Second Blog fof Final; Final Blog

The more I think about and work on this paper I really see how much a college education encourages the use of technology. Before writing my paper I made a list of all the instances where some sort of technology was required or promoted by college. I just started to type and before I even realized it I had a page single spaced of all the times I used technology of some college related event. These really ran from the obvious of writing a paper, to paying for food etc with a college id/swipe card. The idea of swipe cards really got me thinking about how school technologies teach money spending habits. Students use a swipe cards to pay for nearly everything on campus, which changes how students learn to interact with money. This is an age, I believe, where people need to learn a sense of responsibility for money. After college is real life with real bills. Students should use this time in college, especially at Rutgers where a lot of students live off campus, to become accustomed to the saving and spending of money. However, using cards to pay for everything from cafeteria food to vending machines can create a dangerous mindset where students see money as something abstract rather than tangible. By swiping instead of using money people remove themselves from the real idea of money. If a person has cash on them, I think, they have a better understanding of the amount they hold and that this can run out. A card, a symbol of money, makes people accustomed to not really dealing with money and thinking of it in more intangible terms. Add to this that most parents pay for their child’s swipe card makes it hard for students to learn how to have a responsibility to money. This is also an age where people will start to receive applications for credit cards. Being accustomed to not supplying the money, and simply swiping a card to pay for something can become a very dangerous combination. It becomes too easy to get into credit card debt and not even realize how it happens. By having and using a swipe card this subtle and every day way, college students interact with a form of technology which has a potentially huge impact on behavior. It is scary how a swipe card and lead to credit card debt but these are outcomes of becoming compliant to technology.

First thoughts on final

My first thoughts on the final were about deciding which topic to write about. I decided to write on the first topic, colleges being a Technopoly. Having spent the past year away from most technology coming back to a world full of technology I found myself in an odd place.
There are number of ways and forms of technology which take over/controls/ influences colleges. These included things on a daily and sporadic time table. Every day use would include checking emails, Sakai and similar sites which require constant monitoring. Less ever day use includes writing papers, registering for classes, or research. For either use, it would be extremely difficult if not nearly impossible to complete a college education without access to a computer or internet.
It would be almost impossible to go to college without a computer. That is quite an interesting idea, and one I want to address in my paper, what if you can’t afford a computer, or it is hard to access one? It is one thing if a person lives on campus where they have easy access to computer labs. What about a school like Rutgers, where a lot of students commuter and do not have such easy access to computers or programs required for a class project. Say for example if a person needs to share the computer with their family. What if you don’t live at school and need to balance travel, a job, school, and computer lab hours? What if you live in New Brunswick and your laptop is stolen and you cannot afford to replace the computer? Given the importance of a college education for a job have to wonder how much this hurts the gap between the poor and middle class and impact on the digital divide.

This is further complicated by the need for college education for most jobs. Moreover, jobs want employees who can use a computer, at least know how to type or use the Internet. A person without computer skills, often honed in college, will have a harder time in the job market.
College students also use computers for their social life. Facebook is an almost daily activity for most college students. It informs students about parties and events, and is an easy way for people to keep track of old friends and events on campus. Another social use of technologies are “talking programs”, such as Instant messages, text, and Skype. These are constant forms of communication and needed to stay on top of a person’s social circle. Also important are recreational sites, for instance TFLN or FML. Having access to an internet and these sites helps people know what is cool, new slang, or even feel connected to a community.

Facebook

Facebook creator, Mark Zuckerberg, recently faced a character attack after the release of The Social Network. The movie, a somewhat biographical depiction of Faceboook’s origins and legal troubles portrays Zuckerberg as arrogant, self assured and rude. The movie begins with Zuckerberg’s girlfriend not only dumping him but insulting him by insisting on his less than desirable personality. From the start, the movie actively portrays Mark as the “bad guy”. This is a theme constantly reinforced throughout the movie through the language, demeanor, and dress of Jessie Eisenberg, who played the part of Mark Zuckerberg. Comparatively, David Kirkpatrick’s work on the same topic, The Facebook Effect, gives an entirely different perspective on Zuckerberg. Compared to the hostile opening of the movie, the introduction of Kirkpatrick’s book tells how Facebook was used to generate support against the FRAC and helped stage a worldwide demonstration. From there Kirkpatrick moves to the fateful night when Zuckerberg created Facemash. In this telling, the author only breezes over women issues, rather than focusing on the topic. Throughout the book, the author seems to stray away from less favorable topics, and includes situations where Zuckerberg,, or Facebook come off in a better light. Advertising is an interesting example of such instances. Kirkpatrick constantly insists how Zuckerberg fought against ads and tried to restrict their presence on the site. Kirkpatrick writes “The last thing Zuckerberg wants was for it to feel like watching a network television, where the show is routinely interrupted by irrelevant and inane advertising” (236). By adding such comments the author makes Zuckerberg out to be someone who fights against “the man” and for the rights of the people to have their own space. The idea of creating a free space for users also appears when Kirkpatrick writes about Zuckerberg’s obsession with adding platforms to Facebook. Once again, Zuckerberg is seen fighting against the masses to create something great for Facebook. By adding such examples the books shows Zuckerberg as a hero, defending the rights of Facebook and its integrity to the users. By creating a character who protects and defends the site it is easier to have a sympathetic view of Zuckerberg. It is interesting how each portrayal takes a different approach to the same person through the use of examples. Rude person or not, Zuckerberg created Facebook and in doing so changed American culture.

