We are told that the cloud is forever. But anyone who has tried to open a WordPerfect file, load a Flash animation, or access a MySpace profile knows the truth: our digital lives are fragile. The year 2002 is now over two decades old. Floppy disks demagnetize. CDs suffer disc rot. Early hard drives fail with a click of death. Entire forums, friendships, and art projects have vanished into the buffer underflow of history.
The power of the keyword lies in its ambiguity. It functions as a prompt for narrative construction. Who is Shay? The possibilities spin out infinitely, creating a compelling hook for internet sleuths and storytellers. My.Dreams.Of.Shay.2002