Feed - M.T. Anderson

What do you think of Anderson's idea of the future? Possible? Desireable?

I guess I should begin by saying I really thought this was a great read :) So much so that I stayed up late one night and completed the book. I believe the book was published in 1998, which just amazes me. Although that is only ten years ago, technology has grown in leaps and bounds since then. Only a decade ago, I would have never imagined the internet as it exists today. I was still using a dial-up connection back then and Netscape was my browser of choice.

Since then connectivity has significantly increased in speed and access has become much more portable. Technologies new gadgets make it possible for individuals to use mobile devices such as phones and PDA's to access the internet. What would be more portable than an implanted chip or feed? So, do I think that Anderson's idea of the future is possible? With the rapid rate of advancement and the direction technology has taken thus far, I do believe that some of the ideas may be quite possible.

Although teenagers, and society at large for that matter, are not quite chatting via an implanted chip or feed, the usage of instant messenger statistics are continuing to rise. Whether it be using aim, yahoo, meebo, twitter, RSS feeds, texting via phone blackberry, sidekick, or iphone etc we are currently living in the age of information and technology where these new methods of technology are directly affecting the culture of society. Not to mention, the increased forms electronic advertising, the web banners, pop-ups, spam mail, etc that exist today.

The Anderson reading really made me look at today's society in a whole new light. Today's pop culture's drastic take over of the teen population whether it be music or fashion trends is just one example. Other thoughts of course involve the state of environment and the issue of global warming. Although some of the futuristic inventions depicted in the book such as the flying car, and traveling to the moon for spring break seem desirable, if those advancements accompanied by implanted chips, malfunctions, artificial suns, destruction of all forests, segregation of population as well as the loss of physical and emotional human interaction then I'd pass :)