Existential Crises and the Internet

Cause or Effect?

The writings of H.G. Welles, Aldous Huxley, Marshall McLuhan and Dr. Neil Postman, all Media Ecologists, warned about the dangers of technology and mass media, and how they can be used to manipulate and control society, contributing to the concern that society is on a path toward either destruction or education.

H.G. Wells, in his novel "The War of the Worlds," explored the dangers of technology and how it can be used to destroy society. Similarly, Aldous Huxley's "Brave New World" portrays a dystopian society where individuals are controlled through the use of technology and mass media.

Marshall McLuhan, in his book "The Medium is the Massage," argued that the medium of communication is just as important as the message itself. He believed that the medium of communication shapes the way we perceive and understand the world. He also warned that the increasing use of technology and mass media would lead to a global village, where people would be connected but also controlled.

Dr. Neil Postman, in his book "Amusing Ourselves to Death: Public Discourse in the Age of Show Business," argued that the increasing use of technology and mass media has led to a decline in critical thinking and the erosion of traditional forms of education. He believed that the entertainment-based nature of mass media has led to a society that is increasingly focused on entertainment, rather than on important issues and ideas.

All of these authors warned about the dangers of technology and mass media, and how they can be used to manipulate and control society. They also argued that the increasing use of technology and mass media has led to a decline in critical thinking and the erosion of traditional forms of education. With the internet and the rise of social media, these concerns have become even more relevant today as the internet has become the primary source of information for many people and it has led to the spread of misinformation and disinformation.

The internet plays a significant role in shaping public perception and understanding of various issues including climate change, political polarization, racial hatred, gender inequality, democracy, nationalism, economic conditions and inequality, technological upheaval, war, global conflict, and public healthcare. The media often presents these issues as existential crises, creating intense questioning and uncertainty about one's purpose, identity, and values. It can manifest as feelings of despair, helplessness, and meaninglessness, and can trigger major life changes and societal shifts.

Therefore, it is important that all those working in media and especially advertising supported media understand the role of the internet and its effects on our existential crises and commit to advancing the positive use of the internet, to find a balance between the positives and negatives to navigate and confront the existential crisis in the media industry. The Media Ecologist makes the argument that those who still have power, the advertisers, have abandoned any pretext of responsibility and no longer even understand why it’s in their interest to care. For the continuation of my case and why advertisers need to understand the implications of their lack of attention to the dangers their funding supports, subscribe to my weekly The Media Ecologist commentary.