I found this via BoingBoing and it’s a fascinating short film with obvious resonance (and apologies) to Alan Ginsberg’s Howl. It’s a teaser trailer of sorts for a larger documentary production called Connected: A Declaration Of Interdependence but in and of itself it’s a interesting take on the predicament, fate or plight of humanity in our current technological haze.
Be sure to click and get rid of the annoying ads on the bottom of the screen - there’s text under there.
Now, I’m not one to subscribe to hysterical pseudo-Luddite notions that we are destroying ourselves with every techno-evolutionary leap humanity makes. Of course, we are, but that’s not the technology’s fault - the blame lies squarely in the hands of each and every one of the silly monkeys with car keys that litter this planet - and, yes, that includes you and me. That’s not to say the National Day Of UnPlugging is a bad idea - it’s always good to get some focus on what we’re doing and where we’re going - I just don’t think there’s any need to panic. Do you?
Should we be afraid? Should we shut ourselves down? Should we sit in a corner and take a breather? Have a little time-out so we can collect our thoughts before advancing further?
Hell no.
Full speed ahead. I’m convinced it’s our only hope to fix the messes we’ve already made and ensure we thrive and arrive at a place that has at least some sense of meaning for our existence on Sagan’s beloved pale blue dot.
And if we fuck up - at least we’ll be doing it with really cool toys.
Cheers.
P.S. Since today I seem to be ragging on all the silly monkeys it only seems appropriate to include this little gem of Ernest Cline’s again. Dance, Monkey, Dance!
P. P. S. Oh what the hell - since we seem to be on a monkey jag today I might as well toss in a little Elvis Costello and his wondrously delightful Monkey To Man video. Love those dancers.
Tags: boingboing, connected, dance monkey dance, ginsberg, howl, luddites, pale blue dot, poetry, progress, Sagan, technology, video, we can stop this mad dash after everyone gets a jet pack - ok?, yelp
