Response to "Friendship Addiction on Facebook"

Mykala's Blog

was surprising to read that psychologists are suggesting that Facebook fuels insecurities. The main groups that this would affect is women and addicts. It was interesting that subconsciously some women compare their self worth to how many friends they have on Facebook. Even a rejected or prolonged friend request can affect them tremendously. The part that didn't surprise me was that they would put up proactive pictures in order to get more friends, but not only women and addicts can do that. That is what needs to be realized about Facebook, or any social site. People never put up pictures they don't look attractive in, even if they don't look like that every day. Before reading that post, I never knew that some people would read into friend requests and accepts so deeply, to the point of proving self worth. Facebook wasn't meant to help people fee better about themselves, or tear themselves down. Facebook is just a social network meant to keep friends in contact that they wouldn't normally be able to do but it's unfortunate it can hurt some people.

"Is Google Making Us Stupid?" by Nicholas Carr

Is google making us stupid? (2008 July/August). Retrieved on April 8, 2011, from http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2008/07/is-google-making-us-stupid/6868/

Is Google Making Us Stupid?

Nicholas Carr's main argument is that the Internet, not necessarily Google, and its main effects on cognition and ability to concentrate. In the article, he believes that reading a book is better than reading anything off of the Internet to our cognition. He also highlights the importance that speech is innate, and should be used more because it is natural, and the ability to read has to be taught. He does realize that this claim doesn't have any psychological studies to back them up, though they are his theories. One of his examples is Friedrich Neitzsche's use of a typewriter and how his ability to concentrate may have been weakened by the typewriter (the advancement in that time). He also does acknowledge that the Internet has benefits, but the disadvantages are too many to ignore. I agree that spending too much time on the Internet may alter cognition and the ability to concentrate, but I don't think the Internet would be the only reasons for that to happen.

"Small Change: Why the Revolution will not be Tweeted" by Malcolm Gladwell

Small change: why the revolution will not be tweeted. (2008, October 4). Retrieved April 8, 2011, from http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2010/10/04/101004fa_fact_gladwell

Small Change: Why the Revolution will not be Tweeted

I agree with Gladwell to a certain degree on his article in the New Yorker. I agree when he describes the Woolworth's protest. In the 1960's there was no Twitter or Facebook to help organize these protests. The protest was still successful in getting willing participants and soon grew to an astounding number. That proves that there can be "activism" without the use of the Internet. Although, in the 1960's they didn't have a choice in using the Internet, they were forced to make protests the way they did. If they did have Internet in that time, I believe they would have used the Internet to further expand they're message. Protests today are widely used by the Internet with the help of Twitter. Protests today and the protest at Woolworth's are very different because of that. I think that protests now aren't any less powerful then the ones from years ago just because we have the help of technological advances. We are simply using our resources to help relay a message.

Could You Live Without the Internet?

Using the Internet has become a normal part of my life. I grew up with this technology, along with cell phones. The Internet is a reliable way to find information quick and with advancements in technology, you can do virtually anything you want on the Internet. According to a Federal Communications Commission Survey, they have determined a few reasons why some people don't get online. The reasons they found were monthly cost too expensive, not comfortable using a computer, bad things can happen if they use the Internet, service activation and installation fee too high, they cannot afford a computer, there is nothing on the Internet they want to see or use, waste of time, or it isn't available where they live. These results were somewhat surprising to me because using the Internet is normal for me but I do know some people who don't have a computer or get on the Internet, they tend to be older though. Since I've lived with the Internet and grew up with it, I cannot imagine how life would be if I could never use it again. The people I do know that don't use the Internet, it makes sense that not using the Internet doesn't affect them because they weren't grown up in that environment. I think that when it comes to the use of the Internet, it depends on how often its necessary to use.

Craigslist

Craigslist gives people the ability to post ads up on the Internet free of charge. Before Craigslist, the way to inform people that things were being sold, was through the newspaper. The downside to that is the newspaper costs money and not everyone reads it. Craigslist has a large variety of subjects, which makes it easier to pinpoint exactly what you are looking for. If you are a customer, it is more convenient to look through Craigslist. Another feature it has is the ability to post up pictures of the product. In the newspaper, there would be a tiny section advertising what was being sold, but on Craigslist, the post can be as big as you would like it, with as much description as possible, and with pictures. It is a very useful site because you could look and find exactly what you want, which makes things easier.

