Living in a Digital Nation

The PBS Frontline special "Digital Nation" is an interesting piece on how technology is changing different areas of all our lives. From school children to the military, computers are now a major part of how we function on a daily basis. The best part of this special, though, was how it really made me think of how technology is used in my own life. It also made me think of some issues that might not be related to me, but that affect others and are still worth exploring. Bellow are some of the segments and the issues that stood out the most to me personally.

Distracted by Everything
Multitasking is one of the first big issues tackled in this look into our digital lives. I was almost disgusted by how cocky some of the college students were about multitasking. Maybe they feel they can perform at a high level, but I feel I can only give my best effort when I'm focused on one one subject. For example, whenever I see a laptop in a classroom at JSU, a majority of time there is little to no actual work related to the class being performed. Most of the time you're able to see Facebook, various game websites, and email. Maybe their grades aren't pulled down by this, but I do know for a fact mine would suffer greatly. This is the main reason my laptop doesn't make the trip to JSU.

South Korea's Gaming Craze
This segment's overview of the addiction of Korea's youth to gaming via the computer makes me wonder if we in the United States are headed down a similar path. When seeing all of the users of the internet cafe in Korea and hearing of their nonstop playing, I was instantly reminded me of two people in my life. Internet/Gaming addiction can be a real threat to future generations, so I really like the idea of being proactive with the school children. Instilling in them good values of the internet and technology is great, but their approach of also warning the young kids of the dangers of over reliance is even better.

As for me, I have to work at times to balance everything, including JSU, relationships, and my personal time on the computer and my Playstation. I feel, that for the most part, I do a above average job not becoming addicted. To say I never put something off in favor of the internet or for gaming would be a complete lie, but at the end of the day, I know I have deadlines to meet for projects and assignments.

The Dumbest Generation?
So far, this was definately the part that hit home hardest to me. Everything discussed applied to me, which is definately something I'm not proud of. I admit that I didn't pay close attention to most reading assignments throughout high school and in my literature courses at JSU. I've used Wikipedia summaries, cliff notes/spark notes and even essay summaries the morning of a test to cram rather than actuality reading the book. Technology has become a crutch for me and to be lazy and not put forth a better effort

I also laughed when the topic of writing in paragraphs came up. This applies to me and I've been guilty of it as recently as this assignment. I think to an extent, I've realized that some of my essays have been like this, but was unaware that the reason for them being so "choppy" was that I was writing through distraction and writing in pieces.

I will argue, however, that this was a technique taught to me in middle school. A teacher once told my class to never force the words out if you can't think of something, take a break and come back too it. I guess the way to do this would be to revise and revise again til the flow was at a higher level.

Can Virtual Experiences Change Us?
What sticks out here is the ability to take a life halfway across the world via computer. I'll preface this comment by saying I'm all for keeping troops out of danger while still taking out "the bad guys," but one has to wonder if this will have any lasting effect on a soldiers life. Basically, it makes warfare a 9-5 job. Will over time it become harder to turn the intensity required for a job like this on and off? Are these remote control attacks desensitizing the solider to killing, even if it is justified?

There are tons of positives that course the safety. Also, who knows how much a job like this means to someone who has kids and a wife. Being there for the family while still pursuing a career in the military must be a dream come true for some. Maybe the possible consequences down the line, if there are any, are worth the positives. I'm sure for most, there won't be, but no two minds are alike.

I hope this didn't come across as either preachy or being higher than others, but I feel like some of the issues are some that I've come to realize and already started to avoid. I think this PBS Frontline special is a good eyeopener for those that think technology is unquestionably better for society. It can have it's many positives, but there are some hidden dangers. To end with a cliche, you can have too much of a good thing.

A case of the Mondays

I'm sitting in computer lab 103 at 1:07, on a Monday, still shaking off the morning coffee jitters, since I killed half a pot by myself. Obviously, I was quite reluctant to wake up this morning.

So is today an exciting, glorious Monday? Sure, as my standards for exciting and/or glorious aren't the highest. Around 2:30 today, however, I'm expecting a huge pick up in pace as I'll finally be reunited with the love of my life, my PlayStation. 30 versus 30 player teams of people with no other goal than shooting someone, via one of the best inventions in the history of man, the first person shooter.

My time would most likely be better off spent cleaning or studying, but I'm addicted to the competition. I saw an article once that claimed the people who mostly play actions games are those who lead dull lives. Does being a management major qualify as a dull life? 1+1= me playing a lot of action games, most involving destroying objects or others.

So yeah, dull. Except for IME 375. Best. Class. Ever.

No worries though, as I'm not a threat to anyone. I don't subscribe to the theory that violent games equal violent people, as I like the theory of role playing to add excitement to a boring life.