brainstorm

Internet and the prospects of online social networks

In the novel, Pattern Recognition, the internet is an essential part of the storyline because it is how Cayce gets her inside information about the video clips. Through chains of email and messages from web forum F:F:F:, Cayce is able to keep in contact with Parkaboy, Damien, and her mother from around the world. Even though Cayce has never met Parkaboy before, she feels that she can trust him more than she can with the people around her. Having the technology to be able to communicate with so many people that are each so distant from one another gives off the impression that the world is smaller than it seems. Cayce’s daily life revolves around the videos posted on the forum and her messages from Parkaboy. So without the internet, her life would most likely have no meaning. In the future, it is probable that everyone will become extremely dependent on the internet and online social networks that it would be impossible to live without a computer.

Post 9/11 social commentary

The tragic incident on 9/11 changed America as a whole. Because it was sudden and unexpected, we Americans began to live in a world of uncertainty. This uncertainty of everyday life turned to fear of the unknown. It is difficult knowing that there is something out in the world that cannot be comprehended. This applies to the mysterious footage that is all over the web. The whole world seems to be obsessed over these one hundred video clips because of its puzzling scenes. After which seems a year, still, no one knows who is uploading all of these clips, which makes the people even more compelled to solve the mystery. After 9/11, everyone wanted life to return to normal and wished that something like that would never happen again. People feel safer living life day by day the exact same way, needing to know what is coming next.  Because if something does not fit into that already existing pattern, then chaos is everywhere until a way is found to make the problem fit.