image via the ace Chris Piascik
Is the flip side of the internet shrinking our world to a mere mouse-click, that we are all feeling more pressured, less wordy, more competitive and more isolated in other ways?
Does reading about all the good stuff other people are doing make us feel insecure about our own abilities, or does it inspire us?
Are instant messaging and Twitter encouraging short, sharp, smart-arse wordsmithing? Do they make us feel excluded or ignored? Or do they make us more familiar and intimate?
Is keeping up with all our internet friends meaning less time for our real-life friends? Are we one big happy family, or is it just one big schoolyard all over again?
Is the relative anonymity of the internet encouraging nastiness and bad manners? Are some blog comments becoming slanderous snark-fests? Or are they thought-provoking forums for discussion and debate?
Are we sharing and chatting? Or are we sneaking and copying? Are we supporting each other? Or are we just on a constant, clicky 'inspiration' junket? Are we giving anything back in return?
Do we appreciate the things we see? Or are we becoming image-junkies - scrolling for beautiful things to admire and then wordlessly moving on to something else?
Is the desire to be noticed, attract readers or seem interesting, influencing the way we write and treat other people?
Does the Internet make us happier?
I think it makes me happier... In fact I know it does. It provides me with a way to document my life, publish my work and connect with people I like. It teaches me stuff, reminds me of stuff... it's mostly a positive for me.
What do you think, I wonder? Do weigh in! I'd love to hear your take on this - and be sure to read the comments to see what other people thought!
xx Pip
