I <3 MACS

Dr. Reid wins. It is the end of the semester and I no longer detest the Macintosh empire. Macs pretty much saved my butt this semester. Especially for my technical writing course, in which I used InDesign for most of my projects. I think their GUI is much better than PCS, and I love the grab tool; it makes my life so much easier. I think it's important to be both Mac and PC literate and I'm glad this semester forced me to do so. Now all I need is $500 and Cingular service so I can buy my iPhone. But I won't hold my breath on that one.

What I've learned about online courses

I probably should not take another one because I easily got behind from being sick, or not having access to a computer, or simply by being distracted by other things. When you see a professor face to face it's a trigger in your mind that you need to get your work done. When you don't have the visual, or the physical activity of showing up in a class. It's easier to put other classes before it. I enjoyed a lot of the things we did in this class. I found myself frustrated at times on the blog for this reason: when you are face to face you can debate and argue; when you are typing an argument you need to be extremely careful not to come off sounding offensive or brass. That's difficult for someone like me who is sarcastic by nature. In person one would know I am using dry humor to get my point across. But for a bunch of strangers who are just reading my words, I might just come off as the ass hole. The line is a little more blurry. But, I oo understand that as a writer you need to be able to convey your tone or emotions in an articulate way so that people perceive you the way you want to be perceived. Also, it's a lot easier to be bold behind a computer screen. I think that makes a huge difference especially when it comes to work shopping. I enjoy work shopping online because I feel like people are more honest. In person, people try to be overly nice and sugar coat things. Online you are protected to a certain degree so its easier to say what you're really thinking. So I would say work shopping online = good class discussion online=not so hot.

Adios!

Book Stuff

I can see how the readings for this class were relevant and worthwhile. It was a nice change from reading words on a screen. If I had to eliminate one book for the class I would probably choose Snow Crash. As much as I detested Smart Mobs I could still see that it was very important information pertaining to the course. I suppose Snow Crash was a nice change because it was more like a science fiction novel, but I think that it could maybe be an optional reading assignment. A Whole New Mind was the most beneficial. That could be because I have the most to say about it, or it could be because it was full of usable information. Either way, AWNM was the one book I couldn't put down. I took lots of notes and highlighted pretty much every page. I envy Dan Pink for writing a book on the given topic without putting the audience to sleep. That's something I can't say about Smart Mobs.

Play Money

My feelings on Play Money are somewhat mediocre. There were times when I couldn't put it down, and other times when I fell asleep reading it. It was weird learning about this completely separate culture of people who make money living in virtual worlds. I found the story about the man who purchased a castle for himself and was working up to master blacksmith status to be a fascinating, in depth look into what goes through the mind of someone involved in gaming. I suppose I can't really have a blind biased opinion without ever trying one of these games. It's understandable how they can become addictive. I remember being 12 and obsessed with Zelda to the point where I looked up "game secrets" online. I don't exactly think I would ever BUY myself swords and potions though, because I really think it is cheating. If you love the game so much why would you want to cheat the system? It seems almost disrespectful in a way. . .

What About A Whole New Mind?

This was by far my favorite book for the class. Not just because it was quick and easy to read, but also because I learned the most from it. A Whole New Mind helped me to learn about myself as a writer and thinker. I've already recommended this book to several people; it's something all writing majors should read. I also liked to sections Pink included that give outside sources and more information, those are very useful tips. I would be interested to read more books by Daniel Pink.

Notes on Snow Crash

I am not generally a fan of science fiction and I don't think that view has changed much after reading Snow Crash. There is a funny story behind my ownership of the book though. I remember not being able to get a copy of the book and I was telling Phil about it and then one night he showed up at my dorm with a copy of it. He had gone to Mando in search of a CD and came back with a copy of Snow Crash for me. I will be forever in his debt. The book was a little hard to get into but it picked up a few chapters in. The Metaverse was the most fascinating aspect of the book for me. I liked being able to tie it into Second Life. Still, I cannot help but wonder why someone would want to live their life through a video game. I understand for many their quality of life is better in a game, but I guess it's just a personal preference. I'd much rather be out enjoying the nice weather than visiting a beach in Second Life or the Metaverse.

