Through out this course we have seen how individuals repeatedly are forming relationships online. Whether it be friendships through social networks and online gameing our exclusive relationtionships with websites such as eharmony. It is just another example of how society as a whole has changed and its relationship with technology has strengthed.
Many times one meets the important people in their lives in places they go constantly. School, work, the gym. The more that people interact in these places the greater the likelihood that people will find a connection, something in common that they can all share. Now as people spend more time online the chances of finding a connection with someone online also increases. For example on online games, people primary reason for playing isnt for meeting new people and trying to make a connection. Their main purpose was to play the game. As people spend more and more time playing the game, they make connections with the people online that are playing the games with them. Establishing legitamite friendships although the two people have never met.
This is also similar when people join the social networks. Often these are youed to stay connected with friends that you are not able to stay connected with on a regular basis. What social neworks offer is that different people can meet that perhaps may never have. With options such as friends of friends and being able to see what you have in common with a person technology has made it easier to make a connection with a person before you even begin to speak to them. What this does to how build and create their relationships only time can tell.
Friday, March 11, 2011
Monday, March 7, 2011
This Digital Nation
After watching the frontline documentry i got to thinking a lot about my relationship with the technology that surrounds me and the habits that i have developed because of it. These are just some of my observations:
1. I am constantly texting
When i wake up in the morning i already have a text and perhaps a email or two waiting for me to respond. Before i say goodmorning to my parents im already talking to a sorority sister about an event or my significant other about his morning. At times my parents feel that even though i live under the same roof as them once im in the confines of my bedroom im in a cyber world. I am texting my friends, playing words with friends with my cousin, have the television on and skyping. Trying to give everyone attention. None the less priorities are set. Some people get responses right away while others have to wait a little longer. And sometimes i forget and dont respond at all. Out of curiosity my dad once ask how may texts I sent in one week. I that week I had sent over 4000 text and received close to 5000
2. i am always doing more than one thing:
when Im doing hw i have facebook open, or maybe my email. At the very least i have music in the background. When im in class im working on another classes hw on my phone and when im in a sorority meeting im also chit chatting about my day with someone else. ( while writing this blog im watching the latest episode of gossip girl while i give myself "breaks"). I dont know why, but i find the need to always be doing something else on top of what is write in front of me. I feel that i have grown up, used to having all these technologies at my finger tips and find it so easy to transition from one to the other that i cant not resist. Maybe this need to multitask isnt just technologies fault. Perhaps in our society the want to pack 28hrs worth of things into a 24 hour day has become the expectation, the norm and i have just jumped on that band wagon without noticing it.
3. as i update my cellpones and ipods and laptop ( which come with new features) i adopt them into my daily life
When my parents got my my first cellphone i was in the 8th grade and it was simple. It had a black and white back ground, could make calls and texts (although mine it not have that in the plan so i never texted). Two years later i upgraded to a never phone. This time in color where i could put a specific background and could text and make calls. I could also and my own personal ringtone. Once i was able to text i wondered how i could live my life without this feature on my phone. I repeatedly got this feeling when i could take pictures, video, email , web browse. Now at the age of 21 i have made the leep of no return to an iphone 4. Although factime calling hasnt become a habit i dont think it will take to long to become one.
1. I am constantly texting
When i wake up in the morning i already have a text and perhaps a email or two waiting for me to respond. Before i say goodmorning to my parents im already talking to a sorority sister about an event or my significant other about his morning. At times my parents feel that even though i live under the same roof as them once im in the confines of my bedroom im in a cyber world. I am texting my friends, playing words with friends with my cousin, have the television on and skyping. Trying to give everyone attention. None the less priorities are set. Some people get responses right away while others have to wait a little longer. And sometimes i forget and dont respond at all. Out of curiosity my dad once ask how may texts I sent in one week. I that week I had sent over 4000 text and received close to 5000
2. i am always doing more than one thing:
when Im doing hw i have facebook open, or maybe my email. At the very least i have music in the background. When im in class im working on another classes hw on my phone and when im in a sorority meeting im also chit chatting about my day with someone else. ( while writing this blog im watching the latest episode of gossip girl while i give myself "breaks"). I dont know why, but i find the need to always be doing something else on top of what is write in front of me. I feel that i have grown up, used to having all these technologies at my finger tips and find it so easy to transition from one to the other that i cant not resist. Maybe this need to multitask isnt just technologies fault. Perhaps in our society the want to pack 28hrs worth of things into a 24 hour day has become the expectation, the norm and i have just jumped on that band wagon without noticing it.
