SF0209 The Digital Age

Since mankind’s been around these have been the main ages.

The Stone Age 3.4 million years ago to 10,000 BC. Stone tools, hunter-gatherer lifestyle, mastery of fire, cave art, nomadic movement.

Neolithic Age 10,000 BC – 3300BC.Inventionof agriculture, domestication of animals, establishment of permanent settlements.

Bronze Age 3300 BC – 1200 BC. Invention of writing, rise of the first cities, bronze technology.

Iron Age 1200 BC – 500 BC. Widespread use of iron for tools and weapons.

Classical Era 500 BC – 400 AD. Greek culture and the Roman Empire. Other empires were also available.

Dark Ages 400AD – 800AD. Westerners forgot how things worked.

Medieval Era 500 AD – 1500 AD. The bridge between classical culture and the Renaissance. A lot of fighting but not much really happens.

Early Modern Era 1500 AD – 1750 AD. Westerners rediscovered how things worked.

Industrial Era 1750 AD – 1990 AD. Power-driven machines, factories, big business.

The Digital Age 1990 AD – Today.

I guess we’re all still figuring out what it means to live in this digital age. It largely depends on your point of view. I think if you’re optimistic, you like change and all the good things that have opened up, of which there have undoubtedly been many. Take this podcast, for one. If you’re more of an Eeyore, then we’re all going to hell in an AI handbasket. Take your pick.

Over time, not surprisingly, artists have had a go addressing these issues. It’s not all digital dystopias, as the title of Ninajirachi’s song indicates (she means it in the most literal sense). Kraftwerk actively embraced new technology from their Düsseldorf heartland even before the emergence of digital technology as an aid to production.

But the key notes are generally wistful nostalgia, scepticism and cynicism. Often an exhausted, tetchy weltschmerz, as per Packs’ ‘Paige Machine’ or Sufjan Stevens’ ‘Video Game’.

I thought an interesting subject for an episode, at any rate.