Assignment 2…pencils to ipods

In our day and age it is almost impossible to be away from technology. However I think there is a pretty big difference in what people think of as the SONY type technology versus basic technology such as the wheel. We have to realize both are in fact equally technological and therefore users of both are reliant on technology. We can conjure up images of technology infested lifestyles that involve Blackberrys, laptops and iPods much easier than an old man in a Ford Taurus. But when you dig deeper both can be on the forefront of the wave of technology, newest cell phone is about the same as a wheel. They haven’t invented a new version of the wheel (a straight up circle) in hundreds of years. This may sound simple, but there haven’t been any remarkable advances that decide to change a wheel, so it remains the newest model, still used, never outdated.

"From Pencils to Pixels: The Stages of Literacy Technologies", Dennis Barron claims he once had trouble writing with a pencil. Whether he actually meant that the thoughts didn’t flow easily or that he actually had to think of his sentence before touching keys, it seems likely he didn’t forget how to write. It is the same as the bike after a long vacation, it all comes back. More importantly I think is the point he proves about technology infused in all our daily lives. Try calling some of your friends from a house phone, you won’t remember the numbers without the address book…

Assignment 3…Trolls

Trolling to catch fish is bad…trolling to antagonize is even lower.

These people who go around to rile people up is not only kind of weird, but a complete useless waste of time. Why? What makes it fun? It takes all the validity out of the argument you may have had and makes you look like all you want to do is cause problems. Not cool. It doesn’t come down to being superior or more intelligent, you’re just an anonymous web poster hiding behind the computer screen. Some people take it differently than I would though and actually get upset. This is probably the reaction the trolls want, though, whereas my deleting there comments would just shut them down. Sure you may get your jollies by getting a reaction but its really not that special.

number 2

Yes face to face contact does matter. There is a significant feeling of trust and a connection through meeting someone else that cannot be matched over internet postings and typed feelings. Without the trust gained by a level of physical contact there becomes no basis for truth and merit to one's intent. Take the example of the real estate agent or banker taking clients out for a round of golf... There is almost no mention of business at any time, just a bonding experience and comfort/trust builder. Obviously an important step before investing or buying anything someone else is selling. With internet sales like eBay there is no contact whatsoever, only messages and pictures and a couple numbers (someones feedback rating) to base off. Although millions use eBay there is a secretive "I never know if this will work" feeling present until the day the cash or good shows up at your door. This feeling doesn't necessarily stop anyone, though. It seems only after they have been burned do they realize that this was an inherent danger in the process. In such a case there has been a breach of the circle from someone elses end. Personally I have bought both a physics book and a Lexus off eBay, and guess which one actually worked out... not the book, but trusting the guy in Arkansas and 7 pictures of an suv was somehow a lot harder than the $50 book. Both times the person behind the screename and typing said the same things to ease the beginning doubt from my end, but only once was there a fabrication to steal some fast cash.