I believe that I could unplug from the world for a short period of time and that it would be good for me. I have went on vacations and I left my mobile devices at the hotel or made sure not to use them while I was out and about. I feel that it will be a good thing because any time that I'm using my device it takes away from my interpersonal interactions either with the people I'm with or the people around me. It is also good because it allows me to focus more on the vacation instead of what my friends are into on Facebook.
Reflecting on this course has showed me the shift in our dependence on technology from the past to now. In the past these innovations were exciting and world changing which they still are today but these technologies may be hindering our society at the same time. What stands out in my mind most is the focus on technology in institutions today. It seems you have to be technology savvy in a lot of areas to function in today's world. A lot of things are beginning to be ran by machines. Machines that we as people must know how to operate. One thing that surprised me was the different span of time that it took each type of technological device to spread nationally. Considering the number of the devices in households now.
A particular device in my life that makes a major impact and I would say society as a whole is the computer linked with the internet. Every since its invention the possibilities have become limitless. We have a unlimited pool of information to dive in. We can connect with almost anyone at anytime. We can get information to people that they need immediately. There's so may things that the World Wide Web has put into place for us that we have stopped having to learn or do real searches for information. Thanks to sites like Google or Bing the answers we seek are just a click away. I really think I would go crazy without the internet for too long because most of my life is centered around it.
Overall these devices take away from the time we spend with others and I feel like that is a major flaw. It's hard to go on a date with someone and get their full attention because of their phone or constant check ins on Facebook. Its hard to spend time with your family when everyone's more concerned with playing on the Wii or watching TV. I feel like there needs to be a balance between the two like stated in the article but finding this balance is hard.
Monday, April 23, 2012
Monday, April 9, 2012
Blog Reflection
When reflecting on my blogging experience over the semester I can say that it wasn't that challenging. Most of the information you put into a blog is your opinions and your ideas. That's what I believe makes blogging so easy and simple because you can blog about anything you want and say whatever you want. Only thing that was difficult for me was some of the things I was blogging about didn't spark my interest so that posed a challenge. Also remembering to do the blog by the due date slipped my mind a few times.
I think that blogging doesn't have a major impact on our society but it can still effect the ideas of people who subscribe to blogs. These blogs seem especially hard on businesses. If someone has a certain idea or opinion about your business they could blog about it and cause a loss of business to your company or even the end of your business. I have saw a lot of controversial blogs about race, sex orientation, and politics. The topics are limitless when it comes to blogs.
Many of my professors have used blogging for class to seek our ideas about certain topics. I believe that blogging will continue to increase because people want their voice to be heard and with the sphere of online communication growing, a blog is the place to do it. Only thing is that blogs aren't always correct and someone might blog something completely incorrect and have people believing it as truth. Some people blog about absolutely nothing which can be annoying when searching for a specific blog or information.
I think that blogging doesn't have a major impact on our society but it can still effect the ideas of people who subscribe to blogs. These blogs seem especially hard on businesses. If someone has a certain idea or opinion about your business they could blog about it and cause a loss of business to your company or even the end of your business. I have saw a lot of controversial blogs about race, sex orientation, and politics. The topics are limitless when it comes to blogs.
Many of my professors have used blogging for class to seek our ideas about certain topics. I believe that blogging will continue to increase because people want their voice to be heard and with the sphere of online communication growing, a blog is the place to do it. Only thing is that blogs aren't always correct and someone might blog something completely incorrect and have people believing it as truth. Some people blog about absolutely nothing which can be annoying when searching for a specific blog or information.
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
To me video games play several roles in society today. One of those roles in some households is a parenting role. I've noticed that instead of family activities that some parents just stick their kids in a room with a video game. This video game parenting can possibly give kids a false sense of reality. Kids also rather stay in the house and play video games instead of playing outside. The could contribute to the increasing rate of child obesity.
Video games like books or television also have an escape sphere. People look to video games as a way to get away from reality, a form of entertainment, a duplication of reality, or just a way to past time. This escape contributes to the principle of relative consistency. Since video games have emerged the time spent playing them has increased significantly. This poses the question of what technologies or things are being forgotten or given up. I already stated that children no longer have the desire to play outside, it may also take away from some technologies like a cell phone, the TV, or listening to music.
I notice that my son loves playing video games. I really never have to show him how or what on the games. He's really tech savvy but the problem is that's all he wants to do. This is confusing because he may only play the game once or twice every two weeks. If someone has a phone or computer he wants to play video games on it. This shows me that each generation to come will become more and more dependent on media & these types of entertainment. Especially with the level of realness that these games are being created with. The characters look real, the animation is 3d and gamers love either killing games or athletic games.
