ABSTRACT
In the early twentieth century the Catholic theologian Pierre Teilhard de Chardin developed a conception of human evolution as a trajectory towards the interconnectivity of individual human consciousnesses. In many ways the Internet is the incarnation of Teilhard de Chardin’s prediction, but the Internet seems to have fueled discord rather than ushering in the era of global harmony Teilhard de Chardin expected. The future course of humanity is one in which the relationship to technology will continue to fundamentally shape who people are. Today as technology develops to the point where the skills are often made redundant people face an enormous challenge the early ancestors could not imagine. As an archaeologist the author cannot help but worry about the impact of these developments on their sense of self-worth. While digital technology allows for instant global connectivity it can also leave people feeling alone.
