Technology is an amazing force in our lives. The evolution of technology has changed how we communicate and manage our lives for the better and for the worse.
Let’s start with the positives. Technology has made travelling easier, and has helped in communicating over long distances. It has also made many scientific findings and innovations possible.
On the same token we are beginning to see many problems arise from the unveiling of new technologies. The main force behind this is, of course the internet. The internet
is truly the gateway to any sorts of information that anyone could possibly want. Thanks to the internet I can now go into Google, type in “homemade bombs”, and have almost two million web pages of information at my disposal.
Then let’s look at the invention of file-sharing programs like Limewire or Kazzaa. Massive amounts of information can now be shared illegally, and , again with easy access to anyone. The makers of Kazza and Limewire took advantage of people’s thirst for information.
Then Apple invented iTunes, a legal, and safe way to download music, videos, and text documents onto the ipod. They allowed users to hand pick the songs and videos that they wanted instead of having to buy an entire DVD or CD album. They found a middle ground between illegal downloading and having to buy the full version. While doing this they were injecting much money back to the artists that they would have never otherwise seen. But of course technology creates problems, so on came the lawsuits and disputes.
Another quality example is Facebook. It is "an online directory that connects people through social networks at schools”, according to a Facebook spokesperson (http://www.elon.edu/e-web/pendulum/Issues/2006/01_19/features/specialfeature.xhtml). It however, does much more than that, it is now the most popular hangout for stalkers and is a breeding ground for gossip (Facebook Stalker Video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FahBBnfHAQ). This video is downplaying the seriousness of the issue. Pictures and postings can be up for everyone to see.
All of these technologies are beginning a movement called the “third wave” movement. This movement is where technology is becoming so imbedded in our lives that there are no seams. This trend is only going to get worse with inventions like the DoCoMo, a combination of all the products I mentioned earlier, and all their problems. This is sort of like Satan’s cell phone if you ask me. You can download files, go on facebook, and it has a GPS so other people can see where you are. The DoCoMo can also unlock your doors and can stay in constant communication with your refrigerator to let you know when you need more milk. Yea, your phone and your refrigerator can talk to one another, maybe soon they can get
their own Facebook accounts.
This movement is frightening if you ask me. Privacy is now out the window and Facebook stalking, lawsuits, and identity theft are all in. Everywhere we go now technology is a part of our lives. Except now, because of this third wave movement technology is becoming our lives. This website can attest, for 65% of Americans are now spending more time with their computers than their significant others (http://www.informationweek.com/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=196902629). Technology is a virus, pardon the pun, that is killing our interpersonal relationships. It is doing this through our need and desire to communicate and have access to information.
Let’s start with the positives. Technology has made travelling easier, and has helped in communicating over long distances. It has also made many scientific findings and innovations possible.
On the same token we are beginning to see many problems arise from the unveiling of new technologies. The main force behind this is, of course the internet. The internet
is truly the gateway to any sorts of information that anyone could possibly want. Thanks to the internet I can now go into Google, type in “homemade bombs”, and have almost two million web pages of information at my disposal.Then let’s look at the invention of file-sharing programs like Limewire or Kazzaa. Massive amounts of information can now be shared illegally, and , again with easy access to anyone. The makers of Kazza and Limewire took advantage of people’s thirst for information.
Then Apple invented iTunes, a legal, and safe way to download music, videos, and text documents onto the ipod. They allowed users to hand pick the songs and videos that they wanted instead of having to buy an entire DVD or CD album. They found a middle ground between illegal downloading and having to buy the full version. While doing this they were injecting much money back to the artists that they would have never otherwise seen. But of course technology creates problems, so on came the lawsuits and disputes.
Another quality example is Facebook. It is "an online directory that connects people through social networks at schools”, according to a Facebook spokesperson (http://www.elon.edu/e-web/pendulum/Issues/2006/01_19/features/specialfeature.xhtml). It however, does much more than that, it is now the most popular hangout for stalkers and is a breeding ground for gossip (Facebook Stalker Video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FahBBnfHAQ). This video is downplaying the seriousness of the issue. Pictures and postings can be up for everyone to see.
All of these technologies are beginning a movement called the “third wave” movement. This movement is where technology is becoming so imbedded in our lives that there are no seams. This trend is only going to get worse with inventions like the DoCoMo, a combination of all the products I mentioned earlier, and all their problems. This is sort of like Satan’s cell phone if you ask me. You can download files, go on facebook, and it has a GPS so other people can see where you are. The DoCoMo can also unlock your doors and can stay in constant communication with your refrigerator to let you know when you need more milk. Yea, your phone and your refrigerator can talk to one another, maybe soon they can get
their own Facebook accounts.This movement is frightening if you ask me. Privacy is now out the window and Facebook stalking, lawsuits, and identity theft are all in. Everywhere we go now technology is a part of our lives. Except now, because of this third wave movement technology is becoming our lives. This website can attest, for 65% of Americans are now spending more time with their computers than their significant others (http://www.informationweek.com/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=196902629). Technology is a virus, pardon the pun, that is killing our interpersonal relationships. It is doing this through our need and desire to communicate and have access to information.
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