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Like Cyberspace, Like Meatspace

December 29th, 2008 • Comments »

When I first began this blog, I had over-estimated its potential popularity within the blogosphere and online community in general. My primary mistake involves assuming that there are millions (or even hundreds) of people out there that share similar thoughts, ideas, and interests. Somehow, I imagined the Internet as being fundamentally different than the “real world” (i.e., “meatspace”) in terms of social behavior, political influence, and ideological tolerance. Every day, I am reminded about how utterly identical the online world is to its offline counterpart.

From a social perspective, the offline world engages primarily in superficial relationships motivated by shameless self-interest. For example, consider our modern world of capitalist enterprise and unlimited corporate greed, where people are refused food, clothing, and shelter unless they are able to provide some form of payment. The same concept permeates virtually every aspect of life — “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know. Hang out with the “right” people, and you have a shot. Buy the latest product and be admired. Follow the latest trends and gain acceptance.

Unfortunately, the blogosphere — despite its best intentions — is nothing more than a digitized reflection of our offline reality. The Web, like or not, is far from the cosmic utopia of free information and social networking once imagined. Rather, the Web is increasingly the target of capitalistic, political, and ideological manipulation. The same greedy capitalists that want to own and control the offline world are doing everything in their power to own and control the Internet. Sleazebag marketers that make life miserable offline are also making life miserable online. Those pathetic commercials that infect every other minute of television and radio programming have found their way online, turning freely available information into commercialized opportunities to bleed our wallets dry.

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6 Responses to “Like Cyberspace, Like Meatspace”

#1 • Aroop • January 31, 2009 at 10:18 am

Despite all the attempts by capitalists and marketers don’t you think cyberspace is still all about free choice. While people do market themselves still more often than not its still quality that wins. If its those marketers who are providing the quality so be it. Marketing, intrinsically is definitely not evil; I hope you would agree.

#2 • Jeff_ • February 2, 2009 at 11:35 am

Hi Aroop, thanks for the comment. I agree that marketing in and of itself is not evil, but it certainly has the potential to be abused by evil marketers. Quality wins when there is choice and it is available; some marketing campaigns deliberately target and influence those without choice, especially when politics and power are involved.

#3 • Czymra • July 7, 2009 at 3:35 pm

I’d say that “honest networking” while exchanging or communicating real values is no bad thing.
Marketing is just a euphemism for NLP however.
But hey, maybe I’m a little late to the discussion. ;)

#4 • Jeff Starr • July 7, 2009 at 5:56 pm

That is an interesting concept. Would you mind elaborating on your statement:

Marketing is just a euphemism for NLP however.

I would like to hear it. Thank you :)

#5 • Czymra • January 4, 2010 at 9:44 am

Wow, it’s been a long time, but it seems that finally I have the time to reply.
Allow me to be brief: I’d say that marketing is a term that basically describes persuasion. For some reason, marketing is packaged up quite nicely, not just the messages that are spread through it, but also the process of persuasion is not looked upon as ‘dangerous’. However, we seem to live in a world where media has gained such a power, that most messages can be spread, if they are accompanied by a good commercial. It may seem silly, but I believe the impact on the subconscious and thus our desires/motivations/behaviour is quite profound. In order to achieve this goal, marketing will use NLP and similar techniques to maximise it’s success.

I hope this makes it clear.

#6 • Jeff Starr • January 5, 2010 at 1:01 pm

Yes, I see what you mean now. Media has long since used principles of NLP, psychology, and even witchcraft to persuade and influence the masses. I imagine that the science of marketing is one of the most-researched fields in the industry due to profit incentive, politics, and other psycho-social motivators.

Thanks for elaborating :)

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