Borges Invented the Internet

Picture from: http://jubal.westnet.com/hyperdiscordia/library_of_babel.html

I wandered down Calle Florida to the café where I was supposed to meet Lorenzo for a quick afternoon bite and an introductory tour of the city. Given that it was my first day in Buenos Aires, I was happy to have a friend of the family as a contact here but also somewhat eager to explore on my own. I walked past the tourist shops selling the mate gourds the gauchos use for drinking their famous beverage of choice, past the music stores spilling the sounds of the tango out onto the street, past the many enterprising young dancers using these sidewalk stages to perform for pesos. I looked down the alleys and streets that forked off in every direction and couldn’t imagine how much time I would need to explore all of this city.

Lorenzo was waiting for me dressed in pants and a sweater vest despite the sweltering heat outside. He sipped his café con leche and looked as if he were contemplating the mysteries of the universe. “What are you most interested in about Buenos Aires?” he asked. Everything, I thought. But was able to explain that, academically, at least, I was interested in the way technology here was influencing culture and society. He asked me if I had read Borges and I embarrassedly replied that I hadn’t. “You must,” he chuckled, “you know - he invented the internet. Come on, lets go to another café.” He led me a few blocks away to Café Tortoni. “Borges used to come here all the time,” he said. “You like coffee?” For the next half hour or so he tried to explain how this greatest of Argentine writers had been both a clairvoyant able to see into the future and past as clearly as if it were the present, and a prescient technophile who foresaw the entire internet revolution. Incredulous but intrigued, I looked forward to having a chance to read the work of this purported sorcerer.

The Garden of Forking Paths

In the collection of eight short stories called “The Garden of the Forking Paths,” Borges presents a dazzling array of fantastical tales. The stories include the title piece as well as seven other self-described “tales of fantasy.” Though smugly stating in his forward that the stories need no explanation, Borges prepares the reader somewhat for the journey when introducing “The Lottery of Babylon” by his tongue-in-cheek admission that it “is not wholly innocent of symbolism.” This understatement is only the beginning of a series of amazing commentaries that left me feeling that Borges not only invented the internet but perhaps had some role in chaos theory and relativity as well. His stories bend time and logic, forcing the reader to abandon traditional linear reading patterns and accept that the ride he is taking us on is purposefully neither cohesive nor sequential. Like the mirrors he places before his characters, his stories seem to create real images that only upon closer inspection reveal their need to be viewed as representations of something else or somehow deconstructed so as to decipher their meaning.

The piece that may have the most obvious relevance to modern technology and the internet is the “Library of Babel.” By hypothesizing an endless library of infinite space that contains all books, Borges sounds remarkably similar to technophiles that wax poetic about the concept of the internet. This unbounded space dedicated to the collection of all knowledge, he muses, must be the handiwork of a god. Borges does not merely present the Library as a positive vision, however. His Library is an immense labyrinth containing all possible permutations of text, whether true, false or simply nonsensical. Likewise, any user of the internet has likely also felt that “for every rational line or forthright statement there are leagues of senseless cacophony, verbal nonsense, and incoherency.” (pg. 114)

Borges further claims that the Library is infinite and that those who imagine that there are limits and that there must be an end somewhere are “absurd.” (pg. 118) This notion of infinite knowledge and resources pervades commentary about the internet and a similar sentiment to Borges can be found in numerous joke websites that have been made that inform the user that he or she has “reached the end of the internet” and must now go back. An example can be seen at: http://www.internetlastpage.com/. In the footnote following the text, Borges comments that the infinite nature of the library need not be thought of strictly in terms of size. By hypothesizing a single book with infinitely thin pages, Borges seems to have predicted the current wave of technological innovation focusing not on expanding bandwidth but rather using existing bandwidth more efficiently by subdividing and maximizing space.

Even the social effects of the Library are remarkably predictive. Like the unbounded joy that all men felt when the Library was announced, the arrival of the internet brought a bubble of optimism and a feeling of endless potential. I felt like Borges was describing Silicon Valley in the late 90’s when he remarked that “[a]ll men felt themselves the possessors of an intact and secret treasure. There was no personal problem, no world problem, whose eloquent solution did not exist – somewhere in some hexagon.” (pg. 115) After an initial delirium where men rushed about trying to unlock the secrets of the universe in the Library, as in the internet bubble, “[t]hat unbridled hopefulness was succeeded, naturally enough, by a similarly disproportionate depression.” (pg. 116) Even his comments on the superstitious belief in the “book-man” can be analogized to the holy grail of artificial intelligence that has long captivated the cyber world.

