Russo, Tom. "Humanistic Education and Social Action: Integrating Knowing and Caring." Journal of Humanistic Education and Development34.2 (1995): 75. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Web. 31 Mar. 2011.
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Tom Russo discussed in his article, Humanistic Education and Social Action: Integrating Knowing and Caring, that while the society is changing, one is going to have more say in issues that are developing. Russo says for those who are knowledgeable and show they care, are those who are concerned with worldly issues and are searching for resolution. He also says for those who are interested in worldly issues need to set a distinct wall between reason and feeling. He also says that one shouldn’t always base your reason off of personal opinion either. Perry and McIntire did a study on high school students. The studied turned out that the males were more selfish than the females when it came to social issues. They spoke out for others but for the most part their opinions were self regarding. Those who are not a student need to not just look at the students reason but look beyond that and try to figure out why they express the way they do. Russo believes that the reason for most out spoken people is due to their parent’s political outlook and the way they were raised. Also, depending on how much they know about the problem that is going, will determine how much say they have on it. Russo also stated that if a student understands the problem that is occurring and has a strong belief, there is a strong theory that this student will act on the problem and express how they feel. Russo has a strong opinion on teaching students to express their beliefs in their early years. If someone thinks students should be more out spoken on political issues, it is said that the schools should educate them on expressing their voice on serious political issues. Russo has conducted a strategy that could help students gain a bigger voice on political issues should start in school. There would be a mixture of large and small groups and the instructor would speak about how the students should have their own ways to learn about the issue. The students will then sit in a circle and would be given a topic. The teacher will leave them with something that will challenge their minds. Russo has done this study with elementary students all the way up to graduate students.
When discussing the issue on if college students for protest for certain things, wiki leaks specifically, will only determine how knowledgeable they are on the topic. For one who doesn’t know anything on a certain political issue, of course they aren’t going to have a strong say on the issue. Like Russo has said, if you don’t know anything about someone that isn’t just, then you aren’t going to have a say in it until you become aware and knowledgeable about the situation. And if they do have a strong say on the issue they are going to have to back up their opinion with facts. For one to become knowledgeable about an issue, one will need to research and debate with others to become known about what their opinion is on the issue. This is an example of a certain strategy that Russo has discussed in his article. They should have both ends in tact; they should have positives and negatives on the concern in their head before debating with someone about the issue. Because someone will come at them with negatives and that person should be prepared. Now, if you mention this issue to someone who doesn’t know anything about Julian Assange, then no, they will not put any effort in this issue. Russo mentioned that students have their parent’s political beliefs, well when one gets to a certain age, one needs to learn to develop their own beliefs and start standing up for anything that stands in the way of justice.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Technology: Don't Get Left Behind
Blau, Melinda. "The Relationship Revolution: The Internet as a new way of life." Psychotherapy Networker. Psychotherapy Networker, Sept. 2010. Web. 05 Apr. 2011.
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Melinda Blau, the author of The Relationship Revolution, discusses how technology is overriding the lives of people. She is mind boggled about how certain devices are able to track where people are at. Even, from one device one can track someone else on their device. She thinks this is a crazy thought because people are doing more talking on technology devices than actual people these days. Melinda believes technology is taking over, whether you are relying on technology or not. She sees’s it as someone is always there to listen. She explains that she can just put something on Facebook and right away someone is going to comment on her status and they’ll tell her what they think about it. Blau gets to the point when she says that when you just write something on someone’s Facebook page, or wishes them happy birthday, that you are doing a good deed. This is sadder than most because all you’re doing is writing on cyber space where, people used to go face to face, or call them to wish them a happy birthday.
Relationships between the internet and humans are getting closer each day. People are relying a lot of the internet to help them out on an everyday basis. Shouldn’t people being helping people out on an everyday basis rather than the internet? Blau points out that people may be at risk because of the internet taking over. Or, people won’t know how to work the next piece of technology and they’ll be left behind. But she has done a study that after certain about of days the people who were new to the device learned it in 5 days. They even scanned their brain in an MRI and the MRI found that their brain had already developed new pathways that had never been touched. People are getting to the point where you don’t have to send them a phone call or a face to face visit anymore, they are able to just shoot a comment on Facebook. No one is needed to let somebody know where you are at, because you can just tweet something on twitter. People are getting lazier and lazier and will one day not make an appearance face to face. This may cause some social problem in the long run. Melinda Blau makes a fine point on how our relationship with the new pieces of technology is getting out of control. But it’s happening everyday and it’s happening fast and everyone should jump on the technology train or we’ll get left behind. Melinda asks the question if our grandchildren will be able to know an answer without getting on a search engine. So I believe she is challenging us to not rely on technology and not create a distinct relationship with technology because we don’t need it to take over.
