Post #14 - Reply to Henry David Thoreau's "Where I Lived and What I Lived For."
I immediately see why this essay was assigned to us, and it tells me a lot of what Professor Gramse's opinion is about the Internet and how it's changing the way we learn and live. Basically Henry David Thoreau is writing about how we as a society are always wanted to know more about other peoples' lives and that we so committed to know what's going onwith everyone else that we never slow down and give ourself a chance to live our own life. We're so addicted to knowing what's going on with everyone else that we're constantly on Facebook or other social networking websites, and according to Henry David Thoreau we're not living our own life. I do have to agree with him on this. We want our information faster now. We don't want to sit through hour and a half long lectures to get the information. We don't want to read a whole book to learn what we need to learn. We want to skim no more than two or three pages and learn everything that way. The faster way. The better way, but is it better for us? We're teaching ourselves to have a short attention span, and in the long-run its really going to hurt us.
Friday, April 8, 2011
Skimming Through
Post # 13 - Annotated Bibliography Five
Anna. (n.d.). Attention Spans and the Internet | Productivity501.Productivity501 - Maximize the productivity in your work and play.. Retrieved April 8, 2011, from http://www.productivity501.com/attention-spans-and-the-internet/2822/
Attention Spans and the Internet <Link to article.
The author discusses why and how the internet is altering our attention spans. Anna explains that the way we use Google could really hurt us in the long run. She claims that our current use of the Internet has taught us to "skim read" rather than reading the whole text. Anna took data from a few articles, one of which is the article by Nicholas Carr. This article is really useful as it provides more information about how our generation has taught ourselves to learn differently. Now, we need more than just plain text to keep our attention where it needs to be.
Anna. (n.d.). Attention Spans and the Internet | Productivity501.Productivity501 - Maximize the productivity in your work and play.. Retrieved April 8, 2011, from http://www.productivity501.com/attention-spans-and-the-internet/2822/
Attention Spans and the Internet <Link to article.
The author discusses why and how the internet is altering our attention spans. Anna explains that the way we use Google could really hurt us in the long run. She claims that our current use of the Internet has taught us to "skim read" rather than reading the whole text. Anna took data from a few articles, one of which is the article by Nicholas Carr. This article is really useful as it provides more information about how our generation has taught ourselves to learn differently. Now, we need more than just plain text to keep our attention where it needs to be.
The Impact Of The Internet On Human Behavior
Post # 12 - Annotated Bibliography Four
Berg, K. K. (n.d.). The Impact Of The Internet On Human Behavior. Search Engine Land: Must Read News About Search Marketing & Search Engines. Retrieved April 8, 2011, from http://searchengineland.com/the-impact-of-the-internet-on-human-behavior-20921
The Impact Of The Internet On Human Behavior <Link to article.
The author, K. K. Berg explains various sources on how the Internet is affecting our human behavior. she examines and questions the sources she used to write the essay including a poll done on the CNN news website, and Nicholas Carrs's "Is Google Making Us Stupid?" She also states her opinion on the subject about how we're developing new technologies and coping with them and that it would be good for society to take a break from the Internet. She came to this conclusion based on the CNN poll results, although she does admit that the results could be inaccurate. Her research includes Nicholas Carrs's "Is Google Making Us Stupid," and an article A Road Map for the Post-Web 2.0 World. This essay, The Impact of the Internet on Human Behavior ties in along perfectly with the article by Nicholas Carrs.
Berg, K. K. (n.d.). The Impact Of The Internet On Human Behavior. Search Engine Land: Must Read News About Search Marketing & Search Engines. Retrieved April 8, 2011, from http://searchengineland.com/the-impact-of-the-internet-on-human-behavior-20921
The Impact Of The Internet On Human Behavior <Link to article.
The author, K. K. Berg explains various sources on how the Internet is affecting our human behavior. she examines and questions the sources she used to write the essay including a poll done on the CNN news website, and Nicholas Carrs's "Is Google Making Us Stupid?" She also states her opinion on the subject about how we're developing new technologies and coping with them and that it would be good for society to take a break from the Internet. She came to this conclusion based on the CNN poll results, although she does admit that the results could be inaccurate. Her research includes Nicholas Carrs's "Is Google Making Us Stupid," and an article A Road Map for the Post-Web 2.0 World. This essay, The Impact of the Internet on Human Behavior ties in along perfectly with the article by Nicholas Carrs.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Moderation is Key
Post # 11 - Summary and Response to "Games" by Steven Johnson
Steven Johnson makes a very good point in his essay, "most computer games are a colossal waste of time." Video games have really impacted how little any American demographic group reads for pleasure. Most people nowadays would rather watch T.V. or play a video game. Both of which are much more visually stimulating than reading text in a book. Johnson states that a good "thought experiment" in which video games were made popular before books would show that all this hype of why video games are bad for you and that reading is better would be reversed. Video Games can be visually stimulating but they don't offer the same shared experience you get when reading a book. Reading text requires much more concentration and ability to under stand what all the words together mean. Johnson mentions that video games does improve your visual intelligence and your manual dexterity, but "the virtues of gaming run far deeper than hand-eye coordination."
