Homework 26- Photos and Questions

I interviewed my friend Yang on her definition of what is cool and what is uncool. Below are her answers:
“What is your definition of cool?”
My definition of cool is being chill, amazing, and not annoying.
“What is your definition of uncool?”
My definition of uncool is not being naggy or whiney.


I then interview my friend Emily, and got one of the most profound answers ever. I really liked this answer:
“What is your definition of cool?”
Being cool is when you stay who you are and stick to your morals. when youre not easily influenced by others or fall into peer pressure. being cool is being true to yourself.
“What is your definition of uncool?”
Being uncool is when a person is narrowminded, and only looks at things in their own perspective. they dont allow room for improvement. they are easily influenced and stuggles to find their identity.


I then asked Gavin for his opinions:
“What is your definition of cool?”
Well I think people who are cool are those who care for others, and make the effort to be with people they enjoy.
“What is your definition of uncool?”
Uncool people try to attention grab and neflect others.


Finally i asked Carrie for her opinions:
"What is your definition of cool?"
when someone is charismatic i find that cool
“What is your definition of uncool?”
well i don't have a specific preference for cool but i know that someone uncool is generally someone who tries to act cool.

Homework 25- Story Comments and Analysis

Comments:
Kate-
I really liked your story because it was new and fresh. Most people talk about how the popular girl is cool because she makes fun of others, but in your story your girl is cool because she stands up for others. That was a nice twist, and i really liked how you wrote your story and how it flows. Great job =)
-Rachel

Henry,
I really enjoyed reading your story. i like how you wrote it, and how the story flows. Your story did an amazing job of explaining your point of view on what or who is cool, and what goes into being cool. good job =)
-Rachel

Jia Min,
I love your story. The dialogue makes the story easy to be able to connect to, because i can imagine these people talking. I also like how you made your character cool because of the fact that she stood up for another person. She wasn't afraid to stand up for someone who couldn't stand up for himself. Your story did a great job portraying what you thought the definition of cool involved.
-Rachel

Amber,
Although your story was short, i think it clearly got your point across. You incorperated so much into so little, if that makes any sense. i like how you portrayed the "cool" girl as the girl who does not care what authority thinks of her. I have read several other people's short stories, but yours is the first one to focus on rebelling being cool. great job =)
-Rachel

Maggie,
I really like your story. No dialogue is used, nor is it needed. Your point gets across clearly and your story makes so much sense. Your cool girl doesn't need the popular girl or the jock, she doesn't need several friends. She's just herself. I also like how your story flows, and how you described the girls clothing, to paint an image in our mind.
great job (:
-Rachel

Carrie,
I really like your story. It flowed nicely, and what your definition of cool was shown in this story. Your character captivates her audience by just being herself. I also agree with Jia Min, your last sentence was a great ending and my favorite line in your story.
-Rachel

Analysis
In several of the stories I have read, I have noticed that everyone has different definitions of the word “cool”. Some people perceive the word cool as that popular rebel character, as shown in Amber’s story (http://amberm93.blogspot.com/), or they perceive the word cool as the character who helps our others, as shown in Kate (http://kated2010.blogspot.com/) or Jia Min’s stories (http://sy17.blogspot.com/). Reading these stories helped open my eyes to the fact that many people perceive what is cool in different ways. There is not one universal definition of cool, rather several definitions, fit to the person who states it.

In Kate and Jia Min’s story, they chose to portray their character as cool because they helped others out. To them, being cool is about helping others. I also noticed that in both stories, the person in need was less “cool” or less “popular”, more along the “geeky” or “nerdy” type. In our society, we connect being uncool with be the geek or the loser.

In Maggie and Henry’s stories, they portrayed the cool character as the “quiet” type. They didn’t feel the need to talk to other people, or associate themselves with the whispers around them. By reading their stories, I came to the conclusion that Maggie and Henry believe that cool people don’t care what other people think, and they don’t feel the need to associate themselves with everyone.

In Amber’s story, the main character rebels against authority, She does not care what her principal says about her, and dares him to expel her, as he threatened to do. This shows me that Amber’s definition of cool involves not listening to adults, or rebelling.

Everyone has a different definition of the word “cool”, and after reading these stories, I was able to have a glimpse at what other people’s definition of cool is. These stories were interesting to read, and it was fun to read stories made by my classmates and friends.

Homework 24- Short Story One

I knew from the first time I laid eyes on her, she would be deemed as the “coolest kid in school.” Maybe it was her effortless style, or her natural beauty of a face, but there was something about her that struck me as cool. Her jeans were tucked into boots, her shirt was rumpled, and her hair looked like she just woke up and brushed it once but nothing more, but she radiated a sense of “coolness” whenever she walked. She was distant, and would not expand on her past when asked, her face a contortion of emotions, but her lips never leaking out one word. Few disliked her, most admired her. But let me go back to the first time I saw her.

It was a Monday morning, and the English teacher droned on and on in his nasal voice. Sleep threatened to take over my body, my eyes willing my brain to let them close. Students all over were napping, their heads spread out on tables, some lightly snoring. A blast of wind entered the classroom, followed by a door opening. Peeking to the front, I saw a tall girl standing still.