"The Machine is Us/ing Us" by Michael Walsh Sheppard

"The Machine is Us/ing Us" by Michael Walsh Sheppard

The video from Michael Walsh Sheppard describes how the web has expanded because of advancing technology. He describes that initially, the web was supposed to be used to show just text as a document. As time has passed, the document was able to expand to include videos, pictures, etc. Now we are able to communicate with other people over the web, which was another huge advancement. It makes me wonder if the Internet has come this far, from a document to communicating with people from any place in the world, what else will be invented for the web?

iPhone

The iPhone has the functions of a video camera, text messaging, video phone, visual voicemail, portable media player, Internet with Wi-Fi and 3G connectivity. There are also apps found in the App Store that have well over 300,000 apps provided by Apple. The iPhone gives you the luxury of playing games, listening to music, and even using a GPS. In other words, it is a small and personal laptop. The ability to surf the Internet on a hand held device is a huge advancement in technology after laptops were invented. Having an iPhone almost relieves the need of having a computer. Almost anything you can do on a computer, you can do on a phone, with your own convenience.

"Cyber Relationships" by Innovative Designs for Education

Cyber relationships. Retrieved April 7, 2011, from http://www.idecorp.com/WBS/cyber.htm

Cyber Relationships

The invention of the Internet provides new ways to communicate. Talking over the Internet, email, or messaging are some examples of communication. When doing so, it makes it easier for people to reach out and be open with complete strangers, commonly called "e-converse." It is often enjoyable to build these relationships with people and create connections fast and easy. The problem with this is that cyber relationships often get confused with real relationships. Talking to someone over the Internet prevents them from being able to see facial expressions and body language. Communicating with someone over the Internet isn't like communicating with someone in person. The Internet does not provide the crucial communication skills that are needed in reality. Cyber relationships are good in creating new friends and having companions but not for the only source of a social life. Technology has made it possible to talk to somebody from thousands of miles away instantly. The difference that needs to be made is that relationships over the Internet aren't real, although technology has made it easier to feel that way.

"Florida Detectives Use Skype to Obtain Warrants" Fox News

Florida detectives use skype to obtaine warrants. (2011, March 29). Retrieved April 7, 2011, from http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2011/03/29/florida-detectives-use-skype-obtain-warrants/

Florida Detectives Use Skype to Obtain Warrants-Fox News

In Palm Bay, Florida, detectives have turned to the technology of Skype to obtain warrants for DUI cases. Skype was originally used to make voice calls and chats over the Internet. The advantage is all the calls are free from computer to computer. It's interesting that the program has helped detectives in cases. The officers would use Skype to quickly obtain warrants and send the document to judges. Instead of traditionally waiting for evidence to send to a judge, then waiting for the judge to grant a warrant, this has made that process faster. This also helps officers get warrants to draw blood from suspects in DUI cases. After sending emails to the judge, they can also hold conference calls via Skype afterwards. "They say the technology can be expanded to other types of crime." If that is true, technology would aid in helping keep the public safe from drunk drivers, and hopefully over time, other crimes. Skype is a simple way to communicate, and creatively turned into a "virtual office and courtroom."

Launch of Apple's iPad 2 Could Drive Advances in Mobile Health Market- iHealthBeat

Launch of apple's ipad 2 could drive advances in mobile health market. (2011, March 8) Retrieved April 7, 2011, from http://www.ihealthbeat.org/articles/2011/3/8/launch-of-apples-ipad-2-could-drive-advances-in-mobile-health-market.aspx

iPad 2 and Advances in Mobile Health Market

According to Information Week, they predict the launch of the new Apple iPad 2 could help in advancing health care facilities. In recent studies, the original iPad has been used for electronic health record use by many clinicians. With the advancements the iPad 2 embodies, it can manage EHRs and keep other useful medical information. John Halamka, the CIO of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, claims the iPad helps when engaging with patients and allowing doctors to show images to them. Another use for the iPad is at St. Joseph's Hospital Health Center in New York. They want to get the new iPad so they can easily access documents during important meetings. Other uses would be to manage the ventilation and air conditioning in facilities. The only limitations that were discussed was the short battery life and the screen resolution. This article shows how useful advances in technologies can be. The original iPad was useful in documenting, keeping pictures, etc. The new iPad, with improvements, probably will be used in more health care facilities.

"Is Technology Good or Bad? Yes." by L. Gordon Crovitz

Is technology good or bad? yes. (2010, August 23) Retrieved April 4, 2011, from http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703579804575441461191438330.html#articleTabs%3Darticle

Is Technology Good or Bad? Yes.

This article describes both the pessimistic and optimistic side of technology. Nicholas Carr argues that "the internet is changing how our brains work, figuratively and physiologically." His studies show that technology has lead us to read hurriedly, think with many distractions, and superficially learning. He even touched on the science of neuroplasticity,  which shows the brain changes in those who spend the majority of their time on the internet. Opposing
those ideas, Clay Shirky admits that people spend more time being entertained by meaningless television, but also concludes that a brief redirection to useful social media can be quite easy and important. He concludes that "what matters now is not the capabilities we have, but how we turn those capabilities, both technical and social, into opportunities." After reading the post, I agree with them both. The internet has opened many doors to knowledge, and has made it easier to access also. Unfortunately, there are also many websites, like stated in the article, lolcat.com, which doesn't contribute to the advances technology can create. Since there are both effective and ineffective inventions of technology, it shows that as advanced as technology has become, there is still a long way of improving ahead. No matter what, there are always going to be those websites that don't contribute to effective technology use, but that still doesn't undermine the positive advances there are.

