The Machine is Using Us--Video

My first thought about this video was, Amazing! It is so interesting to me that even in 2007 people knew the potential of the web. I didn't know, that is for sure. In 2007, I was working at a medical based company and was trying to figure out the ins-and-outs of Excel--likely cursing electronics and wishing for their demise! I was so completely unaware of the potential and immense capabilities of the internet and the electronic boom at that time. What is sad is that now in 2014, I can barely remember what my life was like before this electronic age. That is why this video is so amazing to me because it is a shocking glimpse at what has become reality.

I did not grow up with electronics. I hand wrote my papers and used a phone that was plugged into a wall. The fact that those things seem foreign to me now, truly makes me fearful. I am addicted to my electronic devices. I must have my phone on me at all times, and I do not like to turn it off, even for a few minutes. I feel as if I have ‘a monkey on my back.’ Yet, this phone I have brings me so much joy. I connect with my relatives far away through Facebook. I converse with people more often because now I can send a text and do not have to call. I have the world's knowledge at my fingertips. Again Amazing! Why am I afraid of this? I do not know the answer. Before I knew of electronic devices, I was fine, my life was full and fun, but I could never go back to that way of living now--no way.

The video is intriguing. I have watched it several times. Some of it does not appeal to me, mostly because I do not try to get inside the computers inner workings. My purpose on a computer is to seek out information, so the fact that form and content are separate is kind of a non-issue for me; although, I am sure I reap the benefits of that great innovation. The part of the video that really sticks to me as I watch it is the end. The part where it states, “we need to rethink a few things.” That part just hits home with me because it is creepy and absolutely true. Even I, a self-titled spectator to the sport of electronic revolution, am effected by “the machine” as it is referred to in the title of the video. I will have to rethink, privacy, family, myself, and many other things. This video opens up that conversation with myself; what do I think of these things? Honestly, I am not sure yet.

What I want out of TINST 207

This class seemed to work out perfectly. I was in a meeting with my advisor and she said that if I had three more credits I would have senior status after Autumn quarter ends. At the time, I was already enrolled in 15 credits. I knew I could not handle another five credit class, but the thought of a three credit class seemed doable; not to mention, I really wanted to be a senior sooner than later. Now my advisor and I had to find a three credit class, and it had to fit into my schedule. We did a search and a few courses populated, this course being one of them. My advisor was noticeably pleased to see this course show up in the search. She said this course would be exciting and interesting. After I heard the course name and read the description, I agreed.

Before coming back to college as a slightly older returning student, I was employed in a tech heavy environment with a demanding employer. Unfortunately and admittedly, I was not what anyone would consider tech savvy. I learned what I could, and I had the help of my coworkers for the rest, but I knew I needed formalized training to succeed in this career and likely any other. I realized that I would need to have some skill in the world of computers in order to have continued success. I subsequently left my employment and returned to school. Even though I am not studying computers as my major, I knew I needed to acquire a knowledge of computers within my educational path. This leads me back to why this class is so perfect: "Living and Working in a Virtual World," how much better does it get than that?

My expectation in this class is not to understand how to write code or do vertical look-ups in Excel, but to possibly have a basic understanding of what these machines are, what they are capable of, and how I can best utilize them for my purposes. I am interested to hear the perspectives and experiences of others, those of whom are in the computer field and those who are like me: a curious bystander. I expect to gain knowledge through the discussions and personal sharing of course related material, and ultimately, understand and appreciate the virtual world that we live in. The basic fundamentals of the cyber-sphere, as I am calling it, is undeniably essential to living and working in today's society. I would contend that this is the type of class a person walks away from knowing that they have gained invaluable information that is usable to them no matter what they eventually do in life.

Test Blog for Virtual Class

I created this blog for a class I am taking at UWT.