In a way I do have to agree with him on how video games are more visually stimulating than reading a book would be, and that reading books requires a lot more concentration, memory and ability to understand what you are reading. But I believe that playing video games offers a lot more than visual stimulation or hand-eye coordination. It offers more of a social experience than reading books does. People generally play video games with friends, or with thousands of other players online playing at the same time they do. There's a lot more socializing going on and I believe that being socially active is what helps develop a healthy mental life. I do, however, believe that reading books really helps you to learn to concentrate and memorize important facts better than video games do.
Something I've noticed that's happening is more and more people are turning to video games as a way of distraction from their day. Attending school and sitting in a class bores them, and so all they can think about is playing that video game. Its something that I believe we need to be careful about as well. Everything in moderation is key.
Steven Johnson makes a very good point in his essay, "most computer games are a colossal waste of time." Video games have really impacted how little any American demographic group reads for pleasure. Most people nowadays would rather watch T.V. or play a video game. Both of which are much more visually stimulating than reading text in a book. Johnson states that a good "thought experiment" in which video games were made popular before books would show that all this hype of why video games are bad for you and that reading is better would be reversed. Video Games can be visually stimulating but they don't offer the same shared experience you get when reading a book. Reading text requires much more concentration and ability to under stand what all the words together mean. Johnson mentions that video games does improve your visual intelligence and your manual dexterity, but "the virtues of gaming run far deeper than hand-eye coordination."
In a way I do have to agree with him on how video games are more visually stimulating than reading a book would be, and that reading books requires a lot more concentration, memory and ability to understand what you are reading. But I believe that playing video games offers a lot more than visual stimulation or hand-eye coordination. It offers more of a social experience than reading books does. People generally play video games with friends, or with thousands of other players online playing at the same time they do. There's a lot more socializing going on and I believe that being socially active is what helps develop a healthy mental life. I do, however, believe that reading books really helps you to learn to concentrate and memorize important facts better than video games do.
Something I've noticed that's happening is more and more people are turning to video games as a way of distraction from their day. Attending school and sitting in a class bores them, and so all they can think about is playing that video game. Its something that I believe we need to be careful about as well. Everything in moderation is key.
LEEEEERRRROOOOOYYYY JJEEEEENNNNKKKKIIIINNNNSSS!!!!!!
Post # 10 - Annotated Bibliography Three
Jenkins, Henry. "The Video Game Revolution: "Eight Myths About Video Games Debunked" by Henry Jenkins | PBS." PBS: Public Broadcasting Service. N.p., n.d. Web. 7 Apr. 2011.
The Video Game Revolution: "Eight Myths About Video Games Debunked." <Link to article.
The topic of the essay is about eight popular myths about video games and how they are untrue. The authors purpose of this essay was to prove that video games aren't as bad as people are claiming them to be. The eight myths about video games are as follows: 1) The availability of video games has led to an epidemic of youth violence; 2) Scientific evidence links violent game play with youth aggression; 3) Children are the primary market for video games; 4) Almost no girls play computer games; 5) Because games are used to train soldiers to kill, they have the same impact on the kids who play them; 6) Video games are not a meaningful form of expression; 7) Video game play is socially isolating and 8) Video game play is desensitizing.
Henry Jenkins points out several factors that disprove each of the myths about video games. One example that caught my eye were that youth related violence is at a 30-year low. The article proves that people can healthfully socialize on the Internet without claims of violence or depression.
Jenkins, Henry. "The Video Game Revolution: "Eight Myths About Video Games Debunked" by Henry Jenkins | PBS." PBS: Public Broadcasting Service. N.p., n.d. Web. 7 Apr. 2011.
The Video Game Revolution: "Eight Myths About Video Games Debunked." <Link to article.