Computer and Movies (free blog)

My friend and I were having a conversation the other day about a new feature being offered to her by her Internet company. Her cable and Internet are provided by the same company, this new feature makes it possible to download data from the television to her computer. This means ordered movies or shows recoded from the TV can now be viewed on a person’s computer. The more I thought about it the more I realized how much of the film industry was being dominated by computers. The merging of film and computer impacts the entire movie experience. How a movie is made, advertised and viewed has been altered by advances in computer technology.

Take for instance the different between older children’s movies, Beauty and the Beast or Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, to a newer one such as UP or Toy Story. In older films each panel had to be drawn and colored by hand, an arduous and time consuming task. The movie Nightmare Before Christmas is a wonderful example of the hand crafting labor movies required. Each scene was crafted from clay, filmed, redone and filmed again. Comparatively, newer films shy away from such elaborate handmade work; both Up and Toy Story were created entirely by computer animation. Today most movies are done with CGI or other computer programs. The first three Star Wars movies and Avatar are perfect examples of computers making films. The fourth through sixth Star Wars (three original) were mostly done sans computers. Shooting took place in different locations for the multitude of terrains the movie required. Sets were built and actually blown up. One the other hand, the newer movies were mostly done in front of a green screen, and there were no ornately constructed puppets or costumes. Personally this was a huge disappointment, half of the wonder of the original three movies was watching all the action and thinking about how people were able to make the movies; there was such a feeling of movie wonder. Not to say this wonder has gone away, something like Avatar, which was done almost completely with computers, has its own sense of magic. However, this magic is computer based.
Advertising has a whole new medium, the Internet. Trailers now appear on YouTube exciting people and generating interest. One person can find a trailer for a new movie, and send the link to all their friends with similar taste is films. Instead of relying on traditional forms of advertisements, movie makers can put a trailer online and rely on word of mouth to get their movie out. The Internet has also cultivated our love for celebrity gossip. If Mel Gibson pulls a crazy stunt before one his movies is released and his actions are captured online, his new movie receives a lot of press. After a film has been made and advertised, it is finally time for viewing, another process impacted by computers. The theater is a dying experience; most people prefer to watch movies at home, more than likely on their computers. Movies can be instantly viewed on a computer, either legally or illegally. Sites such as Netflix have made this an extremely easy process. Now information can even be taken from the television and watched on a computer. Overall, the world of movies has been forever changed with the introduction of computers.

Free Blog

Internet communication sites engage with the non- virtual world in an interesting way; while operating online, these sites construct communities which impact real life events. This delicate balance allowed for the creation of alternative travel sites, for instance Squattheplanet.com (STP.com) and similar forums which encourage global or local travel on limited budget and resources. The site exists online, allowing travelers to retrieve necessary information or communicate with fellow squatters or housing families regardless of location and time. The communications on such a site help people locate homes, places to eat, and stay safe while traveling. Furthermore, they provide the comfort and social connections humans require. Constant travel across countries, or worlds, means leaving behind friends, family and all sense of communal ties, a situation which can become isolating. Squattheplantet.com provides members with something constant and unchanging, providing a sense of stability.
Online relationships operate in a similar manner to a normal community by providing support, aid, and information, even a space for self expression. STP provides a space to create an online profile; using these profiles people can create a traveling identity and format relationships with other like minded individuals. These profiles are less interested in relationship status and gender than they are experience with travel and being on the road. One reason I think this occurs is when people travel what becomes important in their ability to survive and go from one place to another; by focusing on these ideas the online community decides what traits and skills are important and reinforce their own social norms and values. Furthermore, it allows people to create a traveling identity. While running around the world, people are disconnected from any ties and traits they were once associated with and are given the chance to create a new persona. Because the site connects travelers to actual people, the new personality has a chance to become actualized. This is a major difference between this site and other social networking systems. Something like Facebook does not necessarily facilitate actual human contact. This site connects people from all over the world, in a virtual and physical manner.

