Go Ahead Waste Time On The Internet By Kenneth Goldsmith

Go Ahead, Waste Time on the Internet: A Deep Dive into Kenneth Goldsmith's Provocative Work

Kenneth Goldsmith's "Go Ahead, Waste Time on the Internet" isn't just a book; it's a manifesto, a provocation, and a profound commentary on our increasingly digital lives. Published in 2019, it challenges our ingrained anxieties around productivity and the perceived "waste" of time spent online, arguing that this seemingly unproductive activity is actually crucial to our understanding of the contemporary world. This article will delve deep into the core arguments of Goldsmith's work, exploring its implications for art, culture, and our daily lives.

The Unproductive Productivity of the Internet

Goldsmith's central thesis revolves around the re-evaluation of "wasted" time spent online. He challenges the dominant narrative that equates productivity with value, arguing that the seemingly aimless browsing, scrolling, and clicking that characterize much of our online experience are far from unproductive. Instead, he positions these activities as crucial components of a new form of cultural production and engagement.

The Collage of the Digital Age:

Goldsmith draws a parallel between the internet and the collage technique in art. Just as a collage artist assembles diverse materials into a new, meaningful whole, internet users assemble information, images, and experiences into a constantly evolving personal narrative. This "collage" is not random; it reflects our interests, anxieties, and desires, shaping our understanding of the world in ways that traditional media simply cannot.

The Archive of Everyday Life:

The internet, in Goldsmith's view, acts as an unprecedented archive of everyday life. It records not only monumental events but also the mundane, the trivial, the fleeting moments that constitute our lived experience. This vast, chaotic archive offers a unique lens through which to understand contemporary culture, revealing its complexities and contradictions in ways that traditional historical accounts often miss. The act of "wasting time" on the internet, therefore, becomes an act of engagement with this archive, a process of discovery and self-discovery.

Beyond the Algorithmic Gaze: A Critique of Attention Economies

Goldsmith's critique extends beyond a simple re-evaluation of time spent online. He also engages with the increasingly powerful forces that shape our online experiences – namely, the algorithms that govern our interactions with the internet.

The Tyranny of the Feed:

He eloquently critiques the relentless curation of our online experiences by algorithms, highlighting the way in which these systems prioritize engagement and advertising revenue over genuine human connection and intellectual stimulation. The endless scroll of social media feeds, the targeted advertising, the personalized recommendations – all are designed to capture and maintain our attention, often at the expense of critical thought and independent exploration.

Reclaiming Agency:

Goldsmith implicitly advocates for a more conscious and intentional approach to our online engagement. By understanding the mechanics of these attention economies, we can begin to reclaim agency over our online experiences, resisting the manipulative forces that seek to control our attention and shape our perceptions. The seemingly passive act of "wasting time" can become a form of active resistance, a conscious rejection of the prescribed pathways offered by algorithmic curation.

The Aesthetics of the Internet: Finding Beauty in the Mundane

Goldsmith doesn't shy away from the less glamorous aspects of the internet – the spam, the trolls, the sheer volume of information. In fact, he embraces them, finding aesthetic value in the chaotic and often unpleasant realities of the digital world.

The Sublime of the Digital:

He identifies a form of digital sublime – a sense of awe and wonder inspired not by grandeur or beauty in the traditional sense, but by the sheer scale, complexity, and overwhelming nature of the internet itself. This sublime, he argues, is not something to be feared or avoided, but rather to be embraced as a crucial aspect of the contemporary condition.

Uncovering Hidden Narratives:

Goldsmith’s approach encourages us to look beyond the polished surfaces of the internet, to delve into the messy, often-unseen corners of the digital landscape. He challenges us to find beauty and meaning in the mundane, the accidental, the unexpected encounters that characterize online life. This includes seemingly useless information, repetitive patterns, and the sheer volume of data that often overwhelms us. By embracing the chaotic nature of the internet, we can uncover hidden narratives and unexpected connections that might otherwise remain unnoticed.

The Internet as a Site of Creative Exploration

Goldsmith's work isn't merely a philosophical treatise; it's also a practical guide to creative exploration in the digital age. He advocates for a form of artistic practice that embraces the inherent characteristics of the internet – its vastness, its chaos, its ephemerality.

The Unfinished Project:

The internet itself, in Goldsmith's view, is an unfinished project, a constantly evolving and expanding entity. This inherent incompleteness, far from being a flaw, is a source of creative energy, offering endless possibilities for artistic exploration.

Appropriation and Remix Culture:

Goldsmith's own work often involves appropriating and remixing existing materials, reflecting the inherent nature of online culture. The internet facilitates a culture of remix, where existing content is constantly reinterpreted, reappropriated, and transformed. This creative process, often fueled by "wasted time" spent browsing and exploring, results in a vibrant and dynamic landscape of artistic expression.

The "Waste" of Time as a Form of Resistance

Goldsmith’s assertion that "wasting" time online is a form of resistance is multifaceted. It challenges the capitalist imperative of constant productivity, suggesting that time spent not generating economic value can be deeply meaningful and even politically subversive.

Challenging the Productivity Myth:

He directly confronts the societal pressure to be constantly productive, arguing that this pressure is both unrealistic and ultimately detrimental to well-being. The act of choosing to "waste" time, to disconnect from the relentless demands of productivity, becomes a form of resistance against this oppressive ideology.

Reclaiming Leisure:

Goldsmith’s work is a powerful plea for the reclaiming of leisure time. The internet, despite its often distracting nature, can be a space for genuine relaxation, exploration, and self-discovery. The seemingly aimless browsing, the meandering journeys through hyperlinks, the accidental discoveries – all contribute to a form of digital leisure that is crucial to mental and emotional well-being.

The Implications for Art and Culture

Goldsmith's ideas have significant implications for contemporary art and culture. His work encourages a rethinking of artistic practice, challenging traditional notions of authorship, originality, and the relationship between art and its audience.

The Democratization of Art:

The internet, Goldsmith argues, has democratized art, making it accessible to a wider audience than ever before. This accessibility extends beyond simple consumption; it enables active participation, allowing individuals to create, share, and engage with art in new and innovative ways.

A New Aesthetic Paradigm:

Goldsmith’s work contributes to a new aesthetic paradigm that embraces the inherent characteristics of the digital age. This paradigm values not only beauty and elegance but also chaos, complexity, and the unexpected. It embraces the imperfections and contradictions of the digital world, finding beauty in the mundane and meaning in the seemingly insignificant.

Conclusion: Embracing the Digital Wasteland

"Go Ahead, Waste Time on the Internet" is not simply a celebration of online leisure; it's a call to action. Goldsmith urges us to re-evaluate our relationship with the internet, to move beyond the anxieties surrounding productivity, and to embrace the vast and chaotic landscape of the digital world. By understanding the forces that shape our online experiences and by actively engaging with the internet on our own terms, we can unlock its immense potential for creativity, connection, and self-discovery. The seemingly unproductive act of "wasting time" online, then, becomes a powerful act of resistance, a reclaiming of agency, and a celebration of the human experience in the digital age. It's a reminder that sometimes, the most valuable things in life are not those that are easily quantified or measured by productivity metrics, but rather the moments of unplanned exploration, unexpected discovery, and meaningful connection that enrich our lives in ways we often fail to recognize.