What I Thought About Smart Mobs

Smart Mobs from way back when at the beginning of the course. To be honest I didn't finish it because I lost all motivation and interest. I did try to take some things away from it thought. It was a little intimidating as the first book of the course. I was worried all of our books would be like that. It did contain some really useful information though. I never would have known about many of the new technologies that are developing without this book. It made me feel really hip and up to date. I remember telling my parents about the book and they thought some of the stuff was crazy. For example the possibility of being able to get information about any part of the world just by pointing you cell phone at a certain object. There were definitely some worthwhile facts in this book I just wish we could have skipped over the rest of it.

The End

This class is basically over and I want to reflect on the semester. I've already discussed what I thought about the class, the subject matter and the assignments but on my blog I'm like to outline some of the thoughts running through my head.

First week of class:
Confusion, frustration, anxiety, stress, reaching out to every possible human contact to figure out who the heck knows what they are doing. Realizing this class is mostly based on opinion which I'm bad at. Trying to figure out some sort of organizational system to keep track of what I've done. Wondering if I'm going to have trouble keeping up.

A few weeks in:
I am a champion. I actually know how to do the wiki. Everyone asks me how to do the wiki. Phil asks me a question, I ask Rachel a question, Rachel usually knows the answer which I then pass on to Phil. After a few days I realize Phil and Rachel should speak directly to save time. I hate the first book and wonder if all the reading will be like this. It is somewhat discouraging.

Middle of the semester:
I keep getting behind. I missed a week while in the hospital and I just can't seem to catch up. I realize that I am probably screwed for the rest of the semester but I'll just have to do my best to keep up. I do my first NeoVox article. It was nice to write something that wasn't my opinion. After receiving my grade I found out I was apparently supposed to include my opinion...

Closer to the end:
I'm really screwed. I'm keeping a tally on my desk of how many wikis and blogs I need to do to catch up. So far about 6 wikis, 5 personal blogs and 2 course blogs. I avoid Dr. Reid in the halls for fear of a look of disappointment and despair in his eyes. I take comfort in talking to people who are worse off than me like Steve and Andy. " Hey Andy did you do you first NeoVox article yet?" ... "NO.. what NeoVox article?"


2 weeks left:
Panic. I'm really wondering what my grade will be. I've done well on all the podcasts, videos and NeoVox stuff. My course blog is pretty solid. I think I've finally caught up with the wiki. This damn personal blog. I hate trying to come up with things to say on here like I enjoy hearing myself talk that much or something. I'm not good at talking about the books either; one or two posts and I've had enough because I've already talked about them on the course blog and I don't want to repeat myself. I once again try to build myself up by talking to Andy " Hey Andy did you do your NeoVox article yet" .."Oh yea I just handed it in".



The End
Almost caught up and waiting for that sigh of relief!

Slight Frustration

I am not going to attack anyone on my blog. But I'm a little upset. I'm always nervous to post my ideas for things like NeoVox articles and videos because I'm worried that people will use my ideas. As far as podcasts go many people end up talking about the same thing, but because it's in a discussion format it's less likely things will be repeated word for word. I want to point out that on at least 2 specific occasions during this semester people have used an idea of mine (that I made public far in advance) and ended up saying basically the same thing's that I've said. I'd like to think it's pure coincidence, or even that someone thinks it's a great idea and they would also like to explore it, but I know if it were me I would probably tell that person that I like their idea and wanted to use it or at least mention their name in why I had the idea in the first place. I know this is not just a problem in an online class because I've had it happen in another class as well, but it was more along the lines of straight up plagiarism. I'm wondering is there some sort of online etiquette for an online class about sharing and using ideas or comments? I understand most of it is fair game, but as the typed word becomes the main medium for writers how will we keep track of ideas and give credit where it's due?

