Technology Abuse

All these new technologies in our world can be helpful, and a convenience but are we abusing them? Teachers can notice students grades falling, because of all these technological distractions. For example, facebook. Even when people are doing their homework, or studying, facebook will be open in another tab. In class, I always notice people in front of my "facebooking" on their lap tops. And, I must admit, I have facebook open in another tab as I am writing this. If effects most of us, and in a lot of ways its as if we are addicted to these technologies. 

I read a story about the new Wolverine X-men movie being leaked onto the internet before the release. (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7978379.stm). People are using the internet to make a dis honest profit. Leaking a movie before it's released is against the law. But web 2.0 makes it so easy for people do things like this, and exploit other peoples work. Also, the the author of the hit Twilight series was writing  a new book to continue the series called "Midnight Sun." Somehow, someone got a hold of one of her drafts of 12 chapters of this book  and leaked it onto the internet. Stephanie Meyer, the author, was so disappointed that people got a sneak peek, she didn't want to finish the book. 

People are taking advantage of these new technologies, and abusing them. They are using them for the wrong reasons. Some people get so immersed in their social networking profiles, it makes them feel more comfortable being online then interacting with people in person. This can be positive because it gives these people a sense of self, and confidence online. But ultimately, it is negative for interpersonal relationships. Instead of learning how to communicate effectively with people, in person, they are getting worse. 

Younger generations are getting so used to communicating via social networking sites and texting its the norm to them. They are constantly on their phones and lap tops, living their lives through these technologies. Not to mention "sexting" where kids are finding ways to sexually express themselves through technologies. Three teenage girls and three teenage guys in Penn. were charged with child pornography because the girls texted naked pictures of themselves to the boys. (http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/01/15/national/main4723161.shtml) Teenagers these days have the easy mediums to communicate their sexuality. I think as years pass kids are growing up faster and faster, and maturing faster and faster. And I don't think it's a good thing. I think young kids should have restrictions on their cell phones. 

All these new technologies are good for many things, but they are definitely being abused by many people. 

Texting

Everyday it becomes more and more amazing to me how attached people are to their cell phones, and that in a room full of people at least two or three people will be texting. And I know I am guilty of it also. It just seems so much more convenient to text. Sometimes I wonder what our world would be like it texting were never invented. We would actually have to call each other, what would that be like?! It would be good for our interpersonal relationships, that's for sure. And there would probably be a lot less car accidents.
With texting, people become so immersed in it and the second their phone buzzes they have to read the text, and reply back right then and there. Even when they are driving, they can't put the phone down to watch the road. That is how accidents happen, and fatalities happen. Lauren Mulkey, who was only 19 years old, was just driving some friends home one night, and someone was texting, ran a red light, and hit her. Lauren was killed in the accident, all because this person had to read his text right then. Are we relying on our technology to keep us connected too much? I definitely think so. There are people who can't ever put their phone down, or turn it off. Even when they're out with friends or on a date.
I think texting is making us take a step backwards with our interpersonal relationships. People want to avoid awkward phone conversations so they rely solely on texting. But jokes on us because when you finally meet up with the person you've been texting its even more awkward cause you haven't even talked on the phone, and now there you are face to face with each other.
When I'm hanging out with my friends and they're texting I feel annoyed, and kind of like they'd rather be somewhere else, or talking to someone else. It gets very old and irritating when you're trying to hangout and have a conversation with someone, but they just have their phone in their face the whole time. People are starting to care less and less about having those interpersonal relationships. When they're with one person, they're talking to someone else.

Virtual Reality

The virtual world can be a tough concept. Many consider it to be not real, cause that is technically what virtual means. But to many people it is very real. The virtual world is just an extension of themselves and their lives. People become so involved and so consumed with their virtual lives, its almost just as real as what happens in the real world. For example Dibbell's article about a rape in cyberspace greatly effected the woman who was actually raped in the MOO. To many other people that doesn't even make sense. It didn't happen in real life, how could it have so much of an effect on her. But to her it was almost as bad as if it would have happened in real life. Should there be some sort of regulation for the things you can say in online communities such as the lambdaMOO? I think in a perfect world there would be, but it's virtually impossible to control what people are doing over the internet, and we are entitled to free speech.
I think virtual reality does have an affect on interpersonal communication. I think spending so much time in the virtual world can affect the way you communicate with people in the real world. I think people get so used to communicating over the internet, and not face to face that it can make them a little more introverted. Once someone gets so used to communicating in the internet, and how comfortable it is, it can make it a lot harder for them to communicate face to face.
I also think that people can have very real friendships over the internet. Even though they don't see each other or communicate face to face, they are still talking every day, and can grow very close even over the internet. However, I do think that a virtual relationship will never be the same as a "real world" interpersonal relationship. Being together in real life and being able communicate in person brings your relationship to a different level. It makes you closer, and is a totally different relationship than a virtual relationship.

Advertising and New Media

New technology and new media are effecting advertising. People are having to be more creative in the way the advertise. I think using crowdsourcing can be an effective way to advertise. Doritos have been successful in their contests for commercials. Going back to my other crowdsourcing blog I think it's very interesting how these companies are using these people virtually as their "employees" when they use crowdsourcing but they never even meet the people before, or have any background information about them. This is definitely cutting out interpersonal communication. It's almost cutting out communication all together.
It's interesting how companies have responded to the DVR. I have a DVR and I don't watch live tv half as much as I used to. When im watching a show on my DVR I always fast forward through the commercials. The product placement is a good sneaky way to put in ads. Sometimes I think it can be even better than regular commercials because its sub conscience and that way the viewer watches it without even noticing. With regular commercials the viewers could find them obnoxious and change the channel, or mute the TV. With product placement they don't have a choice, even if they don't realize they are being forced to see the ads. Obviously is working, because of the spark in Mini Couper sales after the "Italian Job" came out, as Annie mentioned in class.
Companies are having to be more creative than ever with their advertising. I saw on the news that KFC has a new advertising campaign where they agreed to fill pot holes around Salt Lake City for free as long as they could stamp their logo over the pot hole after it was filled. So when your'e driving around the city and you notice a KFC logo on the road it might make you hungry for some fried chicken and you're already on the road and could be on your way to KFC. Some of these campaigns may sound kind of stupid, and random, but I think they can be affective. This one in particular could also make KFC look like a helpful hand because they're filling pot holes around the city for free. With more of this new media and technology it will be interesting to see what new ways companies come up with to advertise.