Face my book

David Kirkpatrick ‘s book The Facebook Effect: The Inside Story of the Company That Is Connecting the World really explains what about Facebook is so unique and captivating. As the title suggests, the site deals with connecting people, and does so by changing the way people communicate. The Internet opened up new mediums for human interaction, and most of these are available on Facebook. This gives the site a great amount of power and prestige, something early investor such as the Washington Post and Accel noticed. There is a lot of worth and potential in a site which functions as a social interaction space. These early investors saw this and acted quickly and in the case of Accel hungrily. The willingness to pay millions of dollars for interest in the company demonstrates not only the power of such a site but the overall future want from Internet users.
Where once going away to college meant being disconnected from friends and family, Facebook has all but eliminated this problem. The site connects people, and allows for continuous communication through such features such as writing on people’s walls, poking and leaving messages. One interesting component mentioned by Kirkpatrick was the addition of photos to the site. Mostly used by girls at first, the posting of pictures adds an additional form of communication. Where once the happenings at a party had to be told first hand to others, it is now possible to go on Facebook and see what took place. In addition to telling story though picture, these photos also inform the world who people are friends with and what sort of social interaction they have with one another. As the author quotes, “I consider these people part of my life, and I want to who everyone I’m close to them” (155). By posting and tagging photos, users construct a type of hierarchy. Pictures are proof a person attended a party and how the other party goers interacted with that person. This can also be seen with groups, joining a group means the person has an interest, or at least wants other to think they have an interest in a particular idea. Joining certain groups creates an online persona for that user. By adding pictures or being tagged and joining groups, people can become “cool”, compared to others. The social interactions which ran high schools are now available online.
This idea of Facebook hierarchy even appears with online advertising. Advertising on Facebook almost guarantees the right people see certain advertisements, for example the Gwen Stefani “Hollaback” song. The advertisement was aimed at cheerleaders with the hope they would adopt it for their performances. Soon the song became popular during football games; being a cheerleader meant having first access to the song and a step up on this social hierarchy. Facebook may have changed how we communicate and connect with people, but certain parts of social interaction, for instance popularity, still remain.

FACEBOOK

After reading the first few chapters of David Kirkpatrick’s book the Facebook Effect: The Inside Story of the Company That is Connecting the World, defining Faebook as the social network makes sense. Today the Facebook phenomenon connects peoples from all parts of the world on a single space, making it a social network. The origins of Facebook also play into this title, Facebook is the child of social networks. Putting aside the lawsuit between the Winkelzoss twins and Divya Narendra, it is hard to say exactly where the concept or idea of Facebook originated. Sites such as Friendster, Paxo and MySpace and the numerous others Kirkpatrick mentions in his work, all existed before Mark Zuckerberg created his site. These preexisting sites provided necessary information on how to properly run and expand the Facebook idea. From looking at these past projects Facebook could determine what ideas or products would help the site survive or fail. For instance, from watching the problems facing Friendster, Mark and his team knew they had to carefully monitor new member use or the site would become slower and less enticing. One of Facebooks biggest and earliest competitors, MySpace allowed anyone to be anybody when creating a page. Doing so made “it difficult to limit your connections to genuine friends.” (75), Facebook took a more restrictive approach. The insured user validity limited whose profiles could be viewed by whom, making the experience about connecting with people. Additionally, the creators relied on real world networking to make Facebook happen.
Facebook heavily depended on Sean Parker’s previous experience dealing with investors and online companies . Parker’s connections lead the Facebook team to their first major investor Thiel. Parker’s previous experiences made him taught him how to protect the autonomy of the site, and to abandon the Wirehog project, both valuable pieces of information. Networking with Sean Parker contributed to the success of Facebook. Facebook has become a revelation, its success in part dependent on personal social networks and already existing networking sites.

Midterm Blog

My group purposefully chose a topic which was highly debated, the decimalization of Marijuana. After reading through the page and examining the resources it soon became apparent the page was written by people who supported the use of Marijuana. This was done mainly by misrepresenting information or quotes and neglecting to present information. For instance, the decent section of the decriminalization article included sentences and ideas which, while not necessarily supporting Marijuana use, didn’t give solid reason for opposing the use either. While presenting the facts, writers were able to sneak in their opinion, reducing the page’s validity. My group noticed this when addressing the question “what is missing?” That, to me, was a moment I really noticed how much Wikipedia can sway a page. Writers not only control what is written, but also what is not written. Wikipedia acts as an online encyclopedia, and should represent all the facts, not just the ones which help to create a particular opinion. Information is not about presenting a single side of an argument, but clearly documenting all facts so readers can make their own decisions.
The appearance of opinion along with the amount of inaccurate information which appears on the site means Wikipedia cannot be classified as a scholarly source. Not to say that Wikipedia does not have a place in this world. A great deal of information does exist in a single free space. This allows anyone to access knowledge on any subject, the trick is knowing how to use the site. Wikipedia acts as a great first place to look. The site provides an overview of the main facts on any subject. However, a person must look past Wikipedia to gain a full perspective. This was another interesting part of Wikipedia, almost all the information on a Wikipedia page is already available somewhere else on the Internet. While investigating every resource was time consuming, it is also what is necessary to gather facts. Wikipedia plays into our cultures want for everything at an instant. It is possible to find out the information on Wikipedia from other places, just not as convenient. We currently live in a world dominated by speed, Wikipedia pays into this obsession. Americans are accustomed to having everything at the touch of their fingers, information is no exception. The problem is gathering facts and insuring their accuracy is not a simply process. The popularity of Wikipedia demonstrates a trend for people’s preference for fast rather than accurate information. Wikipedia provides the world easy access to information at the expense of knowledge.

