Likes and Dislikes of Technology Blog 1

I really like that the latest technology makes everything accessible. I don’t even need a computer anymore because I can do anything I want and everything I need on my phone. Phones are like pocket computers nowadays.  Since technology has made many advances in the past years, I am able to use my phone to do school work or to just search the web. In society today technology is never at a standstill. It is constantly upgrading and giving people new material to buy. This is one thing that I really like about technology. Every time something new comes out I am anxious to see what the newest feature is. The constant upgrades are starting to make life a lot easier for people.  Phones have thousands of apps that make basic things easy. Like shopping there is an application where a customer can scan an item and compare prices between stores. Little things like this help people save some money since they have to spend so much money on the latest materials. The prices of some phones and other objects are ridiculous. People should not have to pay 400 or 500 dollars for a phone.  The prices of some products help keep the rich, rich and the poor, poor. Some people are already technologically behind and the prices keep it that way. Since the latest technology is helping people and their everyday lives it should be affordable for all citizens. What I really dislike about technology is that it takes over some people’s lives. Children nowadays get so wrapped up in video games that they do not even go outside. People are starting to get disconnected from the real world because computers and video games take up so much of their lives. Video games are also consuming people’s lives to the point where they are committing crimes and in some cases suicide. A man that was obsessed with Grand Theft Auto committed a Grand Theft Auto time crime. Devin Moore stole a gun from a police officer and shot three officers with it, he even stole the police car after shooting the officers. ."(Mydans)

 Once Moore was captured by the police he told them, "Life's like a video game. You've got to die sometime."(Mydans) Incedents like this are a reason why modern technology can be dangerous to the world.

Mydans, Carl Mydans. "10 Deaths Caused by Video Games | SPIKE." Spike.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Aug. 2012. <http://www.spike.com/articles/id98jf/the-top-10-deaths-caused-by-video-games?page=2>.

To have technology or to not have technology, that is the question.

   In today’s time, technology is continuously growing to help us connect with all over the world. It’s fast, interesting, resourceful, flashy, and fun.  I love the fact that I can find answers in a second. And isn’t that what we all want? An immediate answer or response? Also, technology is always growing. In the 90’s, email was a huge thing, but now? There are so many attractive things about technology; it makes us want and want, even to the point where it becomes a need.

   That is the negative aspect of technology. It can become an addiction. When I was a child in the 90’s, the dinner table was about connecting with your family. But now, it’s quite different. Everyone is responding to the outside world and isn’t looking or appreciating what’s in front of them. You aren’t present for the daily routine you share with your family you’re just locked in this machine that can take away from a real life connection. Also, it’s as if your complete focus on the outside world is gone. The question is, is it more positive to have technology like iPhones, computers OR is it way more beneficial to have without? Matt Richtel quoted in the New York Times, “Scientists say juggling e-mail, phone calls and other incoming information can change how people think and behave. They say our ability to focus is being undermined by bursts of information” (Richtel) I have a friend that grew up with no television or computer in her house. Now since that is a slower way to find answers or communicate, the positive outcome is she gained so much knowledge and wasn’t consumed by anything. Yes, she was “outdated” like all of our grandmothers, but she experienced life differently than us, she actually was present.

 Though technology has its negatives, it would be far too late to stop it now. We are already consumed. But most importantly, technology assists our everyday lives and sadly, the world wouldn’t be a better place without it, maybe

Source: Richtel, Matt. "YOUR BRAIN ON COMPUTERS; Hooked on Gadgets, and Paying a Mental Price." The New York Times. The New York Times, 07 June 2010. Web. 27 Aug. 2012. <http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/07/technology/07brain.html?pagewanted=all>.

Simplicity and total frustration (Blog one)

Technology can be amazing, as well as terrible. Depending on your skill level with technology you can make it work to your advantage or it can end up causing you many problems. In my personal experiences with technology, I have had many ups and downs.

For instance I have much luck with technology from the apple/mac company, it is all simple and easy to connect with other devices and doesn't really require much skills to work with as far as simple tasks. Along with the luck I have also had my downfalls with it. For some reason after I had purchased my iPad I spent probably a total of 3 hours getting it connected to my printer, but it only took 5 minutes to connect my macbook pro to my printer.