Neovox Idea

A friend of mine recently sent me an instant message saying “the bees are dying” to which I replied, “oh shit, then we’re screwed”. That is definitely one way to start up a conversation; he had obviously piqued my interest. I asked for details and he went on to tell me he was watching and episode of “Real Time with Bill Maher” that talked about various environmental problems, one of which was the rapidly declining bee population. Einstein was quotes as saying “if the bee disappeared off the surface of the globe, then man would have only four years of life left. No more bees, no more pollination, no more plants, no more animals, no more man." Maher mentioned that there scientific speculation that cell phones could be to blame as part of the reason why the bees are dying off. Apparently bees stay away from cell phones because the electromagnetic signals they emit interfere with the bees’ natural navigation abilities. I’ve looked around the Internet a little and I’ve found information which both supports and refutes this claim, unfortunately a lot of it has a political slant to it, but I would like to continue researching it for my Neovox article because I think it would be interesting to see if cell phone technology is really causing such a problem. Even if it isn’t, would people give up their cell phones if they knew it was killing the bees? This was the point Maher was trying to make and I would like to do something similar. I want to illustrate the ridiculous lengths to which we will go to avoid having to give up our precious technology. If you knew cell phones were killing off the bees would you give them up? That is a serious question that I think a lot of people would have a difficult time answering. Is technology mutating our priorities that much? Should we be concerned?

Play Money: or how I quit my day job wasted my life.

Here is the deal; I'm a little behind in the reading. I just started reading Play Money by Julian Dibbell and it has put me in a horribly cynical mood. Just for an overview-- the book is about virtual gaming communities and how this Dibbell guy made millions of dollars by selling "virtual loot", in other words, stuff that doesn't actually exist. He selling air, more or less.
Apparently this is a huge market for gamers who want to become high up in the wizarding circuit (so to speak) so they need to acquire all sorts of potions, spells, and skills in order to gain status and power. Sounds pretty much like real life right? Buy a car, buy a house, get a good job, and marry an attractive spouse. There you go. I would not be bothered by this sort of thing normally because I would probably overlook the big picture, but a few large questions were raised in my mind this morning that illustrate the real differences between the virtual and real world.

My #1 question is:

What are these people contributing to society? I know not all people in all professions are changing lives or finding a cure for cancer. But, I would say generally speaking most people make some sort of impact in the lives of others whether it is positive or negative. These gamers are sitting on the computer trying to better the lives of their avatar or "virtual selves"; they are spending their time and money to enhance this experience. WHY not just live a real life? There must be some kind of draw to it. I understand its fun, it is addicting, and you can even make a career out of it, But I just want to know: what are you doing to help fellow man? When you die will real people come to your funeral or will you have a plot in an online cemetery somewhere?

I am hoping that these feeling are just my initial reaction to the book. I hope that Dibbell will help me understand the significance of the fantasy world that an increasing number of people are being drawn to. SO far I’m very interested in what Dibbell has to say and I’m looking forward to finishing the book. Maybe by the end I’ll have a different outlook, but for now I will remain skeptical about “trading virtual loot”.

Incase you didn't know!

Incase you didn't know, many people in this class, as well as other professional writing students and professors will be reading their original prose, poetry, and short stories on Scholars Day, so I encourage you all to come check it out! We want a packed room!
Here is the Flyer Diana made for the event . . .
If you can't read the bottom it says:

Scholars Day. Wednesday April 18th. 3:00pm. Room 120, Old Main.

I would also like to announce the release of this year's Transition Magazine. It is a collection of prose, poetry, and short stories put together by the Cortland Writers Association. This year we put together the magazine at Raquette Lake and it was a great experience. Dr Reid was a huge help BTW! Here is a poster that I made for the magazine's release! Please pick up your own copy in the English Department, 112 Old Main!

Also, Anyone who is interested in submitting pieces for next year's issue of Transition please let me or another CWA member know, or go to http://web.cortland.edu/writers/ for more information!