Read this article
Melinda Blau, the author of The Relationship Revolution, discusses how technology is overriding the lives of people. She is mind boggled about how certain devices are able to track where people are at. Even, from one device one can track someone else on their device. She thinks this is a crazy thought because people are doing more talking on technology devices than actual people these days. Melinda believes technology is taking over, whether you are relying on technology or not. She sees’s it as someone is always there to listen. She explains that she can just put something on Facebook and right away someone is going to comment on her status and they’ll tell her what they think about it. Blau gets to the point when she says that when you just write something on someone’s Facebook page, or wishes them happy birthday, that you are doing a good deed. This is sadder than most because all you’re doing is writing on cyber space where, people used to go face to face, or call them to wish them a happy birthday.
Relationships between the internet and humans are getting closer each day. People are relying a lot of the internet to help them out on an everyday basis. Shouldn’t people being helping people out on an everyday basis rather than the internet? Blau points out that people may be at risk because of the internet taking over. Or, people won’t know how to work the next piece of technology and they’ll be left behind. But she has done a study that after certain about of days the people who were new to the device learned it in 5 days. They even scanned their brain in an MRI and the MRI found that their brain had already developed new pathways that had never been touched. People are getting to the point where you don’t have to send them a phone call or a face to face visit anymore, they are able to just shoot a comment on Facebook. No one is needed to let somebody know where you are at, because you can just tweet something on twitter. People are getting lazier and lazier and will one day not make an appearance face to face. This may cause some social problem in the long run. Melinda Blau makes a fine point on how our relationship with the new pieces of technology is getting out of control. But it’s happening everyday and it’s happening fast and everyone should jump on the technology train or we’ll get left behind. Melinda asks the question if our grandchildren will be able to know an answer without getting on a search engine. So I believe she is challenging us to not rely on technology and not create a distinct relationship with technology because we don’t need it to take over.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Everything has to Come to an End...
Quote Response for In the Beginning . . . Was the Command Line, pp. 115-139
New Idea:
“It actually generates complexity, which is Smolin's criterion for interestingness.” (pp. 135-136)
This idea helped me realize that . . .
There is probably a more high-tech operating system that no one has created yet, and will in fact wipe out Microsoft. Or, there is already a better operating system but someone is holding the OS until the right time. Stephenson explains about how Lee Smolin explains in his book about how he believes the universe came about. He pretty much believes in the Big Bang Theory, that if this theory wasn’t created this exact way, then life would totally be different. Smolin also believes that since there are galaxy’s super far away, and things that we have no idea about, then there has to be a more complex OS out there that has yet to be discovered. There is something that is so crazy, and will blow our mind that is stirring in the future. He makes the analogy about the whole, God is just hesitating to press that enter key so this OS would begin. It’s a crazy thought that one day there is going to be something bigger and better than Apple and Microsoft. Hackers I’m sure are just on the edge of their seats waiting for that day to come.
Interpretation:
“The people who brought us this operating system would have to provide templates and wizards, giving us a few default lives that we could use as starting places for designing our own.” (p. 138)
In writing this statement, the author seems to imply that . . .
People are either entirely influenced by others, influenced by their own life experiences (self) or both. The default life that he mentions in the reading, In the beginning was the Command Line, describes how people are just entirely influenced by others. Some people don’t have their own qualities about them; they feed off of other peoples’ qualities and make it theirs. This is not a good way to live your life because it’s being structured by others. People should have their own voice in anything and should have their own opinion instead of basing their opinion on others. This also explains when he mentions templates and wizards. For those who base their life off of people, the people would be their template and or wizard. So before having their own opinions on things, they go to others to get theirs. Now, Stephenson has mentioned the command line quit a few times, and in this metaphor the command line would be someone who starts out from scratch and has their beliefs, qualities and actions on their own. They don’t go searching for others opinions to create their own. The command line in general is smarter, whether dealing with operating systems or life. For those who feed off of others are probably not knowledgeable of their surroundings. But for those who are the “command line” and starting from scratch, are pretty in tact with the everyday life in the technology world. People normally are influenced by others instead of starting from nothing, like the command line.
Tie-In:
“And in the OS business, mindshare is more than just a PR issue; it has direct effects on the technology itself.” (p. 130)
Tell a detailed story from your personal experience to explain the TIE-IN:
When Stephenson discusses mindshare, he’s not just talking about operating systems he wants us to think about how people are allowing technology to take over. When speaking of the topic of “mindshare dominance,” I think of something that has taken over our minds entirely. What do we allow to take over our mind? Immediately I think of my Iphone which in fact has taken over my mind. This device hasn’t taken over my life but definitely my mind. I was on the way to my step mothers place in North Carolina and I don’t own a GPS but my Iphone is close enough. So I whipped out my Iphone and plugged in all the information and boom! The phone located my current location and then mapped out my trip and all. This was so convenient. While on the way there, I needed to know where the closest Wal-Mart was. So, I typed in Wal-Mart in my IPhones map feature and boom, he located the closest Wal-Mart and mapped out my directions immediately! I have definitely become intellectually attached to this piece of technology. On a regular basis I comment how I believe my Iphone is smarter than me; it’s sad, but definitely true. It has many smart features that just help me get through my every day life.