This constant battle with technology all stems from the technology outgrowing the education about it and the abilities of the consumers. For a technology buff everything seems simple as can be and highly efficient, but for your average person it could cause someone to have a mental breakdown just trying to print a page, save a file, or play a song. This is also very embarrassing for me to say but it took me about 20 minutes to figure this whole blog thing out, considering this is the first time I had ever used a blog site for actually posting.

Technology: A Wolf In Sheep's Clothing (Blog One)

Technology is an every growing, every changing beast, and a beast that has all but become impossible to slay. But what would society gain from that? It gives us the ability to meet others, go on virtual "dates", and in some cases, even consummate that love...without leaving the comfort of one's home. Business deals are being struck quicker, long lost friends are reconnecting, and the economy is benefiting from this boom in technology. We live in faster times. Something that our grandparents may not every understand. You sit in a lecture, your mind races as you struggle to write down notes, browse Facebook, check a news site, and fact check your professor (admit it, you've done it once). Years ago stocks were foreign to many, reserved specially for yuppies and businessmen. Now, you can use E*Trade to become your own stock broker, and make money doing it as well. With everything at our fingertips, why change what we're doing? Why change our hand in hand relationship and reliance on technology? Because although it is a beautiful thing, it is also a cruel temptress that could very well lead to the downfall of society as we know it.

Okay...I got a little melodramatic there. But it was for good reason. It's good and all that there is an ease to communication these days, but technology is slowly eroding away our social skills. The people skills that are so desperately needed for humans to survive. 

Obviously, this graph is irrelevant without the given information, but one can notice a steadily increasing line, fluctuating slightly from time to time, but a steady increase at that. Google Trends is a tool that allows one to see the trends of certain "Googled" keywords...the keywords searched? "How to talk to people." That's right, there has been a steady increase in the search of advice on how to talk to people. Doug Foderman and Marje Monroe of The National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) did a survey of students who are actively using Facebook, phones to text, and Twitter...they write:

  "It saddens us to hear 16-year olds say that they would rather break up with their girlfriend/boyfriend by texting, IM-ing or posting on their Facebook wall than tell them in person (or over the phone).  When asked why, they'll tell you "because it's easier."  We believe this avoidance will have increasing negative ramifications on their communication skills throughout life."

Source: http://www.nais.org/resources/article.cfm?ItemNumber=151505

Doesn't sound too promising to me. Teens are taking the easy way out when faced with social situations. I don't like the looks of that. It makes me question whether the younger generations of today are learning the social skills required to obtain jobs, make connections, and interact with people outside of their homes. Maybe though, with the ever changing nature of social skills and technology, maybe by the time I have grandchildren, they'll be interviewing for jobs over Skype, or just doing it via Facebook or Twitter. Who knows, only time will tell.

It's all fun and games...for the most part. (Blog #1)

Let’s face it: technology is a blessing.  We are incredibly fortunate to be living in a world where everything is right at our fingertips.  And yes, I’ll admit that sometimes I’m a bit too dependent on it; I cannot imagine being a student without a laptop.  How would I write research papers? How would I keep in constant contact with my professors?  How would I find the cheapest textbooks?  Technology is incredible, it truly is.

Except when it doesn’t work.

It’s happened to all of us.  Those times when the internet just won’t connect.  Or when that deadly virus eats away at our computers.  Or the signal is dropped on a call.  Or when all you want to do is turn on your phone and it just won’t.  This happens to me almost everyday.  And then I moan, and I groan, and I get all frustrated and all I want to do is chuck my laptop at the wall because it won’t let me google pictures of cats.  

But that’s just when it happens to us, the everyday folk.  What about when it happens in huge companies?  Think about those fateful days at, say, the Johnson & Johnson headquarters.  They provide hundreds of products that we use everyday.  What about those days, or even that 1 hour, where the internet just won’t connect.  Everything is halted.  Deadlines are pushed, products aren’t going where they need to go, and everyone is going crazy because they’re losing money by the second.  In the end, technology had more harm than good that day.

Or what about a place like NASA? I’m sure everyone’s very cranky when their systems crash.

Technology is wonderful, yes. And could we live without it at this stage? Probably not.  It’s become the way the world functions.  But with so many ways of messing up and breaking and setting us back, is it really as great as we think it is? As stated in one of the “Observer” articles of the UK’s “Guardian”: “The technology of our everyday lives is only one design flaw away from collapse.”

