Friday, January 26, 2007

Reading for Monday, Jan. 29th

Please read S1:U3 in your textbook for Monday the 29th. You need to write two questions based on the reading and posted here by 11:59 PM on Sunday the 28th.

Each post is graded on a 4 point scale and what follows is the rubric:

4 points - Questions are posted on time, there are two of them, you reference a portion of the reading, provide a page number, written according to the top 4 levels of Bloom's taxonomy.

3 points - Questions are posted on time, there are two of them, you reference a portion of the reading, provide a page number, questions too simply worded and NOT focusing on top 4 levels of Bloom.

2 points - Same as three but forgetting to paraphrase of provide page number.

1 point - Post is late. One point automatically.

0 points - Does not post.

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

On page 39 the book refers to a term called cyberutopianism. This basically means that all new technology is good and that by getting the new technology(whether its needed or not) we are making our lives better or easier. With the introduction of so many new devices, what kind of devices or technology will we use in the future that will mkae our lives easier?

Also on page 37 the book talks about invisible technology which means that we've had a technology around for so long that we dont even notice that its there anymore. (the book uses a landline telephone as an example) What kind of things that we use today and are considered new will become invisible technology and how will that shape the things that are invented and what people use to communicate with eachother?

Tom B

Unknown said...

In class, and in the text, the impact that CMC has had on humans is often discussed. We have also briefly touched upon the individual impact that technology makes on our social and personal lives. We all expressed our opinions about removing some of the technologies we use every day from our lives for a period of time, and found that this task would be trying. So it seems that we rely on technology as a communication tool in our society but also to help our personal and social lives run smoothly.

On page 37 the book talks about individual technologies that have hindered our lives, socially. It focuses on the washing machine and the idea that it has empowered women beyond doing the laundry. It states that the popularization of the washing machine had more of an impact on women’s liberation than any other factor. Do you agree with this statement? Is it possible that a simple machine, which remains in our homes, immensely impacted the liberation of women in the 1950s? Are there any technologies today that have such a powerful impact on a large group of people? Can you foresee the creation of a technology that could empower another group of people in the world?

It seems that the majority of our class (and generation) agrees on the fact that technology has been more helpful than harmful. However, there are people who find some technologies pointless, unsafe, and even damaging. Consider the episode of Buffy that we watched in class. There were two drastically different opinions shown about technology: the benefits and the flaws.

On page 38 of the text there is dialogue from the movie You’ve Got Mail. It, once again, shows a debate about technology. On the page 39 the text continues to discuss the conflict and anxiety that often develops with each new technology. How do you evaluate trends in technology? Are you often skeptical about new developments?

What about our community here in New Wilmington? Consider the Amish tradition. What is your opinion on the lack of technology in their everyday lives? Is it impractical for the Amish to not accept new technology? Or is it similar to the way the modern community is skeptical to new developments?


Cassidy Neal

Shauna said...

Page 37 of the text talks about something called "invisible technology" which is when we no longer find a technology remarkable or realize just how dependent on it we really are. The past week and a half I've been without a cell phone and this has shown me just how much I depended on it, without even noticing. How much do you think you depend on technology? Can name all of the ways in which you use technology everyday? Or has how you take advantage of these modern technologies become "invisible" to you?


Page 42, in Box BT3:8 of the text talks about the surprising popularity of text messaging in todays world. Text messaging was originally developed as a way for companies to easily contact their customers. However, now it has become very popular after people "recognized its potential to enhance their everyday communication." Do you think text messaging does enhance everyday communication? As a whole? Or for you personally? Or do you think it takes away from more interpersonal communication such as an "old fashioned" phone call? What sorts of social changes has text messaging caused?


Shauna Oles

Anonymous said...

On page 37 the book talks about the two stages in development of technology. One being that new technology is only an option for the rich or, people who are really interested in it. Secondly, after the new technology has been out for a while it has becomes a crucial part of our lives such as: washing machines, TV's and radios. What conclusions can you draw from these steps? Why is it necessary for only only an option for the rich people and enthusists at the beginning?


On page 40, the book defines thechnological determinism as an extreme position in explaining the relationship between technological change and societal life. How does this change in the way we have lived our lives?

-Katie Hilliard

Anonymous said...

Question 1: Something I never thought about was the stages in the development of technology. Box BT3:2 on page 37 states that many household appliances such as TV's and washing machines started out as new technology that was only available to the wealthy, the specialist, or the enthusiast. Then later, the technology becomes more open to the public and we can even go as far as being dependent on it.
When you think about it, we really are dependent on lots of forms of technology and we have come to the conclusion in class that we probably could not live without certain technologies. Looking at the broader picture, how do you feel about being so dependent on technology? How do we differ from other cultures, like the Amish or cultures of lower status? Is it bad that we are so dependent on these technologies, whereas many other cultures aren't? How different would your life be if you couldn't afford these technologies or chose not to use them?

