With the invention of the Telegraph, the world had changed. It was the beginning of a global community, and global connectivity. While the Telegraph itself was a huge leap in a technological sense for everyone around the globe, the concept of global communication I think was the larger change in the world. From the invention of the Telegraph in 1837, and the World Wide Web in 1991, the world was drastically shifted from distant cities and countries, to one unified body. As Ted put it so poetically, “The World is a body”.
If you asked someone back in the 19th century before the telegraph was even invented, if it would be possible to look up the population of a city, i’m sure they would scratch their heads and assume you were crazy, while today, it would take one Google search. The accessibility of information since the invention of the Telegraph has been exponential, and it’s almost become a necessity.
So basically i’m saying, all those annoying teenagers with their expensive iPhones complaining that their Facebook page didn’t load within 0.1 seconds, we can essentially blame Samuel Morse for that one. Cheers mate.
I’ll let Louis CK vent my rage on the issue.
jakepascoe.com 
This was a really good post to read! You have a really great balance between letting us know the facts about technological advancements whilst also making it interesting to read by adding humour. Somehow blaming Samuel Morse for annoying teenagers definitely ended the post on a high. Perhaps the only criticism I have is that the meme isn’t really that relevant to the post, even though its definitely still an awesome meme haha.
Well done 🙂
The first two sentences imply this dramatic, quick shift toward international communication (not sure if that was intentional or if it’s just me) however a functional Global communication system would have come from many further developments after Morse’s invention of the initial telegraph as telegraph lines needed to be built from one point to another, it would be impossible to build a line from New York to London!…However, It is agreeably a significant progression toward todays global connectivity.
It is a lovely picture of a world that has become “one unified body”, it ties nicely with the theme of “A global nervous system” However I think its too peaceful and positive of a metaphor to describe the reality of our international relations and cross-country relations! (Maybe in the future?)
I’m still not sure why we should “blame Morse” for the >0.1 second delay? Sarcasm?? I also don’t understand the imgur meme, could you explain it?
I’m glad I’m not the only one lamenting the use of “unified body” as a metaphor – perhaps it’s a cynic affliction but it is too gentle a description!
This guuuuuuuuuy – look man, I’m not gonna lie that was interesting. Not sure why we’re discussing this guy, I mean it’s not like we care that he contributed heavily to the telegraph but you make some good points about how pivotal the inventon was, and the unrealistic expectations of people in modern society – Web 2.0 was arguably the biggest game changer in history and I always love a good Loius speal. Technically he was the original keyboard warrior, yeah great stuff.
I love the title! So relevant to everyone these days! Great integration of humour to keep readers engaged, though I feel the post may be lacking an intellectual depth that truly analyses the impact of the telegraph beyond “the beginning of the global network”. Perhaps talk about the implications of its invention, the technologies we face today or the struggles we face as some areas are STILL hard to connect to despite everything. (Sidenote: Antartica, what are you doing with your life? They have some awesome communication methods there). Sorry to be too harsh, I truly did enjoy the read 🙂