Made to Break III

Giles Slade’s chapter “Chips” from Made to Break, introduces the idea of “knowledge, training, and skill sets as victims of obsolescence”, however I didn’t feel as though he demonstrated this point as thoroughly as others in his book. Glades first sections summarize the origins of computers. These early beginnings, especially compared to modern times, were less focused on obsolescence and more concerned with invention and creation. Computer programs designed during this time period followed a similar pattern. The invention of spreadsheets, described on pages 205-6 , made it unnecessary to make similar charts by hand, saving time and increasing productivity. However, the skill of making and understanding charts has not really become obsolete. Spreadsheets are nothing but a page of rows and columns if a person does not understand how to impute and manipulate the information seen. The skills and knowledge required to work a spreadsheet by hand are also required on a computerized one. Slate’s argument of Word Processor changing typing seems to follow the pattern of one skill set replacing another. Slade’s assertion that “the ability to type flawlessly and quickly” (208) is lost may hold some validity, however the amount of people today who can and do type makes up for this lost. Women worked in typing pool, and traditionally the ones typing “40 to 60 flawless words per minute”(207). In today’s time most people may not type that fast or well, but most people type. Everyone in this class, male or female, writes a blog once a week demonstrating knowledge of this skill. Word Processor in the home introduced a new skill set, typing, to the general population. In addition, jobs still exist, for instance taking a deposition, which require a person to type quickly and without error. The skills required to make a spreadsheet or type are still present and available to the general population.
The following chapter contained a section on selling poor technologies to Russians during the Cold War, a questionable form of obsolescence. The intention of the inferior technologies was to malfunction, and stall Russian intelligence. While perhaps a form of obsolescence, these technologies were not sold with the intention of creating a mindset, but stalling a war and protecting America. In comparison, cell phones, which are often throwaway while still working for a newer version, demonstrates obsolescence as a consumer mindset. The problem of what to do with leftover technologies has global repercussions. Not only are American landfills infested with outdated and functional technologies, but poorer countries feel the effects of our consumerism. The processes of burning plastics taking place in “India, Pakistan and Bangladesh” (279) causes direct harm to these countries’ environments. However, the world shares its water and air, and the contamination of the environment is not limited to these countries. America exists in a society which craves the latest products, and everything from the economy to social networks encourages this mindset. Living in such a world it is easy to ignore the negative and global consequences of instant gratification.

Made to Break the sequal

The second part of this reading brought out the concept of obsolesce through innovation; however it also makes one wonder if indeed this is obsolescent or simply a byproduct of society. Evolution teaches that adaptation is necessary to survive, society is no exception. For instance, Giles Slade’s example of the AM FM radio dispute; Slade acknowledges that AM radio had many problems, and that another superior technology was needed. Edwin Armstrong worked to create a better product and was successful at doing so. The FM radio, was in fact superior to the AM radio; there was less static and could be broadcasted to a greater amount of people. This new technology was a great aid during World War Two because it allowed for better communication on the battle field. This is a very different situation to the General Motors and Ford dispute. In the automobile case, GM created a mindset which encouraged the idea that new is better, regardless of the technologies abilities. By making new cars in different colors, or changing a simple feature, he made previous cars unattractive and unwanted by the general public. People cannot avoid innovation, there are always forces operating in society to which people must adjust. The invention of nylon stockings is a perfect example of a new environment forcing change. Creating nylon stocking was not about replacing silk and taking over the market, but a byproduct of American ending trading ties with Japan. During World War two Americans wanted a product which removed them from trading with Japanese and Nylon filled that gap. There is a difference between purposely making something out- of- date and natural progression in society. GM did not create a new product but the idea that old is outdated. Silk is now a high quality fabric, while nylon has its own place in the market. GM changed the car before the market responded; changing nylon from silk was because of American demand. Slade goes on to discuss things like basements and porches being obsolete. But, this was just the time period; when the mass migration to suburban homes occurred, there was a need for quickly constructed residences. Homes without porches and basements could be made cheap and easily. Now both exist in modern suburban homes, when the sudden rush ended, these features reappeared. For a society to progress, innovation must occur. While these innovations may take older products off the market it is not a purposeful move to create the mindset and acceptance of obsolescence.