I suppose that this is the more trivial downside of technology.  But it is a downside nonetheless.  Technology is a part of our lives, and it probably always will be, but when it gets us to that point of anger, panic, and overall setbacks, we really need to take a step back and reevaluate our relationship with it.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/oct/16/observer-editorial-blackberry-crash

Must resist… the ease of use… the pretty screens… and the ability to communicate to anyone I want. My social life is at stake! (Blog #1)

            Technology throughout human history has always been a tool that has helped human beings thrive. It has allowed us, as people, to expand and become a well-oiled machine as a whole. Within the last decade technology has become even more powerful and has allowed us to do things that people could only imagine a couple decades ago. However, even though technology may be making our lives easier, the speed that it is evolving may become a danger to people socially and mentally.

            There are many things to love about technology and the ways that it makes peoples’ lives easier. The best examples would be the Internet, cell phones and computers. Computers have made a large impact in the productivity in the office, research, and complicated mathematics just to name a few. The Internet has evolved and has become an incredible resource. The Internet can be used to communicate with people, search for information, and share information with billions of people. Lastly cell phones have evolved from being tools that allow people to talk to others over long distances to becoming mini computers. The technology that we have allows use to do so much and it will only continue to evolve, but perhaps it is evolving too fast for people to take advantage of it responsibly.

            Although the recent technology is indeed making life easier for many people, many people suspect that so much technology is detrimental for a person’s mental health and development. For example video gaming is a product of said recent technology, but there have been very real cases of people who would rather play video games than interact with real people. Sure a person is still able to talk to others through the game, but there is no face-to-face conversation. With the development of more complex games, people are starting to avoid talking to others more and more, just to play video games. This addiction is not just limited to video games though; the Internet is also a source of addiction as well because there is just so much stuff on it. It is very easy to be stuck looking at a computer screen for several hours watching YouTube, using Facebook, or watching movies. Although it has made life more convenient, it is easy to become addicted to that ease, causing some people to risk their social life.

http://www.video-game-addiction.org/

            Technology may be a powerful tool, however I know from personal experience that it can easily be used as a poor substitute for a social life. This new technology very helpful no doubt, and many amazing things have been accomplished using this new tech. It does not change the fact that if not used in moderation technology can take control of a person’s life. 

My First Smartphone (Blog #1)

           I checked the time. The clock read ten a.m. I could not believe that the day was here. I waited by the window like a dog waiting for their owner to return home. Suddenly, I saw a big white van pull up with the bright purple and orange Fed Ex letters on the side. My anxiety turned into excitement and I ran to the front door. I stood on the threshold staring at the tall man who held my future in his hands.

            “Corey Lacey,” he asks.

            “That’s me,” I respond.

            He hands over the box and I hastily signed my name. I waved good-bye to the generous sir. As I walked to the living room, thoughts rushed through my head. Is it broken? Are all the pieces intact? How long will it take before I can start using it? I ripped open the box and saw the silver Apple logo on a white box. Slowly, I pulled the case up and took out my brand new iPhone. It was finally in my hands. However, I started to wonder if my mind was ready to tackle a phone that was capable of doing anything and everything.

Having an iPhone has made life so much easier. My biggest issue with my old phone was that I was limited. I could only do so much with the “apps” that were a part of the phone. The phone was breaking down from wear and tear over the last year. I felt that I was behind the times and I could not partake in technology fully. With my new iPhone, I love how fast I can get access to everything. But it’s not only my iPhone that allows me to enjoy this luxury. Whether it is with my laptop or my iPod Touch, I love how reliable technology has become far removed from the times of the telegraph. Yet, I know the issues that arise with having so much power in my hands.

            On the first day of having my iPhone, I literally spent most of my time downloading apps, uploading music, texting, and taking pictures. I was heading back to Juniata in a couple of weeks so this smartphone was sure to become more of a distraction. I’m sure professors share my thoughts on technology’s effect on the ability of students to focus.

"I would ban that too if I knew the students were using it in class," Summers said of the iPhone, once a description of the device had been provided to him. "What we want to encourage in these students is active intellectual experience, in which they develop all the wide range of complex reasoning abilities,” (Glater, NYT).