New Idea:
“It actually generates complexity, which is Smolin's criterion for interestingness.” (pp. 135-136)
This idea helped me realize that . . .
There is probably a more high-tech operating system that no one has created yet, and will in fact wipe out Microsoft. Or, there is already a better operating system but someone is holding the OS until the right time. Stephenson explains about how Lee Smolin explains in his book about how he believes the universe came about. He pretty much believes in the Big Bang Theory, that if this theory wasn’t created this exact way, then life would totally be different. Smolin also believes that since there are galaxy’s super far away, and things that we have no idea about, then there has to be a more complex OS out there that has yet to be discovered. There is something that is so crazy, and will blow our mind that is stirring in the future. He makes the analogy about the whole, God is just hesitating to press that enter key so this OS would begin. It’s a crazy thought that one day there is going to be something bigger and better than Apple and Microsoft. Hackers I’m sure are just on the edge of their seats waiting for that day to come.
Interpretation:
“The people who brought us this operating system would have to provide templates and wizards, giving us a few default lives that we could use as starting places for designing our own.” (p. 138)
In writing this statement, the author seems to imply that . . .
People are either entirely influenced by others, influenced by their own life experiences (self) or both. The default life that he mentions in the reading, In the beginning was the Command Line, describes how people are just entirely influenced by others. Some people don’t have their own qualities about them; they feed off of other peoples’ qualities and make it theirs. This is not a good way to live your life because it’s being structured by others. People should have their own voice in anything and should have their own opinion instead of basing their opinion on others. This also explains when he mentions templates and wizards. For those who base their life off of people, the people would be their template and or wizard. So before having their own opinions on things, they go to others to get theirs. Now, Stephenson has mentioned the command line quit a few times, and in this metaphor the command line would be someone who starts out from scratch and has their beliefs, qualities and actions on their own. They don’t go searching for others opinions to create their own. The command line in general is smarter, whether dealing with operating systems or life. For those who feed off of others are probably not knowledgeable of their surroundings. But for those who are the “command line” and starting from scratch, are pretty in tact with the everyday life in the technology world. People normally are influenced by others instead of starting from nothing, like the command line.
Tie-In:
“And in the OS business, mindshare is more than just a PR issue; it has direct effects on the technology itself.” (p. 130)
Tell a detailed story from your personal experience to explain the TIE-IN:
When Stephenson discusses mindshare, he’s not just talking about operating systems he wants us to think about how people are allowing technology to take over. When speaking of the topic of “mindshare dominance,” I think of something that has taken over our minds entirely. What do we allow to take over our mind? Immediately I think of my Iphone which in fact has taken over my mind. This device hasn’t taken over my life but definitely my mind. I was on the way to my step mothers place in North Carolina and I don’t own a GPS but my Iphone is close enough. So I whipped out my Iphone and plugged in all the information and boom! The phone located my current location and then mapped out my trip and all. This was so convenient. While on the way there, I needed to know where the closest Wal-Mart was. So, I typed in Wal-Mart in my IPhones map feature and boom, he located the closest Wal-Mart and mapped out my directions immediately! I have definitely become intellectually attached to this piece of technology. On a regular basis I comment how I believe my Iphone is smarter than me; it’s sad, but definitely true. It has many smart features that just help me get through my every day life.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
“Mirror, Mirror on the wall, who’s the fairest of them all?” “Why of course Linux is!”
Quote Response for In the Beginning . . . Was the Command Line, pp. 95-115
New Idea:
“Most system administrators I know who work with Windows NT all the time agree that when it hits a snag, it has to be re-booted, and when it gets seriously messed up, the only way to fix it is to re-install the operating system from scratch.” (p.98)
This idea helped me realize that . . .
Microsoft really isn’t that great of an operating system because people have so much trouble if anything goes wrong with it. And if anything does go wrong then it’s difficult to fix the issue because of the long process you would have to take to fix it. Stephenson explains how Linux tells you immediately about the bug that you have received and it’s not even a big deal because it’s able to be fixed. But the thing about Linux is you have to know exactly how to use it and install it by yourself. The idea that came across is, if you are willing to be patient and learn how to operate Linux, then getting Linux is definitely the better way to go instead of using Microsoft NT. There will always be problems when dealing with computers, it’s your choice to make if you want to take time and get the answers quickly. Or you can take the easy way out and get Microsoft NT and it’ll be touch to fix the bugs that are wrecking your computer.