Current Event Blog

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-11460897 Link to article
Internet eyes is an England based company which hooks up store security cameras to the Internet. The footage is streamed throughout the European Union, subscribers to the site can watch the footage for twenty minute intervals and report any suspicious behavior for cash rewards. My first reaction was if people would use the site or not. As someone mentioned during the class discussion, the idea is somewhat lame. Having to pay to spy on random people in the hope of a cash reward is not the most exciting way to spend time. On the other hand, people love reality TV, watching people shopping may peak this same interest. In addition, the popularity of shows like CSI, and other crime dramas demonstrates an interest in crime. If people are interested in this site the next question concerns motivation; would people watch because culture has a sick obsession with watching other people’s lives or because people generally want to help? I think it is less on the helping end, and more about being able to watch random people. As we have discussed in class, people like to stalk one another on Facebook and Twitter , this is a similar activity with a cash reward. I don’t think as many people would be interested in the site if there was not some sort of reward for catching the bad guy. America’s Most Wanted and wanted posters operates under a similar principal, offering money in exchange for information. This is odd, the idea people are unwilling to stop crime unless it comes with some personal benefit. Someone mentioned in class that Americans have negative stigmatisms and names, rat, tattle tale, cannery, connected with telling on others. However, if a person receives monetary gain by talking, it becomes acceptable to break this social norm. By offering a cash reward, Internet Eyes eliminates the possibility of associating itself with the tattle tale name. Knowing about our cultures obsession with crime and stalking on computers, it seems logical Internet Eyes is driven by profit rather than preventing crime, particularly because people have to pay to use the site.
Privacy is another problem with this site. When entering a store a person agrees to let the store watch and record them, this right is not necessarily open to anyone in the world. As citizens we give up a certain amount of our privacy to authority in return for protection. However, people watching at home are not authority figures, they are people out to make money. Furthermore, the people being watched are in a public space, however the watchers are in a private space. Thus the people at home retain their privacy while invading others. Privacy International, (http://www.privacyinternational.org/) a group who keeps tabs on surveillance organizations, has taken an issue with the site. Even so, because the law has not caught up to technology it is hard to tell if this site really invades people’s privacy rights.

Social Network

Social network-
The movie really demonstrated how it is now possible to exist in two worlds, the virtual and the actual, and the eventual outcome of their simultaneous existence. By telling Mark Zuckerberg’s life story, the film brought up the dilemma between online actions and real life consequences.
After breaking up with his now ex- girlfriend, Mark goes directly to his computer and begins to blog. He doesn’t talk to a friend or even call his mother, he finds solace on the Internet. However, there is a big difference between talking to a person and a blog as Mark soon learns. In his blogging session, he insults his ex girlfriend, compares women to farm animals, and describes his illegal hacking activities. Each of these situations shows an interesting mix of these two worlds. One of Mark’s friend’s originally had the idea of comparing women, however he only said it to whoever was in the room, Mark put it online. These words would come back to haunt him repeatedly during his trials. When people say some mean or regretful things in real life there are direct results. Form name calling on a playground to a politician denouncing homosexuality, words have consequences. Online is no different, in fact it is worse because the Internet makes a permanent record of information and sends it to the entire world. That is what the Internet is, a place where information becomes permanent and available to anyone who can access it. Mark proved the availability of any information when he hacks into the school system and finds all the photos. While doing so, he writes about it on his blog, and details his illegal actions online. He does not see his blog as being part of the actual world and having real consequence or the difference between writing a blog and writing in a journal.
For most of the movie Mark is more concerned with this internet life than his real one; he devotes his existence to creating Facebook and while he created something revolutionary, he is alone. The people who surround his world, lawyers, interns, are there because of Facebook, not for Mark. The problem is that the internet it not the real world, you can not confuse them, no matter we attach ourselves to the Internet, we still have to deal with reality.

Made to Break part one

One of the my personally favorite parts of the book is when Giles Slade asks “Will America’s pyramids be pyramids of Waste?” Throughout Europe and Asia are structures and products which although built centuries ago still exist today. For Instance, Greek museums showcase bowls, water jugs, mosaics even structures and even artifacts from the first few Olympics. In terms of buildings, the old city of Jerusalem dates back thousands of years. These things, built with ancient tools and processes were not built with the mindset they would survive to this age, and still they lasted. If making products which were durable and could last was a common and a central part of the making things process, what changed? Made to Break, address this question, which can be seen as a the chicken or the egg qualm; which came first, the idea of obsolesce or people’s needs for better and newer products. The invention of the Kleenex and Kotex, in some ways originated from a need. There were left over supplies from World War one, and women were looking for a more sanitary product than using a rag. However, the introduction of these inventions encouraged people to throwaway useful products such as left over clothing. These clothing parts have so many uses and can be turned into quilts, rags, diapers; however the mass amounts of products available makes reusing an outdate fashion. After further reading it became less of a question as if needs or the theory of obsolescence came first, this has nothing to do with need; the battle between GM and Ford solidifies this. Ford strived to build a durable car which could last and a person would only need to buy one. The company, at least Henry Ford, seemed more concerned with producing a genuinely good product than making a profit. GM, in their effort to compete went about it in the exact opposite manner. They created a car which would coin the idea of “psychological obsolescence”. Their goal was not to create the best product but one which could and would be replaced ever year or so. This idea is particularly terrifying when you think that about the phrase “what is good for GM is good for the country.” What is good for GM is a product which should be replaced, and creating a poorer quality product and eventually a mindset that newer is better forces people to spend. This is what is best for America, making products which replaces a feeling of pride in making a good product with the pleasures and prestige which comes with commercial and finical gain. The Ford company could only stay in business by adapting a policy of obsolescence. GM managed to connive America they did not want the best, but the newest of whatever was being made. Now society gets the latest and newest product every year, the Apple store and all of their news phones is the perfect example of this; new phones come out all the time, however they always has flaws or problems. Yet people continue to buy them, not because they need them or they work well but because they are new and therefore better.

