Interviews- HW 26

Kate
What do you think is of a cool person? Someone who doesn't conform or care what other people think and such.

What makes you think a person is uncool? Bossy mean snotty people that look down on you.

Do you think you're cool? Not really, I'd like to think so, but I don't think I am.

Can you tell a person is conforming? Yeah, you can see how much they put themselves out there.

Do you think cool matters? No. Well. I can say no, but in reality everyone's trying to be cool and get attention.

Remy
Do you think cool matters? I think cool matters in terms of social stuff more and I think cool matters to me in terms of interesting stuff more.

Where do you think we get our idea of cool from? From society, but we sometimes build based on that on our preferences. We can also be influenced by our friends more than just what society tells us.

Who are people you think are cool? Damien Danziger is cool and I think Iron man is cool, Tony Stark.

What qualities that make them cool? Those people are cool because they're badass. They are...pretty much everyone Robert Downey Junior plays is badass actually. They just..I don't know..have certain badass qualities going on. The whole liquor and women thing..I mean i don't think the whole liquor and women thing is cool, I think the fact that they can get away with it is cool.

Jia Min
(Pic: N/A. She doesn't want to post her picture and thinks that is cool :))
Who are people who you think are cool? No one. --and Everyone! No one and everyone.

Why? I think because everybody has their own thing. I don't know what thing but that-that lets others notice about them, doesn't mean everybody will notice, that person. Sooo what I mean, umm that no one is cool is because we all notice different things through our eyes.

What do you notice? I notice that everybody has their own reasons to become cool or not.

Do you think cool is important? No, I think cool is not important because I say cool to people alot of times because of how their personality reveals to me.

Rachel
What kind of people do you think are cool? I think they're people who don't try to conform and they're just who they are. They have their own style. They don't care what people think.

Do you know any people like that? Kate or Carrie.

What makes you uncool? When you try to follow what everyone else says, you're not really being yourself.

Do you think being cool is important? Yeah.

Why? I guess its kind of like a status, a social status.

Na Lin
Who are people you think are cool? I think my cousin's really cool. She always thinking different things, she has her own style is pretty cool, she makes her own clothes. I think the character that my sister made is cool. She's really smart a young age, a prodigy, people will deny that now, skipping grades. I think its cool to graduate older grades at a young age. She's always carrying a laptop around even though she's a midget.

What are some cool qualities you think you might have? I don't think I have any. I just don't like that category all to myself.

What are some qualities that you have that people might admire?
Whatever quality I say someone will find a weakness in it. Some people say kindness is a weakness, but I think it can be a strength.

Imagine

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2erwcpc37lY&feature=related

glee cover of imagine-john lennon

a scene from glee when the when the two glee clubs were singing together.

imagine there's no heaven
even if you try
no hell below us
above us only sky

imagine all the people
living life for today

imagine there's no countries
its not hard to do
nothing to kill or die for
and no religion too

imagine all the people
living life in peace

you may say i'm a dreamer
but i'm not the only one
i hope someday you will join us
and the world will be as one

imagine no possessions
i wonder if you can
no need for greed or hunger
a brotherhood of man

imagine all the people
sharing all the world
you, you may say i'm a dreamer
but i'm not the only one

i hope someday you will join us
and the world will live as one

HW 25- Story comments

Rachel
Rachel, I liked the way you used another character to depict the new girl. She seems aloof and she's cool to other people because they don't know much about her and want to know more. She has a nonchalant attitude because doesn't try to impress people which is what the character is so impressed with. She also has physical attributes and a style people admire.

Jia Min,
When I read the story I can hear your voice in my head reading it lol. I liked how the girl gave advice to the little boy. The way she helped him is cool because she doesn't just save him she tries to get him to become stronger too. How she helped him is cool and she is admired for those qualities, plus she is very talented in archery.

Bao Lin
“Hey, I know. But seriously fishing doesn’t mean it is not cool. It is one of DJ Becareful’s favorite activities.”
“Oh! Cool. I still have to shoot a few more photos. See you and have a good one.”

I thought it was an interesting point that when a cool person does something, that activity is cool by association, even if it usually isn't. The twist at the end is interesting. Parkho is the cool character at the beginning because he's just doing what he likes, by taking pictures and kind of appreciating everything but he thinks Eddie is a loser for being the class clown. When it turns out the anonymous blog that he admires is Eddie he seems less cool because he was looking down on him. So in the end, it shows that people you think may not be cool may be cooler than you.

Dinorah
Damn it... I really should've said no...

I think this is so interesting how everything snowballs like this for the main character. The ending is like he knew he shouldn't have done it but he does it anyways because he wants to be cool, but he's not really cool because he's going along with what everyone else says and not what he really wants. The way you show that from the "times", "first time", "second time", is like we're really following along with what's happening. I wonder if there will ever be a "last" time.

Lauren
Lauren, I liked how concise this story is. The new girl seems to be cool because she doesn't let Regina phase her and we kind of know from your character's reaction that she is cool, when she considers talking to her tommorow.

I think the pattern I see is that the characters who were cool, don't really let things phase them and they have their own pace. With Lauren's, Jia Min's and Rachel's story their character's don't get ruffled by what happens. Lauren's character isn't afraid of Regina, Jia Min's character doesn't get scared of the bullies, and Rachel's character is kind of like the mysterious loner and doesn't get phased by girls who are jealous of her. The uncool characters in these stories are usually the people judging other people or trying to put someone down. Like the girls who are jealous of the new girl. Or how Parkho thought Eddie was a loser for being the classclown. Or the bullies in Jia Min and Lauren's story.

What makes the characters in the stories cool is that they accept who they are and other people as who they are and also having their own pace. Alot of times people's opinions factor alot into the way other people views someone and themselves. If everyone thinks a person is cool then that's what they become.

