Desire to Become Digital

Current Mood:
Quiet

Are we different online, more interesting, and does our internet and physical presence change geographically? Perhaps Dallas holds too many memories, a mass that leaves no room and will to create; or Colorado holds too few, a void and longing needing to be filled by some outlet. The DFW character, during a contentious scene in The End of the Tour, stated, "If we had done this by the mail, if I had access to my library, if I could look stuff up... When I’m in a room by myself, alone, and have enough time, I can be really really smart." Maybe it's just that most people, myself included, aren't that interesting in person, even if we have much to say. There isn't a conclusive answer here, it's probably dependent person to person, but I definitely feel more coherent and intelligent and in my own rhythm when I post here. I often wish I could merge the two.

R.O.D.

There is so much on the internet, an inordinate number of moments and images that would take a lifetime to sift through. Somewhere, within the mass, there are moments and images applicable to each of us - perhaps others waiting to be found by like minds. How many will go or have gone undiscovered? Likely, there are some who went on to be discovered off the net, their digital image continuing its plea; and likely, there are digital images that have outlived their source and are discovered too late.

*****

Rather than wanting actual things, I want the experience of those things. I want the fluid endless possibilities that come from not having anything, because not having anything is not committing. This is why I like books, and blogs that gather and stream less-known images from over the internet. For the cost of a used book or a monthly subscription to the internet, one can have access to many lifestyles without particularly committing to it. The problem is you have just the timeless two-dimensional image, or the passage, and your imagination; you can be in it as long as your muscles of attention hold out. We can't yet fully immerse ourselves in it, short of showing up at the owner's doorstep and being invited in. And who wants a casual observer sitting at your breakfast table or in your den. Alternately, I'm sure there are people who would be interested in similar images of my lifestyle: a warm setting sun's light on my crumpled t-shirt draped over a wicker chair, or a few bones and leaves on one of my bookcase shelves. However, I'm more interested in perceiving and mentally being in other's lifestyles than in documenting my own (sorry!).

*****

One day:
When resources become too thin for the number of people, their bodies will be maintained with very basic elements, while their mind lives in the digital space. Where end products can be traced back through layer after layer of essential units, in the digital space, those essential units and end products are the same - an infinity of ones and zeros - everything can be endlessly had. It's just a matter of the quantity of information.