The topic of the essay is about eight popular myths about video games and how they are untrue. The authors purpose of this essay was to prove that video games aren't as bad as people are claiming them to be. The eight myths about video games are as follows: 1) The availability of video games has led to an epidemic of youth violence; 2) Scientific evidence links violent game play with youth aggression; 3) Children are the primary market for video games; 4) Almost no girls play computer games; 5) Because games are used to train soldiers to kill, they have the same impact on the kids who play them; 6) Video games are not a meaningful form of expression; 7) Video game play is socially isolating and 8) Video game play is desensitizing.
Henry Jenkins points out several factors that disprove each of the myths about video games. One example that caught my eye were that youth related violence is at a 30-year low. The article proves that people can healthfully socialize on the Internet without claims of violence or depression.
Facebook is Your Friend
Post #9 - Annotated Bibliography Two
Quinones, Elise. "TheDartmouth.com: Panelists discuss impact of Facebook."TheDartmouth.com: America’s Oldest College Newspaper. Founded 1799.. N.p., n.d. Web. 7 Apr. 2011.
Quinones, Elise. "TheDartmouth.com: Panelists discuss impact of Facebook."TheDartmouth.com: America’s Oldest College Newspaper. Founded 1799.. N.p., n.d. Web. 7 Apr. 2011.
Panelists discuss the impact of Facebook <Link to the article.
The topic of the essay is why people use Facebook and how it impacts people's social lives. Elise Quinones wrote this as a summary of a panel discussion on Facebook at the Rockerfeller Center back in 2009. She summarized the discussion and took quotes from what some of the panelists had mentioned at the event. They claim that Facebook has become a huge phenomena and is now the "connection place that has surpassed all others." Facebook also has some privacy issues. One of the panelists had mentioned that "Facebook is about as private as shouting in a public square." Its usefulness to the assignment isn't much, but it does give some insight as to how the Internet is forcing us to evolve and adapt to it, rather than us evolving the Internet and having it adapt to us.
The Economist
Post #8 - Annotated Bibliography One
V., N.. "The internet is changing the way you think: The Difference Engine: Rewiring the brain | The Economist." The Economist - World News, Politics, Economics, Business & Finance. N.p., n.d. Web. 7 Apr. 2011.
The Different Engine: Rewiring the brain <Link to the article.
N.V. Discusses how the Internet is changing the way we think. He begins the article with a discussion on how the Internet and personal computers and smart phones have really changed our behavior. He also references several authors who have written on the same subject as well. He claims that the Internet is not making us stupid, but its just changing the way we used to think. Before we would research on specific topics by going to a library and reading books and whatnot. But now we are introduced to the Internet, we can do all of this where ever we want, when we want and we get a lot more information in one place. N. V. had some really good points on the subject of how the Internet is changing the way we think and learn, and it was refreshing to find someone who doesn't think we're all going to be stupid.
V., N.. "The internet is changing the way you think: The Difference Engine: Rewiring the brain | The Economist." The Economist - World News, Politics, Economics, Business & Finance. N.p., n.d. Web. 7 Apr. 2011.
The Different Engine: Rewiring the brain <Link to the article.
N.V. Discusses how the Internet is changing the way we think. He begins the article with a discussion on how the Internet and personal computers and smart phones have really changed our behavior. He also references several authors who have written on the same subject as well. He claims that the Internet is not making us stupid, but its just changing the way we used to think. Before we would research on specific topics by going to a library and reading books and whatnot. But now we are introduced to the Internet, we can do all of this where ever we want, when we want and we get a lot more information in one place. N. V. had some really good points on the subject of how the Internet is changing the way we think and learn, and it was refreshing to find someone who doesn't think we're all going to be stupid.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
You Need Some Activator
Post #7 - Summary and Response to "Small Change by Malcolm Gladwell."
(ACTIVATOR has nothing to do with this blog, but I thought it was clever.)
(And I am aware my video has nothing to do with the subject,
but I am going to add it for entertainment purposes.)
Giant protests can be done without the use of social networking websites such as Facebook or Twitter. You can arrange a sit-in without ever saying anything about it on the Internet. Half of your schools' students could hear about a protest by word-of-mouth without ever looking at a computer screen. But you can arrange even bigger ones simply by posting an event on Facebook. Cyber activism at its best.
I agree with what Malcolm had to say completely. Social networking websites have allowed us to evolve to creating massive protests, sit-ins and even flash mobs by simply Tweeting it or creating a Facebook event page and asking all your friends to attend. This is the future, this is now. This social networking evolution has already begun and it wont be long before everyone is a part of it.
(ACTIVATOR has nothing to do with this blog, but I thought it was clever.)
