Aneeshka Vyas | Contributor
Featured image: York English Professor B.W. Powe’s work The Charge in the Global Membrane focuses on the power and influence of the digital world. | Courtesy of Pexels
It goes without saying—we are constantly surrounded and consumed by the Internet. It invades even the most private parts of our lives, and haunts our dreams and most intimate moments.
How does this constant flow of information, opinions, and ideas influence a person’s stream of thought? Professor B.W. Powe, a writer, poet, essayist, and novelist in York’s English department, delves into this concept, compelling his readers to introspective reactions regarding major current events, such as the Refugee Crisis and the United States’ 2016 presidential election in his upcoming work, The Charge in the Global Membrane.
He starts by speaking of technology almost reverently, going as far as calling it “the second creation.” This is somewhat justified, seeing how our day-to-day lives are becoming more and more dependent on technology.
Whether it’s completing coursework, contacting professors, making plans, seeing new places, enjoying various forms of entertainment, or online shopping, the Internet will be a mode that people use to complete everyday tasks for years to come.
As Internet use has become much more commonplace, it has quickly become a gag for various forms of media, including popular T.V. shows such as Modern Family, Black-ish, and so on.
Though everyone has their own distinct opinions and voice—thanks to social media—there is a constant danger of this voice getting lost among the millions of others. Powe gives a nod to this, citing it as the possible cause of the fear of loss of identity. He goes on to question how this fear has manifested itself on a larger, transnational scale, influencing our policies and national identity.
It juxtaposes a loss of self against the development of a “global village,” which brings several new questions to the forefront. Through this work, the reader is compelled to think about the influence of this opposing concept on one’s self-concept.
The Charge in the Global Membrane touches upon on the contrast between print versus electronic media as well, the former being the product of an intense process of fact-checking, proofreading, and deep contemplation about the effect it may have on the masses. Print media also tends to be processed at a slower pace, due to its contemplative nature.
On the other hand, electronic media, from which we get the majority of our information nowadays, is focused more on shock value and ratings. This tactic, recognized by President Trump during the recent American election, was what made him so noticeable—not only to the United States, but to the world. This new electronic-based approach is made to be processed at a faster pace—thus, readers are not encouraged or driven to take the time to ponder its meaning— which, inevitably, has quite dire consequences.
Powe attempts to give the reader a break from the fast-paced world of electronics by weaving a deep, almost hypnotic work that acknowledges the drawbacks and successes of the New Age. The Charge in the Global Membrane is interspersed with beautiful street pictures such as Marshall Soules’ “Havana” and touches upon modern-day issues while referencing legends such as Patti Smith and Leonard Cohen. Scattered between paragraphs, words of encouragement are repeated to the reader for reaching so far, subtly acknowledging the increase in short attention spans—a side-effect of the fast-paced electronic environment.
The work is a must-read for all those who want to understand the effect of the modern age and find solace in its slow, soothing words.
You can read the short, unpublished version on Powe’s WordPress blog, McLuhan Galaxy, under the post titled “The Charge in the Global Membrane: Notes on Paradigm Change.” It is the full, college essay-poetic work, which is planned to be published in early 2018.
