The article "Am I My Brother's Keeper?" is a very mind opening dialogue between Elie Wiesel and Richard D. Heffner. When Wiesel mentions people being 'informed', he means that they are aware of the issue, they know the basics and that it happened. When he says that if that "information is transferred into knowledge", he means that people give their all to know the situation and to help in whatever way needed. Knowledge means knowing the facts, to really care enough to know that facts. This is also what he means with 'responsibility'. If people know that a tragedy is happening, if they are at the least even informed about it, then they should take the responsibility in doing something about it; in helping. Wiesel means by, "And when you suffer, you need a presence", that you cannot suffer for the person, exchange yourself for them, but you can help them through it and offer help.
To Wiesel, listening is key for the world. He doesnt believe that anyone truly listens. He mentions peole walking around the streets with ear phones in, listening to the same music day after day because they are fine with the silence. He says they want to shut out the world. To him, these people are ignoring real world issues, when all the world needs is someone to listen to it.
He refers to the Bible when talking about Cain and Able, how Cain killed Able. Its odd for two people to be brothers and yet to become the "victim/assassin" of the other. He also says that "whoever kills, kills his brother", meaning we are all children of God, we are all brothers.
With all of these technological advances and the media being everywhere, we are 'informed' about many issues and tragedies going on around the world. One tragedy will happen, and we will be wrapped up in it for a couple of days until the next tragedy happens, with the previous one being forgotten. With all of this information daily, we dont feel the compassion to one event like we did a couple days previous. Like Wiesel says about sharing images and information for a month, people feel moved, but then by the second month those same images and information do not move them anymore. Wiesel says that we need to give our all to one issue at a time, do everything you can for that issue before you move on to the next. You also need to have a presence there. Wiesel goes and is present at the event so he can say that he has been there, he saw it.
We all just need to show a little more compassion, pay a little more attention, and listen to what the world is saying so we can evolve in the right manner.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
In-Class Writing Response 8-30-11
Most of my family is technology savvy.
My dad seems to be very good with technology. He is always on his blackberry working his email, and text messaging. I have recently taught him how to use 'bbm' instead of text messaging. He can use the DVR on the television as well. He is very good with computers, the basics anyway. He can install programs and fix the computer if there is a malfunction or virus. I have always been able to go to him with problems. What I have noticed with him is that with the new computers coming out with new and improved layouts, he does not know where to find certain tools anymore. Sometimes I know more about where things are located and how they work then he does. He has an iPod and now that he has mastered iTunes he is all about the digital music library. He has millions of CDs, and now he has put them all on iTunes, located on his computer. He spends hours in his home office 'working'. He is hooked on it. He has also figured out how to use his iPod to track his weekly runs. He is fascinated that he can synchronize his step to find his caloric deficit, mileage, time, etc.
I can see a little bit of a generation gap with my mom. She has 'mastered' how to text message, even though her texts sometimes are very funny and strange because of the abbreviations. She has an iPod shuffle, the simplest one and sometimes has problems with turning it off or changing the volume. She has gotten better though. She is very good with a computer though, she is an engineer, and she works with new computer programs and such all day long. She lives at a computer. She can email very well too. She does have a problem figuring out things on the TV. We have multiple flat screen TVs, which are just monitors, so we have to have a signal box as well. And then there is the Comcast cable box, so just to turn on the TV you have to work three different remote controls. Its very simple, to me anyway and the rest of our family, but it has taken her a while to figure it out. I sometimes have to help her. She can usually figure out how to DVR her favorite shows, but sometimes I have to help.
My brother is the most savvy. He is on Facebook, emails, has a Droid smartphone, and is always on his laptop. He has had countless laptops, usually because he breaks them with trying to alter them himself or loading too much on it. He is minoring in computer information or something like that at Boston College, and works on there on the side to help teachers with programing and such. If we ever had a major problem with computers at home that my dad couldn't figure out, he would be the go to person. He is very good with technology, but he also breaks a lot of devices.