3. as i update my cellpones and ipods and laptop ( which come with new features) i adopt them into my daily life
When my parents got my my first cellphone i was in the 8th grade and it was simple. It had a black and white back ground, could make calls and texts (although mine it not have that in the plan so i never texted). Two years later i upgraded to a never phone. This time in color where i could put a specific background and could text and make calls. I could also and my own personal ringtone. Once i was able to text i wondered how i could live my life without this feature on my phone. I repeatedly got this feeling when i could take pictures, video, email , web browse. Now at the age of 21 i have made the leep of no return to an iphone 4. Although factime calling hasnt become a habit i dont think it will take to long to become one.
My Media Diet
Thursday:
Phone: 1 hr
Television: 1hr 30min
Hw: 3 hrs
Texting: throughout the entire day
web: 3hrs (hw,emails, facebook)
skype: 2 hrs
Friday:
Phone: 1 hr
Television about 3 hrs while doing other things
Hw: 3hr 30min
texting: throughout the entire day
web: facebook emails 2hrs
Saturday:
Phone: 45 min
Texting: throughout the entire day
Television 2hr 30min ( while doing other things)
Words with friends: about 1hr
Web: checking emails, facebook, searchs ( about three hours)
book: 30 min reading a novel
skype: 1hr 20min
Sunday:
phones: about 30min
Television: about 3 hrs ( while doing other things at the same time)
radio: about 1 hr (while driving to different places)
Texting: throughout the entire day
words with friends: 1hr 30min
web : email checking, facebook, hw referenceing 3hr 30min (all on my iphone)
book: 45mins reading a novel
skype: 2hr 45min
Monday:
phone: about 1hr 30min
radio: 1 (while driving to and from school)
texting: throughout the entire day
words with friends: 1hr
web: check my email about 4 times a day
facebook: browse it throughout the day
skype: about 2- 3 hours
Observations:
I think that what my media saying about me is that i have three priorities: school, my friends/family and staying connected to them at all times and spending time with my boyfriend even though we are three hours apart. Although i feel that my media consumption is about anyone else my age. I may text and skyoe more than the average person. I think that my media consumption will change once i graduate in June or if my boyfriend or i were to relocate.
Phone: 1 hr
Television: 1hr 30min
Hw: 3 hrs
Texting: throughout the entire day
web: 3hrs (hw,emails, facebook)
skype: 2 hrs
Friday:
Phone: 1 hr
Television about 3 hrs while doing other things
Hw: 3hr 30min
texting: throughout the entire day
web: facebook emails 2hrs
Saturday:
Phone: 45 min
Texting: throughout the entire day
Television 2hr 30min ( while doing other things)
Words with friends: about 1hr
Web: checking emails, facebook, searchs ( about three hours)
book: 30 min reading a novel
skype: 1hr 20min
Sunday:
phones: about 30min
Television: about 3 hrs ( while doing other things at the same time)
radio: about 1 hr (while driving to different places)
Texting: throughout the entire day
words with friends: 1hr 30min
web : email checking, facebook, hw referenceing 3hr 30min (all on my iphone)
book: 45mins reading a novel
skype: 2hr 45min
Monday:
phone: about 1hr 30min
radio: 1 (while driving to and from school)
texting: throughout the entire day
words with friends: 1hr
web: check my email about 4 times a day
facebook: browse it throughout the day
skype: about 2- 3 hours
Observations:
I think that what my media saying about me is that i have three priorities: school, my friends/family and staying connected to them at all times and spending time with my boyfriend even though we are three hours apart. Although i feel that my media consumption is about anyone else my age. I may text and skyoe more than the average person. I think that my media consumption will change once i graduate in June or if my boyfriend or i were to relocate.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Technology and Social Interaction
When ever you are given two options, it is never really black or white situation. If one looks into a subject long enough they will soon see that their are only shades of grey. I believe this applies specifically when it comes to technology and the influences that it has had on all types of social interactions. Although their are some instances in which technology has had a negative impact, i believe overall it has held a positive one.