Alot of archetypes appear in these stories: the loner, the bully, the athelete/jock, the hero, popular girl, etc. They're all someone's personal idea of what is cool/uncool. In stories, when the main character or someone else is deems someone cool, the reader usually thinks so too, because they see it through the character's eyes. What the character does will fit in with some aspect of what cool means to them. That's somewhat similar to how we see people. I don't think its as one dimensional, (sometimes its two or three...), but in the stories we take in the actions of the characters as evidence of their coolness because that's how the writer wants them to be seen, and sometimes people do that to other people because that's how they want to see them. They make archetypes of each other. But sooner or later everyone realizes they don't fits perfectly into the set role and will eventually come to see them as just people. They aren't the nerd, the savior, or the villan, they're just people.

Possibilities-(Corny) Short story on what is cool

(Sorry, sorrym sorry! I thought I posted it...but I posted it on the blog we had last year. Stupid, I know. I apologize for the overwhelming corniness of this story you are about to read...)

Remember when we were kids? When we thought we could be anything in the world? When we thought anything was possible?

"I want you to paint a mural, something that unifies us as a school." Said Principal Harding.

Jen stared at the yellow lines, orange strokes, and blue gradients. There was a light pinkish tinged of purple colors on the sides. In tiny meticulous strokes, Jen had written the words "Possibility" over and over a thousand times to create a large sunrise over an endless sky. Her hands and overalls were covered in blue and purple from the recent additions to the mural. She hummed to the music of her headphones as she painted in the hallway. She had been working on it for two months and it was almost done.

When we believed that we could do anything in the world?What happened to that?

"Do I have to say something?...Isn't the artist supposed to let the art speak for itself?" she asked. Her best friend, Jack, laughed. "Yeah, well when the school board let you paint something in the hallway of a public school; I think they expect a little public ceremony in return."
"Is it terrible of me if I confess I'm scared out of my wits just thinking about it?"
"Of course you're scared. You poured your heart and soul into that thing. Who wouldn't be?"
"Its just there. You know, for the world to see. To judge." She put her hands to her face. "Crap, and that feels so scary. It makes me feel vulnerable."
"You know what; I think it’s brave what you're doing."
"What exactly is that?"
"This." He waved his arm at the painting. "Look, Jen. All you can do is do what you like and care about it. You can't really control public opinion. But, being able to create something like this; it’s beautiful. Even attempting it is admirable in its own right and if other people can't see that, it’s their loss."
"Thanks. I feel better now."
"I'm just telling you what I think."
“Well, thanks for doing that.”

She stood in front of the crowd of students, before the unveiling. The mural was covered behind a dark blue cloth taped securely to the wall.“And now, the last of our Beacon High murals. I'd like to ask Jen Parker to step up, and share with us a few words about her creation.”

"Well, Principal Harding asked us to paint something that unified us and when you think about it, nothing really unifies us. I mean we’re all off doing our own thing most of the time. So the only thing that I could think of that unites us all, that we all have in common is...that we all start off in kindergarten thinking that we can be anything that we want to be, and by the time we get here, we… we've somehow lost that feeling. We've all started to believe whatever our parents or friends have told us about what we can achieve and who we can be in life, and... and we've forgotten about that possibility we had when we were younger. And that's what I think we all have in common, and that's what the symbol in my painting means - possibility. I painted it because I thought we could all use a daily reminder that, even when the odds seem stacked against you, anything's possible. So I hope you like it."

Applause.

She lifted the tape, and the covers fell, revealing the mural. The light shone in from a window onto the sunrise made of the words "possibility" and the mural gleamed from the wall as if it had its own light. The effect was one of those striking moments. The students clapped loudly when they saw. Jen smiled when she saw Jack. He was clapping with them and smiled back.

Anything is possible..

"You know what Jack? I think you're the coolest person I know."
"Huh, you must not get out much Parker."She laughed.
"You're the coolest one and you don't even know it. All this was able to happen because of you."
"As much as I'd like to take credit for this, it was all you Jen. You drew the mural."
"That’s just it Jack. That’s what you always do. You inspired me in a way that you inspire everybody. You're the quiet hero. The one who always steps in at the right time, lending your efforts, never asking for a reward in return. Like with the mural, I didn’t think that it’d turn out this good but it did and it makes me feel like anything is possible. That’s what makes you so cool too. You don’t do all that to get something in return; you just do it because you do.”She took a deep breath.“Basically, I just wanted to say thanks-- for being there for me.”
He laughed. “Anytime Jen, you would do the same for me anyways.”
"In a heartbeat.”

Possibilities.

The end.(Some of the things/ideas said in that paragraph is said by Joey Potter, a character from a TV alongside with some of my own thoughts) Ahh…I feel the story's message is somewhat corny... So I’ll admit parts of it are highly idealized. These are some of my ideas of what “cool” is. I think it’s cool if you are able to comfort your friend. I wish I always knew what to say or do, but I don’t, so when I do and when I’m able to, I’m pretty happy to be able to make someone feel better. I think it’s cool to be a good friend. I think it’s cool to support the people you care about. I think that’s what people need from each other, support, because in this world we can always find critique, but support is harder to find. I think….showing you care, even in simple ways is cool.

HW 23- What is "Cool"?

Cool is a very elusive word. Companies want to bottle it and kids want to be it. Many things evoke cool, the cigarette-smoking-leather-jacket-wearing-motorcycle-riding-rebel is one image that comes to mind and the other is the "popular kids" which in movies are the "cool kids", most likely a cheerleader or the high school quarterback. All of these are such caricatures of the word that it is almost laughable. True, though, here, that type of cool or even people who would be outrightly considered the "popular" kid isn't that prevalent; it almost makes me wonder where the movies get that from. Perhaps a time when that was more common, or maybe it is common in the suburban high schools they're set in (just a guess since I don't know firsthand). Nevertheless, cool is something kids wanted to be, when it was actually cool to be cool.

We use that word alot. So what isn't cool? Its not cool to try too hard. Its not cool to try to be cool, it contradicts with the meaning and its obvious, and thus you are labeled "wannabe". To be honest, the kids I have met, don't really seem to aspire to that in the "lets be popular" way. That's just not how our social structure is like here. I think its defined more subtly than the glaringly obvious way books or television series depicts. When we think someone is cool, that feeling stems from a place of admiration and respect. Its not always pure, sometimes its a feeling tinged by jealousy. But basically, we admire something about someone and we think that is cool.

