Thursday, September 3, 2009

Can You Harvest Sociability?

Since the advent of modern agriculture, up through the invention of the plow, and ultimately the use of genetic engineering in plants, the definition of a “skillful” farmer has evolved with respect to technological advances.

The use and development of technology serves as an appendage for our human evolution. In 1900, the average life expectancy of a white male was 47 years old and by the year 2000, that number climbed to 75 years old.

What distinguishes mankind from most other animals is our distinct ability to manipulate and use tools. We may not be showing any physical signs of evolution, but through the use of such tools, we have carefully crafted our environment to live longer and healthier lives.

This cultural debate exposes society’s opposition to change and more importantly, its lack of understanding of social media itself. We must evolve our perceptions and definitions of “skill” and look at the world around us under a new scope.

Social media enhance the growth of mankind through increasingly efficient means of building community and facilitating collaboration. There exists a Newtonian balance between the discussions of social media: for every so-called “expert” that condemns social media’s moral and intellectual shortcomings, one can find another “expert” who equally and oppositely praises social media’s limitless rewards.

This cultural debate exposes society’s opposition to change and more importantly, its lack of understanding of social media itself. We must evolve our perceptions and definitions of “skill” and look at the world around us under a new scope.