"The Emergence of the Global Mind"

Paper Summary:

This paper examines "When The Network Wakes Up: The Emergence of the Global Mind" by Dr. James Canton which offers an optimistic, utopian view of the future for humans and computer technology. The paper presents a justification of his argument and then critiques the work using aphorisms by James Mander and Neil Postman. The paper includes Canton's source article at the end.

Table of Contents:
Summary of Strong Example of Utopian Writing
Justification/Qualification
Critique Using Required Mander Aphorism
Critique Using Chosen Mander Aphorism
Critique Using Required Postman Aphorism
Critique Using Chosen Postman Aphorism
Significance of Assessment

From the Paper:

"Postman's fifth idea, that "media tend to become mythic" is demonstrated by Canton's missive. Canton reveres technology so much that he elevates it to a God-like status. This is a dangerous assumption, as it allows for the ruling of technology over man and society. The very point of society, some may argue, is that it is human in nature - not computerized! One must remember that "technology is as a stranger intruder, to remember that technology is not part of God's plan but a product of human creativity and hubris, and that its capacity for good or evil rests entirely on human awareness of what it does for us and to us" (Postman). Canton ironically even chooses his words in an unconscious manner demonstrating his God-like reverence of the Global Mind, amusingly referring to it as "he or she". He speaks too of "the next generation of intelligent life forms" which will be immature if they are "based on the current evolution of humanity." Canton makes technology of the future so grossly God-like that he assumes it will be building our successors!"

Sample of Sources Used:

• Canton, James (2003). "When the Network Wakes Up: The Emergence of the Global Mind." Date accessed: February 11, 2007. Available: http://www.futureguru.com/article28.php
• Kling, Rob (Ed.). Computerization and Controversy: Value Conflicts and Social Choices. 2nd Edition. San Diego: Morgan Kaufmann, 1996.
• Mander, James. In The Absence of The Sacred: The Failure of Technology and the Survival of the Indian Nations. San Francisco: Sierra Club Books, 1991.
• Postman, Neil. "Five Things We Need To Know About Technological Change." Date accessed: February 11, 2007. Available: http://www.mat.upm.es/~jcm/neil-postman--five-things.html.

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