Interpretation:
“Just like Disney, they're making money from selling an interface, a magic mirror. It has to be polished and seamless or else the whole illusion is ruined and the business plan vanishes like a mirage.” (p. 106)
In writing this statement, the author seems to imply that . . .
Microsoft and Apple are this operating system that has many difficulties but on the outside they look nice and seem like easy to use operating systems. He implies that it’s a little like the magic mirror at Disney World, where they make this mirror say things and look all nice but really it’s not the real deal. It’s a fraud and it’s fake. He never actually says these things about Apple or Microsoft, he puts the terms nicely but really he’s thinking about how ridiculous Apple and Microsoft are. He even tried to use Microsoft and once he got a bug he went on the hotlines and the internet to try and figure out how to fix his problem. And in the end it would have cost him a good about of money, and definitely a lot of time. Where as, Linux tells you the problem right away when it catches a bug, and the bugs that Linux even gets aren’t a huge deal. He does mention that there are few bugs that are super bad but they’re very uncommon. But this reference to how Apple and Microsoft are alike to the magic mirror is a very good comparison because he shows that it’s nice and loves the things it says, but really it’s a fraud and it’s going to come crashing down in the end.
Tie-In:
“…If you would like to purchase a support incident, click OK you will then be able to prepay for an incident… The cost per incident was $95.” (p.102)
Tell a detailed story from your personal experience to explain the TIE-IN:
I was going through my first year in college when my computer became unsafe because my anti-virus was finished with its session and I hadn’t applied for the next session. I had totally forgotten and I ended up getting a really bad bug. I called my dad and he said to call the hotline and see if they will be able to figure the situation out. So, I called and it took forever to even talk to someone, and then they mentioned a fee, which was a minute fee. For ever how long I was on the phone with them, it would be charging. This aggravated me because they can just take their own time and even lie about figuring this issue out. So I ended up stating my problem and it took awhile for them to figure out how to get the virus off my computer. I wouldn’t mind dealing with a Linux once in my life even though I know it’s time consuming and really hard to figure out. I feel like in the end using Linux would be worth the time and focus rather then putting my trust in Microsoft or Apple when something messes up on the computer.
New Idea:
“Most system administrators I know who work with Windows NT all the time agree that when it hits a snag, it has to be re-booted, and when it gets seriously messed up, the only way to fix it is to re-install the operating system from scratch.” (p.98)
This idea helped me realize that . . .
Microsoft really isn’t that great of an operating system because people have so much trouble if anything goes wrong with it. And if anything does go wrong then it’s difficult to fix the issue because of the long process you would have to take to fix it. Stephenson explains how Linux tells you immediately about the bug that you have received and it’s not even a big deal because it’s able to be fixed. But the thing about Linux is you have to know exactly how to use it and install it by yourself. The idea that came across is, if you are willing to be patient and learn how to operate Linux, then getting Linux is definitely the better way to go instead of using Microsoft NT. There will always be problems when dealing with computers, it’s your choice to make if you want to take time and get the answers quickly. Or you can take the easy way out and get Microsoft NT and it’ll be touch to fix the bugs that are wrecking your computer.
Interpretation:
“Just like Disney, they're making money from selling an interface, a magic mirror. It has to be polished and seamless or else the whole illusion is ruined and the business plan vanishes like a mirage.” (p. 106)
In writing this statement, the author seems to imply that . . .
Microsoft and Apple are this operating system that has many difficulties but on the outside they look nice and seem like easy to use operating systems. He implies that it’s a little like the magic mirror at Disney World, where they make this mirror say things and look all nice but really it’s not the real deal. It’s a fraud and it’s fake. He never actually says these things about Apple or Microsoft, he puts the terms nicely but really he’s thinking about how ridiculous Apple and Microsoft are. He even tried to use Microsoft and once he got a bug he went on the hotlines and the internet to try and figure out how to fix his problem. And in the end it would have cost him a good about of money, and definitely a lot of time. Where as, Linux tells you the problem right away when it catches a bug, and the bugs that Linux even gets aren’t a huge deal. He does mention that there are few bugs that are super bad but they’re very uncommon. But this reference to how Apple and Microsoft are alike to the magic mirror is a very good comparison because he shows that it’s nice and loves the things it says, but really it’s a fraud and it’s going to come crashing down in the end.
