When I Was Your Age...

What is the nature of the Internet? To some, it is the greatest achievement of the 20^th century, and ultimately a force of greater good. However to others, it is the bane of our existence. One might ask, “How can a difference of opinions over the Internet be on such opposite ends of the spectrum?” While not quite an age-old question, age itself plays a key role in the search for an answer. What it all boils down to is to whom you ask this question. The older the person, the greater the likelihood of them not being the Internet’s biggest fan. The Internet serves as the main catalyst to bring about such a difference in viewpoint not only to the question posed above, but also to multiple aspects of daily life. Today’s Internet generation takes Internet communication for granted to the extent that they have reinvented the social norm on seeking out and maintaining relationships.

Relationships and the significantly different ideologies behind the many aspects of daily life are showcased in political cartoons such as this, demonstrating the effect the Internet has had on society’s youth. Randy Bish's cartoon from the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review shows a grandchild questioning his grandfather about his younger days; he wonders how he was ever able to carry on in the absence of Internet sites such as Facebook and E-Harmony. These characters signify two different generations, a pre-internet generation and a post-internet generation. The culture we have been immersed in most of our life plays a huge role in the opinions and viewpoints we formulate every day. For most of his life, the grandfather and the rest of his generation lived without the Internet; they literally had no idea what they were missing. The reason he does not find the Internet to be a vital part of everyday life is plain and simple; it had never been a part of his life at any point. However, the child is in a different boat. The instant gratification of online communication and relationships has clouded his ability to see how people used to find each other and build real life relationships. He cannot fathom a world without Internet, and thus will never be able to experience what his grandfather has.

Visual hints as well as facial expressions also play a part in understanding and interpreting the cartoon. The idea of ethos comes to light by the illustrator choosing a grandfather. Selecting an elderly person could be a means of showing that he has gained wisdom through his many years, and therefore, he has established credibility. The grandfather’s facial expression, a sad and gloomy look, could signify his disappointment over how pervasive the Internet has become in our relationships. The grandchild’s facial expression should be considered as well. He communicates a genuinely surprised expression, displaying his innocence to the question he has posed. He is part of a generation which takes the Internet for granted to the extent that he cannot imagine any alternate lifestyle that does not include Facebook or E-Harmony. The black shadowing seemingly hovering over the grandfather could represent another visual cue. If the illustrator has a positive view on the Internet and its uses, this dark abyss could represent the un-enlightened state-of-mind that many elderly people seem to be stuck in when it comes to the Internet.

A consensus may never be reached when it comes to the nature of the Internet. However, one thing that cannot be argued is the fact that the Internet has revolutionized the way we communicate, interact, and carry on relationships. Most people reading this blog are likely to be grouped into the “grandchild” category that the cartoon displays. However, it is inevitable that the future will bring the next “big thing” since Internet. The real question is will the “grandchildren” of today be able to adapt to the continuously changing times, or will they fall victim to them and become the “grandfathers” of society?