Thursday, 16 August 2012

Reading Response: The Continual Partial Everywhere

With the creation of an 'aspatial experience' or a 'city in a city' this article looks at the effect social media is having on both the physical and virtual worlds. Ideas ranging from simultaneity to polluting electro-magnetic radiation, the only thing that I could really relate to was the need as outlined by artist Sarah von Sonsbeeck for 'aspatiality avoidance' or a 'right to silence' as proposed by her impenetrable tent. It has been a growing concern of mine that I might be getting left behind with regard to technology (especially smartphone technology) as friends, lecturers and even strangers all assume that everyone has a smartphone. For example, important information and required instant knowledge can (in some cases, and recently in another subject's lecture) only be accessed by QR codes...so I miss out? Its almost become a necessity to have a smartphone in order to be considered part of modern society, as in most cases people have done away with 'old' means of communication like calling, emailing, texting, or even face-to-face conversation in preference of social media.

I can appreciate however, the positives associated with these 'viral networks of social-services-in-space' and believe that they could be used to better understand other cultures and diversify our own social strictures. From a retail and marketing perspective, this 'city in a city' idea offers a whole new realm of possibilities. As long as the physical and virtual 'cities' can co-exist and intertwine cohesively, and ensuring that physical interaction and socialising is not completely replaced with the virtual, then I have no issue with people who choose to partake in this 'aspatial experience.'

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