Some examples of how technology has had a positive impact is that individuals are now more able to keep in touch with each other when before it caused much difficultly. Through modes of communication such as cell phones and computers, as well as social networks such as myspace and facebook, people that have never met get the opportunity to speak and even see each other face to face using methods such as skype. Another positive factor is the speed that technology provides. People are able to not only send emails and messages to each other instantly. Through social networking they are also to have real time conversations with multiple people.
Of course there are also negative aspects as well. One of which can be that some individuals can take advantage of the fact that in some methods of technology they are allow anonymity. Posing to be people they are not or trying to take advantage of another person becomes easier with these types of technologies. This would be less likely to happen in a face to face setting.
I think that when people decide to look for more intimate relationships on the Internet it can always be a mixed bag. On the positive side people are able to go at the pace they decide to. Revealing information only when they are comfortable. I believe the online dating site are positive as long as the people participating in them are responsible and aware about taking safety pre cautions regarding giving out their information. Although i do believe that people can make a connection with each other online i don't believe that can sustain a relationship. Eventually in order for two individuals to really know if they are meant for each other, there going to have to meet each other in person. There are still just some things that not even a web cam can capture.
When it comes to technology there is also always the danger of going to the extreme. People can become consumed of there online life that they begin to neglect their real physical one. This is primarily more likely to happen to people that are shy, or often teased by the people that revolve them in their everyday life. Instead of seeking help these individuals could fall more and more into their virtual life/ world instead of finding connections with people in their everyday life. Which is why i do believe that we as a society need to come together to provide everyone an avnue in which they feel like their is a place they can go to, to connect with other people and develope relationships and friendships.
Some examples of how technology has had a positive impact is that individuals are now more able to keep in touch with each other when before it caused much difficultly. Through modes of communication such as cell phones and computers, as well as social networks such as myspace and facebook, people that have never met get the opportunity to speak and even see each other face to face using methods such as skype. Another positive factor is the speed that technology provides. People are able to not only send emails and messages to each other instantly. Through social networking they are also to have real time conversations with multiple people.
Of course there are also negative aspects as well. One of which can be that some individuals can take advantage of the fact that in some methods of technology they are allow anonymity. Posing to be people they are not or trying to take advantage of another person becomes easier with these types of technologies. This would be less likely to happen in a face to face setting.
I think that when people decide to look for more intimate relationships on the Internet it can always be a mixed bag. On the positive side people are able to go at the pace they decide to. Revealing information only when they are comfortable. I believe the online dating site are positive as long as the people participating in them are responsible and aware about taking safety pre cautions regarding giving out their information. Although i do believe that people can make a connection with each other online i don't believe that can sustain a relationship. Eventually in order for two individuals to really know if they are meant for each other, there going to have to meet each other in person. There are still just some things that not even a web cam can capture.