Question 2: Page 42 in the textbook talks about how technology shapes society. An example used was cellphone companies and how they invest a lot of money with the hopes that their products will be successful. And at the beginning, people generally seemed uninterested in their products, and they were shocked. The book states that if people can't see any benefits in owning a certin product, they won't buy it. Cellphones started out this way, but look at how widely used they are now. Everybody owns a cellphone, we are dependent on them. But this had to start somewhere; even after the initial bad reaction to cellphones, people had to start using them at some point to see benefits. Would you be willing to be a guinea pig to a new form technology? If some new technology came out that seemed to have little interest from the public, would you try it anyway to see if it turned out to be something very beneficial to you? What would your boundaries or limitations be to trying something new? Are you a risk-taker and daring enough to try new things for yourself?

-Rachael Conn

Brittany Donegan said...

Question #1:
On page 37, the book refers to invisible technology, which is the technology that we essentially take for granted as even being technology. For example, the book uses the telephone as invisible technolgy.Paper and pencil would be aan example of technology that is almost completely "invisible" today. Another technology that is fairly recent is quickly becoming invisible as time goes on. This technology is a basic cellular phone. Most people could not imagine their lives without the convenience of their cell phones. However, within the past few years, cell phones have become more and more advanced with the addition of cameras and mp3 players right inside of the phone.
Taking this into consideration, in your opinion, what technologies that we now find remarkable may soon become invisible technology? What are the reasons for current remarkable technologies to become invisible technologies?



Question #2:
Page 39 of the text refers to two terms known as "hype" and "hysteria". Hype is the excitement that people build up over the multiple advantages of technology, wheras other people foresee terrible effects due to these technologies causing hysteria.
Since technologies are created in order to make human life easier, why do people become hysterical about new technologies? Why do certain technologies, such as the ipod or other multimedia devices, cause so much hype? What may some of the disadvantages of future technolgy be?



-Brittany

Jill Carle said...

-The book says on page 37 that Ursula Franklin claims that all technologies develop in two distinct stages: Stage 1 being where the technology is only available for wealthy individuals, and then in Stage 2 it becomes more of a necessity than a luxury and most people "need" the technology. It seems like most technologies in recent years have a had a shorter first stage than in the past. Could this be because people seem to find it more important to have the latest technologies? Also, does the fact that most newer technologies involve communication, like the iPhone, have any correlation to this change? Or do people just feel a greater need to stay in touch?

-On page 43, the book states a definition of social realism given by Rob Kling which says that the connection between technology and social interaction can be both either a cause or an effect. Do newer versions of technologies, such as Playstation 3, tend to be shaped by society since people have already experienced the technology, and they just express improvements to be made that the company then follows through on? Or is it a completely random phenomenon whether it is a cause or an effect, like text messaging which was meant to be a way for companies to communicate with their customers (page 42), but is now a highly lucrative, widely used to communicate by many with friends and family?

Anonymous said...

On page 42 text messaging is discussed. Text messaging has changed the way many people communicate and socialize today. Even in class we discussed how many of us would prefer to text a friend rather than pick up the phone and have an actual conversation. If we were suddenly unable to use text messaging how would it affect our generation? Do you believe removing the ability to text would improve social skills our hinder the ability to socialize today?

On page 37 invisible technology was introduced as technology that we eventually take for granted as even being technology. We seem to forget these items didn't exist at one point.
The other day I wanted to leave my roommate a message and immediately went to my computer and left her an instant message. Afterwards I thought about our class discussion on how we have become so reliant on technology. I rarely ever leave a paper/pencil note. I never even think about leaving an IM, text, or voicemail as high technology, but something I do numerous times every day. What technologies in the future do you believe will become almost a necessity, or invisible technology rather than a luxury? What communication possibilities do you think will evolve?
Melissa Hennen

Anonymous said...

on page 38 in box bt3:3 the book says that the computer will become as common as the television in the home. and while this may be true the reading goes on to say that the computer will make the living standards as well as improve the quality of childrens education. but with so many distractions that come with the computer and internet(online gaming becoming bigger then ever) what future inventions will be issued to ensure a higher education for children?

on page 40 and 41 the book talks about the term technological determinism. which is basically saying that that technology is always going to be transforming and evolving. with this happening, will technology reach a point where interpersonal communication will suffer greatly?

-David Greig

Anonymous said...

1. In the reading Jody Berland idea that much of western societies assumes progress is always good. This idea explains why so many people rush out to buy the latest version of everything. In your opinion do you believe the newer product is always better, and if society's view that peogress is always good changed, would the growth of technology slow down?

2. The reading talks about utopian and anti-utopian visions. In what way has technology impacted your life, realtionships, and view of society?(utopian or anti utopian) Do you think that the way people talk about technology influences you view of technology being utopian or anti-utopian?

Leah

Anonymous said...

It says on page 39 that "With each new technology, there's almost always an associated period of social and cultural reorganization and reflection--and sometimes even anxiety and conflict." The authors then go on to discuss the hype and hysteria of new technologies. What would happen if a developing technology only produced one of these components? In what ways would the communication that results from the technology be affected? Do you believe the technology would survive or not?

~Rachel B.

Anonymous said...

