The Facebook Effect Pt 3

Throughout my own process of reading this book, I begn questioning whether Mark Zuckerberg should have this amount of success- he should. Although there were lawsuits and questions as to how his idea were put into place, the fact of the matter was he was the person who was able through time and effort to make it happen. In the beginning of reading the book I think that I was waiting for some realization or profound statement but overall there were so many small actions taken that made this guy genius in my eyes. By developing this global social connection,  he revolutionized the world we live in and to think- he thought this was a hobby. Facebook has changed so much since the beginning and now incorporates so many elements that are customized to the audience. I enjoyed the fact that with this book we were not just able to read how he made things happen but his thoughts and process realizing that it was not just an overnight process. Well it was but there were many sleepless nights, meetings and plans in effect to create this whole 'Facebook effect'. Today because of this world wide spread of sociual networking, people who we would never think to use it, now do as a tool to reach the world. Even President Obama has a facebook which show that campaigning and democracy has also got with the times and acknowlege how necessary it is when tryning to reach people. This detailed book gave a realistic view of how this worldwide phenomenon came into furition. This book also showed how the minds of technological genius's were not too far from each other because of the people around Zuckerberg were also invoved in other world phenonmenons like Chen (youtube)and  Parker (Napster). I believe that the people today find it difficult to live without these forms of entertainment and facebook has really effected the world we live in today- hince the title :)

The Facebook Effect Pt 2

In  David Kirkpatricks book, "The facebook Effect" as I was reading it I was able to take in some of the strategic points that were made through Mark Zuckerberg. It amazed me that this small idea that was "stolen from these twins" that initailly was a hobby and creative pastime for everyone, was able to transform society into how we see it today. Sometime I sit back and wonder, what exactly would I be doing in class if there were no social networks? Perhaps paying better attention. Then I remember and go back to the times where I was in middle school and i didn't have one. Although I was very studious, I definately recall writing notes to my friends so that in passing we would exchange them, as if something really remarkable happen in those 49mins of class. I just think technology and facebook as a way to know what all my friends are doing in those few mins, all at once. My oh my have we evolved. regardless of the postive and negative consequences of our era, what it comes down to is this is we have created a world that is almost impossible to live without. In the book Zuckerberg did not think of himself as a CEO of a company nor did he have intensions to become one of the youngest billionares. However, once others were able to see the potential of his project, he gained the right investors like the Washington Post and others to push hiim forward. He even came in contact with some of the leading professsional men in hollywood like Sean Parker the creator of napster which was also a world phenomenon for some time. However Mark Zuckerberg was never acustomed to living a crazy life and once he figured out that his idea was 'gold' he did not want to ruin it through frivelous living. He was a professional unlike Sean Parker mentioned on pg 45-47 who did have influence over hime but he tried to maintain his own essence and work ethic. Right now I think this book is showing Mark Zuckerbergs process very similar to what was shown in the movie, but just with great detail and without trying to figure out whether the writers talking present day or past- like the movie. So far it's a good read. :)

The Facebook Effect Pt 1

Actually I was very interested in the title of this book and immediately when I began reading it I knew why. In David Kirkpatricks book, " The Facebook Effect: The Inside Story of the Company that is Connecting the World "  I was able to get a good glimse of the strategies and ideas that made social networking the empire that it is today. Just to think that this business that was created was able to bring peace and happiness to everyone around the world. Starting off as just being a fun social experiement for young  Harvard students, a fun project that was able to change their lives and our world. At the same time people are able to be just as creative by developing there own persona, which we discussed in class how there is a 'virtual you'. This idea within itself is quite amusing because any given individual is able to put out whatever persona they want displayed by their photos and the things they discuss. I thought it was also interesting how in class we discussed this idea of a e-thug, where this person lives outside of who they really are and are able to communicate about topics or in ways that are not true to them in real life. Kirkpatricks book "The facebook Effect" is also interesting because the title itself reigns true to everyone. Initally when I saw the book I was interested because not knowing what was discussed I knew that I could relate. I knew that whether or not you wanted to accept it, social networks have really played a significant role in the last 10 years. Being connected to others and knowing that they are listening to what you say or are interested in your photos, really show how we live in a justifiable society. Depending on how your perception facebook/ social networks change everything. Studies shown that this type of virtual expression change your persona, relationships you have with others, sometimes self esteem and can also have the power to change your mood by going on and participating in this social form. This book being an interview of Mark Zuckerberg made me consider the time and effort that was put in in order to create such a remarkable movement. It also made me even more interested in the movie that I saw previously because I saw the biases from the writer and tried to make comparisons to the movie immediately.