Tie-In:
“…If you would like to purchase a support incident, click OK you will then be able to prepay for an incident… The cost per incident was $95.” (p.102)
Tell a detailed story from your personal experience to explain the TIE-IN:
I was going through my first year in college when my computer became unsafe because my anti-virus was finished with its session and I hadn’t applied for the next session. I had totally forgotten and I ended up getting a really bad bug. I called my dad and he said to call the hotline and see if they will be able to figure the situation out. So, I called and it took forever to even talk to someone, and then they mentioned a fee, which was a minute fee. For ever how long I was on the phone with them, it would be charging. This aggravated me because they can just take their own time and even lie about figuring this issue out. So I ended up stating my problem and it took awhile for them to figure out how to get the virus off my computer. I wouldn’t mind dealing with a Linux once in my life even though I know it’s time consuming and really hard to figure out. I feel like in the end using Linux would be worth the time and focus rather then putting my trust in Microsoft or Apple when something messes up on the computer.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
And Linus Torvalds said, "Let there be Linux," and there was Linux.
Quote Response for In the Beginning . . . Was the Command Line, pp. 69-95
New Idea:
“In trying to understand the Linux phenomenon, then, we have to look not to a single innovator but to a sort of bizarre Trinity: Linus Torvalds, Richard Stallman, and Bill Gates.” (p. 85)
This idea helped me realize that . . .
Not only is there the Trinity that consists of the Father, Son and the Holy Ghost but there is a Trinity when on the lines of software and hardware. The Trinity of the creation of Linux makes up Linus Torvalds, Richard Stallman, and Bill Gates. Linus Torvalds is the main man that created Linux, so of course he would be part of the Trinity. He was able to receive certain tools to create a special Unix-kernel that works well on hardware. Now, Linus would not have been able to create this special Unix-kernal if these certain tools were not in the picture. He was able to put his hands on hardware was because of Richard Stallman. This is why Richard is part of the Trinity of Linux. Richard is able to create cheap software, which is told to be simple, but it’s a little more difficult to create a cheap hardware, and this is what Linus needed for the creation of Linux. The hardware that Linus needed required a lot of money and time. Ironically, Richard had cheap hardware, Microsoft. Now, Bill Gates is tied into the Trinity of Linux is because of Microsoft. He was not too thrilled about being a part of this, but he did get credit for Linux because he created Microsoft. If these three men hadn't crossed paths, then Linux may have never been created, so it's smart to say, everything happens for a reason.
Interpretation:
“Young Americans who leave their great big homogeneous country and visit some other part of the world typically go through several stages of culture shock: first, dumb wide-eyed astonishment.” (p. 86)
In writing this statement, the author seems to imply that . . .
Linux is a difficult system to deal with if you don’t have any experience. When Stephenson stated this statement he was trying to get a point across. He wants people to at least try Linux even if you don’t think you will understand Linux. He explains if someone goes to another country they will be unfamiliar with the place, but once they’re there the place won’t be so unfamiliar. As Americans we are used to the simple installations of operating systems by just putting in a disk and letting the computer take over. Where as Linux is an operating system that requires some work that people may not want to partake in. Stephenson just wants us to at least try the system out. For instance, most people don’t take interest in visiting a third world country, but visiting, for example, Honduras, may be smart for an American to visit. This is because people should be culturally knowledgeable, and to visit this place, they would need to research and learn about Honduras before visiting. Just as with Linux, one should research and dissect the software and possibly even try Linux out because trying new things may not be so bad.
Tie-In:
"The danger lies not in the machine itself but in the user's failure to envision the full consequences of the instructions he gives to it." (p.79)
Tell a detailed story from your personal experience to explain the TIE-IN:
When I was a young child, I was taught how to ride a bicycle from my sister. I was pretty young and I knew how to ride a tricycle, but she wanted to teach me how to ride a bicycle. She had explained to me all the rules and directions to riding a bicycle. She explained that riding a bicycle was all about balance and guidance. She explained that I needed to keep my eyes on straight ahead and make sure that I keep pedaling. Towards the end of her explaining she told me how I was supposed to stop, which didn’t seem that bad. I was about 4 or 5 years old and I had always been rushed to learning things early because my siblings were about 10-12 years older than me. So she put me on the bicycle and she held on while I pedaled and of course I could pedal with someone holding onto the bicycle. We practiced for a couple days with her holding onto the bike, and then the day came when she told me that she would let go while I’m still pedaling. So, finally, she let go of the bike and I was smooth sailing until I lost total balance and fell. I got cut up pretty bad because I was on the concrete ground. This is an example of how a machine can be bigger than the user because I was told the directions but the “machine”, my bicycle, was too big for me to ride. I didn’t follow my sister’s instructions so, I ended up failing in the attempt of riding my bicycle.
New Idea:
“In trying to understand the Linux phenomenon, then, we have to look not to a single innovator but to a sort of bizarre Trinity: Linus Torvalds, Richard Stallman, and Bill Gates.” (p. 85)
This idea helped me realize that . . .
