Over the summer, my classmate, Chloe, and I missed our flight from Madrid to Atlanta; so, we booked a hotel. While we stayed in Madrid, she said she wanted to see the Museo del Prado. We searched the museum website and read that the museum offered free entry from 6:00-8:00. We walked through the museum together, but I wanted to see different paintings than she did.
In The Museum of Me, Ellen Ullman says that the internet has replaced the desire for people to go to art museums because people can search paintings online (645). However, my classmate and I used the internet as a supplement for visiting an art museum because we wanted to see original paintings. Ullman also explains that people individualize information through internet searches (641). I agree that the internet allows people to surround themselves with personalized information. However, even without internet, people would find a way to filter information. For instance, people can purposely read different books or choose not to fixate on the same paintings that someone else might.
This summer, I also visited the Art Institute of Chicago. I purposely went alone because I had specific paintings in mind to see. I picked up a map of the museum, and went straight to the painting based on The Picture of Dorian Gray film. I read The Picture of Dorian Gray because it is one of my closest friend’s favorite books. Now, it is one of my favorites too. I searched for information about the painting, after I visited the museum, and I emailed my friend that likes the book.
I think human interaction is important. I agree with Ullman that the internet can enable people to hermit or be antisocial (640). However, the internet allows people to talk, instantaneously, to each other from long distances. There is also a lot of content online to explore, and I read Ellen Ullman’s article because I used the internet.
I think I skipped talking about Ullman's concerns about interaction, which it is good that you brought them up. I do know people who have lost (or never acquired) the ability to interact well with others. However, as you mentioned, people can talk instantaneously over long distances.
ReplyDeleteI've had a ton of fun and gotten a lot of help from people around the world, from advice on my wedding centerpieces I'm working on, to chatting about long distance races. I love being able to chat with another bride in England and talk about different wedding customs.
I feel as though the connections we can make online help people to understand those not of their culture, which in the end help all of us move closer to real peace. Because I really think that once we all try to understand each other, the less reasonable to wage wars over misunderstanding will be. (Hope that makes sense).
I like how you point out that the web doesn't necessarily replace human interaction; it supplements that interaction. The internet can definitely lead to being a hermit, but we have to take responsibility for ourselves to go outside and be social.
ReplyDeleteWe have the opportunity to connect with people all around the world through the internet. Yes, we may be losing the need for middle men, but we still have very social interactions. I really don't see why Ullman thinks the internet is going to make everyone stay at home, alone, for rest of their lives. You showed that in your example of going to an art museum and having the information from it supplemented by what you found online.
Not to be rude, but I think Ullman sounds a little...afraid of what might come with the internet. But people are still going outside to stores, to parks, to places all over, and interacting with others around them. I've yet to see the "museum of me" really take much effect.
All responses recorded. ~Dr. B (sgd)
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