There are the cool instances, when someone does something that we think is cool, whether that is playing well in a sport or standing up for themselves, it comes from their actions in a circumstance and we associate that feeling with them. Then there are the generally cool people, who have a type of personality we think is appealing. These personality types can range from the bold do-first-think-later to the calm with emotions-in-check type. Sometimes in these instances we admire them and think they're cool because they have a quality we think we lack and we try to emulate them. I think that's pretty common, when we admire someone we try to emulate them. It doesn't always work because sometimes it will clash with our own personality, but that just shows you shouldn't totally copy, you can copy a little bit, but more create yourself, you have to make it your way.

Jackie Chan said something like that. (He is cool and wise!) I think he's cool because he's got a good philosophy and I admire the way he approaches things. He puts effort into his work and makes sure it is done well. He has a good work ethic. He has a sense of humour and values authenticity and will act even if he's afraid. Like instead of doing CGI, he actually set a building on fire and just started running once it started falling down. I admire that he can do something (his stunts) and do it well. Those qualities make him cool to me. People like that, I think are cool. People who aren't afraid of being authentic, and the things they are afraid of, won't let it hold them back. Those are traits I think are cool. His stunts are all real too, which is hard to grasp when I see him jumping off the roof of a ten story building onto the rope of a helicopter.

I don't think of myself as cool. I probably wouldn't be the first thing that comes to mind when people are thinking of cool either. I don't seem to fit into the that prototype. I'm too dorky and gluttonous for that. But that's fine. I think I'm just me and I'm "cool" with that.

Look I just used a pun!... which is exactly why...

(I infringe upon you one more Jackie Chan pic...I just finished watching a documentary on his stunts...and I can't delete the pic...No really. I can't delete it.)

HW 21- Art Project 1

I think my art is a mirror. I wrote the quote because we're living in a world where everything has been digitalized and its sometimes easy to forget ourselves and that we're not digital beings and the technology we have been using ends up using us. We stay up late because we have alot ot work on, like technologyThat along with the media and all the messages sent with it gives us all of these roles that we are expected to fulfill. Like from the television we get that we should be young and pretty and that we should be outgoing. I think with western culture's media in particular values the trait of outgoingness. So if you are not naturally outgoing you should make yourself outgoing. So I guess with all these things we're supposed to be, its easy to forget who we are when all the time we're following all these inlaid rules. Even though there are two people in the picture, the "us" in the quote is all of us. The message is to find a place for us on our own terms, not ones laid out for us by other people or things. So I think its a mirror because it reflects that, the way we're all trying to sort through this technology and our way of life and find a place that we belong.

I think the most interesting aspect of making this is what I was thinking of while making it. It was Gestalt's Prayer, and even though its a prayer its not religious but it has that aspect of being like one in that its projects something we want out into the world.

It goes like this;

"I do my thing and you do your thing.
I am not in this world to live up to your expectations
and you are not in this world to live up to mine.

You are you and I am I.
And if by chance we find each other, then that is beautiful.
And if not, then it can't be helped."

I liked this because sometimes we're always trying to measure up to someone else. Someone who we think is great. But we are great in our own right and so the "You are you and I am I" makes sense to me because we aren't them, we are who we are and that is beautiful. So when I drew the drawing I thought doing your own thing and finding your own way of life, that too, is beautiful.

I think that probably counts as what doing this project made me feel and think. Other interesting tidbits, or maybe not so interesting tidbits, is all the changes this picture went through. I fixed this picture up, or at least tried to, alot of times. When it started out it was just going to be two people behind a text of letters, and then I changed it to two people in some place that was natural and simple and not so complicated, then I cut it out and drew in a background and a quote I wanted it to say. Then I scanned it and rescanned because I didn't like how it came out so I added some more things in. The scanner made the picture lose some of its color so its not exactly how it looks in real life but its similar. I tried photoshop because I thought the colors would be better that way but I didn't have the first clue about it and it took me a while for that to finally get that through my head, so I stuck to color pencils afterwards. Then I decided to color in the quote yellow so it'd stand out. It was a really long process for such a simple drawing. But I liked it so I didn't mind as much I guess. I think I just went on about the troubleshooting. That's behind the scenes for you. Well, I always think its kind of interesting to find out about that stuff. On dvds I always watch the behind the scenes and producer commentary if they have it. So I thought maybe this would be something interesting to include...I don't know if people will agree or not, but here it is anyways.

~End~

300,000 birds

Its a bird! It's a cloud! Its a bird cloud

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81wFZavdhPU&feature=related

Hw 14- Everything Bad is Good For You

In "Everything Bad is Good For You", Steven Johnson talks about different aspects in technology that makes everyone smarter. He does this through analyzing things like tv and video games and the postive effects it may have on us.

In the chapter on video games, Steven Johnson talks about how it is not the content of the games that makes us smarter but the thought processes that the player goes through when playing the game. It teaches the player to analyze all the possibilites, make snap decisions, and strategize. Johnson calls this probing and scoping. Probing, exploring the game and find its limitations and using that and scoping, focusing on immediate problems while still maintaining a long term view. He argues this type of mental thought process can be applied in real life situations. Video games are designed to spike our dopaimine levels so we enjoy playing it and we learn these ways of thinking unintentionally as a result. He calls this the sleeper curve.

On Televison, Johnson says that it engages our brain in different things as well. It is more passive but He argues that since its invention, television shows have become more complex. Previously, things were spelled out for the viewer but it has come to a point where shows intentionally obscures so the viewers will infer for themselves. It makes viewers keep track of complex relationships which will engage the long term memory. But watching televsion has secondary affect. Watching actors go through a series of emotions, we learn to pick up emotional cues from their faces. In that way it would raise our emotional intelligence.

