Hypothetical tweet: ""I'm on the tallest mountain in the world, check out this funny video I just found on YouTube!"" A tweet of this nature may cause you to ask how anyone could be watching YouTube on Mt. Everest. Well, now that 3G wireless coverage towers have officially been installed at the 16,994 feet above sea level base camp of Mt. Everest, connecting to the Internet and chatting with friends while braving avalanches is now possible.
ZTE Corp., a leading global provider of voice and broadband services has installed eight towers at the highest base camp on the south side of Mt. Everest—providing cell phone access and wireless Internet services to those trekking up the tallest mountain in the world.
This will be a much more efficient alternative to the heavy satellite equipment climbers and their sherpas previously had to carry—provided that they want contact with the rest of the world from their icy dwellings.
Climbers will now be able to use Twitter, Facebook, Skype and similar wireless services as they make their dangerous ascent. However, I am having trouble deciding whether this is a good thing
By using Skype, people who are not physically or financially able to climb Mt. Everest can catch a glimpse of its majestic scenery. And as far as safety is concerned, having a reliable and efficient form of communication will be good under circumstances that would normally prove perilous to injured or weakened climbers. Internet and cell phone usage is undeniably helpful in case of emergencies or disasters. And there is also the added bonus of being able to keep in touch with loved ones despite being in such a remote location.
But in addition to all of these positive aspects, something about this whole setup is still concerning. Is there no sacred place that technology has not gotten its hooks into? Presumably most people go on outdoor vacations and expeditions to get back in touch with nature. People crave adventures to just ""get away from it all."" You would think that traveling to the highest point of elevation in the world would aid them in reaching this goal.
There is nothing left to stop people from wasting away their time surfing the Internet or Facebook-stalking their friends. Instead of exploring the other-worldly magnificence of the legendary mountain upon which they sit, access to the Internet is just a touch-screen away. It's like no one can bear solitude anymore. It appears that all of these advances in technology help us get in touch with everyone but ourselves.
Social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook have become a necessity for anyone who's anyone to remain up-to-date with the world around them and to keep track of important events. Even our own Chancellor Biddy Martin tweets. It is only a secondary thought to realize that Internet on Everest can primarily be used for safety issues and as a resource—the way it truly should be used. The cyber world seems to be taking over the way we connect with each other rather than acting as a foundation for information.
Actual human-to-human communication has fallen to the wayside with our ever-deeper immersion in electronic devices. Just the other day, my friend and I were walking side-by-side, failing to communicate with one another because we were both too busy texting. And I'm sure we are not the only ones this has happened to. Is it really more important to get back to a text message promptly instead of finishing a conversation with a person you are face-to-face with? Technology has become more of a distraction than an infinite resource of knowledge and information.
And that is exactly what technology and this new 3G service on Everest provide: distractions. We are distracted from reality, from the beauty of life around us, from our present company and from reading full words in a book instead of cryptic abbreviations in a text. This is why wireless for anyone who climbs Everest is not a good idea for it has the potential to only further distance people from real things and experiences.
I propose that there should only be one or two designated phones and computers for the base camp that must be shared by all, and after that ban them. Go in nature to truly enjoy nature, and don't deny yourself the ancient pleasure of self-reflection or getting to know another human being.
If you have exciting news during your trip to Mt. Everest, instead of tweeting about it, go tell it on the mountain, and save the rest for when you get home.
Jaime Brackeen is a sophomore intending to major in journalism. Please send all feedback to opinion@dailycardinal.com.
