The Future

It’s intriguing and also scary to think what the future holds for so many reasons. One of those being what technology will have in store for us. There have been many movies and TV shows that place their own spin on it. Some theories are flying cars, homes on the moon; microchips placed in our head so we can communicate without phones, computers that are smarter than us…etc. Even though I think it would be amazing to go to space and even live on the moon, that is probably a few more decades away, but I think computers eventually will take over. Most likely we won’t know they have taken over at first. We've come so far just in the last decade. I feel if we keep going at this rate we will have more technology than we know what to do with. The technology, such as Suri and the billion apps that are being created is even surpassing our basic knowledge. There won’t be any need for the arts, because there is no need for creativity, which will probably be the first downfall the future generations will see. I won’t be surprised for the day computers take over. There is a new show in NBC called Revolution, where power has shut off completely. I almost want there something similar to happen, because then we could almost start over, which could be a good thing. I’m just going to live in the present for now and whatever happens, happens. 

Internet vs Babies

I completely understand with the argue to provide more educational entertainment for kids and shows that have that “nostalgic” feel for young kids, especially with all the bad TV out there and the certain celebrity roles models that kids and teens are confronted with. I know there are many arguments at who should be in charge of regulating what children have access to through the media, but I do not think it’s a good idea to have the Reading Rainbow move to the online programming. I base merely on the fact that if we can barely control what they see on TV how in the world are we supposed to control what see online? There are tons and tons of spam out there, which no parental controls can really block. Also can we talk about the millions of creepers and weirdos on the internet; I don’t what my child anywhere near that. I’d be curious of how the program would work. Many children that view PBS shows are children in daycares, and most daycares don’t have regular internet access, but then again we are talking about today when babies can work an IPhone. I just don’t thinks it’s a good idea. We have enough kid’s shows that do the job. It is just up to the parents/guardians to help monitor what they watch. I personally watched Barney, and those were great years. If you have a thing against purple dinosaurs, then I’d recommend some Disney movies or Disney Junior. If you don’t like that then we got some problems. As for the Internet I can’t begin to guess where it’s going from here. I bet my bottom dollar that there will be more advertising and spam. Plus eventually we’ll have a lot of died people on Facebook. I aspect more cat videos and more copyright laws, as for that I have no idea. 

Tablets, Tablets, Tablets, OH MY!

There has recently been the explosion of tablets to hit the market. It seems like every company is now putting their own spin on the little computer you can hold in your hand. But let’s be honest, are they really worth it? I do not own any tablet, but my father owns a Kindle Fire and I have friends who have ipads. I think new technology is grand, but after a while it starts to lose its appeal. I played with an ipad for and 20 minutes one day and I was bored with it. I guess the main positive is that tablets are convenient; it’s like a laptop, but without the bulkiness that comes along with it. It’s nice if all you’re mainly doing is surfing the web, but not so much when you need to do actual work. Typing on those things is a nightmare and they don’t have that much storage space. I hear many pros about it them being good for car rides, but what if you’re like me and get car sick? I guess we’ll have to wait for the tablet that prevents car sickness. I personally don’t understand the craze and excitement about the min ipad. You are basically many tons of money for a larger phone that doesn't make calls. I think if you really want something that is has all the function of a laptop but the wonder of a tablet you should definitely go with Microsoft Surface. It’s easy to carry and sleek, but still big enough that you can see what you are working on, and comes the a keyboard that doubles as a case. Personally tablets are not a big thing for me, but I know a lot of people who love them. I’ll just be waiting to get excited for the next new piece of technology that will be out next year. 

VALs Survey

The VALs survey must be the easiest survey that I have ever taken. My results were Experiencer and Achiever. I mostly agree with them, because I do believe I like to experience things in life to the fullest and I want to achieve all my goals and dreams. I am very enthusiastic and I do consume a lot, probably more than I should. I do participate in a lot of social activities, in fact I work on a board that handles them and I'm throwing a party this weekend, which I have to go shopping for (Consumerism). I value appearance. I’m a tad obsessed with clothes and Bath&Body Works (my wallet doesn't like it though). They only thing I did not agree with, is the part under Achiever where it said their lives are more conventional and politically they are conservative, which is absolutely not me. I didn't really learn anything new, but my buying habits do make more sense. Since I am working so hard to achieve all my goals, and I’m constantly busy I do tend to buy something that will save me time. This appeals to me as a consumer, because if they know that my time and appearance is important then they will try to sell me the latest fashions and some tool that would make getting ready for my day take less time. I know by experience that has happened more than once. If anything, this survey taught me I need to limit my spending...oh look shoes.

Digital Storytelling Video

COMM203 Digital Storytelling Project

Annoying Technology

Technology is most of the time very useful, but other times I hate it. There are days where I just want to throw computers and my phone out the window. I then realize that would be really bad, so I decide against it. However, that still doesn't take away from the fact that some technology is just annoying.

For example, I absolutely despise  voice recognition software. Mostly because it never works and its really useless. It makes people more lazy in my opinion. When I was younger, I was the girl who had to have to voice recognition journal. You would unlock it by speaking your password and it would only open at the sound of your voice. Needless to say, it did not work. I never got to write anything in that journal, and it also would open even if it wasn't my voice. Looking back on it now, it was a stupid toy, and technology has improved since then, but I know for a fact even Siri makes mistakes. Not too mention to software companies use when you call in. I've been hung up on thousands of times because that machine couldn't understand what I wanted. Other annoying piece of technology is the Captcha. It's great that you want to stop the robots and block spam, but its SO annoying. Is it just me or does anyone else have to click through a 100 times to find one they can read?

I don't really have any other tech issues. I like the idea of car alarms, most days. I think automated hand dyers in bathrooms are nice, clean, and better for the environment. My snooze button is a god sent on days when I don't want to get out of bed (everyday). My personal opinion is technology is only good for people if they know how to use it. 

Impact of Media

Media has impacted in so many ways, just in the aspect of providing me with my major. In my personal life I think its help me make more connections with people I now call friends, but it’s definitely had negative effects as well. In my job or any job really it’s help with advertising and engaging the consumer. I’d say over all it’s had a positive impact on my life, but it is not without its flaws. For instance, there have been times when chatting on Facebook for example it was the medium that became more important than the message, which caused many problems, because the message was not becoming clear between myself and the other person. Other times I will be so connected to phone or ipod that it’s an extension of my body, and I will what’s going on around me. I also found myself trapped in the “global village” like Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest. The desire to know at all times what people are doing is exhausting, which can be an agreement for technology determinism, because just a few years ago society wasn’t concerned with knowing who was doing what and how with, and where. If they did, they simply asked now we stalk people. This is way I think smartphones are more structuralism, because they are the response to the social “need” and change, that we are all creepers now. This is why I can’t really pick one of the other, because I don’t think there is a definite one.