Snow Day part II

This is snow day the sequel boy and girls. The funny thing about snow days is that everyone is so happy to have them because they don't have class, but then people like me end up using the day to do all kinds of work anyway! So far I've done 3 blog posts, 2 personal blog posts, and I still need to do about a 1,000 wiki entries, well more like 4. But anyway, it's a good day to just sit on the Internet and do work without any distractions. Although, the Internet was down for about an hour, at which time I panicked. But it's obviously ok now. So the point of this blog entry is pretty much to post the pictures I took of our snow day in APRIL. I used a digital camera, so see? It's technology related. :-)

This is the beautiful cemetary.

This is between Bishop and Shea.

This is a lovely shot of Higgens.

Enjoy the snow everyone !

Second Life

I opened a Second Life account about a month ago and I've only used it 3 times. I made an avatar and did the tutorials on Orientation Island and now I have one little problem . . . I can't get off the island. I've tried flying and teleporting but neither of those work. I've also tried asking other people (there are a lot of French speakers that I've encountered) how to get off the island and no one seems to know. I'm sure I could google it and I probably will if no one in the class knows how to get off. Any ideas?

The idea of Second Life is pretty crazy and amazing at the same time. I watched the video about education in Second Life and it seems so weird and so similar to the concept of the "metaverse" that we talked about in Snow Crash. Having a virtual college campus to roam around in is a great way to meet people from all over the world and share your ideas and insights. From my experience with SL I think it takes a lot of time to get used to the way the virtual world works. Simple things like walking and communicating take a lot of practice. It sort of like being born all over again and having to learn how to work your new body in a completely different environment. Knowing that there are so many people involved in SL, everyone from college students to real life professors, lawyers, and politicians makes me wonder if this craze is going to really catch on. I think it is a very cool alternative to real life, but I think I prefer meeting my classmates face to face. In SL you can be whoever you want. Here is a picture of my avatar. I wish her eyes weren't so creepy!

scary hmm?

A Whole New Mind #2

As I read A Whole New Mind I find tons of underline-able parts. Here are some of the portions I really liked.

On page 17 :
What distinguishes us from other animals is our ability to reason analytically. We are humans, hear us calculate. That's what makes us unique. Anything else isn't simply different; it's LESS. And paying too much attention to those artsy-fartsy, touchy-feely, elements will eventually dumb us down and screw us up.

I can’t even count the number of times I've felt people trying to dumb me down because I am a writer and an artist. Of course, people who know me well, are aware that I am Intelligent and can hold my own academically, but those who don't, make assumptions and pass false judgment as if I wasn't smart enough to be a Lawyer or Doctor so I chose writing and art instead. It will be good for the world to shift and develop a new appreciation for the right brained wonders of the world.

On page 25:
Logic without emotion is a chilly, Spock-like existence. Emotion without logic is a weepy, hysterical world. In the end yin always needs yang. This is especially true when it comes to our brains. The two sides work in concert—two sections of an orchestra that sounds awful if one side packs up its instruments and goes home.

Pink makes a good point here. The brain doesn’t work as independent sides; there is a delicate balance between left and right brain that happens. One side cannot work without the other even if one side is more dominant. This idea is especially true regarding Pink’s discussion of “A Whole New Mind”. The brain must develop acute left and right brain abilities to work together as one functioning being.

On Page 55:
In the United States, the number of graphic designers has increased tenfold in a decade; graphic designers outnumber chemical engineers by four to one. Since 1970, the United States has 30 percent more people earning a living as writers and 50 percent more earning a living by composing or performing music.

This section on MBAs and MFAs is particularly interesting to me because I’ve always been worried that the skills I am learning in college will never be applied in the real world. I had no idea that creative career fields were growing at such a rapid rate. It makes me feel like what I am learning will actually be in high demand by the time I’m ready to enter the work force. At least I will have the advantage of knowing what it means to have “A Whole New Mind”.

