Due to modern developments in social media and the way we
communicate with one another online, most of us live a portion of both our
personal and professional lives online. Social networking sites such as
Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn have allowed us to create our own personal
online presence, presenting ourselves in the light which we feel most
comfortable with and connecting with those who we may never have connected with
upon meeting them in a ‘real-life’ social setting.
Those who were brought up without the Internet or see the
Internet as a poisonous entity can often be heard criticizing the way in which
is has taken over our lives and how it remains a prominent and constantly developing
segment of culture in the digital age we
are living in. Yet, how do we reassure the skeptics that having ‘the world at
your fingertips’ is a positive rather than a negative? It has never been easier
to find out about news on a global scale, and upon hearing about certain events
such as the fight against MS or cancer, the Internet has brought the world
together as a union and created phenomenal online campaigns to raise awareness
of these issues.
Regardless of those amongst us who insist that the Internet
is unnecessary, it cannot be denied that our lives are all somehow affected by
the development of technology and media. Upon thinking about the way in which
we live our lives through a mediated spotlight, whether that’s to an audience
of our 300 Facebook friends, or stood next to Brad Pitt on the red carpet at
The Oscars, we encounter those who are ‘living the virtual life,’ living and
breathing technology.
Technological advancements appear to have worked as a
pandemic over the past ten years; dynamically evolving and creating jobs that
may never have existed without the creation of the Internet. Those who work
online are the pinnacles of the modern-day job ladder, working closely with the
ever changing and almost enchanted movements that happen online, whilst they
are happening. These movements can often be confusing to those who are
oblivious to what is going on across the World Wide Web, yet those who work
online embrace the advancements and use them to their advantage in both
personal and professional settings.
The understanding of how the world works online is becoming
more and more important and as we move rapidly deeper into the digital age, an
online presence is almost necessary in order to be accepted into any sort of
virtual community. It has been proven very recently that the Internet can
separate those who possess and online presence with those who don’t.
Just last week we experienced ‘dressgate’ which saw Twitter
explode with responses to the debate over whether a dress was black and blue,
or white and gold. The buzz around the topic had worked its way into the
‘real-life’ community over night, and one of two responses were heard upon
mention of the dress. Those who had an online presence reacted quickly and
excitedly, offering their opinion on the matter, whilst those without an online
presence were taken aback, usually with a look of utter confusion on their
faces.
This is an example of how society is splitting into two
different communities, whom soon enough may have less and less to discuss, due
to the Internets leading presence around the world. Now this isn’t to say that
traditional values and activities shouldn’t be appreciated, but achieving a
balance between basic knowledge and acceptance of the influence which the
Internet so clearly has over our lives, and having a break from perfecting your
online presence to appreciate the simpler things in life could be something
which everyone would benefit from – not just those who work online.
Sooner rather than later, it would be extremely easy to
assume that the current hierarchy of education is due to change, with academic
subjects such as Maths, History and English being undoubtedly over take by
subjects which offer more of an insight into the digital world such as Business
Studies, Communications and Marketing. The latter are sometimes looked upon as
subjects which offer skills less transferable that those which offer a
classical and historical insight, yet what could be more transferable that something
which you use every single day, in both personal and professional situations.
No matter how we live our lives, both online and offline, it
can’t be disputed that technological advancements are established in our lives,
whichever way that may be. The decision we have to make, whether that be
personal or professional, is whether to embrace or ignore the amazing
opportunities which we now have due to the development of the phenomenon which
is the Internet.
Author: Steph Caldecott
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