The Loneliness of Being Always Connected
A Paradox of Knowledge and Value
Have you ever stopped to marvel at the sheer magnitude of information at our fingertips? The internet, this vast digital expanse, represents the largest collection of knowledge humanity has ever assembled. It's a testament to our collective intellect, creativity, and curiosity. Yet, paradoxically, this abundance and accessibility have led to an unexpected consequence: a devaluation of knowledge.
Let's unpack this phenomenon and explore its implications, mainly how we treat art in the digital age.
I remember finding an answer meant a trip to the library, sifting through card catalogues, and poring over heavy tomes. Now, I can pull out my phone and have the answer to almost any question in seconds. It's miraculous. But with this ease comes a cost.
Instant gratification: We've become accustomed to immediate answers, leading to decreased patience for deep learning.
Shallow engagement: The abundance of information encourages skimming rather than deep reading.
Decreased retention: When we know we can quickly look something up again, we're less likely to commit it to memory.
A Microsoft study found that the average human attention span dropped from 12 seconds in 2000 to 8 seconds in 2015. That's shorter than a goldfish's attention span!
The Paradox of Value
Here's where it gets interesting. Economic theory tells us that scarcity increases value. But what happens when knowledge becomes infinitely abundant?
Perceived worthlessness: Information that's freely and readily available is often undervalued.
Lack of appreciation: We take what comes easily to us for granted.
Disposable mentality: Knowledge is treated as disposable, only valuable in the moment it's needed.
This reminds me of a conversation I had with a teenager recently. When I expressed amazement at her ability to find obscure facts so quickly, she shrugged and said, "Why bother remembering stuff when I can just ask AI for the answer?"
I am an artist, so what is the Impact on Art?
Let's consider how this mentality has spilt over into our art treatment. In many ways, art has become just another form of consumable content in our digital buffet.
Streaming culture: Music, films, and visual art are now instantly accessible, leading to a "sampling" mentality.
Decreased attention: We're less likely to sit through an entire album or spend hours contemplating a painting.
Devaluation of creativity: The ease of access can lead to underappreciation of the skill and effort behind artistic creation.
I recently visited a modern art museum and was struck by how many visitors were quickly snapping photos of artworks without really looking at them. It was as if capturing the image for later (likely never to be revisited) was more important than the experience of seeing it in person. ( I am not holier than thou - I have done that - trying not to - in the future)
Let's look at some data:
According to the latest survey conducted in 2022, only 48.5% of adults read one or more books for pleasure in the 12 months before July 2022, down from 52.7% in 2017.
A recent NEA report found that reading rates among adults in the United States have declined over the past five years.
The NEA's director of research and analysis, Sunil Iyengar, noted that the 37.6% participation rate in reading novels or short stories "was the lowest ever" since the surveys began in 1992.
These statistics paint a picture of a society with access to more art and information than ever yet engages with it less deeply.
It's not all doom and gloom.
This new paradigm also offers unique opportunities:
The democratisation of knowledge: More people have access to information than ever.
Creative explosion: The internet has provided platforms for artists not discovered in traditional systems.
Global connection: We can now instantly experience art and culture worldwide.
I've discovered some of my favourite musicians through random recommendations – artists I likely would never have encountered in the pre-internet era.
So, how do we navigate this new landscape? How can we harness the benefits of instant access while still cultivating depth and appreciation?
Here are some strategies I've found helpful:
Practice mindful consumption: When engaging with art or information, give it your full attention. Put away distractions and immerse yourself.
Curate your digital diet: Be intentional about what you consume—quality over quantity.
Support artists directly: Buy albums, attend live shows, and purchase original artworks when possible.
Engage in analogue experiences: Visit museums and concerts and read physical books.
Create scarcity: Limit your access to certain platforms or set specific times for engagement.
Moving further into the digital age, we must cultivate a new relationship with knowledge and art. We must find ways to appreciate the convenience of instant access while valuing depth, complexity, and the human effort behind creation.
The internet has given us an unprecedented gift – a world of knowledge and art at our fingertips. But like any gift, its value lies not in its mere possession but in how we choose to use it.
While the internet may have inadvertently devalued knowledge and art in some ways, it's up to us to redefine that value. By being mindful consumers, supporting creators, and cultivating deep engagement, we can harness the power of this incredible tool while still honouring the timeless value of human creativity and wisdom.