A Whole New Mind 1

I am reading A Whole New Mind by Daniel Pink and I'm finding it very interesting. Generally when I say a book is interesting I mean that I'm sure someone out there probably likes it, but not me. For this book though, I actually find it enjoyable and I want to read the entire thing. I might even keep it when I am done as opposed to selling it back to the school store. The reason I like this book so much is because it gives me hope.
Pink talks about how people who have creative minds or are right brain thinkers will become a hot commodity in the next decade. This is because there is an overwhelming amount of Left brain directed thinkers: those who are math and science savvy. This type of work is leaving the US and moving to countries like China where cheap laborers are a dime a dozen and you can pay them pennies for what we in America spend thousands of dollars to go to college for and supposedly become more "marketable".
Those who have the "in demand" R-directed way of thinking must be not only creative and have a design designated approach to things, but they also need to have a precision and crucial eye of a left brainer. That is why Pink call this the "whole new mind"

A Return to Greatness

Well, I sort of fell off the wagon for a couple days there, but I think I am back with a vengeance now and I'm going to try and catch up on everything I missed. I love how after spring break everything intensifies, whether it be the temperature, the workload, or raging adolescent hormones. All are sure signs of spring. Personally I've wanted to spend less time in the same room as my computer. Last night I actually LOGGED OFF AIM and turned off my cell phone! (it sounds impossible, I know, but it happened) and in those . . . 5 minutes . . . I realized something! Holy cow what if someone needs me! I mean, they would have NO WAY of contacting me. I liked this idea. I felt so powerful. I even fantasized about someone actually showing up at my room to talk to me face to face, however; I knew this would not happen. This lack of connectedness was literally causing me physical pain. I started pacing around the room thinking "be strong Liz, be strong! you don't need AIM, you don't need your phone on. You need to sit down and do work!" But alas, after the four minute mark my phone was back on. I managed to hold off on aim until I finished a one page homework assignment, but I could not bare to think all I had missed in that time. I am a poor, poor slave to technology. I wonder if there are counselors for this sort of thing?

Video Ideas

STUPID LAPTOPPPPPPPPPPPPP!!! Just deleted Everything I wrote!!!!!! SO I guess I will start over again, but I don't have the patience to write it all out.
So here is my completely illegal idea for the video:
I want to stalk someone. Yes literally stalk a human using facebook. I want to friend someone on campus, use all the information they provide on their page such as screen name and status or anything else I can use. Then I will keep track of their away messages and try to figure out where they are on campus. Then we will go there with the camera and follow them around and then confront and interview them about the dangers of putting too much info on the Internet. It is too bad there are already cops who are hired to do stuff like this, and I'm sure it's illegal. But! What if you asked someone to volunteer for a "class project about the Internet" and we tell them we will follow them on campus with the camera. I wish there was some way we could do this because I don't think many people realize how dangerous it is to tell people what you are doing every second of every day.

Neovox Update

I decided I am doing my Neovox article on the Apple iPhone. Don't ask me what I am going to talk about yet because I don't know. I need to come up with some sort of interesting way to present the information I found because I don't want to sound like a consumer reports article. I could play devil's advocate and try to argue that the iPhone is going to flop, but you and I both know that would be a futile attempt. As much as Apple makes me feel uncomfortable, after watching Steve Jobs' presentation of the phone I was sold. Now I just need $599 and Cingular service, which by the way I am not giving up Verizon, so I guess I'll just have to play with one of my cool friend's iPhone. I may try to talk about which features of the phone will set it apart from anything else that is on the market, because believe me, there are enough of them. I won't really know until tonight when I write it.

Surprise, Surprise.

"So... does that mean you were raised by wolves?"

Actually it's Wolff's, and yes, I was. This is just one of the many bad jokes the circulated at Raquette lake, but nevertheless I had a great time. I always do. The atmosphere was different on this, my third trip. For once I was not the only girl (or one of two), and there was quite a large group; and an interesting mix of personalities, to say the least. I would recommend going at least once during your time here at Cortland if you ever have the opportunity.

