Chapter 10 No Need to Call

The electronic device, the motion on the screen and the moving of the fingers that keep on taping away.  Our device gives us the opportunities to stay connected and up tone with the closest people we talk to. In this particular chapter 10, lays out different ways to keep in touch and how it allows us to be alone with our thoughts, emotions, that isn’t shown on the device but knowing that messaging and texting is becoming a huge deal in the Second Life of Technology.

However, while getting the understanding behind the ability to text and message, in which is more convenient because it allows you to still multitask and do something since both hands are free. Texting also in some cases provide some privacy.  The negative points behind texting and messaging is people are losing effective communication skills. It’s a lot harder to know what people are talking about through text instead of talking over the phone. Other reasons that messaging has a negative effects of text is that it’s very addictive and distracting. A recent Pew Internet and American Life Project survey estimated that it is said that it would be hard to give up their mobile devices, up from 38% in 2002. 57% of a majority of teens view their devices as their key towards their social life. In this case, having a social life is being drawn to the electronic device, rather than having the social life with people around you or being present with someone. http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Negative_effects_of_text_messagingt

Texting and Messaging can also lead to bigger problems like Texting while driving.

http://www.oprah.com/oprahshow/Testing-Text-Messaging-Drivers-Video

 

Texting and messaging has been the biggest component in our daily lives. It puts us in a state of mind of wondering the Second Life, in our own little world and losing the effectiveness of Communication skills. I believe that texting in general is very addictive in my circumstances, because I get the tendency to want to pick my device up and want to text my boyfriend a lot. I have the tendency to become worried because my boyfriend doesn’t text me or what he is trying to say in a text message.

  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/amanda-klein/texting-romantic-relationships_b_1821646.html

 

 

In our world, we have so many ways we can escape with technology, like TV, Facebook, computers, cellphone devices, and so much more.

Chater 8 Alone together- Always On

Alone Together

Chapter 8 blog

“Always on”

Galina

 

            In the novel, Alone Together, chapter 8 Always On gives the readers an idea that the two words “Always On” indicates that we the people are drawn deeply into our technologies. In this case, our electronics like: cellphones, IPods, Ipads, and computers. Throughout each generation, humans make new products, create technology and birth ideas.  As a civilization the human race is in overdrive and every year the technology profession makes new inventions that are reliable as well as useful.  New electronic technology and the devices brought to us are changing before our eyes. Technology and connectivity to social networks becomes a way for most of us to live two lives; one life in the flesh and one virtually. It is the ability to participate in a virtual life that has been made possible during the reader’s lifetime.

            It is relating in cyber space with other people that has drawn our attention towards the latest objects and electronic devices to make the use of the internet easier. Being able to stay connected is becoming the new way of experiencing life.  When a glitch appears and individuals are unable to stay connected it causes problems in all areas of our life.  Important emails are not sent, questions go unanswered, and friendships can become damaged because of the inability to communicate.  In many ways we have become slaves to our technology addicted to a new form to connection as well as depending on it to stay connected with other people.  Human beings are becoming more dependent on their devices to do the work for them.  In Chapter 8, the author points out that the use of electronic devices has taken control to such an extent that we are seldom without a cell phone or a computer.

            Within the world becoming more electronically chained or addicted to technology has its negatives and positives effects.  In the Chapter reviewed, it’s broken down by sections on specific topics that express multiple points of view regarding our dependence on technology. Much of our technology has taken over our daily lives and our futures.  As people get more attached to human-made devices, there is face to face interaction between people. Communication is more about technology than human emotion.  The technology becomes first while our experiences become second to the technology, therefore we miss much because we are distracted. For instance, traveling to Spain, experiencing its beauty and culture, was wonderful but there was the temptation even the draw to listen to an IPod or use the cellphone.  The use of the cell phone or IPod distracts from experience the reality of what is going on around us and therefore we are unable to enjoy the here and now in this case Spain.

            Technology as it relates to communication has given men and women different and diverse ways of staying connected and communicating.  The technology generation has a different way of acting, responding, connecting and even multitasking. This is a massive change within our societies, Communities, and with the rest of the world.  The author calls this the new “notion of time.” Having different electronic devices has a huge impact on our societies. Technology does allow each individual to do more and be yet being less and further removed from others. Connectivity in the new world has a lot to offer, such as people can do just about anything they need to do at any time and from anywhere with their electronic devices. Multiple different devices and the use of being connected will make it better for us with others wherever they are. Technology has become the Second or virtual Life of all and whether we like it or not we are always on.

