I think almost everyone agrees that convergence is really convenient. Television shows can now be watched on the computer. You can turn on the computer and listen to music and radio over the internet. My friend even mentioned to me that she don't watch television anymore, she watches computer. You can even read the papers or novels over the computer. Truely, if God decides that the computer is to be removed from the face of the earth now, I think I'll be...uhmm, very sad, to put it mildly.
I think the main reasons for this is mainly convenience and customization. You can watch the shows you want to watch over the internet now. You can listen to the type of music you want to listen to over the internet. You can even read novels and select the type of news you want to pay attention to over the internet. Things that are normally inaccessible to us, especially in sunny Singapore where news and fads often get introduced only after it's obsolete in other places, can now be accessed over the Internet.
However, I feel that there are things that cannot be compressed into one machine. Watching television will always be my first choice over watching the computer if a good show is on on the TV. Firstly, I can't place the couch in front of the computer. Secondly, there's the company. I don't know about you, but there's something cosy about a family watching the television together in the living room. I've hardly heard of scenarios in which the whole family gathers round a computer to watch computer together. Reading of books and novels over the internet strains my eyes greatly. I cannot stand reading the computer for long periods of time. Lastly, there's the radio and the DJs. Even though some radio DJs can be really annoying, they add a personal and local touch to the experience of radio listening. For example, I love Carrie Chong and she makes me feel like she'll always be here for me, even if I'm drowning in fire at the other side of the world. Can the internet radio do that for you? Noooooo. Ryan Seacreast can't save you too, he's too busy hosting his radio station on the other side of the globe. Worse still, there isn't any DJs in those online music radio. Loneliness will fill your heart.
Convergence and technology is good and all but it can't replace everything. I just think it's scary how everything is spiralling at such a fast pace. For example, I wouldn't think of putting a microchip inside my head next time just to make things really convenient, but it can become the future in the matter of ten years' time. I guess it depends on how quickly we can adapt to the changes.
posted by kyun @ 1:57 AM
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