I really don't care for video games myself but kids and some adults seem to fancy them over picking up an educational book. Then again to each his own.
Video games like books or television also have an escape sphere. People look to video games as a way to get away from reality, a form of entertainment, a duplication of reality, or just a way to past time. This escape contributes to the principle of relative consistency. Since video games have emerged the time spent playing them has increased significantly. This poses the question of what technologies or things are being forgotten or given up. I already stated that children no longer have the desire to play outside, it may also take away from some technologies like a cell phone, the TV, or listening to music.
I notice that my son loves playing video games. I really never have to show him how or what on the games. He's really tech savvy but the problem is that's all he wants to do. This is confusing because he may only play the game once or twice every two weeks. If someone has a phone or computer he wants to play video games on it. This shows me that each generation to come will become more and more dependent on media & these types of entertainment. Especially with the level of realness that these games are being created with. The characters look real, the animation is 3d and gamers love either killing games or athletic games.
I really don't care for video games myself but kids and some adults seem to fancy them over picking up an educational book. Then again to each his own.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
The impact of PC's
The first time that I remember using the computer was when I was in the third or fourth grade. My school had a reading program through Scholastic called "Read 180". This program kept individual strengths and weaknesses on the computer of each student in class and our progress. It also had interactive videos and kept you wanting to learn and enhance your reading capabilities. This software in particular stood out in my memory. When it comes to the World Wide Web it is hard for me to recall the exact instance but I remember being astonished by the ability to type a message, send it, and get a response almost immediately. I would often go to the library just to get on the Web. I really didn't make many computer mistakes, I loved the computer and to type and play games.
I believe I remember that experience because I enjoyed the class and the engagement on the computer. It was a new innovation to me. Unlike the sega or nintendo technologies I could do more than play games on it. I could find information without using a book, and connect with old friends.
Knowing how to operate the PC is very important when it comes to my education because most of my assignments are to be found or completed online like this blog. The PC is important to know how to use on my job because I work in a office setting where I mostly use the computer, its programs, and the internet. The PC has a great impact on anyone who comes across it. It keeps me connected, informed, and entertained at times. It's kind of hard to see life without it.
I believe I remember that experience because I enjoyed the class and the engagement on the computer. It was a new innovation to me. Unlike the sega or nintendo technologies I could do more than play games on it. I could find information without using a book, and connect with old friends.
Knowing how to operate the PC is very important when it comes to my education because most of my assignments are to be found or completed online like this blog. The PC is important to know how to use on my job because I work in a office setting where I mostly use the computer, its programs, and the internet. The PC has a great impact on anyone who comes across it. It keeps me connected, informed, and entertained at times. It's kind of hard to see life without it.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
With the constant introducing of new technologies and constant fatigue of the old ones I agree with this articles premise very much. As we get older it will become harder and harder to keep up with the range of new technologies coming out. Now as a young person its very easy for me to figure out how new technologies work. For instance my mom got a kindle for her birthday. She could not even figure out how to turn it on without the manual and she's only in her late 40's. She eventually came to me to show her how to work it because even the manual was confusing to her.
I agree that technology is created for the young by the young. These technologies are created for the mind that can adapt quickly and figure out the technology rather quickly, atleast the basics of it. We are designed to adapt but to environment not necessarily technology. As long as my grandmother had her cell phone she still never understood how to do basic things like store numbers in her phone and find them when she needed to call someone. She would just keep them in her address book and dial the numbers herself. She would actually lose her cell phone a lot. The average young person goes crazy when the lose their cell phone but to her it wasn't that serious.
Older folks get upset sometimes I noticed with all the technology savvy young people. They don't get the Facebook or the twitter or even texting at times. Yet you still have a large amount of older folks who have kept up with the times and know how to text, tweet, and to work Facebook. I agree that you do have to keep up with the changing technologies otherwise you will be left behind and once you get behind it's hard to catch up.
I agree that technology is created for the young by the young. These technologies are created for the mind that can adapt quickly and figure out the technology rather quickly, atleast the basics of it. We are designed to adapt but to environment not necessarily technology. As long as my grandmother had her cell phone she still never understood how to do basic things like store numbers in her phone and find them when she needed to call someone. She would just keep them in her address book and dial the numbers herself. She would actually lose her cell phone a lot. The average young person goes crazy when the lose their cell phone but to her it wasn't that serious.
