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Remarks on 'Memesis'
Simon,
RE: >>In the second paragraph we read:
"Human evolution is fundamentally intertwined with technological
development".
I would have thought this was demonstrably _not_ the case, almost every
aspect of human physiology has remained stable over thousands of years, let
alone during the pitifully few generations of industrialisation."<<
Of course. Biological evolution takes aeons. This was so obviously a
misstatement or mistranslation, that I read this as the evolution of human c
u l t u r e . And our cultures are very much shaped by technological
development-- and that's what we are in the middle of today.
And artists have tended to use the latest technologies available to their
cultures. That's how we know most ancient cutures... by the remains of their
art (as well as the remains of other material objects, mostly tools and
weapons).
Hans Moravec has a point, however, when he talks about a sort of 'merger'
between the biological entity and his various electronic extensions, more and
more of which will be implants. Hearts/pacemakers today, miniature radios,
telephones and other computing extensions, tomorrow. Plugged into constantly
broadcasting brainwashers.
Perhaps that's why it is important for the arts to carve out a significant
presence on this bandwidth. Supply and keep some sort of balance; raise
questions, transcend the deadening monotony of the ever repeating mundane.
Josepha Haveman
http://www.illuminated.com/JH_ArtArchive/
