Reed Ch1-3

In "Digitized Lives: Culture, Power, and Social Change in the Internet Era" T.V. Reed explores many facets of digital culture and the way that technology effects humans, as well what humans do with technology - two distinct concepts outlined. I wasn't surprised to read that the internet is a vast and growing place stuffed with information, or that Facebook has enough users to be the world's 3rd largest country, but I was interested in the fact that so many people are without internet access, or aces to up to date digital technology at all (pp. 3). I think that more people need access to these technologies - with the way they affect everyday life and enhance learning alone, getting current technology into the hands of more people would have a huge effect on everything from health information to political and organizational tools for impoverished areas. If people in those impoverished areas had access to the internet, even half as many as Americans, I am positive that their overall quality of life many definitely change, and for the better. Access to the internet really can be sen as access to information. A lot of information. It becomes easy to communicate, and easy to learn - both are very useful tools for all humans to be able to utilize. It was interesting to read about the digital revolution we are going through today, and the unique period we live in. Reed writes that the digital revolution can be compared to the invention of the wheel, or the printing press for humankind. A revolution in the way we communicate (pp. 5). The pros and cons to this vary, in that we lose the way we communicate in some ways, but gain strength in others, a change that can be see ver long periods of time affecting cultures in contact with this digital revolution. People adopt new technologies fast, but there are always others who resist the change in culture - in this digital age it is a new and growing form of information, and interaction between users. Reed also expands on the effect the internet has had on people, the users whom control it. Many would argue that personal privacy is at risk, and I would say the same. There are hardly any ways to keep your information completely secure online, and once it is out there it can never be forgotten or truly deleted - information looms.

Tapscott III

This importance of technology today and its uses throughout culture and society were discussed greatly in Tapscott's book. I found it important to keep in mind the healthy and unhealthy effects of technology, a theme I felt come u pin multiple ways throughout our reading and class periods. Technology obviously has benefits - speed, ease, functionality, and communication that has never before been possible. In many ways this technology needs to be 'toned down' like in the cases of children's uses, like parental controls and monitoring. And in other ways the expansion of technology is nothing short of skyrocketing exponentially in the value it gains as time goes on. Nano technology. 3D printed transplants. It seems the theme I see reoccurring in this discussion is the time and place - the occasion for technology, and where it resides. Technology can be utilized almost anywhere - but there are still many places that it is better without - close relationships still require human interaction, void of technology to develop and grow. Of course relationships benefit from technology when this is not possible, like long distance relationships. This illustrates the flexibility that technology carries in respect to the occasion it is applied to. Some elderly people may actually benefit from their reluctance to adopt new technologies - staying in their familiar routine gives them comfort, and many work better with the routine they know well and follow anyways, as opposed to switching systems of technology and creating unfamiliar hardship as a result. I will get a better result empaling my grandmother than I will trying to communicate with her on Facebook - regardless of the efforts I put into educating and willing her to conform. Technology is reliant on occasion.

Tapscott

Reading Tapscott's book, "Grown Up Digital", I felt that I agreed a lot with the ideas he brought up. As we talked in class on Tuesday, I was able to relate even more closely with the 8 generation norms of 'Net Gen' especially with regards to personalization and scrutinization that our generation has come to expect and perfect. Technology is sold with a host of personalization traits, like apps, cases, and even which brand you choose says something about yourself and your technological identity. People are a part of their computers - although driven by electricity and technology, real people are connecting with other real people in a host of ways online. Which is really just mind bogglingly amazing. But what users have come to expect is the ability to customize their personal corner of the internet. Although what they post, what they see, and what they search for may be visible and usable to a host of other users, their own sphere is customizable. Desktops with photos, social networks with themes and even who you choose as your friends is a way of customizing your social corner to your specific uses. I find it particularly interesting how how the internet and all of its capabilities fit together only because multiple other users use the same interfaces that you do (Facebook, product reviews, chatrooms, online gaming, etc.), but they are not dependent on everyone using the same interfaces in the same way. It really only works so well because the internet is so huge and the users are so expansive that there is enough room for everyone to personalize how they use it and what they update, but everything has enough users to stay active.  The internet is a network of users who don't care about what every other user is doing, only how it interferes or connects to their own personal use in the interface. Being a part of Net Gen is an interesting phenomena in that we do not know the difference, but since we are the first to grow up this way, we are told constantly how different and puzzling our existence has been made.