I was watching an interview the other day with 60’s activist Mark Rudd, most well known for his involvement with the Weather Underground.
http://bravenewconversations.com/index.php/episodes/video/mark_rudd/
He was saying that one of the main differences between what happened back then and the activism that uses online networking now is that nowadays we are usually only talking to people who already agree with us.
He talked about the organizing of coalitions that drove the movements before the internet; that we are more segmented now and don’t interact much with people who are “not like us.”
“I don’t know if (coalitions are) possible given the kind of separation that exists on the internet between different groupings,” said Rudd when asked about how things get done today.
Whether you agree or not, it’s an interesting perspective.
I sure see a lot of it myself, that separation and isolation from those with opposite beliefs and views and I do use the world of virtual social networking quite a bit, for business, volunteer projects and as a general way of getting to know people.
It’s not so much a matter of good/bad/right/wrong that face to face dialogue has, at least in some circles, been replaced by the online society many of us engage in these days.
I frankly can’t remember what I did before computers and the world wide web (interesting term, mm? “web”).
Living alone and with a large extended family and friends from all over the world, I adore being able to sit and communicate with such ease, bcc’ing the hell out of everyone. I love not having to repeat the riveting stories of my life and the endlessly fascinating viewpoints I share to each new person I run into.
I’m sure not saying anything new here to suggest we may be seeing a backlash against the less than personal interactions and lifestyles created by the world of technology. I see that reaction growing more and more.
I’m a booking agent for live music locally and have had many discussions, of late, about the fact that some young people have no idea where music comes from, i.e. “human beings.” I watched a little boy at a CD release party the other day listening to a man play guitar and sing. The kids jaw was open as if his mind couldn’t comprehend the sounds coming from the performers own body.
“How does he do that?” his expression seemed to be asking.
I think people want all that again, especially if they had it before. I certainly hear older folks longing for the sound of a big band orchestra or the live actor’s voice performing the well-known lines of play.
I cringe at the image of small children who may grow up with earbuds only as their source of entertainment.
I was watching Steamboat Bill Jr. the other night, starring the incomparable Buster Keaton. Is there anything better than a silent black and white image of some guy getting whacked by a bridge collapsing under him? What kid today wouldn’t be laughing his ass off at this little guy smashing a guitar over some broad’s head?
“Oh my, my…it’s just so violent…can’t have the little darlings seeing such things.”
Horse pucky.
I’m sure the nutballs fighting over an xBox at Best Buy on Black Friday never watched one of these classics, yet they still manage to tear each others hair out. Can’t blame Buster or The Three Stooges for drive-by’s can we?
Getting back to this “talking to our own kind only” problem though, I do think it is one…a problem. Not sure what the solution is. Maybe none. Things change and sometimes there’s just no going back.
It’s not that I miss some of the screaming matches during the activist era of direct confrontation. I’m not sure how well it all worked, in the end. Maybe a few minds were changed but overall, we humanoids tend to stick to our guns, don’t we?
I’m a lefty, you’re insane…nuf sed. At least that’s the rut I find myself in way too often.
Even this particular website is likely visited by those who generally come from similar vantage points on the great issues of the day. Preaching to the choir is just damned hard to avoid, sad to say.
Interesting, if nothing else, to ponder where the great “coalitions” may come from in the future, if, in fact, they come at all. I can think of almost no examples at the moment of true diversity manifesting itself in today’s political or social activities.
Good lord, we’re divided, and though much good can come from the potential of global forums on the internet, I do pine for the loss of critical thinking and the good ol’ days of healthy, respectful discussion and debate.
Well, off to tweet my peeps, post on my profile and send out links to the latest cute kitty clip from youtube.
Betcha can’t wait.