I thought the video games argument was interesting. Games are not much different from puzzles, you need to solve something. Instead of seeing what edge fits you encounter changing situations and have to make to make the "piece" was the right choice in order to go on to the next level. If puzzles are supposedly good for us, then video games should be as well, they both require us to use a mental function and they both are rewarding to us when we win. I thought it was interesting for him to say television is good for our memory because nowadays people don't have the extensive memory people as compared to people in history and this is because of technology. We no longer need to remember because we can write things down as notes. No one can recite the Oddesey from memory and that's because we can read it. So there's a mixed reaction on that. Remembering certain parts of a show does require the use of memory but that doesn't mean our memory is better than before. As for emotional intelligence, I think this can be true, because even though the actor is acting, they are portraying a feeling. That feeling has to arise from somewhere. I think we begin to recognize if its true or not. I bet we have had moments where we thought the acting for a show was horrible and that was because we could tell they were acting. The emotions were not realistic to us.

The most obvious way that EGIB4U and Feed contradicts each other is that one is saying Techonology is making us dumber, while the other argues that it is actually making us smarter. Feed does this by showing how the people in that society act, and is highlighted by Violet saying "We are raising a Nation of idiots". EGIB4U does so by analyzing what mental processes it might stimulate. But I think what they are analyzing is different. Feed is mainly analyzing the affects of technology and advertisement on people as consumers. But EGIB4U is focusing more on technology's direct affects on the brain, what skills people can gain from it. Feed is about the corporational use of technology, and the wayauthor of EBIG4U doesn't contradict Feed is that by citing all the positive effects of video games and television, he is promoting the products, which in turn promotes the advertisement that goes along with it. These books are about different things but have the same topic. They both offer different points of view and we can take different things away from both.

Hw 13- Feed B

In Feed, Tobin's uses Allegory is try and reveal a more indiscreet side to technology. How overuse and consumption can affect the world. It's a mirror, reflecting the part of society that is so induced by a technological advancement. The people are consuming and being consumed. Feed "emphasizes the problem but doesn't offer a solution". Doing so makes the reader think, rather than proposing a solution, we have to find that out for ourselves. That's just as well, because much too often, we wait for the answer instead of searching for it on our own. Maybe that's the reason he left it as he did, so we would acknowledge the problem instead of ignoring it like we usually do. Maybe he did it so we would think about it and maybe even care. Maybe he didn't know the solution. Or maybe its e) all of the above.

In this aspect I think Feed, is a hammer as well. However deeply it affects you is, however deep an influence it'll have on you. If it has the ability to get someone to change their perspective or point of view than it has the quality of being a hammer. That is the quality in art that can be a hammer as well. I think all art aspires to be the hammer, to be able to affect someone and deeply move them. So I guess I'd like for my art to be a hammer. If you can change the anyone in some way, then that is the hammer you'd wield. That influence is power, and "with great power comes great responsibility" (Spiderman).

I think his book speaks to both adult and teenage readers. Even though its a Young Adult genre, adults could read it as well. Though its for teens its probably more geared towards the older teen. I read this book when I was younger, and I got the plot and the story, but I didn't fully appreciate it. I didn't understand many aspects and nuances to the book. I think at that point of your life you aren't supposed to. Its like when we read books, sometimes we get something different things reading the same book at a later point of our lives. That's because we're different people at that point of our lives. We're the same person, but not exactly the same as we used to be. Our experiences change us and affect how we'll read a book. I think that's why this is true. I think I understand the book a bit more now, than I had when I read it a few years ago.

HW 12- Feed A

I think Feed is a reflection of our society. As an allegory of modern teenage life many points it is on target, like the relationships dynamics and the want of fitting in and getting along with others. That aspect of it rings true. Like when Titus is with his friends and with Violet, Violet is kind of rejected by them and hurt because of her differences and Titus just wants her to fit in. He wants her to get along with her friends but at the same time resents her for being different. In general many teenagers want to fit in to their group. The use of slang is also realistic too, like "null" or "unit". Kids today do the same things. They've always had. We say things like "cool" or "what's up". Though in the past it may have been "gee golly" or "groovy".

Other aspects of the lifestyle like the extent the technology is used is exaggerated at times. Since in the Feed, that is all their lives revolve around because they are never able to shut it off, not even in their dreams. For us, we can shut it off, and take a break from it. We can never go completely without it, unless by some drastic change forces use to, but we can pause and walk away just for a bit. We can go have a picnic at the park, run around, play, go to the pool. There's both aspects of it, times when we can't avoid it and times when we can.

Some tragic parts, is that like the "veal farms" in Feed, technology replaces things. To have technological advancement means something must be given up, whether that is tradition or some aspect of your culture, something has to be changed to make a place for technology. Right now, its not really in my own life, but in China, many pavilions and traditional houses with outdoor gardens are being torn down to make way for huge concrete buildings. Those buildings represent thousands of years of culture and the thought of them being replaced so easily and thoughtlessly saddens me. That and the fact that no one seems to mind either because China is so eager to "catch up" with the rest of the world. It is something we'll never get back, with technology, it is all about the need to be "current" and in such a world, where is the place for "history"? Does the modernness that technology brings have room for that? Is it possible for the two to co-exist? I hope so.

Final Draft

Introduction
When we think of a modern society, we think of one involving technology. We think of one with machinery and computers. Technology has permeated our lives in such a way that it is entrenched in everything we do. Our overuse of digital devices persists in our culture because many, if not all, aspects of our lives become dependent on it, socially, economically, as well as personally.

Social Dependence
Finding friends, classmates, dates? No problem. There's a site for that. From social groups to online dating, people have turned to the Internet to connect. Sites such as Facebook and Match.com fills this quota in a simple and convenient way. With a click of a button you are "connected". There are more than 300 million active users on Facebook. 50% of these active users will log on to Facebook on any given day. The fastest growing demographic are those 35 years old and older (Facebook). This means even the older generation is getting in on this. This has changed the face of social networking in many ways.

