Dehumanizing Technology

I remember at one time watching a TV show about a people who believed that taking photographs of them stole their souls. It was one of those Twilight Zone-type shows; the rub of it was, when the photos were developed (yes, kids, there was a time when photos were taken on film that had to be developed), the people whose photos had been secretly taken (members of a warrior tribe of some sort) came to life and attacked the person/people who had "stolen" them.

This came to mind as I was going through a tote of photographs I have taken or received over the years. As I sorted through countless pictures of tailgates and forest scenes and wondering why I had felt those moments significant enough to capture on film, I started thinking about the whole concept of photography and its effect on our humanity. (Pretty heady stuff for a snow day, I realize.)

Wikipedia will tell you that the concept of photography has been around since ancient times, but that the first permanent photograph was produced around 1826--less than 200 years ago. Not very long given the expanse of human history. That prompted me to wonder--how did we as people preserve memories--images--of the people and things we cared about prior to that?

Well, the wealthy sat for professional portrait painters, and others painted scenes that would be preserved for as long as their canvases lasted. But what about the rest of the people? How did they preserve memories? The shockingly simple answer is they talked and they remembered. They shared stories and descriptions of others who had come before them. While these may not have been as acutely accurate as a photograph, they placed an image in their minds that would not easily be erased.

And today? Hey, grab a photo on your cell phone and e-mail it to grandma. Sure as hell beats visiting her and listening to her ramble on, doesn't it?