The world and communication is changing so rapidly that it is hard to keep up with all of the changes.  We are in an era in which technology is advancing so quickly that it is difficult for the most tech savvy individual to be able to operate every new piece of equipment. In many ways the new technology has provided us with advancements that have made our lives easier, safer, and more prosperous.  In other ways new technology has made communication less personal, easily misunderstood, and fertile ground for thieves and fraudulent activities.  Most of our information is available to anyone who really wants it. Cyber bullying and sexting has been responsible for the suicide of many teens just starting their lives.  However, there are few who would choose to stop the pace of technology.  Few that would live without a cell phone, computer, I pad, or smart T.V. 

The advances that global technoism has granted us are incredible.  In the field of medicine robots are performing surgeries in tandem with the physicians that operate them.  The robotics are more precise than the human hand and are not as likely to make an error that a stray movement of a hand might make.  Laser surgeries require less recuperation than the old fashioned form of cutting and sewing.  The procedures are less invasive because of these advances.  The United States is moving toward digital medical records.  While the medical records will assist physicians in diagnosing, curing, and preventing the administration of medications that might cause and allergic reaction; the digital records may be in violation of the hippa and privacy laws.

       It is clear that not all reap the benefits of these advance medical techniques. Just as there is a cultural divide there is a digital divide. Technology is not available globally in equal amounts.  Many countries have what many may consider an unfair advantage over third world countries.  Just as they do in the cultural divide.  The more technology a country has, the more advanced their media system, the more profitable the technology can be.  What exactly is the digital divide?  Why should we be concerned about it?  First let’s explore the cultural divide within the United States as caused by the Industrial Revolution.

The Industrial Revolution in the United States caused two things:

·         Great opportunities for professionals and tradesmen

·         Displacement of rural workers and European Immigrants

There are many nations who are now going through their own Industrial Revolution.  They are experiencing their own cultural divide within their countries.

The Cultural Divide between Nations is Even More Severe

·         Attempting to keep up with other countries people who had been unemployed in less developed nations now have employment.

·         Large corporations and factory owners pay low wages, employ women and children to work long hours in poor conditions.                                                                                                

 

 

 

 

The Information Age has created a Digital Divide

The “digital divide” is between:

·         Those who have access to the technological tools of the day and are comfortable using them and

·         Those for who technology is an unusual, scary, and alien

The countries that access technology have the advantage.  They will prosper while the countries dependent upon the technologically advanced countries will once again work in poor conditions, for low wages, and long hours.

With our advances in technology we have created a global village but that village is selective as to who actually benefits from cyberspace. Our world is reshaped daily by electronic globalization.  Which changes what our social and cultural globalization looks like.

            Technology has allowed us to solve many problems in our daily lives.  For example:  Gas prices are climbing and with the rise in terrorism travel from country to country is more risky.  Video conferences, Skype, email, and phone conferences give the population an alternative to actual travel.

            The concerns about this same technology and the way that people interact include:

Missing out on casual contact, meeting friends to go to a movie, or going out for dinner often time is replaced by streaming movies at home or playing video games.

Technocapitalism.

            Finally the development of technology has led to the development of Technocapitalism. Which is a combination of:

·         New Technology

·         Corporate Structure

·         Capitalism

 

Technocapitalism can include the development of new ideas which is called intellectual property.  The courts and legislators work to determine ways to protect the technology developed by inventors, authors and artists.  Protecting the intellectual property of today is becoming more and more important to corporate leaders who wish to profit from their ideas.  The corporation is growing stronger and stronger and could possibly be the governing body of the future.  The problem is with the rise of Technocapitalism the inequities between countries that have the latest technology and those that do not are even more pronounced.  It is diametrically opposed to democracy and widens the gap between those who have and those who do not.

            If we truly care about globalization and other nations rich and poor.  We ethically must watch out for our underdeveloped brother and sister nations.  These nations still have rich cultural heritages which with or without technology are important and worth learning.  The corporations and business owners should not be allowed to build their wealth on the backs of women and children just because they are so technologically savvy.  Although global communications is changing the one thing that should not change is the fight to bring a more equitable global community.