            I would not want my iPhone to be banned from a classroom but I can understand the reasoning behind it. Students would not get in trouble for trying to sneak texts and could focus more in class. Learning self-control is important. Also learning how to rely on our own intellect as opposed to the convenience of Google is equally as important.  

            My experience with my iPhone has taught me to push myself away to focus on work. Technology has such a grasp on a person’s social life that it is a daily effort to try to even hold a conversation with someone without checking their phone every five minutes. I am proud owner of a trademark piece of the digital revolution. However, I do not want to become a heavy reliant and end up failing because I am too busy checking my Facebook or tweeting. 

Works Citied:

Glater, Jonathan. “IPhone and iPod: Learning tool or distraction?” New York Times 27 Aug. 2012. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/20/business/worldbusiness/20iht-phone.4.15475636.html?_r=2

Corey Lacey

Drive my car - please don't wreck ... Thank you Lord - for all the tech ... (Blog #1)

              What's the big deal about technology, that makes everyone freak out and buy the newest and most exciting piece of technology out there.  In my own opinion, during today's society, it is like a competition to be the first one to walk around and show off their newest piece of technology.  This often draws red flags in my mind to those people that they are so dependent on technology.  I love technology but at the same time, I cannot stand it.

So I ask myself, Jeremy Hays, what do really like about this thing so called technology?  The first thing that comes to mind is communication.  Ever since I was born in 1992, technology has dramatically changed in the way people communicate.  I can remember writing letters to one of my friends and not hearing from them until several days later.  That was then, and this is now.  I can whip out my cell phone, send a quick text message, and receive a response within seconds of sending it.  Also, using a telephone to call and talk to someone has always been in my life.  I used to have to look up a telephone number and dial it in then call.  Now with a cell phone, scroll right to that persons name and call.  In this aspect, technology has made things quicker, faster, and easier for people today. I especially like how you can use the modern form of a letter and write an email through a computer.  In this newer age, technology has been an important part in the every day life for most people in the world.  Technology can be a great tool for research and finding new interesting information.  I love finding new things and picking up new resources.  Technology can be extremely helpful in lots of ways.  When working properly, technology is very fast and can connect you where you need to be.  I find it fascinating to watch a piece of technology work.  

              You got to hear about all the good stuff as to why I like technology, but the world isn't always sunshine and rainbows.  There are plenty of things I could complain about as well.  My ultimate, number one, dislike about technology came about as of recent.  Iphone’s are a wonderful piece of technology and would be great to have.  But, I cannot stand when I am having a conversation face to face with someone and the other person sits there on his or her phone and does not really pay attention to me.  I find that to be very annoying and disrespectful.  To sum up that rant, I guess I don't like how technology has changed our everyday face-to-face talk.  A major dislike I have for technology is how expensive they are becoming.  The new iPhone comes out and is retailed at $400.00 dollars or so, I find that a little much to be spending on a cell phone.  But what is the sad thing?  People just need to have it, so tons of people rush out and spend the money on the new phone.  So who really hurts here the company that made the phone or people that would like one but cannot afford it?  The company does not care because they are still making their money regardless.  So they can keep bumping up their prices because people will still buy the item.  I found an article asking, "Can Technology Save the Economy?"  This article discusses spending about technology in our world today.  This piece is about the federal stimulus bill about discoveries and technologies:

               "By any measure, $100 Billion is a staggering amount of money.  That's how much the federal stimulus bill devotes to the discovery, development, and implementation of various technologies.  Some $20 Billion will fund the increased use of electronic medical records; another $7.2 Billion will support the extension of broadband Internet access to areas currently without such service.  Most impressive, roughly $60 Billion will be spent on energy, funding everything from energy- efficiency programs to loan guarantees for the construction of large facilities that use biofuel and solar technologies."

Rotman, D. Can technology save the economy? The Journal of Technology Review, 112(3), 44 – 52.

         

              To me, I think we have plenty of money going into technology.  Now what happens if this technology that we are spending billions of dollars on doesn't work or needs fixed?  That is more money that will come from us, the people.  That’s another thing, your computer crashes, you have to pay money to have someone fix it.  Because technology is not perfect and always needs some repairs.

                 I find technology fascinating and frustrating to say the least.  Overall, technology has come a great way since I can remember and I am thankful for what it has done for me.