There’s always that one kid in class who answers the questions when old mate (be that a teacher in high school or tutor at uni) asks a tough one to a class who simply do not have the energy to give a response. In networked media 2014 that nerd is LOUIS BLAKE-MCLEISH. I am allowed to say this as sweet Louis is one of my main men from back in high school days. Some say we will be together one day.
ANYWAYZ. Louis is an incredibly talented young man with a gift for knowing things. He just knows everything. His brain is very good.
So instead of reading the readings this week I decided to peruse his blog and scope what he has been up to. This week, Louis responded to the idea of Cultural Materialism, which is essentially the notion that it is culture and historical events, wartime and so on that are the reason for technological developments. Or something. Maybe. I haven’t read it because I’ve had a few bits to do.
However the overriding question Louis asked at the conclusion of his insightful blog post just gave me goose pimples and rather than re hash it in my absurd language I’m going to use what i have learned in this course and copy and paste it like I own the place. So here she is….
“How ironic that our technological development would be so closely linked to our must darkest and destructive tendencies. How symbolic of the human condition that our collective progression be caused, in part, by the suffering of the individual. Could it be that it is our very nature as an inherently violent species that has enabled us to create the technologies that have lead the human race in becoming the most prominent species on the planet.”
Magic stuff. A true wordsmith.
Isn’t he smart? He’s my friend. braggy brag brag. It’s so deep. I feel like ya’ll should give this bad girl a read and appreciate the intellect of Louis and respect me more for being a close friend of a smart person.
In all seriousness I feel his reflection that the suffering of the individual is what advances our world is not only true of technological ventures but extends to an array of formats- I was watching this crap US television show in a similar format to Jerry Springer the other day where people with bizarre phobias are confronted in an incredibly insensitive way- peaches and pickles are thrown around rooms containing a highly uncomfortable person who fears peaches and pickles and their discontent is made obvious by them flailing around the room, crying and screaming.
I’m not sure of the authenticity of these phobias and the people within them- it is the fact that people are entertained by such obvious suffering that seems to me to be quite a shocking trait of humanity and this is perhaps why we as a group have been able to rise above animals and assert our authority- through being heartless.
What the hell is this blog? I was kind of on a roll but then I got tired and now it’s finished. If you liked where this was going then read Louis’ one.
It’s a lot gooder.
Sleep tight and don’t let the bed bugs bite,
Simple George
*Felicia spelling