(And I am aware my video has nothing to do with the subject,
but I am going to add it for entertainment purposes.)
Giant protests can be done without the use of social networking websites such as Facebook or Twitter. You can arrange a sit-in without ever saying anything about it on the Internet. Half of your schools' students could hear about a protest by word-of-mouth without ever looking at a computer screen. But you can arrange even bigger ones simply by posting an event on Facebook. Cyber activism at its best.
I agree with what Malcolm had to say completely. Social networking websites have allowed us to evolve to creating massive protests, sit-ins and even flash mobs by simply Tweeting it or creating a Facebook event page and asking all your friends to attend. This is the future, this is now. This social networking evolution has already begun and it wont be long before everyone is a part of it.
Facebook is a Disaster
Post #6 - Free Post A Video About Facebook Free Post Two
(I am having formatting issues with this post and I apologize for how stretched out it appears.)
For my last free post, I decided to write about a video on Facebook. It ties in really well on how we learn over the internet, even know when you watch the video it doesn't seem that way. I think everyone, who uses Facebook, can really relate to this video.
How does it relate?
When you go on Facebook, you'll most likely use one of the abbreviations that Ross had on the poster. One of your friends will say something funny and you'll reply with a "lol" and then they will reply with a "lol" and so on. It gets hard wired in your brain to reply with "lol" if something is funny or not. I think its really interesting how much of a virus it is. Same goes with internet memes. If you're not sure what an internet meme is, have a look at this adorable baby.
These are memes:
I've noticed that once one is introduced you start hearing it everywhere, and not just on the internet. Just the other day I was making fun of my boyfriend for referencing an old meme and replied with another meme. If the internet isn't affecting us in some way, then I don't know what is.
(I am having formatting issues with this post and I apologize for how stretched out it appears.)
For my last free post, I decided to write about a video on Facebook. It ties in really well on how we learn over the internet, even know when you watch the video it doesn't seem that way. I think everyone, who uses Facebook, can really relate to this video.
How does it relate?
When you go on Facebook, you'll most likely use one of the abbreviations that Ross had on the poster. One of your friends will say something funny and you'll reply with a "lol" and then they will reply with a "lol" and so on. It gets hard wired in your brain to reply with "lol" if something is funny or not. I think its really interesting how much of a virus it is. Same goes with internet memes. If you're not sure what an internet meme is, have a look at this adorable baby.
These are memes:
I've noticed that once one is introduced you start hearing it everywhere, and not just on the internet. Just the other day I was making fun of my boyfriend for referencing an old meme and replied with another meme. If the internet isn't affecting us in some way, then I don't know what is.
You Make A Good Point
Post #5 - Free Post Response to Professor Gramse
For another free post I decided to reply to Gramse's comment on my Post #3 on formal writing and creativity. You can find his response here.
Well when you put it that way, I do have to agree with you. This is a homework assignment and the way I wrote wouldn't be acceptable at all in other classes. But it does tie in to our assignment almost perfectly, even when I knew it was an assignment, I still wrote as if I were on Facebook, or texting my friends or even talking to people in person. The internet has really changed the way we think, and I believe that we all need to be careful when doing assignments such as this blog.
Is Google Making Us Stupid?
Post #4 - Response to "Is Google Making Us Stupid?" by Nicholas Carr.
(Atlantic Magazine, July/August 2008)
I agree with his statement on how the internet has changed our ability to think. I used to be able to sit down and read what I needed to, or what I wanted to with no problems and no interruptions, but now it seems that there are way to many distractions. Not just the ones physically around you such as other people, noise, smells, or your phone. After reading for what seemed to be an hour, but was really only five minutes, I'll go check Facebook, watch a few YouTube videos to try and keep my mind awake then go back to reading what I needed to completely forgetting what I had just read awhile ago. I don't agree with the title, Google isn't really making us stupid, but I've noticed that there's something that's changing the way we think and how well we stay focused on the project at bay.
(Atlantic Magazine, July/August 2008)
I agree with his statement on how the internet has changed our ability to think. I used to be able to sit down and read what I needed to, or what I wanted to with no problems and no interruptions, but now it seems that there are way to many distractions. Not just the ones physically around you such as other people, noise, smells, or your phone. After reading for what seemed to be an hour, but was really only five minutes, I'll go check Facebook, watch a few YouTube videos to try and keep my mind awake then go back to reading what I needed to completely forgetting what I had just read awhile ago. I don't agree with the title, Google isn't really making us stupid, but I've noticed that there's something that's changing the way we think and how well we stay focused on the project at bay.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)