"Technology, especially cellphone and texting technology, dissolves obstacles. Suitors now contact each other in an instantaneous, frictionless sphere separated from larger social institutions and commitments." (Brooks).

The social etiquette of the past, has slowly been erroded by this form of technology. Everything is instantaneous and very informal. Its simple to post on someones wall and its an extension of the cell phone and e-mail. We still have that. When people are too far to see face to face, they supplement the relationship by talking on the phone or e-mailing until its possible to see each other in person. Until then, the phone, and words in the mail, will be your contact. In today's world that is common. Technology is made available in all forms of communication, from talking on the phone, to sending a message online and people have become reliant on technology as a way of social contact.

That's for the people you know. For romantic relationships sites like Match.com or Chemistry.com have become the modern matchmakers. It opens people to meet people they might otherwise have not met. It's their device to romance. Of course, people actually have to meet up in person. The downside to this is that people often can and will present themselves in way that is not completely accurate to who they are. Either by editing out things that might be a turn off to a potential mate or filtering e-mail responses to be a certain way. "Suitors now contact each other in an instantaneous, frictionless sphere separated from larger social institutions and commitments".The world of Internet dating is not always truthful. Of course, who in real life ever is? In some ways that is representational of the actual world, presenting a persona that you want to represent yourself. In the digital medium it just makes it easier to do so. As a new medium for setting up meet-ups, people are liable to using these match-making sites as a main place to look for romantic partners.

Historical Connections-(How widespread use of Technology came to be)
As Post World War I America grew in prosperity Americans earned higher salaries, worked shorter hours, and invested in the stock market and they began to shift their focus to leisure time activities. This was called the Jazz age, a time when wealth seemed limitless and everyone thought things were going to be like this for a long time. Since the 1920s, a nation of consumerism was borne(Shultz). "American society became increasingly standardized as automobiles, electric appliances and mass entertainment became available to ordinary" citizens (Filip). With the rise of consumerism, the industrial revolution provided technology that could be incorporated in the lives of the masses (Filip). The Henry Ford assembly line method made the widespread consumption and use of technology not only possible but affordable in the lives of everyday Americans.

Economical Dependence
Today our consumerist culture is aided by this technology. Using the technology that is available companies are able to reach a wide demographic. In Feed, Violet says "They're also waiting to make you want things. " (97). She is talking about the corporations and in our society corporations do the same things. Their goal is to make us, the consumers, want things, to need things and if they've done that they've done their job. They do this by putting advertisements in places where we can see it (Andy). When we watch TV or use the Internet there's always an ad lurking nearby. When we're walking down the street, there are billboards on buildings to displaying the latest product or a brand. What they want is for one of those ads to appeal to us and have us purchase their product. To get the product out there in front of the consumers, companies will run ads and those ads will be placed to hit their targeted demographic. For example ads from companies selling fitness gear are more often placed in fitness magazines and sugary cereals are placed on lower shelves where it is at a child's eye level. The economy is dependent on this cycle.

Personal Dependence
We use digital technology to keep us entertained and stimulate us. Things such as television, the Internet and video games distracts us from the dreaded boredom. Phrases like "I'm bored." often pass the lips of today's teen. Its funny, because when my mom sees me online she says that I am boring for being on there. But we use technology to keep us entertained and in many ways it is one of our main sources for our entertainment. Television, video games, and Internet keep us in a constant state of frenzy, going from one thing to the next. Sometimes the result of it is that we are overstimulated. Since the invention of electricity the hours that the average adult sleeps has dropped from 10 hours to 6.9 hours (NBC). Part of the reason why is because technology keeps people plugged in and the artificial lights disrupts their sleep cycles and their internal clocks. So instead of resetting like it normally would their times are scattered sporadically and they may not feel sleepy until much later. This is true for me. Sometimes I'll sleep later than I should and the only thing that's keeping me awake is the increased production of cortisol and adrenaline, pumping through my system (Breus). This rush of anxiety we sometimes mistake for energy that we'd get when we're sleep-deprived (Breus). Using this hormone rush to further stay awake makes me feel wired at first but I end up even more fatigued (Breus). Even with this result, technology is often the first thing we turn to when we have nothing to do because we can count on it to provide some form of stimulation.

Mental stimulation is not the only use of technology. Some forms of it encourage the lack thereof or as little as possible. Many people utilize tools like spell check as a replacement for proofreading. This along with our frequent usage of things like text messaging or messenger develops a familiarity in writing a certain way that involves technology. Its an impediment to our spelling and vocabulary. Online its faster to acronym and short spell words like "what" to "wat" or "I don't know" to "Idk" but as a result there are more moments where we get used to the misspelling and almost forget how to spell the actual word. But we think spell check will catch such instances. Our frequent usage has developed into a lazy comfort where we use technology as our crutch in dealing with things like writing.

Opposing Point of View
But some may say that we are not wholly dependent on technology and that it is possible to get on with our lives without it. For example, many developing countries like Africa or Asia are able to get by without technology. That's because in areas facing poverty, they can't afford technology, just having enough to eat on a daily basis is a greater problem than having a car or a computer. Technology is not necessary in their lives. Many people will walk or ride a bike instead of driving in a car. But even developing countries are trying to gain technology and though they have less of it, technology is becoming incorporated in their lives as well. One case being China, who's attempting to catch up to their predecessors, one way is through the growing use of technology, even in its rural areas. As a result for a growing amount of people in those areas technology is slowly taking over.

I find myself guilty of turning to technology for many of these things I mentioned. It is so ingrained in my way of life that it's hard not to. Technology is something that can be good or "evil" but something that it definitely is, is changing. The invention of technology has definitely changed many things; the pacing of our society, the way we interact, and our form of entertainment. But what does this say about the future if things continue along this path; would we soon find ourselves in the land of mechas--part human, part machine? Or in some way, has that already happened, and if so, was it worth it?