Perhaps spurred on by Borges’ vision, there have been numerous attempts, many ongoing, to create an internet-based library of books to rival the Library of Babel. In 1995, the US government funded and helped launch the Digital Library Initiative (DLI), a $25 million dollar project to create a pan-cyber library. The Library of Congress, as well, has pushed a National Digital Library (NDL) program with the vision of putting its entire vast collection on line. These attempts, while ambitious, would still of course not equal the infinite expanse of the Library of Babel, but it seems to be a conscious move in that direction. With many predicting a hundred million-fold growth of information on the internet in the next century, we may see something very close to Borges’ Library coming soon to a laptop near you. What will be the effect of this incredible growth of readily accessible knowledge? Will it lead to a blossoming of education and information used for good ends, or will the endless expanse tend to drive people insane and lead to only more disagreements and squabbling as it did in the Library of Babel?

Fascinated by these similarities, I searched the internet and found several other interesting comparisons. As it turns out, Lorenzo was not the first commentator to compare Borges works to internet technology. The “infinite stories, infinitely branching” presented in the invented Herbert Quain book, “April March” were in one article seen as direct predecessors to the HTML links used to lead internet users to endless other pages. In a choose-your-own-adventure environment, no two experiences are alike. Another likened the predicament of sorting out which of a bewildering array of possible paths Steven Albert faces in “The Garden of the Forking Paths” to the task of routers, gateways and packets and the amazingly sophisticated logic that must be used to move information between nodes on the internet. A third likened Borges’ virtual world of “Tlon” to cyberspace and virtual reality, and their increasing grip on the minds and imaginations of normal people.

Most commentary analogizing Borges’ writing to the internet seems to take a positive stance. Celebrating the amazing technology of the internet and deifying Borges for predicting it seems to miss the point. Borges presents a fantastic tale ripe with foresight, but also a clear warning about the dangers this technology will bring. Besides the insanity that an endless supply of knowledge will bring, Borges alerts us to the danger of blind worship of technology as well by the claim that “young people prostrate themselves before books and like savages kiss their pages, though they cannot read a letter.” (pg. 118) Borges goes as far as to surmise that the effects of the Library may drive the human species to extinction, while the Library endures. This warning rings of the sci-fi tales where computers and machines take control and eventually kill the humans off. Similarly in “Tlon, Uqbar, Orbis Terius,” the virtual world created by men eventually overtakes the real world and erodes peoples ability to tell real from imaginary. Borges seems to offer hope as well, however. He reminds us that this virtual world we are getting lost in is “the rigor of chess masters, not of angels.” He ends “The Library of Babylon” with a the “elegant hope” that humans will understand that there is an order to the endlessness and not subjugate humanity in the fascination with the seemingly infinite promise of the Library. Likewise, we should remember that while the internet and modern communications technologies have wondrous potential, we must keep an eye on humanity and never let our desire to modernize blind us to the harmful effects of that modernization.

If the Internet is a Latin American Creation, Why is it not a Latin American Phenomenon?

Had Borges invented the Internet, he would probably be disappointed by the role it is playing in his home region of Latin America. At the turn of this century, only 1.5 percent of Latin Americans used the Internet – a number composing only 3.2 percent of the worlds users. Part of this is due to the dominance of English language sites on the web. Only one or two percent of all web content is in Spanish, while over 70 percent is in English. These figures are changing rapidly but does still not reflect the fact that more non-native than native English speakers are now online.

Furthermore, internet usage patterns differ between Latin Americans and their North American counterparts. While e-commerce is already having a significant effect in the overall North American economy, it has largely failed to achieve traction in Latin America. This is due somewhat to the fact that many users in Latin America use shared or public computers – because they are not at home, they are less likely to participate in auctions that require repeated checking over time, and less likely to realize any convenience value from “shopping from home.” The consumer patterns will change as more homes get wired, and is already becoming a significant business to business phenomenon. The one area where there may be hope is in promoting shared computers in schools for education. While homes will be slow to adopt, if attention can be directed towards wiring schools, many young people will be able to benefit from the positive aspects (and maybe avoid some of the negative or worthless uses.)

