Eric McLuhan , son of Marshall (Understanding Media) McLuhan, in an e-mail
correspondence
with me in 2004."Electronic technologies of all kinds make obsolete all of our bureaucratic institutions... No more is knowledge or information contained in books and buildings: we live every moment in an environment of global information and are ourselves translated into information. Like knowledge, learning too is now decentralized in space and in time... To remain relevant, institutions of learning might now issue diplomas or degrees to registrants on entering and requiring that they stay for four years to engage in conversation and dialogue and research. Training ought to move away from courses and subjects and turn instead to training of skills and of perception and sensibility, the sort needed by investigators and explorers."
Does the above quote make sense? Why? How? In what ways are you living in a world that is "decentralized in space and in time"?
It does make sense because prior to the Internet, information and research was obtained in a classroom or at the library. Sometimes parents would purchase a set of Resource Books for home use but most learning went on in a formal classroom environment. Today with online ability we can participate in a class while students from other states or even countries can also take part. Sitting in front of your computer all the information you need is at your finger tips. There are no classroom bells, no time limitations, or location limitations while online.
ReplyDeleteI have enjoyed completing some of my general education credits using online classes because it is so convenient. No matter what time of day it is or where I am located, I can complete my studies as long as I have online access. What could be more convenient than that! College internships and co-ops are good examples of “decentralized” learning. Although my school is located three hours away I am currently interning at a location near my home. Watching skilled graphic designers I am learning the latest software and gaining much practical experience. I have learned how to improve my listening skills and how to deal with unsatisfied clients. Such skills are best learned on-the-job. I agree that “Electronic technology is making our bureaucratic institutions obsolete” more and more.
We are living in a “global environment” and information about each of us has been “translated” into databases from the time we are born. Newborn babies are registered with social security even before they leave the hospital. School systems gather personal information and relay it to their State agencies. As we grow our databases grow accordingly. Our financial records, credit history, employment records, driving records, medical records, and other data is stored and readily available when needed. Recently my grandmother was hospitalized over a weekend. My parents were amazed at the speed and ability of our “electronic technology," when her CAT scan was read by a physician overseas and results sent back to the hospital within thirty minutes. Naturally, this information is also available for the wrong purposes. As technology advances we can only hope that our information is protected from hackers.