A scalable world?

After skimming over the Lanham stuff the thing that stuck out to me was the idea that new technology makes it possible to change scale of information, be it a book, letter, painting or anything else you can see on the screen. I think there is a lot of value in experiencing something more tangible in the way it's creator intended it. Every book, unless part of a volume, is different. I never judge a book by it's cover, but I do like analyzing and admiring it. To see a famous painting on a 17" monitor is a very different thing that seeing it in person with nothing between it and your eyes but air.

The digitizing of society has also caused a decrease in physical social interaction. The computer and the internet makes it possible for us to stay at home and accomplish a multitude of mundane tasks, such as research, bill paying and shopping. I believe our overall intelligence and understanding of the world around us suffers. We need to get out and inteact with people. We need to make connections with others. That is where real education happens.

Part of me would love to see what would happen if all high technology was taken from mankind. Some people would not be able to function, but everyone would realize how important and permanent physical print and art are. There is nothing wrong with taking advantage of new inventions, but we musn't lose our connection with the physical world outside this little box you are currently staring into.