“You are?” The teacher asked.
“Taylor…Taylor Burns.”
“Ah yes, nice to meet you Ms. Burns. Yes we were expecting you. Please, take a seat. There’s one right there,” the teacher replied, pointing to the one near me.

It seemed as if she was gliding across the classroom, her hair bouncing but her eyes averted from connecting with anyone else’s.

“Nice to meet you,” I tried to be nice.
“Thanks,” she replied, coolly pulling out a patterned notebook.
“So, um…where do you come from?” I asked…trying to strike up a conversation. Our small school wasn’t use to getting new students, and I wanted to pry as much information from her as I can.

Her eyes shifted to me, starting quizzically at me, as if they were trying to figure me out. Her lips parted, as if to say something, and then closed again. After a long moment of silence, one word came out of her lips. “California.”

I was going to ask her more, considering I never met anyone from California before, but I stopped myself. She looked distant; her eyes seem to stare out to a spot on the wall. Mysterious, I decided. Mysterious was the word to best describe her.

Once the bell rang, she packed up her books in a handmade organic cotton bag, and stepped out of the classroom. Without asking anyone where to go next, she consulted her schedule and walked off. As she walked down the hallway, heads swiveled, whispers escaping people’s mouths. If she noticed, she didn’t say anything. She radiated “coolness” because of “I don’t care” attitude, and her distant attitude. Her style seemed effortless, and the students at school quickly picked it up. Some chose to talk crap about her, but others tried to befriend her. Those who criticized her made themselves feel better, jealousy and hatred radiating on their faces, but those who tried to befriend her got nothing but a soft smile and a blank stare. It was as if she did not want to talk to anyone, only wanted to do her own thing. Of course, this made her cooler in my eyes, along with half of the grade’s eyes. Here comes a girl from California, effortless beauty, aloof, distant, silent, but yet demanding attention in a discreet way. Her name escaped peoples lips, whispered in hushed tones, yet she didn’t seem to care.

It’s now three months since Taylor first stepped into our school, and I still know nothing about her. Mysterious? Yes, that’s her. Many tried to talk to her, but she never seemed to divulge more than one word answers. She was highly respected, and everyone knew her name, some even attempted to copy her style. Poseurs, I thought inside, wondering what was going on in her mind when she saw these followers in the hallway. Staring into her soft gray eyes, I realized I would never know. But one thing was sure, this girl was the definition of “cool”.

Homework 23 - 1st Constructivist Exploration of Cool

Every day, the word “cool” is tossed around as if it is nothing, effortlessly leaving people’s lips, without requiring much thought to the definition behind this four letter word. What is the definition of “cool”, and who defines what is considered “cool”? Does your style make you cool, the way you act, your personality? Or is it something completely different? What do people mean when they say “you’re cool”? These are some of the questions I am hoping to answer through this unit, and here are some of my answers to these questions.

I do not believe there is a universal definition of the word “cool”, rather a definition chosen by that of the person. Different people define what is “cool” in different ways; some people might say that being cool involves not caring or being a rebel, while others might think being cool means conforming to society’s standards. I believe that being cool ties into the idea of being popular, or being liked by many people. Your style might be cool or your personality might be cool, and that might make you cool to others. But what makes you “cool” to others? I believe what makes you cool is the ability to make people like you, and follow you. Sadly, our society is filled with followers rather than leaders, and when one spots a leader type, someone who isn’t afraid to show authority, they automatically think, “hey they’re cool”. There’s no fundamental base to what is cool, no concept written in textbooks, or steps to follow. Being cool is based on one’s perspective of others. I can say that I think Kate D’Auria, or Carrie Li, are cool (which I do believe is true), however people might beg to differ. I could argue that Carrie’s effortless style makes her cool in my eyes, and Kate’s ability to be nice to everyone makes her cool also. But this is my perspective, someone, let’s say Maggie Zheng, might think differently. We could argue over whether or not Kate and Carrie are cool, but what difference would it make? It’s an opinion, not a fact.

What is “uncool”? Who is “uncool”? Who defines what “uncool” is? I believe that being “uncool” ties into the whole concept of being “unpopular”. If one does not have many friends, or does not have a sense of style, they might be considered “uncool”. They don’t demand respect from others, or do anything to impress others. However, a person’s perception of whom or what is cool also depends on opinion. I could think sidekicks (the cell phone) are cool, but my mother might think they are uncool. These concepts of cool versus uncool plays into a person’s perception.

During class, Andy shot down Beatrice’s idea that Ali Jo was the coolest kid in school (as defined by the school as whole), or that Kareem was the coolest kid in school as spoken by Charles. When asked what made someone cool, or by what standards was he measuring these people, Andy did not share his thoughts. His moment of silence prompted me to believe that people think other people are cool based on what they admire in that person. Charles admires Kareem because he is funny, which makes Kareem cool in his eyes. Beatrice admires Ali Jo because she is a free-spirit, who does not care what others think of her, which makes her cool in Beatrice’s eyes. We believe that people are cool based on what we admire most about that person. We want to be like that person, in one way or another, and by deeming them cool we are setting them on a pedestal to admire from afar.