Not only is there the Trinity that consists of the Father, Son and the Holy Ghost but there is a Trinity when on the lines of software and hardware. The Trinity of the creation of Linux makes up Linus Torvalds, Richard Stallman, and Bill Gates. Linus Torvalds is the main man that created Linux, so of course he would be part of the Trinity. He was able to receive certain tools to create a special Unix-kernel that works well on hardware. Now, Linus would not have been able to create this special Unix-kernal if these certain tools were not in the picture. He was able to put his hands on hardware was because of Richard Stallman. This is why Richard is part of the Trinity of Linux. Richard is able to create cheap software, which is told to be simple, but it’s a little more difficult to create a cheap hardware, and this is what Linus needed for the creation of Linux. The hardware that Linus needed required a lot of money and time. Ironically, Richard had cheap hardware, Microsoft. Now, Bill Gates is tied into the Trinity of Linux is because of Microsoft. He was not too thrilled about being a part of this, but he did get credit for Linux because he created Microsoft. If these three men hadn't crossed paths, then Linux may have never been created, so it's smart to say, everything happens for a reason.
Interpretation:
“Young Americans who leave their great big homogeneous country and visit some other part of the world typically go through several stages of culture shock: first, dumb wide-eyed astonishment.” (p. 86)
In writing this statement, the author seems to imply that . . .
Linux is a difficult system to deal with if you don’t have any experience. When Stephenson stated this statement he was trying to get a point across. He wants people to at least try Linux even if you don’t think you will understand Linux. He explains if someone goes to another country they will be unfamiliar with the place, but once they’re there the place won’t be so unfamiliar. As Americans we are used to the simple installations of operating systems by just putting in a disk and letting the computer take over. Where as Linux is an operating system that requires some work that people may not want to partake in. Stephenson just wants us to at least try the system out. For instance, most people don’t take interest in visiting a third world country, but visiting, for example, Honduras, may be smart for an American to visit. This is because people should be culturally knowledgeable, and to visit this place, they would need to research and learn about Honduras before visiting. Just as with Linux, one should research and dissect the software and possibly even try Linux out because trying new things may not be so bad.
Tie-In:
"The danger lies not in the machine itself but in the user's failure to envision the full consequences of the instructions he gives to it." (p.79)
Tell a detailed story from your personal experience to explain the TIE-IN:
When I was a young child, I was taught how to ride a bicycle from my sister. I was pretty young and I knew how to ride a tricycle, but she wanted to teach me how to ride a bicycle. She had explained to me all the rules and directions to riding a bicycle. She explained that riding a bicycle was all about balance and guidance. She explained that I needed to keep my eyes on straight ahead and make sure that I keep pedaling. Towards the end of her explaining she told me how I was supposed to stop, which didn’t seem that bad. I was about 4 or 5 years old and I had always been rushed to learning things early because my siblings were about 10-12 years older than me. So she put me on the bicycle and she held on while I pedaled and of course I could pedal with someone holding onto the bicycle. We practiced for a couple days with her holding onto the bike, and then the day came when she told me that she would let go while I’m still pedaling. So, finally, she let go of the bike and I was smooth sailing until I lost total balance and fell. I got cut up pretty bad because I was on the concrete ground. This is an example of how a machine can be bigger than the user because I was told the directions but the “machine”, my bicycle, was too big for me to ride. I didn’t follow my sister’s instructions so, I ended up failing in the attempt of riding my bicycle.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
The Next Leak Is Coming Soon
Khatchadourian, Raffi. "No Secrets." The New Yorker. Condé Nast Digital, 07 Jul. 2010. Web. 23 Feb. 2011.
Read this article
Raffi Khatchadourian is the author of, No Secrets, which focuses on Julian Assange. Raffi focuses a lot on Assange’s creation of WikiLeaks, and then he turns to explain about his childhood and up bringing. WikiLeaks is a group of documents all sorted on his many computers. He has created a website to show bits and pieces of some of the information that he has collected from the different countries and news sources. He told Raffi that some of the information that he has found, may in fact terrorize the countries. Raffi never really comes out and states his point of view, but he never disagrees or states that he is opposing this situation either. Raffi may believe, from the hints that were given through out the article that Assange is not trying to harm anyone; Assange just wants people to know the truth. Julian Assange will somehow offer an ultimatum to the president and things could get a little out of hand. Raffi may be a neutral candidate when speaking about WikiLeaks and what could come out of this set of information. He saw the video that Assange and his group created, which is a start at showing what kind of information that Assange may have in his set of credentials. Raffi doesn’t have a straight forward opinion on this subject; he just gave us information containing WikiLeaks and the creator of WikiLeaks. He does agree with the fact that WikiLeaks can be threatening because Assange told Raffi that he is already creating a Project G. Assange also told Raffi how secretive his team is when they are traveling to different places. They hide out because they can’t be found and Assage doesn’t want the government to find him. Assange stays at friends of friend’s places and supporters of WikiLeaks. Raffi came to the conclusion that those who are supporting WikiLeaks are just trying to make known that WikiLeaks is “An instrument for good in societies where the laws are unjust.” (Khatchadourian) The supporters and ones who are working with Assange don’t want to war when the projects come out in the open, Assange has just mentioned, “By releasing the information he would allow judgment to occur in the open.”
