TECHlab: SST

I find it extraordinary how technology and time has taken inventions from the past and revolutionized them into much better technologies. I liked how what the product takes in comes through upside down. It is interesting how our brain adapts to technologies and photo sequences. Ultimately it is fascinating how much technology has evolved from a simple black and white no sound movie to special features and HD quality picture. Sound is extraordinary because human interaction has a lot to do with it. It isn’t visual so it is vital that we are able to connect with it and are able to hear. Vibrations, pressure, vocal cords and such are all involved in the process of sound. Before we know it, all of these technologies are going to be bigger and better right before our eyes.

January 6 1850

Dear Diary,

Today is the 6^th of January 1850. Its cold here and we are locked inside because of the snowstorm. Mama is 5 months pregnant and in need of more food to support herself and the baby. Father isn’t here because he is away preparing for the Civil War. In order to get some food or help, it is vital that we contact Aunt Nancy who can come stay with us for a while and bring lots of food from her travels. Although she lived a few hundred miles away, it would be worth it. I would try to contact her through the telegraph but I am not skilled enough to use it. I have though about hopping on a train to get Aunt Nancy because it would all be worth it. I am just worried about mama surviving by herself in this storm. Hopefully one of the workers in Nancy’s factory can make mama a blanket because now that Mr. Witney invented the cotton gin, it is possible to make blankets for this cold weather. Too bad I didn’t stock up on logs to put in the fire pit. Because it it awfully cold in here. Since its snowing really hard, there is no way for me to chop any right now. The gas lamp is getting low and I’m going to need it for the remainder of the night so I have to shut it off……

tradeoffs

Telephones are a convenient way of life for many Americans. We can call people from all around the world. Not only are they useful, but also they’re mobile. Although they are convenient, useful and they always seem to be there for us now; they help portray us to be quite anti-social at times. We have taken this invention from 1876 and transformed it into something that almost comes along as an accessory to all humans. Nowadays we have all types of callers ranging from pranks, solicitors & plain and simple: nagging people. As technology has evolved we now have a nifty little accessory for our phones commonly referred as the caller ID. This helps block unwanted calls making the telephone that much more appealing.

Motion Pictures at the beginning of the 20^th century were just a special occasion for most folks who were looking to have a nice evening with each other. It was a social thing back then, sort of like an event. Nowadays, there are films ranging from all types f genres and all types of rating, some ratings in which can be extremely inappropriate for young teens whom are curious to see.

Television relates to motion pictures, except it is much simpler for curious youngsters to view these inappropriate shows and movies by avoiding the legal age and being carded. Like cigarettes and alcohol: these kids get what they want from home without the medium blocker.

WWW also known as the Internet is known for piracy since it was, and still is such a large issue at hands. Legal actions are taking place but there are still ways around the law for many sly individuals out there.

Photographs are technological freeze in time. They capture previous moments in which you can only get back through that certain portrait taken. A trade off may be that there may not be photos out there that a certain individual may want others to see. It is ultimately proof that a certain moment occurred in which can not be taken back, until the digital camera was invented and the simple process of deleting it could simply be the quick remedy you needed.

flickr pictures

http://www.flickr.com/photos/40984633@N07/

Media Technologies

            Of all the media technology, Mobile Phones are definitely the most interesting to me. Not only are they interesting but they are the most influential to my life. Before cell phones, we had home phones and whenever one of my friends/family members wanted to get in touch with me, I HAD to be home. Now all they have to do is pick up the phone and call my cell and they will be in instant connection with me. It’s amazing how quickly we have emerged into this high tech society. I cant help but wonder how much time and effort is put into making a complex device and how they got it from being so big to so little and sleek. The most interesting thing about technology is the process in which it was made. How do they do it? How do they fit so much technology into one little piece of plastic? The evolution of cell phones is one of the most amazing things to me. It went from non-existent, to big and bulky to thin and sleek. Now everyone is talking on their blackberrys, blueberrys, schnozberries & iPhones.