When people call others “uncool”, they are comparing that person to themselves. If they don’t think that person’s sense of style is uncool, they are comparing it to their sense of style or someone’s style they admire. In this critical society we live in, we automatically compare people without even realize it, giving the phrase “don’t judge a book by its cover” a sweep to the back of their mind.
What makes someone cool? What makes someone uncool? What are the definitions of these two words, and how can one work towards being cool? What fundamental concepts are there to follow in order to be cool? Hopefully this unit will provide the answers to these questions.

Homework 21- Art Project 1

^click on image to see larger version"

I believe that my art is a mirror. In my art, I reflected the world as I see it. I took pictures of my friends and family using technology, and incorporated that into my collage. Instead of telling people how they should or should not be using technology, I showed people how people I know use technology in their daily lives, whether it for schoolwork or just for pure fun.

For my art to be a hammer, it needs to reflect our society as I see it, and then reflect on how I believe our society can change it’s over excessive use of technology. However, I did not want to do that. I don’t want to tell people they have to cut down on their use of technology, I want them to realize by themselves they need to. I don’t want people to cut down on their use of technology because I am telling them to, that is the same as going to school and having a teacher tell you what to do, without explaining why. If, after looking at my collage, people feel the need to cut down on their technological use, so be it. If not, then I can’t say I didn’t try. I want people to enjoy my art, and have a glimpse of how I see our society. I want them to act like they are in my shoes for once, and look through my eyes.

My art does indeed make me think and feel. My collage incorporates pictures that I took in one period of time. During class, I took pictures of my friends and classmates using their digital representation devices. I never realized how obsessed our society is with technology. Since we had a substitute in class, my classmates immediately pulled out their cell phones, iPods, and laptops, and began using them. While looking at my art, it dawned on me how obsessed we all are. My art makes me analyze our current generation and how society affects them.

The most interesting aspect of making my art was figuring out which pictures to use and how to place the pictures in an interesting ways. I wanted to vary my picture positions, and didn’t want to clump pictures of the same people together. Making a collage always requires a lot of thought, in my opinion, and trying to reflect our society in a collage required a thought out process. I didn’t want my art to look like something I slapped together last minute; I wanted it to tell a story. I have some pictures in color and some in black and white to show the various stages of people using technology, and to create a contrast in the photos. I wanted the viewer’s eyes to first be drawn to the quote about art by Bert Brecht, and then to the pictures around it. As the viewers eyes take in the whole picture, they will take in the whole picture. I wanted the collage to be viewed in different stages.

Homework 20- Big Paper

Introduction
Digitization is a huge part of today's world. Our society consists of using technology for everything we do and as humans strive for a better and faster world. Practically every teenager in today's world has some sort of an electronic device, whether it is an ipod, cell phone, camera, or other sorts of electronic devices. Although most people think that digital representation devices are corrupting the minds of our society’s youth, digital representation devices actually provide our society with the ability to keep in touch with everyone, and entertain and stimulate our minds through television and video game systems.

Arguement One
Technology provides our society with a faster way to keep in touch with people. Instead of sending letters, we can send emails that would reach the recipient faster, and text people when we feeling like having a quick chat. Websites such as Facebook or Myspace help us reconnect with old friends, or people in other countries. Through a satellite we can talk to people in China, Australia, or Russia, with the simple click of a mouse. Devices such as cell phones "make it easy to make business arrangements when you are traveling away from your office and can't call everyone by emailing or texting business associates." (http://www.ehow.com/facts_4812563_positive-effects-cell-phones.html). In this way, we are always connected if we choose to be. Several positive impacts of cell phones are "you can use it for emergency problems. Your cell phone can be a life saver. That’s why it is necessary to have a phone. You can never know when you will have a problem or you will be the witness of a car accident and you will have to call for an ambulance or Police. There are 160 000 wireless emergencies calls, which are made every day. This means 110 calls per minute." or "Because of all the things we see at news, parents buy cell phones for their children so they can know where they are all the time. This is another positive effect of cell phones. Parents don’t worry as much as they did before. With the help of the cell phones they now know where their children are, all the time." (http://www.w-cellphones.com/positive-effects-of-cell-phones/) By being always connected, people never feel like they are left out of the loop. With internet on our laptops and cell phones, we can always know what is going in on the world, and can always talk to people.