WIKI WIKI

The second part of Andrew Dalby’s book touches on how the larger society reacts to Wikipedia. Most love fear and hate the site for a single reason; being able to write anything a person wants and get there name and ideas out on the Internet. Anyone writing anything allows for the widespread of knowledge and for people to edit and delete information which is not accurate, this helps to regulate and keep the site, in theory, accurate. Not having to wait for an editor to approve the work or a deadline for the article to print means Wikipedia can be constantly updated and changed almost immediately after an event occurs. These reasons mentioned by Dalby do one additional thing, which should be taken into account when entering the site; constant updates and corrections help to transform the Wikipedia page from an information site to a community of users.
In fact two communities exist, that of constant and active users and that of laypeople, the casual reader who goes to the site for information. The first community is established by things such as user names, and ranks on the page site, for instance becoming an administrator, and the constant bickering between users. By participating in such ways people can create an identity on the site, an identity which can be anyone from anywhere. A high school dropout can feel like a professor on the site by updating and changing information, making him an authority figure. Allowing people to create identities along with a hierarchy changes Wikipedia from a simple encyclopedia to an Internet community; the active site users join and constantly update to feel as though they are a part of something. “I felt I was a part of a community with a common goal” quotes Dalby on page one hundred and twenty seven. A major concern here is the word goal; the sits’ goal comes from its active users, and the intention of the site becomes dependent on these people. Having a common goal, separates the casual users who just want the information to the addicted users who want to feel a part of something larger than themselves. This need for control can attribute for the constant updates, additions and deletions on the site. The constant users manipulate and alter information to make it form the community rather than an outsider. Daly explains this phenomenon when he writes “Insiders account for the vast majority of the edits. But it’s outsides who provide nearly all of the content” (page 145). This in turn hurts the second part of the Wikipedia community, the person who just wants information. The information they want has been subjected to the communities’ changes and opinions, and someone who goes to the site in each of something unknowingly becomes subjected to the internal community. It then becomes important for this reader to know where the information is coming from and how it got there, which the site does allow. However, few readers will take the time to search references and footnotes, and without knowing it read subjective rather than objective information.

Free Blog Post

The recent tragedy which took place within the Rutgers Community really questions the effects of technology on culture. During such situations it is possible to criticize and question the influence of technological advances; however it is possible to use similar mediums for good. An example of this is the “It Gets Better” video series on YouTube. The videos are messages from gay, lesbian and bisexual kids from all over the country talking to youths about dealing with bullying. The videos share a similar message, that the bullying and the teasing because of sexual identity ends and life goes on and gets better. Most speakers were bullied in high school and say once they left for college they were able to find communities and groups which supported them and their lifestyle. These videos, along with other online sites, establish communities which are specifically created to help and support people who are being taunted, bullied, or rejected by their families because of their sexual orientation. Where once a child from a small town in Kansas had to wait until maybe college or even post college to find such a community, the same child can go online and find the care and assistance they need. This online community not only provides aid to kids, but also save lives by giving people reasons to not kill themselves. The concept of community in these situations becomes completely redefined. The community a person actually lives in forces someone to want to kill themselves, while one which only exists in cyber space can convince the same child to not take their own life. This demonstrates a new phenomenon in technologically influenced cultures; the possibility to choose or create a new community without leaving home. And while these groups may only exist online they are so real and powerful they have the ability to outdo what has been done by the physical community or even family a person lives with. The message “you are not alone” connects people who once were outsides to similarly marginalized people eventually creating a virtual community filled with the love and support humans require.

