It's not just connectedness that changes us, it's our photographic memory

I read a post recently that suggested we are well on our way to 2/3rds of
Earth's human population being connected via a mobile phone, the point
being that for the first time in humanity's history - except perhaps at the
very, very beginning when there were really very, very few of us - . we are
empowered by a global 'connectedness' that approaches ubiquity. Whatever we
do, wherever we are, we can connect globally and 'spread the word', be it
good or bad. I think the proportion involved is probably an overstatement
that doesn't fully account for churn, disused and trashed phones and people
with multiple cell phones; nevertheless it's clear that we are becoming
more and more 'connected'. It's also clear that much of that connectedness
has to do with affluence, and the numbers quoted are clearly heavily
weighted towards developed countries. The point is made however that the
developing countries are picking up steam (not that there are any
steam-powered cell phones - yet).

 However it's not enough to just have access to a phone, is it? It's also
the internet that's underlying practical, useful connectedness globally,
providing a literal and figurative web of information to every connected
person, right now. And I do mean now - there's minimal waiting around for
answers these days. It's empowerment both by connectedness and instant
access to databases.

 But it's even more than that as well. We used to wait around for film to be
developed - even 'instant' cameras had a latency period where nothing much
happened. Now we can buy cheap digital cameras that will take that shot
right here, right now. And we can embed those cameras into our mobile
devices... so we have connectedness, access to knowledge and photographic
records of events - evidence, if you like - all rolled up into one mass
human movement. I can be here, ask questions over there and send proof - a
photo or a video - to everyone I know in the blink of an eye. Now that
really is something. What comes out of that empowered digital connectedness
I can only guess at - it could be that humanity begins to bind itself
closer together and works better to report - and then solve - big problems.
Perhaps it will lead to a global popular government of sorts, something
that helps to level the playing field across nations. Or it may turn out
more like Lithium for the masses - where we all just achieve a safer but
duller 'average' life. I don't know. But we will inevitably find out, and
probably soon.

 The article on cell phone uptake was re-tweeted via @neerav. You may also
like to read the article that prompted my further thoughts on mobile
photography: http://snipurl.com/pmozu

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