Works Cited
Anderson, M.T., Feed. Somerville: Candlewick Press, 2002. Breus, Michael, Good Night,

Ehrenfeld, Temma. "Seven Facts About Body Rhythm." Newsweek (2008).Http://www.newsweek.com/id/144396. Newsweek, 2 July 2008. Web. 4 Nov. 2009.

Sleep Facts and Stats. Your Total Health. NBC, 2004. Web.

Filip, Lulia. "Rise of Consumerism and Mass Entertainment." History. Suite101, 3 July 2009. Web. 5 Nov. 2009. http://modern-us-history.suite101.com/article.cfm/the_1920s_rise_of_consumerism_and_mass_culture.

Shultz, Stanley K. "The Politics of Prosperity: 1920s." Lecture. H102: Lecture 15. William T. Tishler, 1999. Web. 2009.

Facebook. RSS. Statistics. Statistics. Facebook, 2009. Web. 04 Nov. 2009.

Klemann, Jurgen. "Some Thoughts on Living in the Less Developed World." Emerging Markets. Escape Artist, 05 Nov. 2009. Web. 05 Nov. 2009.

HW 20- Big Paper Revised Draft

When we think of a modern society, we think of one involving technology. We think of one with machinery and computers. Technology has permeated our lives in such a way that it is entrenched in everything we do. Our overuse of digital devices persists in our culture because many, if not all, aspects of our lives become dependent on it, socially, economically, as well as personally.

Social Dependence
Finding friends, classmates, dates? No problem. There's a site for that. From social groups to online dating, people have turned to the Internet to connect. Sites such as Facebook and Match.com fills this quota in a simple and convenient way. With a click of a button you are "connected". There are more than 300 million active users on Facebook. 50% of these active users will log on to Facebook on any given day. The fastest growing demographic are those 35 years old and older (Facebook). This means even the older generation is getting in on this. This has changed the face of social networking in many ways.

"Technology, especially cellphone and texting technology, dissolves obstacles. Suitors now contact each other in an instantaneous, frictionless sphere separated from larger social institutions and commitments." (Brooks).

Its simple to post on someones wall and its an extension of the cell phone and e-mail. We still have that. When people are too far to see face to face, to supplement the relationship people can talk to them on the phone or e-mail until they can be able to see someone in person. Until then, the phone, and words in the mail, will be your contact. In today's world that is common. Technology is made available in all forms of communication, from talking on the phone, to sending a message online and people have become reliant on technology as a way of social contact.

That's for the people you know. For romantic relationships sites like Match.com or Chemistry.com have become the modern matchmakers. It opens people to meet people they might otherwise have not met. It's their device to romance. Of course, people actually have to meet up in person. The downside to this is that people often can and will present themselves in way that is not completely accurate to who they are. Either by editing out things that might be a turn off to a potential mate or filtering e-mail responses to be a certain way. Suitors now contact each other in an instantaneous, frictionless sphere separated from larger social institutions and commitments.The world of Internet dating is not always truthful. Of course, who in real life ever is? In some ways that is representational of the actual world, presenting a persona that you want to represent yourself. In the digital medium it just makes it easier to do so. As a new medium for setting up meet-ups, people are liable to using these match-making sites as a main place to look for romantic partners.

Economic Dependence & Connections
Since the 1920s the US has been a nation of consumerism (Shultz). As Post World War I America grew in prosperity Americans earned higher salaries, worked shorter hours, and invested in the stock market and they began to shift their focus to leisure time activities. "American society became increasingly standardized as automobiles, electric appliances and mass entertainment became available to ordinary" citizens (Filip). This was the beginning of the rise of consumerism and technology was now incorporated in the lives of the masses. (Filip).

Today our consumerist culture is aided by this technology. Using the technology that is available companies are able to reach a wide demographic. In Feed, Violet says "They're also waiting to make you want things. " (97). She is talking about the corporations and in our society corporations do the same things. Their goal is to make us, the consumers, want things, to need things and if they've done that they've done their job. They do this by putting advertisements in places where we can see it (Andy). When we watch TV or use the Internet there's always an ad lurking nearby. When we're walking down the street, there are billboards on buildings to displaying the latest product or a brand. What they want is for one of those ads to appeal to us and have us purchase their product. To get the product out there in front of the consumers, companies will run ads and those ads will be placed to hit their targeted demographic. For example ads from companies selling fitness gear are more often placed in fitness magazines and sugary cereals are placed on lower shelves where it is at a child's eye level. The economy is dependent on this cycle.

Personal Dependence
We use digital technology to keep us entertained and stimulate us. Things such as television, the Internet and video games distracts us from the dreaded boredom. Phrases like "I'm bored." often pass the lips of today's teen. Its funny, because when my mom sees me online she says that I am boring for being on there. But we use technology to keep us entertained and in many ways it is one of our main sources for our entertainment. Television, video games, and Internet keep us in a constant state of frenzy, going from one thing to the next. Sometimes the result of it is that we are overstimulated. Since the invention of electricity the hours that the average adult sleeps has dropped from 10 hours to 6.9 hours (NBC). Part of the reason why is because technology keeps people plugged in and the artificial lights disrupts their sleep cycles and their internal clocks. So instead of resetting like it normally would their times are scattered sporadically and they may not feel sleepy until much later. This is true for me. Sometimes I'll sleep later than I should and the only thing that's keeping me awake is the increased production of cortisol and adrenaline, pumping through my system (Breus). This rush of anxiety we sometimes mistake for energy that we'd get when we're sleep-deprived (Breus). Using this hormone rush to further stay awake makes me feel wired at first but I end up even more fatigued (Breus). Even with this result, technology is often the first thing we turn to when we have nothing to do because we can count on it to provide some form of stimulation.

Mental stimulation is not the only use of technology. Some forms of it encourage the lack thereof or as little as possible. Many people utilize tools like spell check as a replacement for proofreading. This along with our frequent usage of things like text messaging or messenger develops a familiarity in writing a certain way that involves technology. Its an impediment to our spelling and vocabulary. Online its faster to acronym and short spell words like "what" to "wat" or "I don't know" to "Idk" but as a result there are more moments where we get used to the misspelling and almost forget how to spell the actual word. But we think spell check will catch such instances. Our frequent usage has developed into a lazy comfort where we use technology as our crutch in dealing with things like writing.

