smokerblog

Virtually Alive

Via Planned Obslescence

The body of a Canadian man was discovered in his home just a few weeks ago. Medical examiners determined that Jim Sulkers, 53, of Winnipeg had died in his sleep sometime in November 2002.

Yes, 2002.

First off, his neighbors assumed that the man, something of a recluse, estranged from his family and with few friends, had been on an extended vacation. Second, he suffered from a medical condition that prevented his body from decomposing in the typically smelly way. But what could potentially have left his body undiscovered indefinitely were his automatic bill payments. His monthly disability pension was direct-deposited into his banking account and all of his bills, including rent and utilities, were automatically deducted each month.

Sad as it is, Sulkers' tale illuminates a chilling fact: that new technologies like electronic banking have created a system in which it's possible to become so physically disengaged from the day-to-day administration of your own affairs that your life can effectively go on without you, perhaps indefinitely. "For many practical purposes, this man was virtually alive throughout that time," says Terence Moran, professor of Media Ecology at New York University...

This may be taking things a little to far, but there is little doubt that technology is increasingly embedded into our daily lives. Soon, we will be able to take this quite literally. Well, actually, the future may already be here. In fact, our dogs have microchips embedded in the skin between their shoulder blades now. If they ever get lost and are brought to a shelter, they will simply be "scanned" to determine that we are the owners.

Along with the sad story of Mr. Sulkers, today I heard of a recently completed study of people who agreed to give up internet access for two weeks. Researchers conducting the Internet Deprivation Study found that their test subjects "experienced withdrawal and feelings of loss, frustration, and disconnectedness" when forced to use such mundane devices as the phone, postage stamps, or the yellow pages.

Sure, technology can insulate people from the outside world, but it can also bring people together. You are reading this weblog for instance, there's email and instant messaging and the ubiquitous cellphone, not to mention the countless dogs being reunited with their owners. Embrace the technology. Reach out to others. Avoid Mr. Sulkers' lonely fate.