Seriously...I have never analysed an article this freaking long before =.=
The recent digital revolution, wherein much of our modern lifestyle has become governed by digital technology, has instigated widespread and impassioned debate about whether we should embrace this alteration to our lives, as opposed to resisting changes to the way things were done in the past. A written response to this issue, authored by a writer under the alias of Voxi and published in the online journal Digital Technology (23 May 2009), contends that the digital revolution is a phenomenon that we should immerse ourselves in wholeheartedly. Employing a sanguine and often passionate tone, the writer aspires to compel the younger generation who have grown up amidst the digital revolution to share his enthusiasm for emerging digital technologies. Accordingly the appearance of the article in a virtual journal with the logo depicting two laptops encompassing the globe is appropriate, as it emphasises the concept that digital technology is an inexorable constituent of our future.
From the outset, Voxi establishes her argument that the world will inevitably be mired in digital technology and that therefore we should accept it with unbridled optimism. The title “Keyed In” suggests that the state of our world is throughout set in stone, in that there is no escaping the fact that our lives will be utterly surrounded by digital technology. In addition the metaphor of the key insinuates that the digital revolution is unlocking barriers to the advancement of our society, thereby enhancing the capabilities of the human race .Voxi begins his piece by acknowledging the views of those who take the view that “if it works, why fix it?” In doing so, the writer establishes themselves as reasonable commentator who can be relied upon to provide a rational argument, thereby lending credibility to her stance that. Yet at the same time, she subtly disparages her opposition as “Afraid.” Accordingly the audience is made to perceive resistance to developing technologies as a diseased mentality of sorts, one that as members of the digital generation they should eschew. Consequently the audience, especially those belonging to Generation Y wherein technology has had a major role in their upbringing, are compelled to be one of those who are “Excited by the possibility of the unknown.” This dichotomy between conservatism and liberalism is designed to denounce the view that the digital revolution is a pernicious influence on our society. Readers are cajoled towards the comprehension that they should embrace digital technology, as it serves to ameliorate their world.
Voxi proceeds to depict the digital revolution as a development that will dramatically amplify the abilities of the human race. By comparing digital technology to inventions such as the “telescope” and emphasising how such innovations have “[opened] up new worlds”, Voxi endeavours to evoke a sense of unrestrained optimism towards digital technology. The repetition of the word “revolutionize” , with its connotations of a transformation which enhances the world to an extent beyond imagination, is constructed to portray that there is absolutely no reason why the audience should resist the emergency of digital technologies, as there are only extraordinary benefits to be realised should they embrace it. Accordingly Voxi further addresses the opposition’s concerns of how “humanity will be diminished.” In directly quoting a passage from a podcast (presumably contending against the digital revolution), Voxi aims to illustrate that any resistance to the digital revolution is ludicrous; a concept which is particularly emphasised by the incoherent and babbling nature of the podcast extract. The force of the concept that digital technology empowers the human race to attain previously unreachable heights is heightened via Voxi’s allusion to human evolutionary theories. In particular, the pun evident in the term “homo supersapiens” is designed to convince the audience that digital technology is a phenomenon that will only magnify the capacities of our society, and that it is therefore utterly preposterous to view the digital revolution with apprehension.
Voxi furthermore lists the potential benefits of digital technology. In suggesting that digital technology has the capacity to aid our civilization in “finding cures faster” and “[solving] riddles of the universe”, Voxi intends to sway the readers to share her opinion that the digital revolution is a cause for celebration. This concept is then further strengthened by the accompany visual. Depicting a hologram projecting from the core of a prototypical human brain, the image is constructed to illustrate that digital technology will facilitate our attempts to surpass barriers that previously hindered our race. The manner in which the light shines from the head’s centre reflects the writer’s beliefs that digital technology will engender a bright future, and that it is only foolish and suspicious “older people” who oppose such a wonderful development. Voxi proceeds to quash fears that digital technology will violate privacy issues. By revealing how “the pictures we see are not real-time images”, Voxi endeavours to assuage any doubts the audience may have towards the idea that digital technology will enhance our existence in every manner possible. The mention of the “hot balloon people” is intended to convey that the digital technology does not instigate new problems, rather any dilemmas involved with digital technology existed long beforehand.
Voxi’s reference to “global shopping” entices the reader, especially members of Generation Y, to perceive digital technology as an integral component of their lives. Accordingly the audience is made to recognise that further development of digital technology should instigate fear, as it only supplements their lifestyle rather than drastically alter it. Furthermore, Voxi commands the audience to “be excited.” Through this, Voxi hopes to evoke a highly positive and emotional response to the digital revolution, thereby stimulating them to share his unbridled sense of sanguinity towards the phenomenon. In denouncing those who do not align with his spirits of optimism as “losers”, Voxi thereby invites the audience, especially younger members who are “not afraid”, to view any opposition to the development of digital technology as absolutely preposterous. The mindset that digital technology can potentially corrupt our society is lambasted along with the wary “older people” who advocate such a view. As such the writer quashes disagreement to his assertion that we only stand to benefit from the digital revolution. Promoting the technology as enabling humans to be “faster and more efficient”, Voxi fosters from readers a fervent belief that the digital revolution will propel our race to make unparalleled progress.
The crux of Voxi’s piece comes from her passionate appeals ot the reader’s desire for a luminous future, and his continual attempts to link the digital revolution with the notion of “enhancing our lives.” Younger readers who have become accustomed to digital technology are likely to wholeheartedly side with Voxi’s view that we only stand to reap fantastic benefits from the digital revolution. Conversely older members of the audience whom Voxi has slyly denigrated through subtle pejoratives will probably feel alienated by Voxi’s piece, and thereby bolster their resistance against the digital revolution. All in all, this issue is set to spark further debate as digital technology becomes a more prominent facet of our lives.
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