We live our lives online. Baby photos are uploaded, homework is emailed in, long lost friends are found via social media and we meet our future mates through online services. In nearly every field the web has revolutionized how work is done. We are memorialized online too; obituaries are posted and even funeral services can now be streamed. And we leave behind a digital legacy of all the online accounts we maintained in our lifetimes. We are now in the age of Digital Dying.
This unique blog explores how we celebrate, remember and are inspired by lives that have passed. Digital Dying contains entertaining feature articles and regular columns that present poignant, and sometimes humorous, looks at life and death. We report on funeral customs of the past and present, and look to the future. As we move deeper into the digital age our views of death and celebration of life will change. How might our ceremonies and methods of memorialization change? What impact will technology and environmental concerns have? How will all of this affect the funeral industry? These are among the subjects to be explored.
Digital Dying is an open forum. We encourage our readers to share their insights and opinions. Differing views can be expressed and a back and forth dialogue is welcome.
Digital Dying is produced by a team of writers who provide a variety of voices and perspectives on the issues that are important to our readers. Leading the team is journalist Justin Nobel who has been writing for the blog for over 7 years. Justin also writes about science and culture for various magazines. His work has been published in Rolling Stone, Time, Newsweek, the Chicago Tribune, Audubon, and Gourmet.com. Recent articles include A Toxic Tour Through Underground Ohio and What Happens When a Superstorm Hits D.C.?
Some of Justin’s earlier work includes “Last Inuit of Quebec” published in Best American Travel Writing 2011 and his article about fire ants invading the American South was published in Best American Science and Nature Writing 2014. For updates, follow Justin on Twitter @JustinNobel, his Facebook page or his website at www.justinnobel.com.
