Six Degrees of Interconnection by Duncan Watts
Watts comments on our conceptions of physical space and how our notions of it create our conceptions of our place in our surrounding world. He argues, however, that the notion of physical space is a slightly prehistoric way of thinking, with the technology age in full swing. Now, we are much more tightly and closer related to everyone and everything around us. Technology gives us the ability to break the boundaries of physical space and reach each other in different, and much more efficient ways. Thinking back to a time when there were only small pockets of human civilizations around the globe, it is natural that as we discovered each other, it has only been a consistent goal to become more connected. Humans are highly social animals. We strive for the company of one another, and as technology aids us to become closer more easily, we crave it constantly.
However, the question is raised as to whether this connection through technology can serve as replacement, or a supplement, for physical contact. As we get more and more used to communicating through technology as opposed to face to face, we naturally see each other less and less. Even when you are face to face with someone, they are often preoccupied on their device, busy communicating with someone else.
It is difficult for me to believe that everyone in the world is separated by roughly 6 degrees of connection. I’m sure this number is highly variant, but than again I constantly find shocking connections in my every day existence that speak to this theory. We are all connected in so many ways, you often meet people from across the globe who knew your best friend growing up or dated your fourth grade teacher. There also must be so many connections we fail to discover as they do not necessarily come up in conversation.
Mark Lombardi: Global (Conspiracy) Networks by Uri Dowbenko
I can’t think of a more meaningful art form than exposing the corruption between corporations and the government. The fact that this exists, as an art form, is truly inspiring. My goal in life is to create art that is meaningful, so to see someone else doing it to this extent is both inspiring and beautiful. The corrupt relationship between government and corporations is probably the most fucked up thing in or society, if I had to pick just one. It is definitely hard to hear that someone who dedicated their life to such meaningful work ultimately committed suicide. It’s hard to understand, nay impossible, how someone could be pushed to the point of taking their own life. It definitely makes me wonder about his life, and what his background story was up to that point.