The Great Disassociation.

The topic of this post is my claim that the Internet is separating us. That it is like the electricity used to separate the atoms in the molecule H2O the negative and the positive, oxygen and the hydrogen, what is called in chemistry disassociation. Are we living in the age of disassociation? Where the electricity is the Internet. Just a thought.

 I've been wanting to write this for some time. I have a few posts like this. I've been thinking about how, recently, more than ever in history, we have been separated and divided in our opinions. It's dividing people everywhere. Good luck trying to find somebody who is not affected.

Now, what I found about the fractal is that it is a foundational geometry that points to different interpretations. It is even, defined by differences. Now I think that there is only one truth to the mechanics of this fracture and the other side is an illusion. There is a duality of knowledge.

I've also written on how I think the computer is affecting knowledge. This is quite separate from the fractal work and came directly from my teaching in economics. I claim that the Internet is creating public goods from everything it processes or runs through it.

The following is an insight from both of these disciplines.

Disassociation.

I find it very peaceful to listen to a science talk. I will fall asleep to a good science audiobook or a good science documentary. There's something about it. I don't know what it is, but it does not antagonise me or wake me up. I used to listen to the news, and I used to listen to the BBC in the same way as I listen to science. But those days are long gone for me. They would for sure wake me up.  I don't think I've listened to the BBC, PBS, or my beloved Radio New Zealand for over a year. They've all gone from my listening. Now, what does that say about me? Well, that is a discussion on its own, but like I say to people, I turn off these channels like I used to turn off religious radio. Because I write about religion, I think the answer can be found in understanding what religious talk is like. But that is another topic. Maybe another day. But I will say, I can't even listen to a lot of the new podcasts either. What's going on here? I can't be alone.

One of my relaxation listens is the history of chemistry, and I was inspired to write this entry while learning about the discovery of atomic disassociation using electricity. Humphrey Davies was the first to use electricity to separate hydrogen and oxygen from the molecular H2O water.

In a similar metaphor, I wonder if the Internet is the electricity that is separating the so-called left and the so-called right more than ever. Separating the negative and the positive.

I will say that we need to find a way of correcting this bias. I call it bias for the want of a word. I think it is something that can be studied and better understood. We need an instrument that can see us through this new age, this age of disassociation.