Arguement Two
Video games help stimulate our minds while improving our hand eye coordination and character survival skills. Video game systems such as the Wii also keep our bodies fit and in motion. Not all games make the players sit on their couches and stare at a TV screen; they also incorporate the movement of the player’s bodies. Video games do create a challenge for our brains. Even though we are not learning on an intellectual level, and are not using one of the academic subjects to complete our challenges, we are still improving our skills. We improve our hand-eye coordination, which is an important skill not taught in school, and we also learn how to better our characters in the games so that we do not get injured or die as often as we would in the beginning of the game. Steven Johnson, the author of "Everything Bad is Good For You”, wants readers to realize that there are benefits to our digital devices. In a way he is playing devil’s advocate to ever person who has the same generic response, “television and video games corrupt young children’s and teenager’s minds.” However, Johnson argues that video games actually stimulate our brain, because we make challenges for ourselves without even realizing it. In a video game, you must complete a level before you can reach the next one. As each level goes on, the challenges become harder and harder, and that is when skill levels come in. To many people, you just need to know how to shoot a gun or kill an enemy, but when analyzed further, one realizes that there is skill behind these techniques. Also, by trying to get onto the next level, a self designed goal in created in the player’s mind. They have a target they need to reach, and have the urge to succeed. In a conversation I had with Carrie Li, I asked her how she thought the Wii stimulated our body motions. The conversation is pasted below:
Me: how do you think wii's stimulate our mind and bodies in physical motions?
Carrie: it makes us interact physically with the game rather than the typical video games, where u only have a control and you're only moving your fingers
Me: do you think it stimulates our brain also?
Carrie:so i guess it links your mind with your physical activities
like how you would in real life
Me: do you think it stimulates our brain also?
Carrie: yeah
Carrie proved my point that video games do help stimulate our mind and body. It keeps our body fit, and keeps our mind entertained. Although not every video game keeps us physically fit, one cannot say that there is not a system that doesn’t.

Arguement Three
Television stimulates our mind, even though our body is at rest. While some people think that we are just mindless bodies watching a box with images, some shows actually make us think, and analyze what is going on. In "Everything Bad is Good for you”, Steven Johnson argues that television also stimulates the mind. While some people think that we are just mindless bodies watching a box with images, Johnson argues that some shows make us think, and analyze what is going on. Shows such as ER, House, Lost, and Flash Forward, make the viewers analyze what is happening, and in the case of Lost and Flash Forward, predict an outcome. In the case of ER and House, viewers are able to actually see what goes on in a medical room, an experience they would not likely have in their daily lives. All though they are not actually in the hospital, they can imagine themselves as if they are. Below are some of television’s positive sides, pulled from http://www.odec.ca/projects/2005/zerb5m0/public_html/positiveEf.html
• helps people to learn about other cultures
• gives family members of all ages an opportunity to spend time together while watching it
• parents can use TV to get kids reading by getting books on the same subjects
• parents and children can talk about TV programs
• educational programs can teach children new things, and even help them make new friends
• news, current events and historical programs can help kids find out more about other cultures and people
• documentaries can create a picture of the world in kids' minds
• cultural programs can show children the world of music and art
Along with stimulating our minds, television also helps people learn, especially children. Children are able to watch educational shows that teach them the alphabet, or how to spell. Programs such as PBS Thirteen specialize in a child’s learning.

Arguement Four
Technology also plays a huge part in our advancement of science. Every day, scientists are constantly trying to come up with cures for Cancer, or other diseases. Just recently, scientists came out with a Swine Flu shot. They would not have been able to come out with this shot without the efficient use of technology. With our advances in machines and computers, scientists can quickly diagnose a patient and create a medicine or prescribe a medicine that can keep them healthy or make them feel better. In the 1340’s, the Black Plague was a deathly disease that swept through Europe and killed millions of civilians. “By the time the epidemic played itself out three years later, anywhere between 25% and 50% of Europe's population had fallen victim to the pestilence.” If, God Forbid, we were to have something like the Black Plague sweep our nation, our scientists would have the technology to either stop or cure this disease. Back in the 1340’s, scientists did not have the technology to come up with a cure for this disease, but now with our technological advancements, a cure might be possible.

Opposing Viewpoints
Books such as Feed by M.T Anderson contradict what I just said about the use digital devices and always being connected. In Feed, the characters have a permanent “Feed” attached to their brain, which keeps them connected at all times. Since Feed is an allegory of our world, Anderson is trying to say that the “Feed” in the character’s minds are like our cell phones, laptops, and other digital devices. With these devices, we are always connected, 24/7. In Feed, the characters cannot shut off the “Feed”, not like they would want to. Anderson argues that in our world, people are so attached to their digital devices that they would not be able to live without it if it was to be taken from them.

When M.T Anderson wrote the book Feed, he meant it to be an allegory of the modern day teenage life. He didn’t want readers to think that he was capturing what he thought would happen in the future, more he wanted readers to see what our world is like right now. I do believe that Feed is on target because it perfectly captures the life of a teenager in our current period of time. While reading this book, I realized that the Feeds in the character’s heads represented the technology we teenagers use. Even if we do not have a chip in our head generating information for us whenever we need it, we do have cell phones and computers that can retrieve information with the click of a button. In a way, we are always connected to technology, like the characters in Feed are. People might argue that we do not have our digital devices on us 24/7, which are true, but everywhere we go we are faced with a source of technology. Whether it is the cell phones in our pockets or the iPods attached to our ears, we are practically always connected in one way or another. Everywhere we turn, we see representations of technology, whether it be the huge televisions in Times Square or the moving advertisements on television screens on our local city buses or taxis. We can’t escape from this technological oppression, even in our own homes. However, this technological oppression also helps us learn about our world, and entertain our minds. If we wanted, we could turn off our digital devices and do something else with our day.