            I would be most interested in learning about how it is made. From the flip phone, to the iPhone, I want to know what they do to make it work; to make it reach internet, make calls, send texts receive service: these are all questions I’m dying to figure out. I want to know because it relates to about 60 percent of my day. I am constantly on my phone. When I’m not making a call I’m checking my email, when i‘m not checking my email I’m sending a text, a BBM, and it goes on and on and on. Its almost, well- COMPLETELY sickening how much Americans run on technology especially their cell phones. When I walk down the hallway during classes I constantly see students on there cellphones with their heads down, looking rather antisocial.

            For my profession: which I have changed four times already, is to work in a PR firm in the city. Within that kind of job, where I have to be constantly connected to individuals near and far: the cell phone would be extremely influential and important in my life. Emailing, calling, texting ect, the cell phone would be my main source of interaction.

a technological story

Once upon a time there was a world in which technology was unheard of. For centuries, Americans lived without it & they survived and were happy. Slowly, inventions were developed, and society quickly learned that they could never go back to the way things were. Soon after, technology took over the brain of every man and woman—almost like how an alien manipulates the mind of his or her predator.

 

 

And soon we will be cutting our apples with our iPhones.

manipulating ever after.

Media & Technology

According to dictionary.com, media is defined by the means of communication, as radio and television, newspapers, and magazines, that get through to people broadly and technology is defined by the outlet of knowledge that deals with the creation and use of technical means and their relations with life, society, and the environment.  Both of these reach out to many individuals in society. Both are involved in the life of humans and both influence their lives.

 

Television

Computer

Radio

Printing Press/Newspaper

Cell Phone

Billboard

 

All of these media technologies have something in common. They are all easily accessible to most individuals around the world. These technologies are growing and advancing as time goes by. Also, they are all entertaining: all of the subjects above can keep a person occupied for hours and hours at a time! They are all also means of communication.

eclectic identities

Personally, the easier I can remember my handle—the better it is. I’m not into the whole “ImZsEcKzIe” thing girls my age used to do—and sadly still do. When chat rooms were popular, and everyone used to do it, it was fun for young girls to make generic appealing labels, which would let all of the males know that they were willing to chat–( a/s/l? ). My AOL screen name was unico100—I remember being so embarrassed because I didn’t have a cool and/or hot looking name like all of my friends, but I wasn’t aware of how to change it. Obviously now I’m glad I never did because then I would have fallen right into to infamous hole of cyber infatuation. It’s ok, real life turned out better for me.

            Things such as email addresses twitter handles & facebook/MySpace names usually say who you are, if not who you want to be. They define you as an individual. There are many different types of people who enjoy certain identifications. Some who like to hide who they really are and others who are more straight forward and simple. For those who prefer a hidden identity, some dabble in mystery, some in their interests and others in sexuality. While these may not be the only categories, it sure seems to be the most common. Many young girls seeking attention from older guys may go for a more exposed title. Other individuals who are into partying may use handles that involve such things, such as marijuana or alcohol. Some may like baseball, soccer or tennis, or they may even like random interesting sounding words or a bunch of words. Whatever it is, it is what they’re interested in which then becomes their handle.

            Although I may have an idea, I’m not quite sure why people choose the names they do! For attention? To announce certain interests such as clubbing, partying, sports etc? To make themselves look crazy, outgoing, fun, depressing, unusual, or unique? Whatever it may be, it could be how they’re feeling at that particular moment they create their title. Ultimately, I feel like one chooses their title because it is how they want others to perceive them, and often times their main objective is to make themselves look ‘cooler’ than they may be in person. For some people, the virtual world is just another way to prove themselves to society.

            The site called ‘Second Life’ is all about creating an avatar in which is supposed to represent who you are in real life. Of course most people design their avatar, aka “virtual person” to look totally different than they do in person to relay to others that they are appealing. Designing an ID for a screen name, MySpace, Flickr- what have you- is very similar to what some people do when creating an avatar on Second Life.  They focus mainly on what will relay to others about who they are, and some are deeply focused on putting themselves in a more flattering light.  

