After our talk a couple weeks ago, I had Heidegger on my mind. All of our talk about modern technology and its affect on our identities (both purposefully and in ways we wish wouldn't happen) got me thinking about other, more low-tech communities. Would it make sense to say that communities with little or no access to modern technology have a more authentic sense of self than we do?
Are their relationships more sincere?
Do they really have more control over their identities/the self they present to the world?
I think in those settings people are defined more by actions and the people they surround themselves with (like the internet but in real life!). I've never lived in a place totally devoid of technology so I couldn't say for sure, but I have lived in a little town (less than 900 people) with limited access to technology before.
Thinking back, it just seems like people are the same in different ways. There isn't a Facebook selfie to ruin your prospective job opportunities, but there is a grapevine ready to spread gossip. It's hard for me to say which is worse: having an awkward picture forever associated with me on google images no matter where I run, or to have my reputation ruined with everyone in small place I'll never leave.