Comparison of Two Books
Johnson and M.T Anderson have two completely different views in their books. In Feed, Anderson was all about how technology is bad for us, and how it is corrupting our minds. He went on to explain that our world is consumed with technology, and that we are hit with it 24/7. However, Johnson is claiming that television and video games are good for us, and that it is not corrupting us. Although I believe that the two authors contradicted each other, I also believe that they were talking about two different aspects of digitalization. In Feed, Anderson was talking more about a “Feed” representing a cell phone or laptop in our world, and how we are always connected, every minute of the day. Like the Feed, most people will not turn off their cell phone or laptop, and find that they cannot live without it. Johnson is talking more about television and video games, and how they stimulate our minds and make us set up personal challenges for ourselves. Anderson does not touch on televisions and video games too much, as it is not his main focus. He wants people to see the fact that we are always connected. Johnson did not focus on cell phone or laptop use, rather the entertainment use of technology.

Opposing Viewpoints
On the contrary, being always connected in our society does limit our ability to keep our privacy. When sending a text message or an email, anyone can retrieve it, because what goes into cyberspace stays in cyberspace. The internet and cell phones do limit our privacy, and many people complain about privacy invasion. Business people call their Blackberry’s “Crackberry’s” because of their addictiveness. Imagine that instead of being on “Crack”, your blackberry was a drug. By having a Blackberry on you 24/7, your boss can constantly call you or email you to keep in touch with you, even if you are on vacation. However, if people did want to step away from our technologically-obsessed society, they could shut off their electronic devices and spend time outdoors with people they love. Most people do not do this people they are addicted, but it’s not like we don’t have the ability to shut the devices off.

Connections
This paper connects to our current-day society because it is about our current-day society. In a world filled with technology, this paper focuses on the pros of our technological use.

Significance
The significance of this paper is for people to understand that technology has pros in our society. People are always claiming technology is so bad, and it corrupts our mind, but my point in this paper was to show the benefits of living in a world filled with technology. Without our technology, science would not be half as advanced as it is today, we would not be able to talk to people around the world, or know what is happening in other countries. We would not be able to stay in touch with people with the click of a button or the ring of a cell phone. Technology has its pros, but people are always forgetting about them.

Conclusion
In conclusion, technology is a huge-step forward in our society, and without it we would be nowhere. Technology helps advance science, and always keeps us connected. It also keeps our minds and bodies stimulated, even if it through the simple use of a television or video game. Although most people think that digital representation devices are corrupting the minds of our society’s youth, digital representation devices actually provide our society with the ability to keep in touch with everyone, and entertain and stimulate our minds through television and video game systems.

Works Cited Page:
Anderson, M.T. Feed. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press, 2002. Print.
Johnson, Steven. Everything Bad Is Good for You . Print.

Zerbes, Maryam. "Postive Effects of TV." How Much TV Should Kids Watch? Web. 8 Nov. 2009. .

"Positive Effects of Cell Phones." eHow. eHow, Web. 8 Nov. 2009. .

"Positive effects of cell phones ." Cell Phones. Web. 8 Nov. 2009. .

"The Black Death, 1348," EyeWitness to History, www.eyewitnesstohistory.com (2001).

Homework 19- Big Paper Suggestions

My partners did not post up their rough drafts, so i commented on Amber's and Carrie's instead.

Amber,

For a rough draft, I think your paper is extremely strong. Your thesis is sharp and concise, and your arguments are clear and organized. You should have no trouble creating a final draft of your paper.

In your thesis I liked how you used the phrase “drastic permeation of digital devices”. I feel that this phrase captures the readers attentions because the drama insured by the phrase. The word “drastic” makes the reader wonder why this is so. Why can’t it just be harmful? Word choice is extremely critical in writing a paper, and I think you captured the technique perfectly.

I also like how you went straight into talk about Feed and what M.T Anderson thinks about our society and how Feed is an allegory for our society. However, I am not sure if it is a right choice. When writing an argument paper, you might want to put your arguments first before you put a supporting piece of evidence. This is up to you though, and putting Feed as the first paragraph doesn’t interrupt the flow of the paper.

One thing I think you should add to your paper is how all of this connects to you directly. I guess that would go into the significance section of this paper, but I am really interested in learning how technology in our society connects to YOU as a teenager, as a human, as someone living in our society.

The last thing I think you should add is quotes from classmates or peers. In the last paragraph, where you write “All sides have good arguments, but what is the right answer to this question. The only way to find out is if we stick around long enough to see for our selves” I think you should discuss what people around us think about the answer to this question. It would create more diversity in your paper.

I really enjoyed reading your draft, and can’t wait to read your final paper.

-Rachel (:

Carrie,

First, your draft is very short, but I think what you have makes a lot of sense and your arguments and thesis are extremely sharp. Your draft is organized and simple.
One thing I would change however, is in your thesis “Online social networking tools such as instant messaging, twitter, facebook, texting (not really online) etc. have made it harder for us to read people by eliminating the physical aspect of interaction and making it easier for others to develop a second personality.” I think that instead of saying “such as instant messaging, twitter, facebook, texting (not really online) etc”, you can just write Online social networking tools have made it harder… because including examples in the thesis is not needed, in my opinion. In your introduction or your arguments, you can expand on the examples of social networking, but I think your thesis should just state social networking. It leaves room to talk about these sites or systems in your introduction or argument, instead of jamming it into one sentence.