When it comes to technology there is also always the danger of going to the extreme. People can become consumed of there online life that they begin to neglect their real physical one. This is primarily more likely to happen to people that are shy, or often teased by the people that revolve them in their everyday life. Instead of seeking help these individuals could fall more and more into their virtual life/ world instead of finding connections with people in their everyday life. Which is why i do believe that we as a society need to come together to provide everyone an avnue in which they feel like their is a place they can go to, to connect with other people and develope relationships and friendships.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
social networking and privacy (2)
I am the type of person who is a strong believer in multi-tasking. I have heard arguments that say when a person attempts to multi-task nothing comes out right, but it has been my experience that my life cannot function if I didn't do more than one thing at a time. Im simple terms I have a little to much on my plate. As a result, Social Networks have become a method in which I can talk to my friends, stay in touch with my friends without physically being with them. I tend to check my Facebook about twice a day but am not a member of any other social network like twitter or myspace. Because my friends, sisters and family know that I check my Facebook on a regular bases I often get news, updates or questions from them on it, knowing that at some point throughout the day I will view it and respond.
Although I check my Facebook on a regular basis it is my phone that is always at my side. Not because of phone calls that I am consistently making or receiving, but because of texting. I text my sisters, friends and loved ones. I feel that I use texting so much because it is not only the best way that someone can reach me, but also the best way that I can reach others. Often when your multi-tasking you don't have time to pick up the phone and have a full conversation with some. Through texting you don't have to give an immediate response, and can also just answer the question without wasting as much time if you don't have it to spare.
It is clear to me that social networks and technology have become a larger part of my life, but even with drawbacks such as some sorts of invasion of privacy I believe have a positive trends as a whole. Through social networks such as Facebook I am able to keep in touch with friends that at one point in my life were close, but are no longer in my everyday life. As we as individuals continue to live our lives we see ourselves take twists and turns and these changes are not always consistent with our friends or loved ones. It is through social networks and technology such as our smart phones that allows to be part of others lives without physically being there. If used responsibly it is a very positive thing.
When using social media as well as cellphone functions such as texting, there is always a risk on over-sharing, or even regretting what you show others. Although I have had momments when ive posted something, and thought "wow katherine on one cares," I have never posted anything that i have been ashamed of or have regretted. I think when i was younger i was more vulnerable to doing something like that, but i was still not interested in Myspace at that age. With the hopes of law school in my future and a job in the legal profession i know that image is everything and anything that is considered questionable should not be posted no matter how funny the picture or quote.
Although im the only person that chooses who can and cannot see my profile i do always make sure to stay up to date on all the security features. Im well aware that not everyone that whats to be your friend on Facebook is a good person and I always have to be defensive as far as letting strangers so any of my information. With all good things there are negatives and this is just one of them...
Although I check my Facebook on a regular basis it is my phone that is always at my side. Not because of phone calls that I am consistently making or receiving, but because of texting. I text my sisters, friends and loved ones. I feel that I use texting so much because it is not only the best way that someone can reach me, but also the best way that I can reach others. Often when your multi-tasking you don't have time to pick up the phone and have a full conversation with some. Through texting you don't have to give an immediate response, and can also just answer the question without wasting as much time if you don't have it to spare.
It is clear to me that social networks and technology have become a larger part of my life, but even with drawbacks such as some sorts of invasion of privacy I believe have a positive trends as a whole. Through social networks such as Facebook I am able to keep in touch with friends that at one point in my life were close, but are no longer in my everyday life. As we as individuals continue to live our lives we see ourselves take twists and turns and these changes are not always consistent with our friends or loved ones. It is through social networks and technology such as our smart phones that allows to be part of others lives without physically being there. If used responsibly it is a very positive thing.
When using social media as well as cellphone functions such as texting, there is always a risk on over-sharing, or even regretting what you show others. Although I have had momments when ive posted something, and thought "wow katherine on one cares," I have never posted anything that i have been ashamed of or have regretted. I think when i was younger i was more vulnerable to doing something like that, but i was still not interested in Myspace at that age. With the hopes of law school in my future and a job in the legal profession i know that image is everything and anything that is considered questionable should not be posted no matter how funny the picture or quote.
Although im the only person that chooses who can and cannot see my profile i do always make sure to stay up to date on all the security features. Im well aware that not everyone that whats to be your friend on Facebook is a good person and I always have to be defensive as far as letting strangers so any of my information. With all good things there are negatives and this is just one of them...
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