While at Raquette I observed in interesting phenomena. There are laptops in the class room and being typical college students, we all gravitated toward them because God forbid we go a few days without getting on AIM or checking Facebook. Saturday night we were all pretty tired and most of the group went off to bed, but about 8 of us 'die hard Internet junkies' stayed in the class room, and what did we do? (We said we wouldn't talk about it because it is too embarrassing, but I need a topic for a post so I am going to spill the beans.) We all went into an AIM chat room and talked to each other. All that could be heard in the room was typing and the occasional giggle. If one of us said something out loud to another it was like the most taboo thing we could possibly do. We all kept saying how pathetic we were but I realized something. If we had all tried to talk out loud there would be no way that could all speak simultaneously without mass confusion. In the chat room you just needed to be able to quickly read what each person said, and then respond. The topics changed with the blink of an eye and you could be a part of the main conversation as well as side conversations at the same time. We stayed up until 2:30 . . . and I guarantee if we had been speaking out loud we would not have stayed up that late.

I think that Saturday night just proves how technology is REALLY changing the way we communicate. Are we starting to prefer the Internet over a verbal conversation? WHY? People say things on the Internet that they wouldn't say verbally to someone's face. And this seems to be true even if the person is STILL in the same room. Craziness.
Anyway, I promise I really do have a life and uh, this sort of thing will surely never happen again. One time thing . . . I hope.

Neovox and Snow Crash

Neovox
It is my instinct to write about what I know, but you can never learn anything new if you go through life that way. I really wanted to write an article about Facebook and how one can become dependent upon it. But, I've looked through every one's blogs and that seems to be quite popular so I think I'm going to brain storm some more and try to come up with something that I may not be as "comfortable" with. I'll post more about it when I have a better idea.

Snow Crash
During the first couple chapters I've struggled through weird words, alternate universes, and the urge to give into my narcolepsy. I don't think that the book is boring at all, it's just that whenever I try to read I fall asleep, even when I'm not tired! I don't understand it! I think sitting at the computer all day tires me out so by the time I go to read my eyes have had it. Anyway I'm not usually interested in science fiction, but I think this course is making me pay more attention to it and ask myself questions as I read. I'm not the most technologically savvy person, but I feel like this class is going to give me an edge that a lot of college students don't have. Maybe by the end of Snow Crash I will find myself wanting to know more about what the future holds.

Podcasting

Well, I did my first podcast and it was an adventure. I was originally going to present with Phil and Joe, but I ended up in the hospital so that didn't work out as planned. I finally did it last night after downloading Audacity to my computer. I think for my next podcast I will make sure I have a group, and I would also like to use Garageband because I want to add effects into the podcast and make it more creative. My podcast was straightforward, I didn't do anything fancy; I just tried to make it a solid performance. Luckily I only had to record once and I didn't make too many mistakes. If I could change anything about my experience I probably would have incorporated more humor or some kind of interesting elements to make it less dry. I think my podcast was a success and I'm looking forward to experimenting more with the next one.

Catching Up

I have been under the weather the past several days and I'm just now starting to feel well enough to get back into blogging and such. Last Tuesday (before my illness incapacitated me) I was sitting in a class which I will leave anonymous, sitting next to a student whom I will leave anonymous. Any other day I probably wouldn't have been bothered by the actions of this person next to me, but because of Smart Mobs I am cursed and I will never look at the world in the same light again.
You see I'm a very serious student; I'm always into the notes and trying to pay attention, unless of course I am sick and feeling extra distracted like I was Tuesday. Well I was trying to pay attention in this 200 person lecture but I can't help but become absorbed in the girl next to me. Hood up- head phones on- cell in lap, and not a notebook to be seen. This girl was listening to music and playing solitaire on her ipod while texting and tinkering with her Motokrazer cellphone. I was impressed by how many things she was doing at once but I was annoyed at the facts. A. This technological absorption wouldn't have piqued my interest had it not been for Smart Mobs. And B. The noises coming from her, be it the vibrating, clicking ipod, or loud bass were really ticking me off.
So there I am thinking wow maybe I am actually learning something from that stupid book! Technology is taking over and it is going to change the way we learn because people aren't interested in listening to lectures in class or taking notes. They probably rather enjoy education presented through different media like pod casts for example. If this is what we are moving toward then the classroom as we know it will change. In the future will there be a need for a professor and a class to meet in one room? How many more online courses will be available in the next ten years?
Believe it or not I was really trying to analyze the situation and get something out of it. But alas, I was still annoyed because this girl was being extremely rude. We don't have technologically teeming class rooms yet so keep your phone off and your ipod away, get out your notebook and at least pretend to care about the money your parents are spending, or maybe your future anyway.