I really like your last paragraph, and want to read more about what you think about the differences between physical and online interactions. I know that you have some good arguments and quotes planned to incorporate in your paper, and can’t wait to read your final paper.

I really enjoyed reading your snippet of a rough draft, and can’t wait to read the final.

-Rachel (:

Homework 18- Big Paper Rough Draft 2

Digitization is a huge part of today's world. Our society consists of using technology for everything we do and as humans strive for a better and faster world. Practically every teenager in today's world has some sort of an electronic device, whether it is an ipod, cell phone, camera, or other sorts of electronic devices. Although most people think that digital representation devices are corrupting the minds of our society’s youth, digital representation devices actually provide our society with the ability to keep in touch with everyone, and entertain and stimulate our minds through television and video game systems.

Technology provides our society with a faster way to keep in touch with people. Instead of sending letters, we can send emails that would reach the recipient faster, and text people when we feeling like having a quick chat. Websites such as Facebook or Myspace help us reconnect with old friends, or people in other countries. Through a satellite we can talk to people in China, Australia, or Russia, with the simple click of a mouse. Devices such as cell phones "make it easy to make business arrangements when you are traveling away from your office and can't call everyone by emailing or texting business associates." (http://www.ehow.com/facts_4812563_positive-effects-cell-phones.html). In this way, we are always connected if we choose to be. Several positive impacts of cell phones are "you can use it for emergency problems. Your cell phone can be a life saver. That’s why it is necessary to have a phone. You can never know when you will have a problem or you will be the witness of a car accident and you will have to call for an ambulance or Police. There are 160 000 wireless emergencies calls, which are made every day. This means 110 calls per minute." or "Because of all the things we see at news, parents buy cell phones for their children so they can know where they are all the time. This is another positive effect of cell phones. Parents don’t worry as much as they did before. With the help of the cell phones they now know where their children are, all the time." (http://www.w-cellphones.com/positive-effects-of-cell-phones/) By being always connected, people never feel like they are left out of the loop. With internet on our laptops and cell phones, we can always know what is going in on the world, and can always talk to people.

Video games help stimulate our minds while improving our hand eye coordination and character survival skills. Video game systems such as the Wii also keep our bodies fit and in motion. Not all games make the players sit on their couches and stare at a TV screen; they also incorporate the movement of the player’s bodies. Video games do create a challenge for our brains. Even though we are not learning on an intellectual level, and are not using one of the academic subjects to complete our challenges, we are still improving our skills. We improve our hand-eye coordination, which is an important skill not taught in school, and we also learn how to better our characters in the games so that we do not get injured or die as often as we would in the beginning of the game. Steven Johnson, the author of "Everything Bad is Good For You”, wants readers to realize that there are benefits to our digital devices. In a way he is playing devil’s advocate to ever person who has the same generic response, “television and video games corrupt young children’s and teenager’s minds.” However, Johnson argues that video games actually stimulate our brain, because we make challenges for ourselves without even realizing it. In a video game, you must complete a level before you can reach the next one. As each level goes on, the challenges become harder and harder, and that is when skill levels come in. To many people, you just need to know how to shoot a gun or kill an enemy, but when analyzed further, one realizes that there is skill behind these techniques. Also, by trying to get onto the next level, a self designed goal in created in the player’s mind. They have a target they need to reach, and have the urge to succeed. In a conversation I had with Carrie Li, I asked her how she thought the Wii stimulated our body motions. The conversation is pasted below:
Me: how do you think wii's stimulate our mind and bodies in physical motions?
Carrie: it makes us interact physically with the game rather than the typical video games, where u only have a control and you're only moving your fingers
Me: do you think it stimulates our brain also?
Carrie:so i guess it links your mind with your physical activities
like how you would in real life
Me: do you think it stimulates our brain also?
Carrie: yeah
Carrie proved my point that video games do help stimulate our mind and body. It keeps our body fit, and keeps our mind entertained. Although not every video game keeps us physically fit, one cannot say that there is not a system that doesn’t.

Television stimulates our mind, even though our body is at rest. While some people think that we are just mindless bodies watching a box with images, some shows actually make us think, and analyze what is going on. In "Everything Bad is Good For You”, Steven Johnson argues that television also stimulates the mind. While some people think that we are just mindless bodies watching a box with images, Johnson argues that some shows make us think, and analyze what is going on. Shows such as ER, House, Lost, and Flash Forward, make the viewers analyze what is happening, and in the case of Lost and Flash Forward, predict an outcome. In the case of ER and House, viewers are able to actually see what goes on in a medical room, an experience they would not likely have in their daily lives. All though they are not actually in the hospital, they can imagine themselves as if they are. Below are some of television’s positive sides, pulled from http://www.odec.ca/projects/2005/zerb5m0/public_html/positiveEf.html
• helps people to learn about other cultures
• gives family members of all ages an opportunity to spend time together while watching it
• parents can use TV to get kids reading by getting books on the same subjects
• parents and children can talk about TV programs
• educational programs can teach children new things, and even help them make new friends
• news, current events and historical programs can help kids find out more about other cultures and people
• documentaries can create a picture of the world in kids' minds
• cultural programs can show children the world of music and art
Along with stimulating our minds, television also helps people learn, especially children. Children are able to watch educational shows that teach them the alphabet, or how to spell. Programs such as PBS Thirteen specialize in a child’s learning.

