Rhymes of History

Thornburg (2008) opined that the rhymes of history are the affect or impact of new development rekindling something from the past.  While it is true that history does not repeat itself, but as Mark Twain posited it does rhyme.   In the 20^th century, we have witnessed the emergence of technology that replaces or obsoletes another technology.  McLuhan tetrad implies that technology by virtue of being introduced sets the stage for its’ own demise or replacement.  

 Digital communications and widespread access to telecommunications and cable networks is a great example of technology that represents the force of a rhyme of history. The embedded technology retrieved from past channels of communication connects to recurring themes of history, via the internet.  The internet extended our communication connections globally, to people and places, via a variety of communication and internet options: social networks, instant message applications, scream casting and interactive learning resources, collaboration resources, wiki sites, video and podcasting resources, music and smartphones. All of these new technologies retrieve from preexisting technologies that were enjoyed in the past.  Interestingly, the internet is the most common mode of communication that connects us globally to the most frequently used channels of communication.     

 In many ways our lives have become codependent on the internet as suggested by Kevin Kelly.

Merchants have experienced new ways to attract customers to their merchandise via the use of e-commerce.  Emergent technology that has rekindled what was once diminishing catalog businesses for some, and new opportunities for others, into profitable online shopping mall experiences for consumers that range from appliances ordered and delivered to groceries from the supermarkets, without even leaving the comforts of home.

Religious groups are also taking advantage of the affects of the technology by replacing what was once tape only ministry with stream casting and televised messages to help spread the Gospel.

Sarah D.

 

Keyword:  David Thornburg, Rhymes of History, emergent technology, internet

References

DailyBibleGuide.  http://download.dailybibleguide.com/index.jhtml?theme=hands&spu=true&partner=XMxdm002&gclid=CLCA-uCG8rICFROe4AodGxcAwg

Kelly, K. (2007). Kevin Kelly on the next 5,000 days of the Web [Speech]. Speech delivered at the EG 2007 Conference, Los Angeles.  Retrieved from http://www.ted.com/talks/kevin_kelly_on_the_next_5_000_days_of_the_web.html

Laureate Education, Inc. (2009).  Emerging and future technology. Baltimore, MD: Author

Thornburg, D. (2008a). An amazingly incomplete emerging technologies bibliography. Lake Barrington, IL: Thornburg Center for Space Exploration.