The augmented reality of our lives is forcing us to think about not just where we are but where we intend to be and how we want to see it.
To visualize our reality through wearable technology will enhance our experience of what is before us. Anything from video games to critical results of health care tests add to the diversity of such a reality.
I suppose I will have to absorb the fact that nothing is what it seems. A car is not just a car, countertop not just a countertop and so on. Transforming our surroundings into a stage for virtual reality is a frightening thing. As the article states, the world is “just too boring for many people”. So now that we have labeled it boring we must make it excited. Do we always have to figure out a way to be entertained? What ever happened to having a boring day, in the park with a great book a wonderful bottle of wine being enough? Or would it be more interesting to put on a pair of glasses and visualize a more stimulating environment, with your kindle in hand and a sommelier talking you through your wine choices.
I will take boring for now that is, until I am forced to join the stampede of others forging to new exciting technologies.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Are Social Networks Messing with Your Head
Is social networking messing with our heads or are we just who we are in any medium put in front of us?
In the article written by David DiSalvo, there are a few areas of personality that are explored as they enter the social media world.
Take, for example, the loner. Does a social networking site make a loner even lonelier? As we find in the reading, loners are not experiencing increased loneliness due to use of social networking sites. In fact, some may even find peace in communicating with who they want, when they want. In addition, those who want to reach out and stay connected with individuals in their lives are able to do so. The bottom line is, who you truly are is portrayed in face to face interactions as well as social networking sites.
If you are a lonely person, you will be lonely in your environment. This holds true for any personality traits. Addressed in the article is the ever loving narcissist who cannot get enough of themselves. Social networking sites grant them an area to shout “look at me, look at me” to the entire world. The definition by DiSalvo states that the narcissists are behaving the same online or offline. There is a “massing numerous but shallow relationships with their own profile definition of number of contacts, glamorous appearance and staged quality to the photo. Certainly these individuals are standouts among the rest since that is their personal motivator.
The question of addiction also arose, like in most social networking articles, at it pertains to the user. Can one be addicted to social networking in the same manner as drugs and alcohol? Absolutely. Again, an individual exists in their own characteristics whether they are online or offline.
Using social networking is an extension of us. It is who we are who we chose to associate with and communication we wish to engage in. Perhaps there are ways to hide behind the screen and portray ourselves in different manner however; our characteristics will always come through.
In the article written by David DiSalvo, there are a few areas of personality that are explored as they enter the social media world.
Take, for example, the loner. Does a social networking site make a loner even lonelier? As we find in the reading, loners are not experiencing increased loneliness due to use of social networking sites. In fact, some may even find peace in communicating with who they want, when they want. In addition, those who want to reach out and stay connected with individuals in their lives are able to do so. The bottom line is, who you truly are is portrayed in face to face interactions as well as social networking sites.
If you are a lonely person, you will be lonely in your environment. This holds true for any personality traits. Addressed in the article is the ever loving narcissist who cannot get enough of themselves. Social networking sites grant them an area to shout “look at me, look at me” to the entire world. The definition by DiSalvo states that the narcissists are behaving the same online or offline. There is a “massing numerous but shallow relationships with their own profile definition of number of contacts, glamorous appearance and staged quality to the photo. Certainly these individuals are standouts among the rest since that is their personal motivator.
The question of addiction also arose, like in most social networking articles, at it pertains to the user. Can one be addicted to social networking in the same manner as drugs and alcohol? Absolutely. Again, an individual exists in their own characteristics whether they are online or offline.
Using social networking is an extension of us. It is who we are who we chose to associate with and communication we wish to engage in. Perhaps there are ways to hide behind the screen and portray ourselves in different manner however; our characteristics will always come through.
The Cellphone, Navigating Our Lives
The use of our cell phone’s as GPS devices offers a few conveniences but also offers a “big brother” cloud over us that may not be worth the benefits.
What are the benefits? Perhaps is the most appealing is the ease of mobility. To have an awareness of where you are and how to get where you are going adds a confidence and safety to our day that allows our mobility to be expanded. Navigating ourselves through different cities and the world is something that adds to our experience.
Safety is perhaps another benefit to consider. The idea of Google supporting tracking my children allows me to breathe a bit easier. Although it does not mean my children can exercise much more freedom, it does allow me to relax and enjoy the comfort of knowing there is a bit of a “safety net”. I imagine that once they become teenagers I will truly find values in this tool. Had my parents had access to this tracking device while I was in school I would have been busted on many occasion.
Location identification is perhaps the benefit that is the most contradictory in terms of our opinion. As the article indicates an example of catching a friend who just happens to be near by is one such benefit. However, what if you do not want to be found? What if you have told your boss that you needed to go home early when in fact, you were in the nearest boutique for quite some time. Or perhaps more interesting, what if you are Tiger Woods and your wife could locate your exact whereabouts?
Are all of these benefits of the cellphone applications and capabilities necessary for us to exercise? When do we begin to value privacy instead of convenience?
Unfortunately, I believe we have already crossed the threshold and there is no turning back. The challenge now is to keep pace with the rest of society as we try, as individuals, to participate in a technology movement that is faster than any of us can imagine. Keeping stride may force us to compromise liberties that we apparently are quick to give up; however the cost associated with these will not be able to be measured in the near future. By always referring to our screen instead of looking around us, we are certain to miss something along the way.
What are the benefits? Perhaps is the most appealing is the ease of mobility. To have an awareness of where you are and how to get where you are going adds a confidence and safety to our day that allows our mobility to be expanded. Navigating ourselves through different cities and the world is something that adds to our experience.
Safety is perhaps another benefit to consider. The idea of Google supporting tracking my children allows me to breathe a bit easier. Although it does not mean my children can exercise much more freedom, it does allow me to relax and enjoy the comfort of knowing there is a bit of a “safety net”. I imagine that once they become teenagers I will truly find values in this tool. Had my parents had access to this tracking device while I was in school I would have been busted on many occasion.
Location identification is perhaps the benefit that is the most contradictory in terms of our opinion. As the article indicates an example of catching a friend who just happens to be near by is one such benefit. However, what if you do not want to be found? What if you have told your boss that you needed to go home early when in fact, you were in the nearest boutique for quite some time. Or perhaps more interesting, what if you are Tiger Woods and your wife could locate your exact whereabouts?
Are all of these benefits of the cellphone applications and capabilities necessary for us to exercise? When do we begin to value privacy instead of convenience?
Unfortunately, I believe we have already crossed the threshold and there is no turning back. The challenge now is to keep pace with the rest of society as we try, as individuals, to participate in a technology movement that is faster than any of us can imagine. Keeping stride may force us to compromise liberties that we apparently are quick to give up; however the cost associated with these will not be able to be measured in the near future. By always referring to our screen instead of looking around us, we are certain to miss something along the way.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)