            Some people are extremely focused on fitting in with others. Being able to “identify” with others is often a number one goal for some of these people. Creating a ‘cool’ and ‘awesome’ user name may help these people get the right attention from the certain individuals they are competing to identify with- even if they have to lie about it. Often times, some people make up identities to fulfill certain voids in their life. 

            I don’t really see a point to creating a different identity. I feel like it isolates you as a person from the real world, which further belittles you as an individual to society. There was a man in the news a few years ago who made an account on Second Life, and was emotionally married to another woman, while he had a wife at home. He spent ALL of his time, even while eating breakfast lunch and dinner, on this site communicating with her and others on this web site. This is completely unhealthy and is way over the top.; but hey its his life and how he wants to live it is completely up to him. My thoughts on multiple identities are that I just don’t understand why one would like to invest their time and effort into virtual life, instead of living their real life.

definitions of words

Technology is everything around us. In a way it defines America. America runs on technology. It has affected society, and will be doing so for a very long time. Technology is technically the branch of knowledge that deals with the creation and use of technical means and their interrelation with life, society, and the environment, drawing upon such subjects as industrial arts, engineering, applied science, and pure science.

 

(to be continued) !

media & technology used daily

The media technology I use everyday is my blackberry, computer, television, radio, ipod & my digital camera. All of these things play a big part of my everyday life, as sad as it sounds. Individuals all around the world, depend heavily on the technology around them, and almost feel lost without their favorite technology; most commonly their cellular device.

Before I purchased my blackberry I had a lot less access to the people in my life. Now I get emails straight to my phone, and I seem to constantly be connected to the world through e-mail, text, internet, bbms and more! This is a certain technological advance that im not so sure about sometimes. Often times I wonder if I may be “too connected”. Before this product i had a normal flip phone, and before that- i had nothing. Many times i hear myself asking “what would i do without this thing?”. Well- i did it for about 15 years, im sure i would live. But in all seriousness– its hard to see myself tomorrow without a cell phone because i rely so much on it for EVERYTHING. to cotact the people i love, the wake up (alarm), to write down notes, calander on hand– its everything in one little piece of plastic! its hard to think about life without it once it has entered your life.

Computers have truly changed the way individuals live their life these days. Before this highly advanced technology, people had to go elsewhere to find common information. Currently, they can quickly log onto their computer desktop or laptop and after a few clicks find what they’re looking for. It’s the simplest of technology—I think. I am constantly by my laptop whether it be for homework assignments, to check the whether, my email or talk to friends through facebook skype or ichat. It’s the ultimate way to communicate with others. When I was in italy over the summer, I called my parents, boyfriend and friends through skype, facebook or ichat anytime I wanted—for free. if i hadnt had my computer, i woulnt have communicate with any of those people nearly as much as i did. I would have had to buy a foreign cell phone– which believe me, is not as easy as it sounds. so basically without cellphones or computers, life in italy over the summer would have been a hell of a lot different than it was for sure! without these two products i would have had to rely on a telegraph!

I don’t use my television as much as I used to. Now that im busy with school work, work and friends; I don’t have as much time. Before bed is when I usually use this media technology. However, it is essential to those around to world, when in search for whats the current news. I don’t usually look online for the news, I commonly turn on my television for that. There are few shoes on tv that I keep up with, which are Greys Anatomy and a lot of shows on the E! channel. Otherwise, it takes up space in my apartment. Without television we would have to rely on newspapers or news and information, and forget about all of the reality shows out there.

Whenever I take a drive, I tune into the radio, or put on my favorite CD. It’s the only way I can drive! Also, I take advantage of music via my iPod. I use this product most often when im at the gym, or when traveling. without a radio, there would be no music.

My digital camera is my best friend. I use it often when out with friends, or when traveling. I travel often, and I really enjoy taking photographs, so this device is very close to my heart, as well as most technology out there—“don’t know what id do without it!”