Digital divide

This digital divide has less to do with socio-economic status and its relation to the inability of poor class people to access information electronically. Instead this division spreads older and younger generations apart in their views toward traveling, according to Corey Breier. Corey Breier an (young) author/contributor for the Matador Network identifies himself as a part of the “Digital Generation.” As a member of the digital generation Breier admits to spending months in front of a digital screen of some sort in contrast to an older generation who may have spent their time say, playing in the mud. This exposure to the digital world according to Breier has somewhat spoiled his traveling experience. Here’s an example of the author’s opinion:

To be fair, it does make life more interesting — I keep expecting cloned dinosaurs to pop out at me in the Hawaiian jungle, and graboids from Tremors to snatch me out of the sands of Anza-Borrego.

Yet upon reflection, it seems to be an association that detracts from the overall experience rather than adds to it. I simply cannot enjoy a location for its intrinsic attributes alone — there are always shades of other, more fantastical stories attached to it.

Here’s what’s good about this article: it begins to tackle issues introduced in Chapter 6 of the text. As Chapter 6 explains and Corey Breier experiences the virtual traveler sees the world in every way — except by going there. Breier takes this phenomenon to the next level by using his virtual travels to prime his physical travel knowhow. Travel journalists can look to Breier as an example of a virtual traveler who uses his digital expertise in research to better his travel experiences. What a great way to gain extra angles on a story.