Books such as Feed by M.T Anderson contradict what I just said about the use digital devices and always being connected. In Feed, the characters have a permanent “Feed” attached to their brain, which keeps them connected at all times. Since Feed is an allegory of our world, Anderson is trying to say that the “Feed” in the character’s minds are like our cell phones, laptops, and other digital devices. With these devices, we are always connected, 24/7. In Feed, the characters cannot shut off the “Feed”, not like they would want to. Anderson argues that in our world, people are so attached to their digital devices that they would not be able to live without it if it was to be taken from them.

When M.T Anderson wrote the book Feed, he meant it to be an allegory of the modern day teenage life. He didn’t want readers to think that he was capturing what he thought would happen in the future, more he wanted readers to see what our world is like right now. I do believe that Feed is on target because it perfectly captures the life of a teenager in our current period of time. While reading this book, I realized that the Feeds in the character’s heads represented the technology we teenagers use. Even if we do not have a chip in our head generating information for us whenever we need it, we do have cell phones and computers that can retrieve information with the click of a button. In a way, we are always connected to technology, like the characters in Feed are. People might argue that we do not have our digital devices on us 24/7, which are true, but everywhere we go we are faced with a source of technology. Whether it is the cell phones in our pockets or the iPods attached to our ears, we are practically always connected in one way or another. Everywhere we turn, we see representations of technology, whether it be the huge televisions in Times Square or the moving advertisements on television screens on our local city buses or taxis. We can’t escape from this technological oppression, even in our own homes. However, this technological oppression also helps us learn about our world, and entertain our minds. If we wanted, we could turn off our digital devices and do something else with our day.

Johnson and M.T Anderson have two completely different views in their books. In Feed, Anderson was all about how technology is bad for us, and how it is corrupting our minds. He went on to explain that our world is consumed with technology, and that we are hit with it 24/7. However, Johnson is claiming that television and video games are good for us, and that it is not corrupting us. Although I believe that the two authors contradicted each other, I also believe that they were talking about two different aspects of digitalization. In Feed, Anderson was talking more about a “Feed” representing a cell phone or laptop in our world, and how we are always connected, every minute of the day. Like the Feed, most people will not turn off their cell phone or laptop, and find that they cannot live without it. Johnson is talking more about television and video games, and how they stimulate our minds and make us set up personal challenges for ourselves. Anderson does not touch on televisions and video games too much, as it is not his main focus. He wants people to see the fact that we are always connected. Johnson did not focus on cell phone or laptop use, rather the entertainment use of technology.

Works Cited Page:
Feed by M.T Anderson
Everything Bad Is Good for You by Steven Johnson
http://www.odec.ca/projects/2005/zerb5m0/public_html/positiveEf.html
http://www.ehow.com/facts_4812563_positive-effects-cell-phones.html
http://www.w-cellphones.com/positive-effects-of-cell-phones/

Homework 18- Big Paper 1 Rough Draft

Digitization is a huge part of today's world. Our society consists of using technology for everything we do and as humans strive for a better and faster world. Practically every teenager in today's world has some sort of an electronic device, whether it is an ipod, cell phone, camera, or other sorts of electronic devices. Although most people think that digital representation devices are corrupting the minds of our society’s youth, digital representation devices actually provide our society with the ability to keep in touch with everyone, and entertain and stimulate our minds through television and video game systems.

Technology provides our society with a faster way to keep in touch with people. Instead of sending letters, we can send emails that would reach the recipient faster, and text people when we feeling like having a quick chat. Websites such as Facebook or Myspace help us reconnect with old friends, or people in other countries. Through a satellite we can talk to people in China, Australia, or Russia, with the simple click of a mouse. Devices such as cell phones "make it easy to make business arrangements when you are traveling away from your office and can't call everyone by emailing or texting business associates." (http://www.ehow.com/facts_4812563_positive-effects-cell-phones.html). In this way, we are always connected if we choose to be. Several positive impact of cell phones are "you can use it for emergency problems. Your cell phone can be a life saver. That’s why it is necessary to have a phone. You can never know when you will have a problem or you will be the witness of a car accident and you will have to call for an ambulance or Police. There are 160 000 wireless emergencies calls, which are made every day. This means 110 calls per minute." or "Because of all the things we see at news, parents buy cell phones for their children so they can know where they are all the time. This is another positive effect of cell phones. Parents don’t worry as much as they did before. With the help of the cell phones they now know where their children are, all the time." (http://www.w-cellphones.com/positive-effects-of-cell-phones/)