Final Assignment Pt. 3

Finally I was able to figure out which topic was the most relevant to my thought process throughout the last few weeks I found it very interesting the way American has developed a culture of environmental neglegence. The progression of technology has really created a overall lifestyle of wasteful living. Everyone is guilty of  it and in the same way everyone has fell susceptible to making these wasteful decisions, everyone has participated in the economic strategies that continue destroy the environment. Initially I felt torn between both books in trying to decide which one I would feel the nost strongly about, but finally I chose "Made to Break" by Giles Slade. The basis of the book really showed the different strategies that are used to continue this progression of technology in society. All the while we entertain these new inventions as if those that were similar yet created after become irrelevant. This idea of out with the old and in with the new really reigns supreme in the world we live in today. In my paper I plan to mention some of the ideas of remarkable men like Brook Stevens who developed this idea of 'planned obesolescence' where slight chnges are created on a given item only to influence the consumers. This type of planning not only changes the growth of a product in monetary gain, but creates a wasteful mindset for the  consumers and corrupts the environment as well. I think that although we have been confortable in the way of doing things in the past, there is time for change, Just like the world found it necessary to begin recycling years ago after many years of being unaware of the dangers to the planet, informantion is key. There must be a press to make changes by showing the problem at hand. Individuals must be informed of the problem and instead of commercials pushing for them to buy the next best thing, people should be generally aware of the consequences of our wasteful society. As soon as we started informing people about regular recycling and making it necessary we saw changes. I think they should make changes within the major companies that use these tactics to maintain their prosperity as the cost of our environment. Those are just some of my thoughts, and by the way I decided to keep my phone. It kind of has to do with the wifi facetime issue and the new phones coming out and can use face time without wifi but still, i think it's a better decision. At least I wont fall into the trap until after a new one comes out... (pointless)...  :)

Current Event: TSA Body Scanners and Pat Downs

Recently I was watching the news and news report immediately caught my attention. I happen to love traveling and with the holidays coming up, there is sure to be alt of traffic in the airport. The article I chose was featured on CNN.com and is entitled, "Growing Backlash against TSA body scanners, Pat Downs". Briefly it dscusses the homeland security methods and precautions that are being taken in order to ensure security in the United States particularly around the holidays. The leaders of travel industry grougs came together to decide on appropriate security methods to lesson the concerns of the government andminimize the safety risks for the American people. However, interestingly enough the general public seems to have the most issues with their proposal of incorporating TSA full body scanners in the security inspection at the airports. The problem being many Americans feel violated to the point of terror during this process. Not to mention so called  "reassurance " only heightens their levels of fear because of this alarming  system. There is a cross between American values and American protection the line is wearing thin. Moving forward a decision has to be made. There has been talk about protesting th earrival of the scanning systems and in some cases frequent travelers have essentially avoided flying all together. This seemingly helpful idea has created issues so much that November 24th, which is the busiest travel day had been claim to be 'National Opt Out Day'. This is essentially the travelers making their own decision of protection measures by opting out of air flights costing airlines 9.4 billion dollars. In addtion to the moral and privacy issues in full body scanning, ther are said to be health risk involved. Some citizens believe that homeland security has completely taken away their righs of privacy and dignity in hopes to stop potential terrorists. They believe that as customers they are being treated like criminals and their rights are being stripped away from them, along with their privacy. I choose this current event because I thought it had alot of themes of sacrificing oneself to adhere to the technological advance in society. I believe that technology is not only taking over the world we live in but taking away individual opportunities to choose what is better for them. And no I do not think Omish living is the way of life but in some cases we have let what we deem as "necessary" become a necessity when in reality we have been without these advances all along. I think it is unfair for people who feel victimized by this use of technology to be subjected to using it. In addition I find it particularly interesting that when frequent flyers complain of the health risks, it is dismissed. Immediately, I connected this to how the health risk of the enviroment is put on the back burner daily  and subjected to the misuse and abuse we choose. Choice is the key word here because in both cases, the ability to choose is lossed. I also began to think about how the hopes for something better has immediately changed the perpective of society. We do this daily, as technology advances, we denounce the system that has been working effectively in the years past. Interesting.

