Facebook. Just like cell phones, I don't remember what life was like without it. For good or for evil, it has revolutionized the way we keep up with each other's lives. Johann Gutenberg invented the printing press. His technology revolutionized the ways ideas were spread. No longer were multiple handwritten copies of a single book needed in order to spread the ideas of writers. Can we adequately compare the historic invention of the printing press to the modern gadgets of communication and information such as our beloved Facebook?I think in some ways we can. The printing press allowed civilization to obtain more information since it increased the efficiency of printing, which not only allowed for more books, but also decreased the price. People who were not able to afford books previously now could. Also, new ideas could take form more quickly than in the past. Who knows how much more could have been accomplished in the Middle Ages had the printing press been available?
Now I would argue that Facebook has not revolutionized the world in information like the printing press has, but it might of revolutionized relationships in a similar way. While information was already widely available during its birth, Facebook revolutionized our world by allowing humans to maintain and restart relationships. No other technology out there had allowed people to connect with long lost friends so easily. I remember many times when I've heard people older than my generation say how they had connected with old buddies that they thought they would never have seen again. And while Gutenberg's invention lowered costs, did I forget to mention that Facebook is free?
However, some may argue that Facebook would be taking us in an opposite direction than the printing press took us. Movable type allowed great thinkers to help us see the world differently. While it allowed for increased communication throughout the world, I doubt that it distracted people from their own personal relationships like Facebook is often accused of doing. I wonder how Johann Gutenberg would have reacted if he had been able to see the information age. Would he have been excited by the almost unlimited communication and information available or would he have been terrified of the consequences of the dramatic change in culture and civilization?
I like how you note the influence that innovations like facebook and the printing press had on the less wealthy in society. My father was telling me that, to his generation having a nice car was a symbol of status, but that today, people focus so much on electronic gadgets and other things that it is fine for a young millionaire to drive a Toyota Camery. Having books was a symbol of status and wealth before the widespread availability of printed books. So people had to find new ways to show their class. Perhaps artwork took even more prominence, for example, in showing status. Hence there were more patrons of the arts.
ReplyDeleteYou make some really good points! It's crazy to think that in 50 years people might be talking about how the invention Facebook change our lives when it seems so normal and almost useless. Whereas without the printing press our lives would be much worse. Good job!
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