tech-savy

I think one of the greatest quality an individual can have, is to possess the ability to understand and know technology. How to fix a computer or camera. We should be more appreciative of those people who help us out and make our laptop, iphone, ipod work properly after something happens. In fact, my friend recently cracked her iphone. After getting it fixed at the Apple Store, she brought a treat to the woman who fixed it for her. Thank god for technology and thank god for those who fix technological stuff when it doesnt work as well. Technically, they should be considered tech-doctors. TD anyone? (Like MD, but Tech Doctor-TD)

Media as Social Reflection

playing around with photoshop

My dad doing a trick with an old toy

This is a video in Puerto Rico last summer. Walking down this strip there are a lot of vendors selling souvenirs to tourists and local people. My dad spotted this toy that he said he used to always play with as a kid. He said that everyone had one of these and they used to do different tricks with it. This video shows my dad doing one of the tricks which I thought was pretty darn cool. They would see who could spin the toy on their hand the longest. It's always fun to learn about what our parents and grandparents did when they were kids and compare it to the things we do today. Now that technology is the core of our world we rarely play with toys that don't involve some sort of technology or computer. It's nice to see us go back to the simple things such as this toy.

A friend request on facebook from your MOM??

In today's society the use of technology is non-stop. Because of this people from older generations are trying to keep up with us and stay updated with new technology. Our parents and grandparents are texting us, joining facebook, using ipods and smartphones and so many other things. It's getting scary. If it's not bad enough that you have to hear your parents say clean your room or don't stay out all night, now you'll get it through a text message or a comment on facebook. When my mom first texted me saying hi I transferred money into your account, I was excited for the money part but freaked out that my mother had just texted me! I said ew mom why are you texting me but now I love it. I can easily text her when I need to tell her something quick and now when she calls me while I am in class or work I can just text her "what's up, I can't pick up my phone". It's still a little weird when she tries to use "lol" or other text lingo but no matter how updated she is with our technology it will always be weird because she's my mom. Now when I go on facebook at home I see her email already entered into the login instead of mine. It's nuts. But I have seen her get in contact with her cousins and family that she never gets to speak to so that's good. Our parents keeping up with us isn't so bad but it can get weird.

"Number 12 Looks Just Like You"

Technology, among other things, has shrunk the world. This isn't surprising or a huge shock to anyone anymore. Conversing with people one has never met before, from a few cities away to the other side of the globe is normal. It's become as natural as talking to a neighbor, and in some ways for some people, it's easier. So, if such communication is so easy and the world has indeed shrunk to accommodate this, have the barriers that once inhibited it besides location shrunk as well? Have they just become a nuisance which is easily bypassed?

Most will say no. They are correct for the most part. For now.

But how long until those barriers - language and culture and beliefs and whatever else that makes people different- are broken completely or removed? How long until difference is eliminated or so small that it's overlooked? Perhaps it will be a good thing - no more contrast or conflict and no more ways to discriminate. No reasons for it if everyone is the same. But will that remove opinions completely, good or bad, and therefore remove free will and thought?

Perhaps I'm overreacting. Perhaps I read or watch too much science fiction. But, as appreciative of technology as I am, I am still wary of our growing dependence on it.

Advancement of technology