Wiki book

Andrew Dalby’s book The World and Wikipedia: How we are Editing Reality, articulates one of the more problematic elements of the Internet: vast amounts of information without regulation. Wikipedia, by “allowing anyone to write anything “as quoted by Daly on page fifty, ignores the need to provide factual content to readers. The potential for Wikipedia to become one of the greatest innovations of our time exists, but only in theory; while the need exists, the social responsibility to provide accurate information becomes a crucial flaw. When describing the history of the encyclopedia, two main ideas emerge; the need for such a reference book to protect and disperse knowledge, and that such an idea cannot exist in modern times without adapting to technology. The change from written to electronic word not only exposed reader to knowledge, but information to reader. The difference being where information was once able to change the minds and opinions of minds, now the same information is susceptible to change by human hand. In addition to this, the problem of the anonymous nature on the Internet furthers people from any liability and inserts a feeling of doubt as to the authenticity of what is being written. Where once a single author could take credit for their creation and provide sources, Wikipedia demands none of this. Instead, it can be more beneficial to write whatever a person wants and not use a real name. The story of Richard Worth the politician from New Zealand written about by Dalby provides a great example of this. Postman’s Technopoly book warns of the dangers of vast amounts of information entering into the main stream but not knowing what to do with all that is presented. Anyone reading a Wikipedia page must do so with a grain of salt, however the convenience and accessibility of the pages outweigh the quest for accurate facts. Wikipedia holds so much potential to inform the world, however the lazy and nameless nature of the Internet prohibits this from happening.

Postman book blog 2

Postman Blog 2
The second half of Neil Postman’s book continues to exam the dangers of living with an abundance of readily accessible technologies. One such harmful side effect of living in the Technopoly age is the loss of responsibility. A similar issue was discussed on our second day of class during a current events presentation. Access to the Internet makes cheating, in school or life, that much easier and while making taking or placing blame harder. Modern societies, as Postman argues, see technology, the computer in particular, as thinking machines. However, a computer’s lack of full cogitative abilities makes it less than human; the computer is allowed to have thoughts and think, but the thoughts do not belong to anyone or anything. People are now able to blame a poor idea on a thinking machine rather than take responsibility for the consequences. The merging of social sciences with technologies helps to fuel this problem. Postman argues it is possible to find a study which will verify anything and allow people behave as they wish and blame some static as to why they partook in some action. Technology is everywhere from modern medicine to politics, it is not simply availability of technology, but the absolute belief in the validity of the information provided which encourages people to continue using technologies. Postman describes this new age phenomenon when he writes how he is “constantly amazed at how obediently people accept explanations that begin with ‘The computer shows.. .’ or ‘the computer has determined’… it is Technopoly’s equivalent to it is G-d’s will!” (Page 115). Such statements lead to the growth of a culture which feels void of any real responsibility. Being an adult human means being able to understand actions have consequences, it should not be possible to remove people from the responsibility of knowledge.
This morning I experienced a real life example about questioning information being presented. My friend showed me a YouTube video about childhood obesity which compared feeding fast food to a child to giving the child heroine. This was one episode in a series warning about the dangers of unhealthy eating habits. However, after a while it becomes apparent the ads are attacking the fast food industry, McDonalds in particular, and paid for by a vegan foods campaign. Being a vegan and fan of nutrition, I automatically supported what I was being told by the all mighty computer, however it began to bother me that the advertisement had its own agenda. Rather than a message about nutrition, the video was concerned with issues of eating meats, especially from fast food restaurants. Taking a step back and questioning who was really telling me what information, made me have a different take on what I was seeing. Noticing how ready I was to embrace the complacent attitude Postman warms against brought the significance of his words to reality.

Technopoly

Technopoly: the Surrender of our Culture to Technology by Neil Postman discuses a major problem seen in today’s world; technology taking not only our culture, but also our minds hostage. Postman identifies three cultures “tool-using cultures, technocracies and technopolies” (page 22) Tool-using culture as indicated by the name was at time before technology. When society looks back on the scientific minds of this time, such as Galileo and Copernicus, we view them as men of knowledge, challenging the accepted beliefs of the time in an effort to bring logic and science into society. Knowing what we know today, history lands in favor of these learned men. However, the tool-using society fought against these men and their ideas, jailing Galileo. Even though the men were right, maybe their society had the right idea in fighting. Postman describes an experiment on pages fifty-six and fifty-seven where he makes up ridiculous scientific news stories and records people’s reactions, sadly most believe him. Similarly, on an episode of 30 Rock the writing staff inserts fictions and outrageous lies on Janice Joplin’s Wikipedia page and laugh as Jenna Maroney acts out what has been written. While really funny, these two experiments demonstrate people’s blind belief in new information. Living in a time of constant change, we also assume facts and information change as rapidly. These thoughts fostered by the convenient and constant access to information guaranteed to us by technologies.
Instead of accepting new information society should ask the necessary question: How much should or has society surrendered over to technology? Information controls what people do, and technology now controls information. Any book used as a resource comes with an index, a place for the author to demonstrate the validity of their ideas. The Internet does not have to come with an index, or any distinct way to prove what is written derives from fact. I have no idea which source is more accurate, just wondering if in gaining an abundance of information at our fingertips, we have let down our guards and are simply willing to believe.

In the beginning, science was feared and mistrusted. When society entered into Postman’s second stage of civilization, the Technocracy age people still had doubts about technology. This age brought about the first real technological inventions and mass changes both good and bad. The skilled workers were replaced by machine. At the same time the fusion between technology and information began with the masses having access to the written word. Postman says of this time that “the technological and the traditional- coexisted in uneasy tension” (page 48). While living in Postman’s last stage, this uneasy tension may need to exist to balance out the good and bad of technology. While society has gained a great deal because of easy access to information through mediums such as school, media and the Internet, it is important to think about what is being lost; our willingness to question the flood of information given to us by technology.

