Commenting on Technology and its effect on our society -- WOW, big subject. I, too, remember typing on an IBM "Selectric" which was way cool. Even had an automatic "erase" button. When I tell my kids that, they look at me like I'm from another planet. It's amazing how quickly technology has consumed all of our lives, and mostly for the better I think. I have read "The World is Flat" by Friedman, and it's a great historical timeline of the evolution technology since the fall of the Berlin wall, the world wide web, and how we're all more connected and more effecient. Perhaps a downside is that we potentially can lose the touch and feel of relationships.
I, too am a member of the electric typewriter age. So glad that we have computers now that helps us with spelling and grammar and all of the things that I lack. I will have to check out the Friedman book, sounds like my kind of read. I also agree that social networks are rapidly destroying real relationships, where we gather for coffee or a meal or a walk and communicate in more complex terms than tweets. Real relationships are built on establishing a deeper connection with another person. And this is what I think we lose with our social network friends.
Social networks afford us the ability to have too many relationships, many of which are somewhat shallow. I completely agree that the face to face, time together, eye contact and communications on a deeper level is perhaps becoming an outdated concept, a dinosaur. I suppose like all aspects of life, there are tradeoffs, but we should be conscious of these.
I'm actually quite amazed at my increased awareness since class began regarding the similarity of various programs. I actually was totally unaware of open office. The biggest triumph for me is simply the increased comfort level of navigating various applications or the web in general. I'm sure that will continue during the rest of the class. The challenge is just allowing myself to think outside the box, try thinking like the computer does. I think the way this helps in learning is two fold - 1) in the ability to actually access information 2) the brain exercise in just adapting to these "new" technological tools. I am already grateful.
Knowledge is a powerful thing!! One thing for sure after this class we will be more comfortable navigating the web and trying new products, which is totally a gift.
As far as the brain exercise, it's much as I view math. It's good to stretch outside our comfort level as that is where growth occurs. The ability and desire to continue to learn keep us young, right?
Commenting on Technology and its effect on our society -- WOW, big subject. I, too, remember typing on an IBM "Selectric" which was way cool. Even had an automatic "erase" button. When I tell my kids that, they look at me like I'm from another planet. It's amazing how quickly technology has consumed all of our lives, and mostly for the better I think. I have read "The World is Flat" by Friedman, and it's a great historical timeline of the evolution technology since the fall of the Berlin wall, the world wide web, and how we're all more connected and more effecient. Perhaps a downside is that we potentially can lose the touch and feel of relationships.
ReplyDeleteI, too am a member of the electric typewriter age. So glad that we have computers now that helps us with spelling and grammar and all of the things that I lack. I will have to check out the Friedman book, sounds like my kind of read. I also agree that social networks are rapidly destroying real relationships, where we gather for coffee or a meal or a walk and communicate in more complex terms than tweets. Real relationships are built on establishing a deeper connection with another person. And this is what I think we lose with our social network friends.
ReplyDeleteSocial networks afford us the ability to have too many relationships, many of which are somewhat shallow. I completely agree that the face to face, time together, eye contact and communications on a deeper level is perhaps becoming an outdated concept, a dinosaur. I suppose like all aspects of life, there are tradeoffs, but we should be conscious of these.
ReplyDeleteI'm actually quite amazed at my increased awareness since class began regarding the similarity of various programs. I actually was totally unaware of open office. The biggest triumph for me is simply the increased comfort level of navigating various applications or the web in general. I'm sure that will continue during the rest of the class. The challenge is just allowing myself to think outside the box, try thinking like the computer does. I think the way this helps in learning is two fold - 1) in the ability to actually access information 2) the brain exercise in just adapting to these "new" technological tools. I am already grateful.
ReplyDeletetest
ReplyDeleteThis is a test.
ReplyDeleteKnowledge is a powerful thing!! One thing for sure after this class we will be more comfortable navigating the web and trying new products, which is totally a gift.
ReplyDeleteAs far as the brain exercise, it's much as I view math. It's good to stretch outside our comfort level as that is where growth occurs. The ability and desire to continue to learn keep us young, right?