Opposing Point of View
But some may say that we are not wholly dependent on technology and that it is possible to get on with our lives without it. For example, many developing countries like Africa or Asia are able to get by without technology. Part of the reason is poverty rates (Kleeman). It is simply not an option. They are able to make do without technology in their daily lives. That's because just having enough to eat on a daily basis is a greater problem than having a car or a computer. Technology is not necessary in their lives. Many people will walk or ride a bike instead of driving in a car. But even developing countries are trying to gain technology and though they have less of it, technology is becoming incorporated in their lives as well. One case being China, who's attempting to catch up to their predecessors, one way is through the growing use of technology, even in its rural areas. As a result for a growing amount of people in those areas technology is slowly taking over.

I find myself guilty of turning to technology for many of these things I mentioned. It is so ingrained in my way of life that it's hard not to. But what does this say about the future if things continue along this path; would we soon find ourselves in the land of mechas--part human, part machine? Or in some way, has that already happened, and if so, was it worth it?

Works Cited

Anderson, M.T., Feed. Somerville: Candlewick Press, 2002. Breus, Michael, Good Night,

Ehrenfeld, Temma. "Seven Facts About Body Rhythm." Newsweek (2008).
Http://www.newsweek.com/id/144396. Newsweek, 2 July 2008. Web. 4 Nov. 2009.

Sleep Facts and Stats. Your Total Health. NBC, 2004. Web.

Filip, Lulia. "Rise of Consumerism and Mass Entertainment." History. Suite101, 3 July 2009. Web. 5 Nov. 2009. http://modern-us-history.suite101.com/article.cfm/the_1920s_rise_of_consumerism_and_mass_culture.

Shultz, Stanley K. "The Politics of Prosperity: 1920s." Lecture. H102: Lecture 15. William T. Tishler, 1999. Web. 2009.

Facebook. RSS. Statistics. Statistics. Facebook, 2009. Web. 04 Nov. 2009.

Klemann, Jurgen. "Some Thoughts on Living in the Less Developed World." Emerging Markets. Escape Artist, 05 Nov. 2009. Web. 05 Nov. 2009.

Comments- tri rough draft

Charles

Your paper looks pretty good. Great intro, it introduces your topic in an engaging way. Your arguments include alot from class, like interviews and Feed, maybe add in a mix of some research articles too.

Proof read a little bit more, its easy to let grammar slip sometimes. Its just grammar, but it helps to get your paper in order. Like in the intro, "People want to find a way to do things with out have to work hard, and this is the problem we have now."

it would be **without having to work hard. after looking over it. I think usually when we write things our eyes can pass over things like that because our mind just fixes it with what we mean to say.

Add in an opposing view point, and for connections, you could add how you think it became this way, either from culture or politics, whatever lens you pick. Add significance if you didn't already as well. I liked that I could see how your outline fleshed out. Its pretty good. Looking forward to seeing what you add to it.

Jia min,

You have alot of arguments too, and the transitions between your paragraphs are great. I thought the signifance makes you think. I agreed with it. The evidence is well organized. Add a little more to the opposing point of view. What you have so far to rebute it is good.I would say add on to connections but you'll probably do that anyways. You have alot of interestin points. I'm interested in seeing how it'll look like when your done with all the editing.

Hw 18- Big Paper Rough Draft

When we think of a modern society, we think of one involving technology. We think of one with machinery and computers. Our overuse of digital devices persists in cultures like our own because many if not all aspects of our lives become dependent on it, socially, economically, as well as personally. Technology has permeated our lives in such a way that it is entrenched in everything we do.

Social Dependence
Finding friends, classmates, dates? No problem. There's a site for that. From social groups to online dating, people have turned to the Internet to connect. Sites such as Facebook and Match.com fills this quota in a simple and convenient way. With a click of a button you are "connected". There are more than 300 million active users on Facebook. 50% of these active users will log on to Facebook on any given day. The fastest growing demographic are those 35 years old and older (Facebook). This means even the older generation is getting in on this. This has changed the face of social networking in many ways. Its simple to post on someones wall and its an extension of the cell phone and e-mail. We still have that. When people are too far to see face to face, to supplement the relationship people can talk to them on the phone or e-mail until they can be able to see someone in person. Until then, the phone, and words in the mail, will be your contact. In today's world that is common.

That's for the people you know. For romantic relationships sites like Match.com or Chemistry.com have become the modern matchmakers. It opens people to meet people they might otherwise have not met. It's their device to romance. Of course, people actually have meet up in person. The downside to this is that people often can and will present themselves in way that is not completely accurate to who they are. Either by editing out things that might be a turn off to a potential mate or filtering e-mail responses to be a certain way. The world of Internet dating is not always truthful. Of course, who in real life ever is? In some ways that is representational of the actual world, presenting a persona that you want to represent yourself. In the digital medium it just makes it easier to do so.

Many people utilize tools like spell check as a replacement for proofreading. This along with our frequent usage of things like text messaging or messenger is an impediment to our spelling and vocabulary. Online its faster to acronym and short spell words like "what" to "wat" or "I don't know" to "Idk" but as a result there are more moments where we get used to the misspelling and almost forget how to spell the actual word.