"Five Clues That You Are Addicted to Facebook" by Elizabeth Cohen

Five clues that you are addicted to facebook. (2009, April 23) Retrieved April 4, 2011, from http://articles.cnn.com/2009-04-23/health/ep.facebook.addict_1_facebook-page-facebook-world-social-networking?_s=PM:HEALTH

Five Clues That You Are Addicted to Facebook

This article, posted in CNN Health, describes the addictions some people have with Facebook. The story profiles a mother, Cynthia Newton. Cynthia Newton is a unanimous name because she was too embarrassed to use her real name. Newton has admitted to spending up to 20 hours a week, half the time she spends at work, on Facebook. Since "Facebook Addition" isn't a medical problem, therapists say this is no longer "social networking, but social dysfunction." Paula Pile, a marriage and family therapist, concludes that Facebook itself is not the problem, but a problem arises when people start to neglect family and work because the Facebook world is more enjoyable than reality. The misconception that Facebook is real is compared to the 1998 "The Truman Show" starring Jim Carrey, about a "fabricated world where nothing ever goes wrong." The article concludes with five clues to indicate if you are addicted to Facebook: You lose sleep over Facebook, you spend more than an hour a day on Facebook, you become obsessed with old loves, you ignore work in favor of Facebook, and the thought of getting off Facebook leaves you in a cold sweat. Pile suggests, "Try going a day without Facebook. If you find it causes you a lot of stress and anxiety, you need to get some help." This article shows the huge influence technology has over some people. Facebook is meant to keep friends in touch, not a way to get away from reality. Having a Facebook account gives you full control over what people see, unlike in real life. That is the addicting factor because people can post the enjoyable moments, and pretend the other ones don't exist.

"Where I Lived, and What I Lived For" by Henry David Thoreau

Thoreau, H. (2011). Where i lived, and what i lived for. New York: Bedford/St. Martin's.


In David Thoreau's essay, he describes his life in his cabin at Walden Pond. He enjoys living in his cabin because it gives him a sense of "simplicity". It allows him freedom, away from reality. He thinks of his cabin as godlike, not in the sense of superiority, but a freedom to create his own world. Thoreau decides to choose his own reality, and in doing so, he has more freedom in life. Living in his cabin, away from the real world and advancing technology, is life fulfilling to him. I understand his point of view, and would also find it relaxing, for a short time. Thoreau enjoyed being away from technology, or newspaper, because he wanted to choose what to know about the world. Since advancements in technology, the word "simplicity" has changed meanings. In some opinions, the internet, newspaper, and television has made life simpler in  efficiently delivering news to the public. I think those ways have made the circulation of information easier and faster. As Thoreau describes, living in Walden Pond brought him peace from his meaning of simplicity, but living with the help of technology is also a source of simplicity to those who chose to take advantage of it.

"Television: The Plug-In Drug" by Marie Winn

Winn, M. (2011). Television: the plug-in drug. New York: Bedford/St. Martin's


In Marie Winn's essay, she claims that, "culture generally has been transformed by television." She describes that when television was first introduced, it was thought that it would bring families closer together. In the earlier days of television, this might have been true because owning a television was extremely expensive that most families had one. Now though, most families have multiple televisions in various places in the house. This allows for every family member to watch what they want, in different rooms. Television also affects children's daily rituals. In Winn's essay, the majority of the activities done by children are watching television, eating dinner, or doing both. With so many options available, it is hard to keep families together when watching television. Another issue with television is the relationships between not only family members, but other people in general. If somebody watches television more than interacting with friends, Winn describes that it would be hard to relate to real people instead of a television. I agree with her essay because technology has changed many families over the years. When I was younger I remembered sitting around watching television with my family, now that I have my own room and television in it, I spend most of my time there when I am home. When I'm not at work, school, or out with friends, I'll be at home watching television. I still go out and do things with my family, but not as often as we used to, not only because of television, but how unmotivated television has made me, and so many other families. Technology is a blessing, used in the right proportions.

"Games" by Steven Johnson

Johnson, S. (2011). Games. In S. Cohen (Ed.) , 50 Essays (pp. 196-201). Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's.

In “Games” Steven Johnson highlights the importance of reading books but also the underappreciated benefits of video games.  His purpose is comparing reading and video games as entertainment and educational tools.  Video games improve not only hand-eye coordination and visual intelligence, they also encourage drive and the speed of information exercises the mind in new and powerful ways. Johnson argues that games improve one’s imagination and problem solving abilities. He imagines arguments that could be made against books (such as their linearity and isolating qualities) if video games had been invented first.  Johnson’s essay might help us better appreciate the creativity and intellectual benefits behind both traditional reading and modern video games.