we do that we are still tracked with the multitude of surveillance cameras, Easy Pass, GPS and more. As Varnelis explains, we have created a small world for ourselves while losing a sense of yourself. “Participatory culture also underscores the degree to which privacy Is no longer important in this culture (Varnelis, 2012, 154).”  And as the saying goes,” you can run but you can't hide." Our evolution to a participatory society has its benefits, but are we really thinking about the unintended consequences? We have no choice I think. The future is here.

 

Varnelis, K (2012) Neworked Publics. Eds. MIT Press Books.