Mori: An Internet EarthworkCenturies ago the tie to the Earth was a real one. People lived and died by the whim of Earth's generosity or wrath. Today, to a certain degree, and in a very philosophical sense, technology separates us from both the dangers and wonders of what the Earth is capable of. This separation, however, is an illusion. While technology can somewhat serve to insulate us, the Earth is still very much in charge. We like to think that we are in control, that we can ignore the Earth (why we think a work like
Mori is necessary in the first place). Greedy conglomerates like to think they can suck the Earth dry without consequence; tree-hugging environmentalists like to think that humanity has the power to destroy the Earth, therefore making it necessary that they save it. Ultimately however, the Earth will continue to exist whatever we do. The only difference will be whether we are able to survive on it if we continue on our present course.
I say all this to say that while I thought
Mori was an interesting experience and a novel idea, I think it is indicative of human hubris to believe that the Earth which has existed so much longer, and which wields so much more power than humanity, needs us to amplify it so that it may be heard. If the point of
Mori was to remind us of our connection to the planet, perhaps a picture of some horrible natural disaster where thousands of people die instantly would be more appropriate, or for that matter, a visual representation of how the ozone layer protects us all from being literally roasted by the Sun.
While I know that it is fashionable to accept the premise that everything is now mediated by technology, and in spite of the fact that man is indeed a narcissistic creature, Earth does not need a megaphone... When it wants our attention, it will have it.
