Category: Technology

A “Download” on Post-2000 Tech-Driven Consumer Culture-isms

~ thenarcissisticanthropologist ~ 2 Comments

Last night my wife and I took a chance on a new local restaurant and music venue.  It was a slow night and we stayed until they were ready to close up, having conversations with the chef and bartender.  In an effort to let us know they were in no rush to kick us out, … Continue reading A “Download” on Post-2000 Tech-Driven Consumer Culture-isms

From Meme to Marketing: The Power of Viral Meaning-Creation

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  This morning whilst enjoying my leftover steak dinner turned steak omelet (waste not want not) I was also going through the Sunday paper coupons (as is a typical suburban Sunday morning activity - so I have observed). Whilst perusing the pages of discounts for new, necessary hair care products such as jamaican black castor … Continue reading From Meme to Marketing: The Power of Viral Meaning-Creation

The Loneliest Generation?

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This article poses an interesting paradox: how is it that the most socially networked generation in history is also potentially the loneliest? I suppose the idea here is that in the era of being able to carefully curate your public facing identity we are missing the ability to make more intimate human connections and thus limiting our self actualization ability.
I am not sure I buy it – honestly. I think the social network environment actually opens up more opportunity for human intimacy – introducing us to people with similar ideas and ideas that we may never have met otherwise – allowing us to have friends wherever we go and thus giving us more possibilities to connect with one another and further our pursuit of “who am I and what am I doing here”.
Interested in thoughts out there. Are Millennials really that lonely?

So-Called Millennial

Recently a clever video went viral called The Innovention of Loneliness which illustrates some of the modern problems that have been introduced because of the Internet and technology. If you’re a millennial, most of what the video talks about will feel familiar, like the ability to “self-edit” and constantly be plugged-in to our communication platforms. Mark-Anthony Smith of Entitled Millennial wrote about his personal experience of growing up with social media starting with AOL Instant Messenger all the way back in 1998! His experience should also be very familiar to the average millennial. It correlated with my experience as well, and acknowledges that the internet (for good or ill) is an integral part of how millennials grew up.

I thought I would follow up by talking about the video, and some of my thoughts on the impact the internet has had on our ability to relate with each other.

The…

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Surrounding Ourselves With Sound and Other Modern Household Survival Requirements

~ thenarcissisticanthropologist ~ 4 Comments

Flash back to before we established a "civilized" industrial-to-knowledge-to-conceptual economy such as we have been used to in modern times.  Survival was a matter of basics and most humans resided firmly in the very bottom layers of Maslow's hierarchy of needs pyramid: In absence of safeguards, systems and conveniences like government-supervised municipal programs, a regulated … Continue reading Surrounding Ourselves With Sound and Other Modern Household Survival Requirements

The Cell Phone as a Window Into Personal Context

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What kind of context can you presume about someone's life, attitudes and values based on the kind of cell phone they carry? A good deal, actually. In the spirit of personal branding via consumer choice / behavior, i bring you yet another perspective from the Sociology of style...so put your crackberry aside for a few … Continue reading The Cell Phone as a Window Into Personal Context

Self Driving Cars: What Is The Ultimate Impact of Low-Effort Mobility?

~ thenarcissisticanthropologist ~ 4 Comments

I am the first to admit that the road will be a lot better off when I am behind the wheel of a car that drives itself.   I am a terrible driver.  It's True.  Luckily I have only been involved in minor accidents (with stationary objects or rear-bumpers - no truck and tractor trailor accident), … Continue reading Self Driving Cars: What Is The Ultimate Impact of Low-Effort Mobility?

The Lost Art Of Listening

~ thenarcissisticanthropologist ~ 2 Comments

If there is one blaring part of our great American culture that I have bought in to, it's the "art" of multitasking: being able to perform multiple tasks at once - usually aided by technology and requiring your brain and body to ultimately be going simultaneously in different directions. It's a skill that people put … Continue reading The Lost Art Of Listening

Truth and Consequences: Social Media Is The New “Permanent Record”

~ thenarcissisticanthropologist ~ 2 Comments

Tomorrow I am going to be sitting on a panel for the marketing community in Toronto as an expert on "youth".  In perusing the subject matter on which I am to be prepared to comment, one particular category entitled: "techno-powered: speed of information / innovation, new forms of connectivity and values shifts" got me going … Continue reading Truth and Consequences: Social Media Is The New “Permanent Record”

Siri As An Anthropomorphic Catalyst For Human Cultural (d)Evolution…And My New Mistress

~ thenarcissisticanthropologist ~ 2 Comments

The narcissist in me absolutely must have the latest new tech toys.  So, naturally I was among the first to get my grimy little hands on Apple's new opus:  the iPhone 5.  And it was my first opportunity (since i missed the last upgrade window) to interact with Siri - who is now my new … Continue reading Siri As An Anthropomorphic Catalyst For Human Cultural (d)Evolution…And My New Mistress