Only Connect? The Impact of the Internet on Lived Experience

Abstract

Those of us who live in the ‘late-modern’ developed world live in a world that is increasingly technological in character. This is not a new insight by any means; and it is usual to begin discussions of the likely personal, social or cultural impacts of new technologies with some acknowledgment of this fact. However, the commonplace nature of this observation should not be allowed to disguise its significance; and a mere cursory examination of the recent history of our involvement with some of the most significant and broadly used technologies reveals a truly startling state of affairs.