Virtual Sanity

Jamiroquai's mid-90s pop/funk hit "Virtual Insanity" is almost a lamentation about how humans have succumbed to technology. I, on the other hand, celebrate the fact that I live in this era of hi-tech and virtual interconnectedness such that geographical isolation is no longer a barrier for human interaction. Imagine the past world wars when soldiers in action were motivated by happy memories through pictures and handwritten letters of their loved ones kept within their helmets or pockets. Or Queen Victoria of England and Prince Albert who spent most of their courtship stages exchanging and waiting for handwritten missives. 

The kind of technological advancement that we have today is such a gift, despite what many anti-tech people rant about how smartphones promote narcissism and isolation. I still prefer actual human interaction--I cannot stress that enough; but I do enjoy the luxury of being able to connect with family on the other side of the planet especially during times when familial or friendly support are most helpful. 

In terms of politics, current events, and science, the world wide web has allowed real-time information to reach the common man. Yes, the task of filtering which is fact or fiction can be daunting yet the human brain is very adaptable. Educators are no longer sources of information but facilitators of learning; ideally, the role of academic institutions today should be to teach students how to think. It's back to the past a la ancient Greece and the roots of philosophy...come to *think* of it.