The End of Being Interviews Gareth

I did an interview with the fine feathered freaks at counter-culture ezine, The End of Being:

You catalogue so many aspects of the internet’s early history. In “The Electric Cottage: A Flashforward” you cite the experience of your young son, Blake, being totally unaware of the historical newness of the tech he was being raised as a fascinating moment of self-awareness. You also talk of the “unconscious carry,” our all-in-one devices casually forgotten in pockets and bags; a calculated prediction turned daily reality. Do you think it’s important for younger generations to be aware of the internet’s DIY beginnings, subversive tendencies, and tech’s more cumbersome days?

GB: Absolutely. I think we completely take the net for granted now, and especially post-web youth think it was always this way. It was not, and it won’t be if we don’t fight to keep it as open and unregulated as possible (Hello, Net Neutrality). One of the most flattering things that anyone’s said about my book is that it’s a refreshing and inspiring reminder of the early spirit and enthusiasm that pioneered the web in the first place and that it will hopefully inspire readers to reclaim some of that enthusiasm. That would be a dream!

Read the entire interview here.

[Art from Borg Like Me by Jeremy Mayer.]