The largest barriers to Latin American use are the costs of machinery and connections. These costs are relatively much higher in Latin America, where communications infrastructure is lacking and there are few local tech manufacturers. Most households are still too poor to have a computer. While public and shared computers are great for email and recreation, they are less likely to become a permanent fixture providing education, or information on daily needs such as health advice. The high costs ensure that the small percentage that is able to get computers and get online are the ones that are already rich. With gaps between rich and poor already alarmingly large, this added distancing should cause some distress. The reliance on foreign aid to acquire and install new technologies leverages developing economies and endangers their stability.

While internet usage is increasing rapidly in Latin America, the patterns of usage are problematic. Regional governments should pay careful attention to make sure that the beneficial aspects of the internet are promoted and available to all. The Library of Babel should not be open only to the richest segments of society (those who least need the opportunities it would present) but to everyone. If new technologies only widen the existing gaps between rich and poor, they may not be the answer. Governments should also not allow themselves to be pressured by outside forces to adopt and promote technologies at the expense of other more pressing needs. Technology is a powerful tool, but it is just a tool, not a solution in itself.

So Did Borges Invent the Internet?

While Lorenzo’s claim that Borges invented the internet may initially be as laughable as Al Gore’s claim, the foresight is remarkable. Like many inventors, Borges would probably have grave concerns over the effects of their inventions on society. He would likely be deeply worried about widening quality of life gaps in the developing world and the role technology may be playing in widening them. If he knew what people were using the Library for, Borges would probably be turning in his grave. Nevertheless, we should remember that despite all the analogies and similarities we can draw, Borges writings have more to do with the social and philosophical implications of technology than they do with any actual insight into how to create technology. Not only was Borges writing before the technical sophistication existed to make the modern internet, he offers no instructions on how his self proclaimed fantasies could actually be created in the real world.

But perhaps Lorenzo was right. Those who claim that Borges’ stories were written well before the technology was developed to make the internet possible may be clutching to a linear and distractingly sequential vision of time. And like Borges explains nicely, the answer to a riddle is the one word that cannot be directly used. While the surface mystery in the “Garden of the Forking Paths” led us to the clever solution using the name “Albert,” Borges gives us this directly. We can only be left wondering if there is some further riddle to be uncovered, some key word he left out. I suppose I would not be surprised to see Borges smirk if we could resurrect him and ask, with all the similarities and analogies, why didn’t he just come out and say … Internet…?

Should this guy be scared of technology?

Capuchin Monkey, Costa Rica

While most of this blog has been about the way technology is impacting human society, it may also be relevant to inquire how technology is impacting the rest of life on our small planet. With one of the world's most dense and important reserves of biodiversity, Costa Rica is an excellent place to start. While I was in Costa Rica an ecotourism guide told me that technology and modernization were wiping out the flora and fauna that make this beautiful coast so rich. Clearly, we would think, the march of human modernization is taxing the natural habitat of other species. Some aspects of technology and modernization may be pushing in the other direction, however.

The National Biodiversity Institute (Inbio) of Costa Rica is using information techonology to create a catalogue database of Costa Rica's species in an attempt to protect them from the risks of traditional industries such as farming and logging. By using technology to make information about biodiversity available in an organized format on a global level this project is expected to help teachers, legislators, and biologists.

Read more about the project here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/2794535.stm

So, while this little monkey may have no idea, technology may be being used in a way that will end up helping him.

A Rising Tide Lifts All Ships

I held on to the hand grips as the 4X4 bounced down what they insisted was a road. As nice as he was, I felt myself wishing that my middle aged Costa Rican driver would stop turning around to explain things to me and start keeping his eyes on the path ahead. Next to the driver, his 7 year old son , Javi, smiled as the truck approached a section of road flooded over by a stream. As I wondered how long it would take to find another route, the driver plunged ahead, seemingly willing the truck to push through water that came over the bottom of the doors. As we roared up the next hill and careened around a sheer drop off the driver slammed the brakes and brought the car to a precarious rest on the edge of a hill surrounded by thick jungle. I looked down to the drop below, but Javi pointed up to the trees. “Monos!” he said excitedly. I looked up to see a tree full of howler monkeys swinging from branch to branch. They announced their territory with a deep bellowing roar that made them seem much larger than they were. I asked my driver if they were dangerous. “No,” he explained laughing, “but they have been known to urinate on travelers, so watch out.” I made a mental note to watch my head and marveled to myself why people even bothered to organize expensive outdoor “adventure travel” excursions. I was in a taxi.