Assange is unwrapping information that is contained in WikiLeaks. Depending on what issue he lets out next, he could start a really big fight with those who are involved with that issue. Americans may start getting angry once they see what Assange brings out of WikiLeaks. Raffi does believe the statement above about how Americans who are involved in whatever the issue may concern could be at risk for some problematic issues. The President and Congress could be in danger with some angry Americans; they should have gotten a warning sign when Assange released the video “Collateral Murder.” This point of view Raffi is undergoing is pretty important and should have most Americans thinking and brainstorming on what issue could be released next in WikiLeaks. This concern may not be really important for some people, but if they research and even watch “Collateral Murder,” the mind will surely change into worried mode. Assange is a powerful man that may be in control because of the information that he is holding from the media that has been given to him. He stores all of his information on his computer and then documents whatever is given to him on WikiLeaks and he is the one that will call the shots on when to allow the public to view the information. I feel as though Raffi is challenging those who are concerned with the society to research and study up on Assange and what he is planning on doing because the next project could concern that person.
Read this article
Raffi Khatchadourian is the author of, No Secrets, which focuses on Julian Assange. Raffi focuses a lot on Assange’s creation of WikiLeaks, and then he turns to explain about his childhood and up bringing. WikiLeaks is a group of documents all sorted on his many computers. He has created a website to show bits and pieces of some of the information that he has collected from the different countries and news sources. He told Raffi that some of the information that he has found, may in fact terrorize the countries. Raffi never really comes out and states his point of view, but he never disagrees or states that he is opposing this situation either. Raffi may believe, from the hints that were given through out the article that Assange is not trying to harm anyone; Assange just wants people to know the truth. Julian Assange will somehow offer an ultimatum to the president and things could get a little out of hand. Raffi may be a neutral candidate when speaking about WikiLeaks and what could come out of this set of information. He saw the video that Assange and his group created, which is a start at showing what kind of information that Assange may have in his set of credentials. Raffi doesn’t have a straight forward opinion on this subject; he just gave us information containing WikiLeaks and the creator of WikiLeaks. He does agree with the fact that WikiLeaks can be threatening because Assange told Raffi that he is already creating a Project G. Assange also told Raffi how secretive his team is when they are traveling to different places. They hide out because they can’t be found and Assage doesn’t want the government to find him. Assange stays at friends of friend’s places and supporters of WikiLeaks. Raffi came to the conclusion that those who are supporting WikiLeaks are just trying to make known that WikiLeaks is “An instrument for good in societies where the laws are unjust.” (Khatchadourian) The supporters and ones who are working with Assange don’t want to war when the projects come out in the open, Assange has just mentioned, “By releasing the information he would allow judgment to occur in the open.”
Assange is unwrapping information that is contained in WikiLeaks. Depending on what issue he lets out next, he could start a really big fight with those who are involved with that issue. Americans may start getting angry once they see what Assange brings out of WikiLeaks. Raffi does believe the statement above about how Americans who are involved in whatever the issue may concern could be at risk for some problematic issues. The President and Congress could be in danger with some angry Americans; they should have gotten a warning sign when Assange released the video “Collateral Murder.” This point of view Raffi is undergoing is pretty important and should have most Americans thinking and brainstorming on what issue could be released next in WikiLeaks. This concern may not be really important for some people, but if they research and even watch “Collateral Murder,” the mind will surely change into worried mode. Assange is a powerful man that may be in control because of the information that he is holding from the media that has been given to him. He stores all of his information on his computer and then documents whatever is given to him on WikiLeaks and he is the one that will call the shots on when to allow the public to view the information. I feel as though Raffi is challenging those who are concerned with the society to research and study up on Assange and what he is planning on doing because the next project could concern that person.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
The Real World: Computers
Quote Response for In the Beginning . . . Was the Command Line, pp. 43-69
New Idea:
“And-- much more important--what we're buying into is the underlying assumption that metaphors are a good way to deal with the world.” (p.61)
This idea helped me realize that . . .
People are either living their life in a easy and convenient matter or they are going the extra mile and actually learning new information. This quote is a little wordy but the word, buying, helped me figure the quote out a little better. When he said buying I thought about as Americans we are easily conformed into falling into the lazy environment. As technology is getting more and more complex, life is getting easier and easier for us humans. We, as humans, are “buying” into these metaphors which are explanations of intelligent things put on an unintelligent level. In this generation, we have come attached to search engines and cellular devices to do all the thinking for us. Those who are working in the technology field has figured out that the society is going down hill on the intelligent level, so they are creating these metaphors to grab our attention. Instead of grabbing a book to read and researching on certain topic that you are confused about, as Americans we are always trying to find an easier way to find the answers.
