Technology and World View

Technology – as an idea and as a process – affects the way we see the world or connect with the world around us. The word used for this entire phenomenon can be referred as  - imagination. People have spoken about World Views for many centuries – these are mentioned in different forms of expression from language, to idea diagrams to art to symbols. In research domain, we encounter positivism, post positivism, critical theory and social construction – all concerned with the way we imagine things around us. To me, the concept of social construction comes very close to the idea of imagination, however imagination also means the nature of thought/force and the state of consciousness we exist in an awakened state.

Beyond this state, beyond the conception of definite space and time, we have a super conscious state – or beyond any kind of construction or imagination. That becomes the world view of philosophers. This world view is also concerned about how something gets manifested from ‘nothing’ and what are the basic components of this process – these being space, force and object. Although we use words to segregate or differentiate between these three states of ‘forms’, in reality, it is stated that no such absolute distinction ever exists. The distinction is only apparent and our nature of thoughts (quality of force) is what is going to define the perception of these states. In a nut shell, the philosopher encourages one to evolve and realize that states of existence are only apparent – a sort of an illusion and the illusion that we exist as an independent being. The emphasis is on the connect with the entire cosmos.

One may ask oneself, how does this attitude develop? What are the processes that encourage such a state of ‘mind’? And the answer to this, may lie in understanding the forces that shape the geography of our places and by which, we are affected. One route to realize this state of mind is a route of geography, history (as an act of reinvention and continuity) and philosophy. If at all, as human forms, we were to seek answers to the beginning of an introspective mind, it lies in geography. So, understanding of one’s environment can bring about such awareness.

Another route can be of science. The idea of space-form and object/ of relativity/ of manifestation is found at a microscopic level (quantum mechanics) and cosmic level (Theory of Relativity).

Further route can be a scientific study of genes and kind of relationship it generates on physical forms and thoughts. It is possible to ‘think’ in a particular manner only because our body mechanisms (as coded by genes) allow us to do so. Whatever nature of mind we have, we owe it to genes. As genes become more complex, the nature of thought can become more complex and refined or comprehensive. These terms of complexity and refinement are different. Comprehensiveness is a cosmic connection – its results are very fundamental and profound. Complexity is the play of the intellect minus maturity – to fragment and make the situation ‘appear’ apparently complex.

The above background was necessary to raise the question of what seems to be the effect of being engrossed in virtual environment (and internet) on our imagination? It is not just a question of time, multitasking, efficiency, speed, rate of change that nevertheless get altered at an overwhelming speed – similar to a centrifugal force, where the ‘tendency’ is to get knocked off or fall from a cliff and the counter force therefore, is to increase the force of anchoring oneself to some centre.

Above components of change in thought affect our memories. Memory is cosmic (super conscious state), comprehensive (considers the environment) collective (across generations, across births) and it is individual also. The scale of time for such memories to be generated in us is enormous – so large, that the linearity of time is replaced by spiral nature of time and the individual is replaced by the collective + cosmic. This is the change in our own imaginations. Where is the place for ‘me’ alone or where is the validity of the ‘moment’ as an independent spec of time? The moment and cosmic time – are one and the same.

Conversely, with increased mixing of virtual environment and internet, we are forced to remain connected to online systems, always forced to respond and always forced to produce, react and be efficient – for no apparent reason whatsoever. In this system or process of thought, we acknowledge no existence of any other connection with any kind of phenomenon. There’s no past, there’s no future and we ourselves become too fragmented to appear confused, lost and anxious. It is a mistake to assume that current times of internet involvement can give benefits.

Technology is always neutral – and any situation for that matter. It is what we think about it or what kind of effect it produces on us, affects our imagination.

Hence, to conclude, what is the manner in which we choose to engage ourselves with such a reality – to be a part of the online ‘grid’? This is a question we need to keep ourselves engaged in.