My dad seems to be very good with technology. He is always on his blackberry working his email, and text messaging. I have recently taught him how to use 'bbm' instead of text messaging. He can use the DVR on the television as well. He is very good with computers, the basics anyway. He can install programs and fix the computer if there is a malfunction or virus. I have always been able to go to him with problems. What I have noticed with him is that with the new computers coming out with new and improved layouts, he does not know where to find certain tools anymore. Sometimes I know more about where things are located and how they work then he does. He has an iPod and now that he has mastered iTunes he is all about the digital music library. He has millions of CDs, and now he has put them all on iTunes, located on his computer. He spends hours in his home office 'working'. He is hooked on it. He has also figured out how to use his iPod to track his weekly runs. He is fascinated that he can synchronize his step to find his caloric deficit, mileage, time, etc.
I can see a little bit of a generation gap with my mom. She has 'mastered' how to text message, even though her texts sometimes are very funny and strange because of the abbreviations. She has an iPod shuffle, the simplest one and sometimes has problems with turning it off or changing the volume. She has gotten better though. She is very good with a computer though, she is an engineer, and she works with new computer programs and such all day long. She lives at a computer. She can email very well too. She does have a problem figuring out things on the TV. We have multiple flat screen TVs, which are just monitors, so we have to have a signal box as well. And then there is the Comcast cable box, so just to turn on the TV you have to work three different remote controls. Its very simple, to me anyway and the rest of our family, but it has taken her a while to figure it out. I sometimes have to help her. She can usually figure out how to DVR her favorite shows, but sometimes I have to help.
My brother is the most savvy. He is on Facebook, emails, has a Droid smartphone, and is always on his laptop. He has had countless laptops, usually because he breaks them with trying to alter them himself or loading too much on it. He is minoring in computer information or something like that at Boston College, and works on there on the side to help teachers with programing and such. If we ever had a major problem with computers at home that my dad couldn't figure out, he would be the go to person. He is very good with technology, but he also breaks a lot of devices.
Monday, August 29, 2011
SWA#2
I really enjoyed the article "Hooked on Technology, and Paying a Price" because it is so relateable. The Campbells are a modern day family, facing modern day problems. Technology is taking over the world. The part of the article where they say that "while multitasking makes them more productive, research shows otherwise. Heavy multitaskers actually have more trouble focusing and shutting out irrelevant information... and they experience more stress" (15). I can relate to this because when I think that I am being productive by doing a million things at once, I actually get completely frustrated and stressed out because I cant put all of my attention to one thing. It is also interesting that they make the comparison between technology and drugs, because it is true that technology is like a drug. It is addicting, and hard to put devices down. Mr. Campbell and his family experience that, and the tension that it brings.
The hours of media comsumed by people a day has more than doubled since 1960, up to twelve hours. That seems ridiculous but when you think about how much time you spend on your smartphone, laptop, or watching tv, it really adds up. Through the development of more advanced computers, scientists have discovered that brain development does not stop after childhood, that it continues to develop because of things like learning skills. Most people say that childhood years are very important because that is when the main time the brain develops, but now that we know the brain keeps developing throughout lifetimes. Scientists also thought that the brain could only process one stream of thought, until recently found that it could process more than one, multitasking.
Mr. Ophir and his colleagues did many tests on patients to see how the brain reacted to multitasking. It was difficult for the multitaskers to filter out the irrelevant information, which is like our everyday distractions. We cant help but focus on things that are not important at the time or are not related to our main goal. But technology devices can be productive as well. When we look at gamers, it can be used for a rehabilitatice and educational purpose, enhancing reaction time and tracking movement. So even though video games seem like a waste of time, fast paced ones can be useful. Rewiring of the brain goes on all the time, it learns to adapt, which to me seemed obvious because that information has been known since I have been born, but is relatively new information in the world of science.
I also found a paragraph under the section "Interrupted by a Corpse" relateable where it talks about the many devices and computer screens open on Mr. Campbell's desk as he is trying to finish a project for work. I may have to write a big paper for school, but have my phone next to me, itunes open playing music, facebook open, google open, and the television on in the background. With technology brings many distractions. Not only does it cause distractions at the very moment in time, but it also leads to forgetfulness and short term memory loss. Mr. Campbell ordered the wrong program for his company, he burned hamburgers, and forgot to pick up his children.