Older folks get upset sometimes I noticed with all the technology savvy young people. They don't get the Facebook or the twitter or even texting at times. Yet you still have a large amount of older folks who have kept up with the times and know how to text, tweet, and to work Facebook. I agree that you do have to keep up with the changing technologies otherwise you will be left behind and once you get behind it's hard to catch up.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Displacement Theory
My favorite theory that we have covered in communication technology so far I would have to say isDisplacement Theory. Displacement theory is the idea that we only have a certain amount of time to engage in a communication activity so participation in one takes away from the other.
When it comes to Television displacement theory has played a factor. Before television came along there was the radio, it was the medium do get information, news, and entertainment. When television came along it slowly but surely took away time spent that one would listen to radio. Not many people had television sets into after World War two so the medium had no effect on radio until then. Sets sold rapidly and many radio actors moved to television because that's what medium people were tuning into. Although these were two competing systems they had similarities that people enjoyed.
Although then television was a competition for radio, televisio now has competition. Viewers no longer need a television set to watch their favorite shows. Sitting in front of a computer or using an Ipad has become more important than watching a TV. All these new technologies make it hard for someone to have time for television. Although time is taken away by these other technologies television views seem to remain. People still seem to make time to tune into their favorite show, a game, or the grammy awards.
When it comes to Television displacement theory has played a factor. Before television came along there was the radio, it was the medium do get information, news, and entertainment. When television came along it slowly but surely took away time spent that one would listen to radio. Not many people had television sets into after World War two so the medium had no effect on radio until then. Sets sold rapidly and many radio actors moved to television because that's what medium people were tuning into. Although these were two competing systems they had similarities that people enjoyed.
Although then television was a competition for radio, televisio now has competition. Viewers no longer need a television set to watch their favorite shows. Sitting in front of a computer or using an Ipad has become more important than watching a TV. All these new technologies make it hard for someone to have time for television. Although time is taken away by these other technologies television views seem to remain. People still seem to make time to tune into their favorite show, a game, or the grammy awards.
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Music & Technology
When it comes to music and the devices I choose to listen to it on I would say I have many options. One device I use often to listen to music on is my home stereo. I usually plug my smart phone into my home stereo so I can play the music I enjoy at a louder volume I can hear throughout my home. I also use my MP3 player on my home stereo every now and then. Now that I can play my Pandora from my smart phone there's not much use for it.
I also have a six disc changer in my car but I listen to my radio more than the CD's I have in the changer. It's not really that I prefer the radio cause between the radio and my disc changer they both seem like the same rotation of songs. I may listen to music on the computer or my laptop if there's a music video I would like to see or new music I want to find.
Most of the time I listen to music it's not the only thing I'm engaging in. I would say I spend a lot of time listening to music when I'm cleaning, cooking, or getting ready for my day. I also like to listen to music when I work out. I listen to music when I'm driving. I also tend to listen when I have company and we may play cards, so it's a nice addition to the social environment.
I also listen to music at idle times like when I'm waiting for class to start or when I'm walking across campus. This may be where displacement theory comes in because I notice at times people don't start conversations with me or I with them because we are consumed in our digital devices. These devices could really be effecting our daily interactions.
Although these devices may have an effect I still indulge. The reason I listen to music is because first and foremost it fulfills my human need to be entertained. Secondly, like laughter it soothes my soul. Music is a great form of expression that could possibly relate to a situation we're going through or been through. Music is a great escape and a great way to relax. Another reason I listen is to either take my mind off reality or keep my mind busy while doing other things. Music is simple, unlike a book where you have to sit down and read it with music all you have to do is listen.
I also have a six disc changer in my car but I listen to my radio more than the CD's I have in the changer. It's not really that I prefer the radio cause between the radio and my disc changer they both seem like the same rotation of songs. I may listen to music on the computer or my laptop if there's a music video I would like to see or new music I want to find.
Most of the time I listen to music it's not the only thing I'm engaging in. I would say I spend a lot of time listening to music when I'm cleaning, cooking, or getting ready for my day. I also like to listen to music when I work out. I listen to music when I'm driving. I also tend to listen when I have company and we may play cards, so it's a nice addition to the social environment.
I also listen to music at idle times like when I'm waiting for class to start or when I'm walking across campus. This may be where displacement theory comes in because I notice at times people don't start conversations with me or I with them because we are consumed in our digital devices. These devices could really be effecting our daily interactions.
Although these devices may have an effect I still indulge. The reason I listen to music is because first and foremost it fulfills my human need to be entertained. Secondly, like laughter it soothes my soul. Music is a great form of expression that could possibly relate to a situation we're going through or been through. Music is a great escape and a great way to relax. Another reason I listen is to either take my mind off reality or keep my mind busy while doing other things. Music is simple, unlike a book where you have to sit down and read it with music all you have to do is listen.
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