Interpretation:
“On the other hand, if you are raised within some specific culture, you end up with a basic set of tools that you can use to think about and understand the world.” (p. 53)
In writing this statement, the author seems to imply that . . .
Technology can be a huge influence on someone’s life. In this quotation, Neal Stephenson is telling us that if someone is brought up by a certain culture or religion then they have something to base their thoughts and ideas on. There is no reason for them to look into someone else because they already have a set of beliefs running through their head. For those who are not raised on any type of culture are not able to fall back onto anything in life, therefore they are more able to go off the deep end because they have no belief in anything. They only know of things they have seen on television or have heard from a friend at school or on the playground. For those who do not have something to believe in growing up, go on in life not understanding the reason why they are even here. They lean towards technology for answers and guidance and technology will fail on that person some time in their life. This person will then get frustrated and feel let down and one again have nothing to fall back on because that’s all they know of, the use of technology.
Tie-In:
“Why are we rejecting explicit word-based interfaces, and embracing graphical or sensorial ones--a trend that accounts for the success of both Microsoft and Disney?” (p. 49)
Tell a detailed story from your personal experience to explain the TIE-IN:
This quote is discussing that in today's society we are more likely to rush home to watch a movie or watch television, rather than pick up a book and start reading. Personally I have always been the one to rush home and turn on the television. Now I don’t have the time to watch television but I have my phone to do many non educational things for me. To be specific, every time I read In the Beginning was the Command Line my head would start hurting because of the amount of brain cells I use to read this book. I have been out of school for a couple years and I did read novels throughout those years but never challenged my brain to do anything. So, whenever I read this book I am always finding myself re-reading parts and even having to write down a good bit of notes to actually train my brain to understand what I have read. Life in the real world outside of educational matters is very rocky, because we are not keeping our brain moving. When our brain relaxes and there is no challenging going on, we forget how to process intelligent things.
New Idea:
“And-- much more important--what we're buying into is the underlying assumption that metaphors are a good way to deal with the world.” (p.61)
This idea helped me realize that . . .
People are either living their life in a easy and convenient matter or they are going the extra mile and actually learning new information. This quote is a little wordy but the word, buying, helped me figure the quote out a little better. When he said buying I thought about as Americans we are easily conformed into falling into the lazy environment. As technology is getting more and more complex, life is getting easier and easier for us humans. We, as humans, are “buying” into these metaphors which are explanations of intelligent things put on an unintelligent level. In this generation, we have come attached to search engines and cellular devices to do all the thinking for us. Those who are working in the technology field has figured out that the society is going down hill on the intelligent level, so they are creating these metaphors to grab our attention. Instead of grabbing a book to read and researching on certain topic that you are confused about, as Americans we are always trying to find an easier way to find the answers.
Interpretation:
“On the other hand, if you are raised within some specific culture, you end up with a basic set of tools that you can use to think about and understand the world.” (p. 53)
In writing this statement, the author seems to imply that . . .
Technology can be a huge influence on someone’s life. In this quotation, Neal Stephenson is telling us that if someone is brought up by a certain culture or religion then they have something to base their thoughts and ideas on. There is no reason for them to look into someone else because they already have a set of beliefs running through their head. For those who are not raised on any type of culture are not able to fall back onto anything in life, therefore they are more able to go off the deep end because they have no belief in anything. They only know of things they have seen on television or have heard from a friend at school or on the playground. For those who do not have something to believe in growing up, go on in life not understanding the reason why they are even here. They lean towards technology for answers and guidance and technology will fail on that person some time in their life. This person will then get frustrated and feel let down and one again have nothing to fall back on because that’s all they know of, the use of technology.
Tie-In:
“Why are we rejecting explicit word-based interfaces, and embracing graphical or sensorial ones--a trend that accounts for the success of both Microsoft and Disney?” (p. 49)
Tell a detailed story from your personal experience to explain the TIE-IN:
This quote is discussing that in today's society we are more likely to rush home to watch a movie or watch television, rather than pick up a book and start reading. Personally I have always been the one to rush home and turn on the television. Now I don’t have the time to watch television but I have my phone to do many non educational things for me. To be specific, every time I read In the Beginning was the Command Line my head would start hurting because of the amount of brain cells I use to read this book. I have been out of school for a couple years and I did read novels throughout those years but never challenged my brain to do anything. So, whenever I read this book I am always finding myself re-reading parts and even having to write down a good bit of notes to actually train my brain to understand what I have read. Life in the real world outside of educational matters is very rocky, because we are not keeping our brain moving. When our brain relaxes and there is no challenging going on, we forget how to process intelligent things.
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