These distractions and technological devices Mr. Campbell is embedded in have taken a toll on his children and family. The kids are learning bad habits from him, like his son also being engulfed in his devices. Good thing the daughter is only allowed an hour a day, because she would be in trouble too, at eight years old already with a laptop and such. They try and take a vacation and Mr. Campbell still cannot get away from his email and games. Not until one of the final days does the whole family enjoy eachother's company without distractions. I can also relate to this. My Dad is a business man and is always on his blackberry or laptop. If were driving somewhere he usually always has one to two business calls to make while the rest of the family has to sit silently in the car. This lately hasnt been a problem because we all have our own phones, ipods, and dvd players to be focused on. But once we are into the vacation he usually does a very good job to set his emailing time to a minimum when we are not doing an activity together. It really can ruin a vacation and the feeling of togetherness.
I really liked this article because I related to it, and because it was more narrative and not just a bunch of information thrown at me like the previous ones. It really opens my eyes to how much we depend on technological devices nowadays, and how if we dont do something about it we could be heading down the wrong path.
The hours of media comsumed by people a day has more than doubled since 1960, up to twelve hours. That seems ridiculous but when you think about how much time you spend on your smartphone, laptop, or watching tv, it really adds up. Through the development of more advanced computers, scientists have discovered that brain development does not stop after childhood, that it continues to develop because of things like learning skills. Most people say that childhood years are very important because that is when the main time the brain develops, but now that we know the brain keeps developing throughout lifetimes. Scientists also thought that the brain could only process one stream of thought, until recently found that it could process more than one, multitasking.
Mr. Ophir and his colleagues did many tests on patients to see how the brain reacted to multitasking. It was difficult for the multitaskers to filter out the irrelevant information, which is like our everyday distractions. We cant help but focus on things that are not important at the time or are not related to our main goal. But technology devices can be productive as well. When we look at gamers, it can be used for a rehabilitatice and educational purpose, enhancing reaction time and tracking movement. So even though video games seem like a waste of time, fast paced ones can be useful. Rewiring of the brain goes on all the time, it learns to adapt, which to me seemed obvious because that information has been known since I have been born, but is relatively new information in the world of science.
I also found a paragraph under the section "Interrupted by a Corpse" relateable where it talks about the many devices and computer screens open on Mr. Campbell's desk as he is trying to finish a project for work. I may have to write a big paper for school, but have my phone next to me, itunes open playing music, facebook open, google open, and the television on in the background. With technology brings many distractions. Not only does it cause distractions at the very moment in time, but it also leads to forgetfulness and short term memory loss. Mr. Campbell ordered the wrong program for his company, he burned hamburgers, and forgot to pick up his children.
These distractions and technological devices Mr. Campbell is embedded in have taken a toll on his children and family. The kids are learning bad habits from him, like his son also being engulfed in his devices. Good thing the daughter is only allowed an hour a day, because she would be in trouble too, at eight years old already with a laptop and such. They try and take a vacation and Mr. Campbell still cannot get away from his email and games. Not until one of the final days does the whole family enjoy eachother's company without distractions. I can also relate to this. My Dad is a business man and is always on his blackberry or laptop. If were driving somewhere he usually always has one to two business calls to make while the rest of the family has to sit silently in the car. This lately hasnt been a problem because we all have our own phones, ipods, and dvd players to be focused on. But once we are into the vacation he usually does a very good job to set his emailing time to a minimum when we are not doing an activity together. It really can ruin a vacation and the feeling of togetherness.