Final Assignment Pt 2

Today I woke up thinking how much I want to change my wireless server  in order to get a I-phone. Black Friday had really got me thinking this way, prior to that day I was content. I use my phone rarely for calls and I have to say I am a text fanatic! I figured out how much texting could be a life saver when you have a long winded mother who repeats herself so much that you finish her sentence by the end of the conversation. I figured texting would be the solution since it's kinda idiotic to text the same thing differently 5x in a row instead of listening to repeatition. Anyway I thought I was so context with my Samsung Exclaim, (it's not the best phone but definately not the worse) until I saw this bedazzled Juicy Couture I-phone case that I just had to have. Of course I didnt try to think if I could go to the Rag Shop and make it for my phone for 10 bucks, I just rather upgrade to a completely new phone in order to buy THAT case. I even begin thinking of things thatwere wrong with it to make me feel like I needed a new one. Now when I think about the age of technology we live in I am able to understand the world of obsolescence. Its just good business, but the consequences for the consumer are more than we know. Not only do we decided what items succeed in society but we decided what goods and services fail. Go Green!, a slogan we hear a number of people say who are environmenatlly aware of the things we do everyday that could harm our environment. Following that commercial I see the Apple 4G commercial. What to do? Everyday there are things being created to top the last technological phenonmenon. When I stop to think about how things are "Made to Break", I can't help but wonder if our love for 'the next best thing' has crippled us into a crisis. American tradition has been shaped by these dualisms creating a pull between what we want and what we all need. We all need to be aware of the small decisions we make daily that effect us all permanently. Even in knowing, I am guilty in thinking that my one selfish desire of tossing my phone out won't make a difference. New technologies alter society in more ways than those mentioned in Postman's technopoly. I find it incerdibly interesting that we create what we want and whats created has the ability to transforn the world we live in. Hmmm perhaps I should keep my phone...until it really breaks.

Assignment de Finale!!! pt 1

Upon receiving the final assignment I was incredible anxious, not necessarily to begin because i have approximately four 8-10 pg papers due in the next two weeks. But I was anxious because i just couldn't wait to say I have five. Surprisingly enough, the best news I've had was the fact that this paper was 6 -8. Hal-le-juah!!! * Just broke out into song* I've been thinking, which book to write about. The first thing I did was look at the books in my room trying to remember the 'gist' of each one. Then I thought, what's better than taking notes about a book the entire time your reading it (as we did in elementary school) - Blogging about it. The good thing about this class was i was able to go back and return to the same mind frame I was in as I was writing my own reflections. While reading, the decision i thought was so easy became harder as I was quickly able to decipher the pron and cons of each argument. There were just too many things to think about.  Not only did i have to choose which book I should do my paper on, but also which stance to take. Decisions, Decisions. The elements I would be including if I was to do techno poly would definitely be the ideas that modern day culture and the technology age in itself have somehow created its own world. I find it very interesting the way college and universities are run and how the campuses function all under the basis of efficient technology. The education system is not even the same and in some ways one must think if we are hurting or helping future generation. On the other hand i thought about  Giles Slade's theme of Americans going green all the while supporting the disposal of so many goods that we take pride in having. I think if we are going to make a change then we have to start with the way we produce our items and look at what we consider worldly treasure- obviously not the world. I think I may discuss Slade because I remember how in thought I was with societies push to consumers to buy things we don't need. Although hatred against aimless buying lasted all of a week, I think I can really expand on my thoughts.