*Long story short: technology is good when used correctly, but there is a right place and a right time so be courteous and remember the world doesn't revolve around you and the person your texting...yet.

Not Feeling So Well?

In chapter one of Smart Mobs there is a short blurb about the possibility that in the near future we will begin to see repetitive injuries occurring in young adults. The more we rely on technology involving looking at screens, typing, or sitting for long periods of time, there more noticeable RSI (repetitive strain injury) trends will be. It seems that people who take up careers working with computers (and the like) will be forced to retire at younger ages because their bodies can no longer handle the pain they suffer from. In the near future will there will be a need for new technology that relieves typing strain?
I've always been curious about computer programs that type as you speak into a microphone. Of course, these programs are not suitable for some workplaces that are intended to be quiet. I've also heard that you need to speak v-e-r-y c-l-e-a-r-l-y which can take more time than it's worth. We need to come up with alternative ways to get our thoughts onto the computer. Maybe in the future implanted microchips will somehow read our thoughts and transmit them onto a screen. Scary, but cool.
Besides RSI there are a few other injuries associated with frequent computer users including: back problems, neck pain, and eye strain and discomfort. I'm sure all users have felt these symptoms from time to time and they are usually a sign that you need a short break. Whenever I visit my eye doctor I mention that my eyes are always very dry and when I wear my contacts I become fatigued. The first question the doctor asks is if I use the computer frequently. "Of course" I tell him. The doctor's response is,"Well your eyes are probably dry because when you use the computer you blink ?% less than you do normally. You should try to be conscious of how much you are blinking, and try taking frequent breaks. " I've also suffered from some of the other ailments such as back, neck, and wrist pain, depending on how long I've been typing for; over time these pains can become chronic.
As a society we should be conscious of the physical impact that computing can have on our bodies. The technological world is constantly changing and adapting; soon we will need to react to the increase of computer related chronic injuries. Whether this means eliminating the key board all together, or changing the design of computers, one thing is uncertain; the need for new innovation is here and we should be ready to embrace it.

Smart Mobs ch. 1-3

While reading Smart Mobs I picked up on a theme that I can really relate to: the idea that new technologies help adolescents break into the social scene. On page 4 Rheingold says:

Ito believes that mobile phones triggered an intergenerational power shift in Japan because they freed youth from 'the tyranny of the land line shared by inquisitive family members, creating a space for private communication and an agency that alters possibilities for social interaction'.

I found truth in this because I remember always feeling nervous when talking to people on our land line (especially boys) for fear I would hear the infamous "click" signaling that an adult had picked up another line in the house. This "click" would be followed by my silence and then me asking, "Mom? Ma? Hello?" Of course then I would have to carry on with some sort of irrelevant conversation until I felt that the line was secure. This may be the root of my current paranoia issues, but they have been somewhat suppressed by the comfort of my own private cell phone ("private" being a debatable word choice).

Nevertheless, Rheingold's point here is true; the techno age of cell phones, instant messaging, and texting make it easier for teenagers to be increasingly social. It may seem like sitting at a computer for hours on end or texting with your head down while you walk are be traits of the introvert, but they are actually an attempt to reach out to those who may otherwise be unreachable or unapproachable. Cell phones and the Internet helped me to come out of my shell. Technology was a safe way for me to express myself, and as time went on I began to build confidence; people really did like who I was and what I had to say and it and that carried over into my everyday interactions.

Introduction

Hello everyone! My name is Liz and I am a sophomore PWR major. I've never taken an online class before so I am excited to get started. I'll admit I am a little nervous about using Macs because I am a PC lover, but I know it will be valuable experience. I am looking forward to a great semester. Good luck to everyone.

-*Liz