Link Of Interest: Technology

I don't read enough about technology. But when I do I'm reminded of the fact that despite all the reading and debating I do, there's always room for more knowledge. Always.

The Technium is an engaging read on matters of tech. How the internet is changing how we perceive ownership and probably going to replace it.

Here's an excerpt:

"Very likely, in the near future, I won't "own" any music, or books, or movies. Instead I will have immediate access to all music, all books, all movies using an always-on service, via a subscription fee or tax. I won't buy – as in make a decision to own -- any individual music or books because I can simply request to see or hear them on demand from the stream of ALL. I may pay for them in bulk but I won't own them. The request to enjoy a work is thus separated from the more complicated choice of whether I want to "own" it. I can consume a movie, music or book without having to decide or follow up on ownership.

For many people this type of instant universal access is better than owning. No responsibility of care, backing up, sorting, cataloging, cleaning, or storage. As they gain in public accessibility, books, music and movies are headed to become social goods even though they might not be paid by taxes. It's not hard to imagine most other intangible goods becoming social goods as well. Games, education, and health info are also headed in that direction."

There's no arguing that all is at the push of a button now. At some point, I imagine libraries going virtual. Personally, I'm not quite there. I still buy books and cd's. I like the physicality of things. I still enjoy buying magazines and newspapers.

Maybe my logic is faulty here, and intuition can be faulty (take that Descartes), but if we don't own anything or won't own anything how boring will life be? Owning implies physically selecting an object that usually reflects who you are. Just go into a house and you'll see this is true.

I can't help but get the feeling that while we can live vicariously through technology will the cost be individual uniqueness? I think about the kitchen scene in Star Wars before Skywalker's aunt and uncle are killed. The kitchen was so blah. The meal looked tasteless. One day we'll probably eat an entire meal through a pill or straw. What will happen to the art of cuisine then?

It may be progress but do we really want that?