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| | | <-- [This needs some filling in you need to get from 1. our environment shapes us to 2. we are able to shape our environment, perhaps the corollary language fixes it] --> | |
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< | A corollary to this observation is that what we choose to do effects the choices that others make. We react to what we experience in others - manners, gestures, clothing, and goods. What others wear influences our idea of fashion, what we make influences how others make things, and when you read my last sentience it interacts with your mental picture, producing some new state, perhaps not the one I intended. This concept can be modeled by imagining that what we do ripples out around us to those able to observe us, shaping their world view. This in turn influences their actions, creating observational ripples back to us, shaping who we are out of the dynamic system called culture. | >
> | A corollary to this observation is that what we choose to do affects the choices that others make. We react to what we experience in others - manners, gestures, clothing, and goods. What others wear influences our idea of fashion, what we make influences how others make things, and when you read my last sentience it interacts with your mental picture, producing some new state, perhaps not the one I intended. This concept can be modeled by imagining that what we do ripples out around us to those able to observe us, shaping their world view. This in turn influences their actions, creating observational ripples back to us. These ripples affect our choices, shaping who we are out of the dynamic system called culture. | | |
"The Captain said to John Henry, I'm gonna bring that steam drill 'round'" | |
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< | The mechanized production of goods, services, and artistic works in this system effects the way that culture is produced too. Instead of the democratic picture - with each of us producing the same amplitude of ripples throughout the system when we act - mechanized production and delivery has the ability to create shockwaves through the culture system. Those with control over production and distribution have their decisions observed by more people, influencing more behavior and allowing them to possess an asynchronous capability to shape who we are. | >
> | The mechanized production of goods, services, and artistic works in this system affects the way that culture is produced too. Instead of the democratic paradigm - with each of us producing the same amplitude of ripples throughout the system when we act - mechanized production and delivery has the ability to create shockwaves through the culture system. Those with control over production and distribution have their decisions observed by more people, influencing more behavior and allowing them to possess an asynchronous capability to shape who we are. | | | This expanded capability has wide ranging effects into each and every portion of our lives. Television producers influence how we laugh with our friends, operating system designers influence how how we use computers, textbook makers influence how we learn to think, fashion designers influence what label (or lack thereof) fits 'us' the best, magazine editors influence what constitutes a 'normal' relationship, body type, or frame of mind, and mechanized production of crafts influences our sense of quality, practicality, and usefulness. In this sense, the designers of the mass produced goods influence what we want, how we work, and who we are.
<--[We have all experienced this phenomena. Examples if space? USNEWS & WORLD REPORT??]--> | |
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< | This does not imply that an average person is powerless to shape themselves against these forces. Quite the opposite, this model describes a situation where we choose our actions in response to these forces; and through these choices we shape ourselves out of the culture that surrounds us. The implication is, however, that the control over this mass production effects the building blocks out of which we make ourselves, yielding a great deal of influence concerning who we are to those in control of the mechanization. | >
> | This does not imply that an average person is powerless to shape themselves against these forces. Quite the opposite, this model describes a situation where we choose our actions in response to these forces; and through these choices we shape ourselves out of the culture that surrounds us. The implication is, however, that the control over this mass production affects the building blocks out of which we make ourselves, yielding a great deal of influence concerning who we are to those in control of the mechanization. | | | "That ain't no storm, Captain, that's just my hammer in the air"
The internet gives those with access the means to touch as wide a range of people as those whose decisions can be amplified by mechanized production and distribution. Creating and posting writings, audio, and video that can be accessed by any interested party is quick and simple. Further, this ability does not just extend to traditional media. For example, sites like etsy serve as a marketplace where people can buy and sell handmade goods, allowing people to make and sell goods to people across the globe. There are also communities that share design plans in formats that allow people to replicate their designs using a fabrication machine. Other tools allow people to comment and collaborate on top of other people's content, such as dispute finder and shift space. Finally, sites like reddit and digg replace the traditional role of editor with a community that votes upon articles which they find interesting or valuable. | |
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< | The implication of the internet, as seen through these examples, is that an average person has the power like never before to shape culture with the same amplification effect as the mechanized producers.
This has a democratizing effect on culture, with each as able as any other to shape the culture, and thus, themselves. | | | \ No newline at end of file | |
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> | The implication of the internet, as seen through these examples, is that an average person has the power like never before to reach others with the same amplification effect as the mechanized producers. This tendency is towards the democratic ideal of culture - each of us with an equal opportunity to influence each other. This ideal has | | | \ No newline at end of file |
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