External Memory and Connection

External Memory

Throughout the book, Thompson dives into many different ways in which technology has enhanced the world. He first speaks of memory and how one’s own memory is something we look back on and use to make judgments on situations we may encounter in the future. For example, Thompson talks about how many people tend to remember things incorrectly. In one study conducted by Daniel Offer, a group of fourteen-year-old boys were asked about different aspects of their lives. When he did the follow-up on the study forty years later, he asked and them the same questions and many of their responses changed. Originally, 70 percent of the fourteen-year-olds said religion was a big part of their lives, yet when they were asked this forty years later only 26 percent ever recalled it being important in their everyday life. What this proved is the utter ability of our minds to revise our memory over time and repress things that have become insignificant. In today’s world there are tools within phones which allow options such as text messaging, videos, and note taking apps that help one to recall events. If someone would have had the convenience of a camera phone at the time when these children were fourteen, they could have taken a picture or video of their family eating a collective meal after church or synagogue and then be able to look back on it and remember values that were instilled at that time. External memory sources can help people remember values from many years ago and help keep them instilled for longer because the human brain can only do so much.

Connection

In addition, Thompson speaks multiple times about how the virtual world allows for humans to connect in a much easier and convenient way and it encourages publishing of material and ideas. Specifically, Thompson speaks about a Kenyan born woman who is obsessed with Kenyan politics. Since being in the United States, she was unable to communicate with other Kenyans about her passion and had to find a different outlet. She was told by multiple people to set up a blog and discuss her opinions on different topics. From her blogging, she started an online community with other Kenyans. She would write about hunger, road construction, and other national problems. Soon she had built a credible place for Kenyans and others to communicate about such topics. When there were times of crisis, people read and replied to her blog. This proved the powerful connectivity of the Internet and how it allows you to express your ideas. If you build up followers, you can create a significant impact on others lives. Thompson examined scenarios such as this which truly show the positive impact the Internet community can have on influencing the world in a constructive and positive way.