Is There Love in the Telematic Embrace?

Roy Ascott's essay ponders the impact of technology on many aspects of human life. But the key area he seems concerned with is its impact on human relationships and its impact on art.

Technology has had an unmistakable and unchangeable impact on human relationships. Whether they are personal relationships, business relationships or even romantic relationships, technology allows the linking of individuals who would otherwise never encounter each other. However, by most accounts these relationships are not as fulfilling as "real world" relationships. To answer Ascott's question as best I can, it is possible to find love and meaning in the telematic embrace, but it will never equal the connection possible through "real world" contact.

Art has always evolved to fit the mediums available. People don't still paint on cave walls because at one point someone discovered that canvas made a better medium. There is really nothing to fear from technology, because has not replaced the art that already exists. In fact it's quite the opposite. Far from replacing conventional art, technology has only helped it, allowing more access to the once-exclusive realm of museums. Someone who lives in the middle of Kansas and has never been to New York's MoMa can go online and view the exhibitions. I can't go to Paris right now but I can go onto Google and find a scan of the Mona Lisa in two seconds. Not only that, but because of technology I can Photoshop my own face into that ancient painting and post it on my blog for the world to see, thus creating my own art!