With an incredible diversity of plant and animal life, pristine beaches offering clear warm waves, and roughly 25% of its territory protected as national parks, Costa Rica is a veritable ecotourism Mecca for travelers from all over the world. In 2001, the tourism industry generated over $1.2 billion in revenues, attracting over a million visitors and establishing itself as the most significant contributor to the country’s economy. Traditionally based on the agricultural staples of coffee and bananas, because of tourism Costa Rica’s economy is now outpacing those of its Central American neighbors. With a history of protecting its environmental wealth, the government has used caution in allowing exploitation of natural resources. Technology is also increasingly playing a role in the economy, the government recently welcomed Intel as the giant opened up two large chip plants.

In some ways, technology and tourism are marching ahead together. Internet cafes abound, and it seems that many serve as one stop traveler service stations. Upon arriving in a town one usually needs to look no further than the local internet café to find out what is happening, grab a bite to eat, and check email while sipping on some famous Costa Rican coffee.

It was in an internet café that I was able to find a pamphlet for the SUV taxi ride that took me on a tour through the jungle down the coast of the Nicoya Peninsula that juts out from the Pacific coast. Later, I wanted to get from the small surf town at the bottom of the peninsula back to the mainland without backtracking over the slow roads. A traveler told me he had “heard” on the internet of a boat that could cross the channel directly to the other side in a quick but choppy 1.5 hour ride. I visited a small café and was able to organize the boat ride online for the next morning. A couple more clicks and I was able to find, purchase and print tickets for the little propeller airplane that would take me back to San Jose from the small town where I was headed. I marveled at how easy it was to travel in Costa Rica compared to so many other countries. Almost everything I needed I could get at these cafes. Despite having worked to learn Spanish, it seemed I almost never had to talk to anyone.

Many of the internet cafes are run by US expats. In fact, it seems that a large segment of the tourism-related businesses are run by expats. From quaint bed and breakfasts to Best Western chains, from banana pancake hippie cafes to expensive seafood and steak houses, I repeatedly found that when you scratched the surface of a Costa Rican business you would find a Norte Americano. Almost all the menus I saw had English translations. Some didn’t even have Spanish.

From the time I arrived in airport, I was served a barrage of glossy tourism-related advertisements. People zipping happily over the jungle canopy. Gringos basking on beaches with sand even whiter than their skin. Compared to other less-developed economies, it seems that tourism has shone on the economy like the warm sun that tans the visitors. However, I am led to ask to what extent does this thriving tourism business help the local people? Tourism has surely boosted the economy but it seems that foreigners are reaping much of the rewards. Is this a case of trickle-down economics? Are the locals somewhere at the bottom level of a multi-layered economy? If so I wonder if, like in the dense rainforest covering much of their land, those who dwell at the ground level see very little of the sunlight covering the top canopy.

Javi and his dad spend their days taxiing tourists between towns on the Nicoya Peninsula. Smiling, laughing and pointing things out in Spanish, they seemed to me poster children for the trickle down effect. We stopped at one point for a rest and they made cheese sandwiches and ate bananas while white-faced capuchin monkeys looked on eagerly from the side of the road. They explained to me that feeding the monkeys could transmit human diseases, interrupt natural eating habits and lead the monkeys to bravely and unwisely approach humans and cars. They said that in Costa Rica, the monkeys and the people both enjoyed “pura vida.” A pure and natural life. My boat driver as well smiled proudly as he pointed out dolphins and ten-foot stingrays that were actually jumping out of the water next to our boat. "I get to see them everyday," he boasted. It seems that while foreign people, and especially Americans, are organizing and controlling much of the industry, locals as well are sharing in the opportunities created. Despite my cynicism, I figure that compared to their jobless and impoverished Latin American neighbors in other Central and South American countries, the Costa Rican ticos are indeed being lifted by the rising tide of tourism and technology.