I really liked this article because I related to it, and because it was more narrative and not just a bunch of information thrown at me like the previous ones. It really opens my eyes to how much we depend on technological devices nowadays, and how if we dont do something about it we could be heading down the wrong path.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Get Smarter Response
In "Get Smarter" the author talks about how we have many hurdles to overcome in the next few decades, and it puts an optimistic view on it saying that we will cope like our ancestors did by "getting smarter". We will overcome these hurdles by advances, referring to it as "intelligence augmentation". We are in and entering a new era of technological advances, the Web is like our universal brain, practically thinking for us. I agree when they say we have a technology-inudced ADD. It is very difficult to pay attention and go into deep thought. As I am typing this i have four other tabs open on my computer, my iPod playing, and my cell phone blinking with a new text message. With all of the technology around us it is very difficult to stay concentrated on one thing. This refers back to the article "Is Google Making Us Stupid?".
I also see the point the author makes when saying that today's technology will seem primitive in the next decade or so. New cell phones come out all the time and within the next month they are dated and a newer version is being sold. We make technological advances every day, and it is very clear to see.
I think that the part about "the singularity" was very interesting. The author talked about artificial intelligence, making a machine brain that will only get smarter and smarter itself over time and with new advances. The only problem I see with this is that "the human era will end". That is the most crazy thing to think about. But dinosaurs became extinct, maybe we will too in the future and machines will rule the world.
This article opened my eyes to the reality of our present situation and all of the possibilities of the future.
I also see the point the author makes when saying that today's technology will seem primitive in the next decade or so. New cell phones come out all the time and within the next month they are dated and a newer version is being sold. We make technological advances every day, and it is very clear to see.
I think that the part about "the singularity" was very interesting. The author talked about artificial intelligence, making a machine brain that will only get smarter and smarter itself over time and with new advances. The only problem I see with this is that "the human era will end". That is the most crazy thing to think about. But dinosaurs became extinct, maybe we will too in the future and machines will rule the world.
This article opened my eyes to the reality of our present situation and all of the possibilities of the future.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
SWA#1
My best writing experience would have to be in my sophomore year of high school where I receieved a picture and had to write a poem to compliment it. I love more of the creating writing, not so much the long essays. The picture was of a lake in the winter time right at either sunset or sunrise. It gave the feeling of loneliness, so I wrote my poem about a man who goes to the lake reflecting on his wife's death. I could just picture him sitting there in the silence taking in his surroundings and trying to find the answers he was looking for, so I wrote the emotions that I thought he would be experiencing and the interior dialogue. What made the experience even better was that I won a prize in the school's art festival for it.
My worst writing experience also took place in the same english class my sophomore year. It was a research paper. My topic was how the Nazis manipulated the world with different types of propaganda during the years of the Holocaust. I worked very hard, researching all the different types of propaganda from various resources. My paper was very long, about twenty pages after editing. I received a B- on the paper because I paraphrased and quoted too much throughout the paper without enough analysis. I was very upset because I had put a lot of time and effort into the paper and I thought I was doing what the teacher had asked. It was definitely a learning experience. Next time I wont be as extensive and focus more on my analysis and not how many facts I can find. So I would say that this negative experience affected me most because I am going to learn from my mistakes.
My worst writing experience also took place in the same english class my sophomore year. It was a research paper. My topic was how the Nazis manipulated the world with different types of propaganda during the years of the Holocaust. I worked very hard, researching all the different types of propaganda from various resources. My paper was very long, about twenty pages after editing. I received a B- on the paper because I paraphrased and quoted too much throughout the paper without enough analysis. I was very upset because I had put a lot of time and effort into the paper and I thought I was doing what the teacher had asked. It was definitely a learning experience. Next time I wont be as extensive and focus more on my analysis and not how many facts I can find. So I would say that this negative experience affected me most because I am going to learn from my mistakes.
In Class Writing 8-23-11
What I really related to from "Is Google Making Us Stupid?" is when the author talks about how the Web is chipping away at his concentration and contemplation. He said it is difficult now to sit and read a longer literary work because he is always reading articles and information online that is shorter. I feel the same way. If I want to read something or find something out I just type it into Google and read very quickly. When I have to sit and read a longer book I have trouble. Last year in English it was difficult for me to fully absorb the information on the page because I am so used to skimming through articles and readings. It is a problem that our generation is facing. Even reading the article I found myself being distracted.
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