Google Glass is one of the latest examples in a long line of attempts at making devices to change how we perceive reality. Some might say this is bad, that it allows one to live in an unreal realm and thus robs you of your “realness”. Tech isn’t good or bad, the same way a stone isn’t good or bad,...
Firms Control Web: Idea of User Power as an Illusion
Users controlling their experience with technology simply fails as an idea, due to firms’ control over the web as well as tech tools. “Tech isn’t good or bad, the same way a stone isn’t good or bad, it’s how it’s used that defines it” (Max Cohen). Blogger Max Cohen claims that the experience of tech fails to be ‘good’ or ‘bad’ on its own; it’s simply in the hands of the user. However, whether tech tools are good or bad is actually in the hands of the firms in control.
Changing Reality: The Idea of Virtual Reality
Cohen expands on the idea that ads fail to portray real people, yet they still form reality for the public. This idea relates to technology as a whole. More and more, virtual reality takes up portions of everyday life. Pamela Lund, Internet celebrant, expands on the idea of change. She states that “the rise of social media and technology is at the core of this change” (Lund 3). For Cohen, change is the blending of virtual and physical reality.
Virtual worlds blend with real worlds, giving people control over both realities- that is if people don’t fear it. Cohen believes in this idea of control in virtual reality, that people can use tech for good since it’s in their hands. He states, “We can’t put too much faith in tech just as we can’t put too much fear in it. We, the users, must declare how tech will and won’t be used” (Cohen). Users can decide how much tech they can consume. But they cannot control tech while using it. Google Glass is a form of virtual reality that will use location services to warp reality into a world of facial recognition as well as advertising for the user.
Facebook bought out Oculus Rift, a huge virtual reality gaming device. There are numerous benefits to using a “detailed simulation,” such as trying possible scenarios without risking people’s lives (Cohen). However, with technology in the hands of firms, it gives the power to the firm, not the people using it.
Facebook strengthens capitalism, showing who actual has control over technology: the firms, not the people.
Corporations Control User Experience: Power in the Hands of Firms, Not People
Cohen chooses Oculus Rift to purport that tech can be used for good, which it can. However, this is an interesting case considering the controversy around it. Oculus Rift was started on KickStarter, a website where showcase their ideas and get donations from those that are interested. After the buyout, donators and celebrants of the gaming device were up in arms about Facebook buying it. The power was taken from the people and given to a social media giant. The power is once again in the hands of firms, not the people.
Capitalism allows for larger firms to buy up smaller firms. This gives firms such as Facebook the ability to raise prices, use ads on the screen, and control the experience of the technology. Robert W. McChesney, author of Digital Disconnect, states, “Given these giant firms’ enormous size and financial and political power, there may be some reshuffling of the deck, but..some version of these giant monopolies is likely here for the duration”(McChesney 141).
The costs far outweigh the benefits of Facebook buying this gaming device. Not only do users lose experience to possible ads and privacy concerns, but they give up the idea of smaller firms making it in the world of capitalism. It may improve the product, but it only shows that the whole tech world is out of the hands of the user. Donators and users alike had no say in the buyout.
The illusion that the experience of technology is in the hands of the user is a strong one. Clay Shirky, author of Cognitive Surplus, states “Bias in favor of existing systems is good, at least in times of technological stability…. However, that intellectual asset turns into a liability in times of revolution…. those deeply committed to old solutions cannot see how society would benefit from an approach incompatible with older models” (Shirky, 209-210). People stuck in an old mindset against tech tools will fail to assimilate to the model of the world there is now.
Shirky expands on the idea of change in relation to the cognitive surplus. With free time people can communicate over the web, using this two way communication tool as a means of connecting and advocating. Whereas this is a better use of time then the simple consumption of television, it still is simply self-advocating in a world controlled by social media giants.
Cohen expounds upon the idea that tech is changing quickly, and that a dated mindset will get people nowhere (Cohen). However, he also expands on the idea that people control their experience with technology and the Internet, which is simply a farce. Corporations and firms control the experience, which will happen with any new tech tool, including Google Glass.
Works Cited
Cohen, Max. “Augmented Reality Activism: Users Should Govern the Use of Google Glass.” Tumblr. 14 May, 2014. Web. 14 May, 2014.
Lund, Pamela. Massively Networked: How the Convergence of Social Media and Technology Is Changing Your Life. 1st ed. PLI Media, 2011. Web.
McChesney, Robert W. Digital Disconnect: How Capitalism Is Turning the InternetAgainst Democracy. The New Press, 2013. Print.
Shirky, Clay. Cognitive Surplus: Creativity And Generosity In A Connected Age. 1st ed. New York: The Penguin Press HC, 2010. Print.












