Artifact #4: "Uncanny Droid" and "Old School? or What?"

Maybe I don't know what use robots would have in our society, but I found the "Uncanny Droid" video to be kind of disturbing.  It's weird to think that technology has come so far--to be able to make robots look so human-like, where they could be walking down the streets with us and we probably wouldn't even notice.  I probably need to do more research, but I can't really see how robots could have much of a positive influence in the world today.  I am curious to know what the point of having robots would be and how they could benefit our society.  If it is just for the fun of having robots walking around, I think it could possibly be detrimental because they are not humans, not citizens, and could throw off the little balance we have left.

I found the "Old School? or What?" to be funny because it really goes to show how far technology has come.  While our generation today thinks that that instructional video is humerous because it's so obvious how to use a manual pencil sharpener like that, it makes you wonder what generations to come will make fun of us for.  Pencil sharpeners have gradually increased from manual to electronic, to just having mechanical pencils that have reloadable lead in them so you don't even need to sharpen them.  This goes hand in hand with how people have come such a long way in designing computers, phones, internet, and cable to do things previous generations never thought would be possible.  Its amazing how people can adapt to make things easier for them, even if its something as simple as a pencil.  Technology, when used the right way, can have such a positive impact in society.

EPortfolio

http://gibbsm.blogspot.com/2011/02/cmc-response.html

http://gibbsm.blogspot.com/2011/02/artifact-1-wireless-cup-of-coffee.html

http://gibbsm.blogspot.com/2011/02/william-powers-hamlets-blackberry.html

Artifact #2 "William Powers: Hamlet's Blackberry"

I found William Powers's speech about his book very interesting and almost inspirational.  He begins by telling the audience how he was sitting on a bench in a park in Cambridge and istantly reached for his cell phone.  He began wondering why he did that and what exactly he was waiting for to come in.  He then looked around at everyone else in the park and he noticed that almost everyone was either talking on their phone or texting, everyone connected somehow.  Then he saw a girl walking without any electronic device, seemingly disconnected, and how she stood out almost.  This struck me as interesting because it's so true and not a lot of people even pay attention to it.  Everywhere you look, people are staring at screens, whether it be a computer, a cell phone, or an iPod.
We have gotten so used to being connected through technology, that it is now an oddity when we are disconnected from it.  It makes me wonder why people of this generation need constant communication and constant connectedness.  Why does it make people uncomfortable when they can't be instantly reached through their phone or Facebook, or vice versa?  Why can't people be okay just sitting in a park, just living in the moment instead of waiting for something to come in, waiting for a call or a text.  I think this is one thing that technology has dampered: living in the moment.  Even when someone is around a group of people they are still texting someone somewhere else, like they can't give their full attention to the people they're with.
However, I do agree with William Powers when he says that technology is a good thing and we should take advantage of it, we just need to be able to balance the use of technology and living in the present moment.  Powers and his family decided not to use the computer during the weekends, they turn off the modem Friday evening and don't turn it back on until Monday morning.  I thought this was a very good idea beacuse it gives them a chance to grow as a family.  It encourages face to face communication which both helps them grow closer and helps their communication skills.
Powers also said how it was awkward at first for people to call their family on the weekends instead texting or e-mailing.  I thought this was cool though because just 15 years ago, internet was not popular and texting didn't even exist.  I thought about how communication has changed so much in just the past decade.  Just 15 years ago, people would have to call landlines to reach people.  Today, you can reach someone no matter where they are, at any time.  Technology has really influenced communication and people's relationships in so many ways.

Artifact #1 Response

I think it makes sense for most people of this generation to get their news online rather than from television. While many people still watch television, I feel as though it is seen more for purely entertainment purposes. Since the internet is now being used for a variety of things such as communication, school work, research, and entertainment, it is easier to just get news from the internet while you're already on it. However, the downfall to this is that someone who is getting their news from the internet needs to make sure they are using a reliable website so they are getting the accurate information. Also, it is easier to just turn on the television and listen to the news reporters because they have already done the research for you. In my opinion, I would stick to getting news from the television because it would be the most reliable and its most convenient as well.

Units 3 and 4

Technology has become a central focus to most people in today's world.  People have become obsessed with the idea of constant communication so that they don't miss out on anything.  People are constantly texting, e-mailing, checking Facebook, or talking on their cell phones.  This idea of constant communication however is mainly through technology, which puts a damper on people's social skills.  However this is not always the case, it's just demonstrating that people are becoming bolder and saying things through technology that they would not say to someone's face.  Also, the idea of constant communication cannot be seen as a beneficial factor of technology.  While it can benefit in ways of emailing a teacher, calling someone when you need them, or just sending a friendly text, it becomes a detrimit because people are relying on this technology so much.  Everything needs to be in moderation.  People should definitely communicate through technology, but also make sure that they are talking more face to face than through their phones or Facebook.