Miscellaneous Elective

Silicon Snake

Emily C. Moser

SLM 521

April 2004

‘Objects In Mirror Are Closer Than They Appear’

…Reflections on the Information Highway

Five points from the writings and my views on them.

1. Cliff Stoll makes the statement that in the network community, “No birds sing.’’ To me, this is a most poetic line to mark the difference between ‘real life’ experience and virtual life experience. I agree with Stoll that there is no contest. Virtual reality should never replace the richness and variety of real experience. Geraldine Lewis retorted that “simulation is better than no experience at all.” While that may be true as an introduction to something, it will not lead to deep understanding.

2. Roy McGreal counters this by pointing out that the kind of ‘real’ life that Stoll extols (sorry, I couldn’t resist), does not exist and that ‘real’ life is not full of wonderful human relationships and gardening. However, I think that is exactly Cliff Stoll’s point. Life is often ugly, hurtful, strange, and unpredictable. But, that is the essence of its richness and variety. It is also this interaction, not a glitzy web page that produces real wisdom.

3. Stoll also says that computers should never replace teachers. Like him, I agree that a passionate, “fired-up” teacher has more of an impact on students’ lives than a computer program ever will. I don’t think that precludes students’ learning with a computer, however. But will the computer ever care about the student and be passionately involved in their development as a human being? That is the real role of teachers.

4. Cliff Stoll is worried about the loss of libraries. I was fascinated to realize from Jackie Dooley’s article that the book or manuscript is actually one of the best ways to preserve knowledge since so many computer programs and technology quickly become obsolete. Jeff Rothenberg agrees that the written word is the most resilient and lasting repository of learning because it is readable without the need for any tools. I am impressed by the enduring beauty and evolution of human language. I have even read poetry written by a computer.

5. Like Cliff Stoll, I wonder whether the internet really brings us together or further alienates us. However, I don’t see the internet as a substitute for my life, rather it is just another tool to use in life. I don’t use it to create relationships or some kind of double life, but, I think some people do. I use it for research and news and shopping and creating documents. Geraldine Lewis, in a teacher article, had the best advice. She advised a rational, balanced approach to use the internet to enrich our lives—stay focused on its purpose and keep track of the time spent there.