Since the 1920s the US has been a nation of consumerism (Shultz). As Post World War I America grew in prosperity Americans earned higher salaries, worked shorter hours, and invested in the stock market and they began to shift their focus to leisure time activities. American society became increasingly standardized as automobiles, electric appliances and mass entertainment became available to ordinary citizens (Filip). This was the beginning of the rise of consumerism and technology was now incorporated in the lives of the masses. (Filip). Our whole economic system is one based on the theory that a large consumpiton of goods is good for the economy(Shultz). Today our consumerist culture is aided by this technology. Using the technology that is available companies are able to reach a wide demographic. In Feed, Violet says "They're also waiting to make you want things. " (97). She is talking about the corporations and in our society corporations do the same things. Their goal is to make us, the consumers, want things, to need things and if they've done that they've done their job. They do this by putting advertisements in places where we can see it (Andy). When we watch TV or use the Internet there's always an ad lurking nearby. When we're walking down the street, there are billboards on buildings to displaying the latest product or a brand. What they want is for one of those ads to appeal to us and have us purchase their product. To get the product out there in front of the consumers, companies will run ads and those ads will be placed to hit their targeted demographic. For example ads from companies selling fitness gear are more often placed in fitness magazines and sugary cereals are placed on lower shelves where it is at a child's eye level. The economy is dependent on this cycle.

Personal Dependence
We use digital technology to keep us entertained and stimulate us. Things such as television, the Internet and video games distracts us from the dreaded boredom. Phrases like "I'm bored." often pass the lips of today's teen. Its funny, because when my mom sees me online she says that I am boring for being on there. But we use technology to keep us entertained and in many ways it is one of our main sources for our entertainment. Television, video games, and Internet keep us in a constant state of frenzy, going from one thing to the next. Sometimes the result of it is that we are overstimulated.

Since the invention of electricity the hours that the average adult sleeps has dropped from 10 hours to 6.9 hours (NBC). Part of the reason why is because technology keeps people plugged in and the artificial lights disrupts their sleep cycles and their internal clocks. So instead of resetting like it normally would their times are scattered sporadically and they may not feel sleepy until much later. This is true for me. Sometimes I'll sleep later than I should and the only thing that's keeping me awake is the increased production of cortisol and adrenaline, pumping through my system (Breus). This rush of anxiety we sometimes mistake for energy that we'd get when we're sleep-deprived (Breus). Using this hormone rush to further stay awake makes me feel wired at first but I end up even more fatigued (Breus).

But some may say that we are not wholly dependent on technology and that it is possible to get on with our lives without it. For example, many developing countries like Africa or Asia are able to get by without technology. Part of the reason is poverty rates (Kleeman). It is simply not an option. They are able to make do without technology in their daily lives. That's because just having enough to eat on a daily basis is a greater problem than having a car or a computer. Technology is not necessary in their lives. Many people will walk or ride a bike instead of driving in a car. But even developing countries are trying to gain technology and though they have less of it, technology is becoming incorporated in their lives as well. One case being China, who's attempting to catch up to their predecessors, one way is through the growing use of technology, even in its rural areas. As a result for a growing amount of people in those areas technology is slowly taking over.

I find myself guilty of turning to technology for many of these things I mentioned. It is so ingrained in my way of life that it's hard not to. But what does this say about the future if things continue along this path; would we soon find ourselves in the land of mechas--part human, part machine? Or in some way, has that already happened, and if so, was it worth it?

Works Cited

Anderson, M.T., Feed. Somerville: Candlewick Press, 2002.

Breus, Michael, Good Night,

Ehrenfeld, Temma. "Seven Facts About Body Rhythm." Newsweek (2008).

Http://www.newsweek.com/id/144396. Newsweek, 2 July 2008. Web. 4 Nov. 2009.

Sleep Facts and Stats. Your Total Health. NBC, 2004. Web. .

Filip, Lulia. "Rise of Consumerism and Mass Entertainment." History. Suite101, 3 July 2009. Web. 5 Nov. 2009. http://modern-us-history.suite101.com/article.cfm/the_1920s_rise_of_consumerism_and_mass_culture.

Shultz, Stanley K. "The Politics of Prosperity: 1920s." Lecture. H102: Lecture 15. William T. Tishler, 1999. Web. 2009.

Facebook. RSS. Statistics. Statistics. Facebook, 2009. Web. 04 Nov. 2009.

Klemann, Jurgen. "Some Thoughts on Living in the Less Developed World." Emerging Markets. Escape Artist, 05 Nov. 2009. Web. 05 Nov. 2009.

HW 17- Supportive Comments on Blogs

Kate

Hi Kate,

I liked the metaphor with the strings to show how people are so connected with the digital products that they use.

Wall-e and Feed connected well with how the technology we use affects us. For the opposing viewpoint, what maggie suggests could work. Part of your argument is that its fake, so some parts of it could be real... Is it possible to have a real "moment" chatting online? What makes it fake the fact that it is not seen in nature but produced by humans? Just a suggestion if you decide to explore that kind of opposing view point.

I didn't know that about the updated Oxford dictionary. That was an interesting tidbit to include. You can relate that to our own vocabulary and see if you notice yourself using more words relating to technology or nature.

For your sixth paragraph you said, even though Violet was chained down with digitization she was able to loosen those ties, you can give an example of what ways she did that and whether or not people can do that today.

The job point was good, since most of the time, having technology is basically a requirement for a job, even in school. Look at what we're using to write our essays on. That really shows how entangled it has become with our lives.

In general spell check some words, but great start. There's alot of info and I think it can be edited down to be more concise.

Jia Min

Helloo Jia min,

I liked how you cited Feed and Wall-e to back up your statements. The specific examples are good, like when comparing the slang to the shorted words that are used in aim or talked about how your mom examines the fruits and vegetables before buying it(my mom does the same thing...she smacks the watermelons though -.-'').

In general, relate back to your thesis to say how it shows we are losing our traditionalism like why/how is "looking at the things other people have experienced and put it as one of our experiences and knowledge" different from how it was done previously. You do a good job of showing how efficiency is winning out but show what traditionalism is losing or being replaced also.

For the opposing point of view you can use EBIG4Y to cite how it makes you smarter.

The thesis is good, but could be edited to be more clearer. (I know mine does too....=.='') "Digital representative devices are losing the traditionalism that we have and brainwashing us with the word "efficiency"". Are the devices losing traditionalism? Clearly indicate what/whom the traditionalism applies to.

This is a good start, you have specific examples and cite them as well. Countine adding examples if needed. Looking forward to see how you'll continue it ^^