It is an established fact that technology does not always end up being used for the explicit purposes that inventors believed it would be used for. In fact, on page 42 the authors state that "there is a constant struggle between invention and appropriation, that is, what technology is designed to do and what people actually do with it." In many cases, however, technological companies are benefiting due to the revenue from these diverse uses. What, then, justifies the authors' claim that this is a "constant struggle" if technological corporations are actually benefiting because of it?

~Rachel Burkot

DJ Yokley said...

On Page 36 the author compares the telegraph to the internet and states that the two sped and enabled message transfer. Besides these two examples, what other devices or means have sped up and enabled communication throughout our history? What can we expect in the next 5 years to increase communication even more?

Page 37 speaks on invisible technology, or the idea that technology is not remarkable anymore. What facts or ideas show what invisible technology is today? Will devices created in our near future be invisible by the time we are 40?

Unknown said...

1. On page 37 "invisible technology" is described by Tom Standage as looking at the telephone and not having any real fascination or problem with its purpose. Why? Because its just a mature part of technology now and somewhat "invisible" as he describes it. Its been around so long and is used so often and effortlessly, its no big technological break-through. Have we reached this point with computers? They have become a part of everyone's life now and its second-nature (for most people) to use them. Although there are new features and softwares and upgrades constantly developing but does that make a difference? Box BT3:3 recalls in 1982 when the PC was named "person of the year" by TIme magazine. Do computers still 'stand out in the crowd' or are they just 'another familiar face to us?'

2. Page 39 Box BT 3:5 explains the utopian and dystopian positions on modern technology. The utopian is excited about computers and tehnology and looks forward to all the good things that can come with advances in technology whereas the dystopian worries that people are too caught up in computers, etc. and that its ruining our social structures. When I think of the dystopians, I immediately think of the librarian (i think his name was Graham) from the episode of Buffy we watched in class. Is this typical that thse who have grown up as part of the early era where technology was not around and utilized as much have this view? I feel that most people in my generation are definitely utopian. Is it fair to say that at least 50% of those from the older generation (before computers and modern tech.) are dystopians?

-Chris

Anonymous said...

On page 37, the writers say quote Tom Standage saying, "If you look at the telephone we don't really have either enthusiasm or scepticism for it now, it's just become invisible and that is the sign of a mature technology..." Assuming that mature technologies are the ones that we don't notice on a regular basis, what are the most important mature technologies?

On page 38, the authors talk about how radios have evolved in the way that they are used. Are there any technologies that have not evolved at all since their debuts?

Jamie Rae

Anonymous said...

On page 36 in S1: U3, the authors foreshadow social interaction as a function in communications as we know them today. Language, being included as a subcategory under social interaction, is a basis for some forms of communication. More specifically, the English language has certainly been witness to change and how people apply advancements through language for decades. For example, examine how teenagers communicate on instant messenger today to how Shakespeare wrote years ago. Interpret, using the vocabulary words and other main points expressed in this chapter, how the authors justify this change from the language of yesteryear….to how we express ourselves today.


Page 39 explains there were mixed opinions when the computer was first born, interpreted as hype and hysteria. Keep in mind the computer was a major breakthrough of a completely new piece of technology that seemed to blindside the world. Recently,
Apple exec Steve Jobs unveiled the iPhone to the world. Being a new creation but using existing technology such as the iPod and the phone, will the hype and hysteria be found at the same levels as they were when the computer was unveiled? Or will people be excited and/or scared of the iPhone at all because it is not a big shocker to the people of the United States that this was created since they knew the potential was there already this time around?


-pamela

Unknown said...

On page 40, the writers state "...in much the same way, how people talk about technology often says more about them than it does about the technology itself." I thought this quote was very interesting simply because we talk about technology all the time. The writers also talk about "hype" and "hysterical" which could, according to this quote, say a lot about their personality. Is it true that our beliefs about technology define who we are? Do these statements really say more about us than the technology itself?



According to the writers, invisible technology is when we no longer find a technology remarkable or realize just how dependant on it we really are (page 37). Are there certain forms of technology (besides the telephone which was mentioned in the text) that we consider to be "invisible?" Do we consider computers to be a source of invisible technology? If we don't yet, will we in the future?


-Christina

Ashley C. said...

On page 38, the authors talk about how the home computer today is becoming more and more inexpensive. They then continue to discuss the positive impact the computer has on living standards and education. Also discussed was the impact computer technology has had on underdeveloped countries. “It’s the source of new life that has been delivered to us,” one commentator said. In box BT 3.5, the utopian viewpoint emphasizes how beneficial technology has been for civilization. Some beneficiaries include global connectivity and democratization. A large part of this chapter discusses technological determinism and how technology shapes our world today. I feel that these authors are emphasizing the negative aspects of CMC. Our world has benefited so much from technological advances. So why be so “hysterical” about the effects of technology? Why not celebrate all the good it has done for our world today? Technology is helping improve the education of our children, the future leaders of tomorrow. In the anti-utopian viewpoint it states that society today is “enslaved” to digital technology and that the growth of this technology is breaking down our social structure and values. Technological advances haven’t happened overnight, they have been occurring for hundreds of years. We have socially interacted and adjusted to these new technological advances in the past. If these advances didn’t “breakdown our social structures and values” in the past, then why is today any different?