The Internet is Taking Over

Although Virtuality and Performance does not just mean the Internet, that is a big part of it. The Internet is a massive medium and can incorporate almost all of the other mediums. Soon there will be no other communication technologies. On the Internet one can listen to music, watch films, e-mail, chat, send texts, talk to people via web cams, work, shop, play games, the list goes on.
My personal opinions towards the Internet is that it lacks something. I don't want to do my shopping on the Internet, I want to try my clothes on and I want to pick out my fruit and vegetables to check that they are the one I want. I want to talk to my friends in person, I enjoy going to the cinema and watching a film as part of a community. I fear that if people live their lives through the Internet they will loose important skills. In ten years time will people even know how to talk to one and other in person or will it be thoroughly embarrassing? Will children learn how to write?
I also have opinions on the issue of liveness. Some theorists suggest that theatre is obsolete, performances of all kinds can be accessed in other ways. However I am a big fan of Liveness, I think things are much better Live and this is why I feel strongly that I do not want other mediums to take over from Theatre and Live performance. I will now list the debate of Mediated Vs Live:
MEDIATED
1. It has the ability to be watched in the home (and increasingly anywhere at all)
2. It is cheaper then paying to see something live.
3. There are plenty of options, when to use it, how to use it, who with, for how long.
4. Sometimes when things are live there are restrictions of what can be done, with mediated special effects can be added etc.
5. Sometimes live pieces can just be trying to re-create a film or drama on stage but just not achieving it as well.

LIVE
1. Seeing something live is a whole experience.
2. There is a feel of being part of a community.
3. You can see your favorite actor or singer in the flesh.
4. There is an exclusivity (you yourself are there watching, not millions of others)
5. Things like comedy always seem funnier when seen live or with a group of people, one persons reaction triggers other peoples reactions.
6. Music seen live is very powerful, the bass shakes in your bones and you feel freer to dance then you would in your living room.
7. Things can go wrong but that is exciting.
8. You are watching something unique, yes it might have been playing for three years in the same theatre, but each night it is different.