Computers the Life Story of a Technology blog 2

A common theme within the last few chapters of Eric Swedin and David Ferro’s book is the interdependency of ideas in creating the modern computer. No computer or software was created by a single person or idea. In fact, early programmers and creates relied heavily on one another, this collaboration helped establish the newly emerging technology driven culture; for example, Apple creators Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs. Jobs was introduced to Wozniak through a mutual friend, Bill Fernandez. Both Fernandez and Wozniak attended high school in an area heavily populated by engineers and programmers. This cultural acceptance of technology reached beyond Wozniak and Fernandez’s home town and eventually grew into a community of programmers and creators. Inventors are constantly looking at others work and bouncing their ideas off one another. Thus the culture and society of programmers was slowly being formed, without much concern for popular acceptance or demand. Jobs makes mentions of this when stating “what we did was follow our own instincts and construct a computer that was what we wanted” (page 99), thus the computer was created to fit the needs and intentions of original programmers and less for the general populace. These inventions eventually made their way into modern society, and erupted. These eruptions created cultures, and counter cultures, connected in some way through the wonders of modern technology. For example, it is impossible to ignore the importance of computer within modern films. Star Wars could have never been made and as widely accepted sans technology, and there in no doubting the cultural significance of said film. Today the impact of computers is felt everywhere, from media to the stock market. From a small group of innovators to a worldwide phenomenon the computer has created and influenced a number of cultures.

Computers, bringing the world together

Today’s technology, especially the Internet is seen as something which brings the world closer together by creating a social space which defies the normal laws of both time and space. The idea of technology bring the world together is in no way a new idea. Early explorers created numerous inventions such as maps to chart the stars and moon, which brought people to new worlds. The mixing of nations and peoples eventually brought war, which in turn promoted advances in technology, including the computer. The opening Pages of Computers the Life Story of a Technology provides readers with an expansive timeline dating advances in technology. Scanning the time line it becomes apparent many of these new ideas deal with the Military or war in general. When sitting down at ones computer it is hard to believe the machine we now use to watch TV or talk with our friends has origins in code breaking. However, during WWII Poland breaking a German code could be the difference between life and death. Code breaking also provides an example of technology facilitating the transmission of information between countries. Information, which originated in Germany, could be intercepted in Poland, and sent to intelligence in England, saving lives of soldiers from all over the world. The presence of technology allowed for information to be passed from country to country, uniting people from around the world under a single idea. The Cold War and space race encouraged advancements in science programs, allowing man to reach the moon. Behind all of this was the clash of two nations, Russia and America, striving for world power. Not to down play the importance of computers and the advances themselves, for both countries recognized the importance of technology in the advancement of their nation. It is important to note the rise of spending and cultural importance placed on computer has origins in a major cultural and political crash. From moon charts to the Internet, technology has made the communication between cultures more and more convenient.

My first blog...ever

As the title says this is my first blog ever, and excited to give this a try! I should say I have been to blog places before but never written or had an account or anything.
I like the idea of a blog for this class. In a lecture class you rarely hear all the student’s thoughts and ideas on the topic. However, technology is something we grew up with use in our everyday lives each of us has our own experience and thoughts. This class is how technology and culture work together, using a blog to talk about ideas, is an example of merging the two ideas. The blogs provide a place for people to give and take ideas and collectively investigate our culture, online.
Loosely keeping track of my technology use was a very interesting experience. One topic which drew my interest was technology and school; the Internet is critical to attend Rutgers. While keeping track of my technology use, I discovered a great deal of my internet time was spent on school. I went to Sakai at least three times a day, every time I went to obtain vital information pertaining to a class. The Sakai site can be seen as a virtual classroom. Both students and professors must go to a single location where students are responsible for the information the professor provides. Professors post readings, announcements, the syllabus on this site and students check them.It would be very difficult to pass Rutgers without going to the class; it would be almost equally as difficult to pass without going to Sakai. This entire time I kept thinking what happens when you don’t have easy access to technology? Do you need technology to pass Rutgers and if so is that ok? I don't mean this so much in a social-economical way, although that could make an interesting argument, but what does it say about our lives that we need to be on a computer and on the internet to succeed?

Ok that was a bit of a tangent, (oh I’m going to like this if all I have to do is write my thoughts) I did use the internet for fun. I love to cook and I can spend hours looking up different baking ideas or just reading how other people put together flavors and spices. Then I need my computer to play music while I cook, there is nothing better than playing the blues while making food. Then I like to watch a movie once again on my computer while I eat, really my entire food process is around my computer. It is a wonderful way to pass time and be satisfied the entire time. Instant gratification is the best part of the Internet.