The High Order Bit

The BBC has a rather mundane article today discussing the How the internet is changing language – and Slashdot responded in a – dare I say it again – mundane sort of way. Is it really news that LOL, Googling, and l33t speak has made the way into common language? I just can’t believe this is news – it’s a bit like today’s article in the London Metro announcing (on behalf of the Advertising Standards Authority) the PS3 has better display qualities than the XBox360. Wow. Earth shattering. I expect fluffy, poorly thought out press releases from the Metro but a bit more from BBC.

And here’s why I’m a bit miffed at the whole discussion: I think the BBC missed an opportunity to look at how the internet is changing not just language, but complete concept of regional culture. I know it didn’t start with the internet — movies, TV, and radio, and national newspapers made even the most colloquial language within a country ubiquitous – but also hinted at behavior and expectations of uniformity. The barrier to cultural exchange broke down to the point where 14 year olds who had never seen a surf board in their life were using ‘hang loose’ and dressing like white rappers dragged through Sears (in other words, not very authentic). Growing up I was always amazed and thought about the waves of popularity through the country – watching trends start on the West Coast, pop over to NYC, filter through the eastern seaboard, and migrate West. Or start in FL, move to NJ, hit NYC, then bam – throughout the country. I mean, seriously, someone has to take the blame for popped collars. Who started it?? I blame this guy.

But what I found interesting about cultural exchange through the mass media within the US, I find absolutely fascinating to watch through the internet on a cultural level. I expect to be able to not only suss out an interesting London property through Google maps, but now find myself navigating and exploring places I’ve seen on holiday, exploring places I’ve never been in order to get a feel for the place before I arrive. I can get a feel for how a town is laid out, see their signs, and not be a complete foreigner in a foreign land when I arrive. And while blogging and Twitter are tip of the sword here, Youtube, Chatroulette (Mom, be careful with that link), and even down to checking out world news sites have taken our picture of the world and it’s inhabitants, and exploded our expectations of finding unique culture. Chalk up part down to mass commercialization (I was floored to find out the popularity of 7Elevens in Thailand!) but also down to our access to the fire hose of data and knowledge that we call the internet.