The virtual world shouldn’t be seen as the antithesis of reality. It is
therefore important to take ownership of digital tools and use them
purposefully. In 2012, the US psychologist Sherry Turkle drew an
alarming picture of the Millennial. Their “relentless connection [has led to]
a new solitude”. Overwhelmed by technology, the digital natives are
unable to experience direct human connection within the real world. “We
turn to new technology to fill the void, but as technology ramps up, our
emotional lives ramp down” – Sherry Turkle, Alone Together. This
observation overlooks the creative, emotional and social outcomes,
which are enabled by this very same technology. Every day on the
Internet we build, play, chat, learn, meet and love.
“Online Together” is a collaborative artwork, which aims to highlight this
more positive view of the Internet. It invites users to participate and in
doing so diverts their devices away from their usual uses. From any
device can interact and contribute. By connection to the website, the
visitor is reminded that they are not alone online, by seeing the
interactions of those who they are currently online together with, and
traces left by those who have visited previously. Most of the websites we
visit don’t reflect (or almost not – eg. Facebook’s green circle • ‘Online
now’ status) the synchronicity of our browsing, despite the fact we are
rarely alone online. More often than not we are online, together.