Video games help stimulate our minds while improving our hand eye coordination and character survival skills. Video game systems such as the Wii also keep our bodies fit and in motion. Not all games make the players sit on their couches and stare at a TV screen; they also incorporate the movement of the player’s bodies. Video games do create a challenge for our brains. Even though we are not learning on an intellectual level, and are not using one of the academic subjects to complete our challenges, we are still improving our skills. We improve our hand-eye coordination, which is an important skill not taught in school, and we also learn how to better our characters in the games so that we do not get injured or die as often as we would in the beginning of the game. Steven Johnson, the author of "Everything Bad is Good For You”, wants readers to realize that there are benefits to our digital devices. In a way he is playing devil’s advocate to ever person who has the same generic response, “television and video games corrupt young children’s and teenager’s minds.” However, Johnson argues that video games actually stimulate our brain, because we make challenges for ourselves without even realizing it. In a video game, you must complete a level before you can reach the next one. As each level goes on, the challenges become harder and harder, and that is when skill levels come in. To many people, you just need to know how to shoot a gun or kill an enemy, but when analyzed further, one realizes that there is skill behind these techniques. Also, by trying to get onto the next level, a self designed goal in created in the player’s mind. They have a target they need to reach, and have the urge to succeed. In a conversation I had with Carrie Li, I asked her how she thought the Wii stimulated our body motions. The conversation is pasted below:
Me: how do you think wii's stimulate our mind and bodies in physical motions?
Carrie: it makes us interact physically with the game rather than the typical video games, where u only have a control and you're only moving your fingers
Me: do you think it stimulates our brain also?
Carrie:so i guess it links your mind with your physical activities
like how you would in real life
Me: do you think it stimulates our brain also?
Carrie: yeah
Carrie proved my point that video games do help stimulate our mind and body. It keeps our body fit, and keeps our mind entertained. Although not every video game keeps us physically fit, one can not say that there is not a system that dosen't.

Television stimulates our mind, even though our body is at rest. While some people think that we are just mindless bodies watching a box with images, some shows actually make us think, and analyze what is going on. In "Everything Bad is Good For You”, Steven Johnson argues that television also stimulates the mind. While some people think that we are just mindless bodies watching a box with images, Johnson argues that some shows make us think, and analyze what is going on. Shows such as ER, House, Lost, and Flash Forward, make the viewers analyze what is happening, and in the case of Lost and Flash Forward, predict an outcome. In the case of ER and House, viewers are able to actually see what goes on in a medical room, an experience they would not likely have in their daily lives. All though they are not actually in the hospital, they can imagine themselves as if they are.

Some of TV's positive sides are:
· helps people to learn about other cultures
· gives family members of all ages an opportunity to spend time together while watching it
· parents can use TV to get kids reading by getting books on the same subjects
· parents and children can talk about TV programs
· educational programs can teach children new things, and even help them make new friends
· news, current events and historical programs can help kids find out more about other cultures and people
· documentaries can create a picture of the world in kids' minds
· cultural programs can show children the world of music and art
(http://www.odec.ca/projects/2005/zerb5m0/public_html/positiveEf.html)

Opposing Viewpoints: Use Feed as evidence

Johnson and M.T Anderson have two completely different views in their books. In Feed, Anderson was all about how technology is bad for us, and how it is corrupting our minds. He went on to explain that our world is consumed with technology, and that we are hit with it 24/7. However, Johnson is claiming that television and video games are good for us, and that it is not corrupting us. Although I believe that the two authors contradicted each other, I also believe that they were talking about two different aspects of digitalization. In Feed, Anderson was talking more about a “Feed” representing a cell phone or laptop in our world, and how we are always connected, every minute of the day. Like the Feed, most people will not turn off their cell phone or laptop, and find that they cannot live without it. Johnson is talking more about television and video games, and how they stimulate our minds and make us set up personal challenges for ourselves. Anderson does not touch on televisions and video games too much, as it is not his main focus. He wants people to see the fact that we are always connected. Johnson did not focus on cell phone or laptop use, rather the entertainment use of technology.

Works Cited Page:
http://www.odec.ca/projects/2005/zerb5m0/public_html/positiveEf.html
http://www.ehow.com/facts_4812563_positive-effects-cell-phones.html
http://www.w-cellphones.com/positive-effects-of-cell-phones/

Homework 17- Outline Suggestions

I commented Kate and Carrie's blogs because my partners did not post their outlines.

Kate,

First, let me say I really enjoyed reading your paper/outline, and found it extremely interesting. I also really like your thesis, it was clear, sharp, concise, and most importantly, summed up your arguments perfectly. I liked your arguments, and thought that your use of Feed and Wall-E as evidence helped make your arguments even stronger. Another thing is, I agree with Charles, your outline is extremely organized. It’s easy to read, and makes perfect sense.

One thing I think you can add on to is in your last paragraph, you quoted that women we interviewed. She said “She said she would limit her son from using to much technology "because he could be outside spending time doing other things, though he often sees me on the computer and wants to go on too".” I think that you should incorporate your views on if you would limit your child’s digital device use because it would show a sharp contrast between people of two different ages. People are always saying adults think teenagers are stupid and are consumed with excessive use of technology, and I think it would be good to see how your view contradicts to hers, if it does.

Another thing I think you should add your view to is in your second to last paragraph, where you state “Even today it is odd to hear that someone does not have a cell phone or an ipod/mp3 player.” How do you think these people feel, these people without these forms of technology? Do you believe they are getting along fine without it, or feel the pressure to conform and buy a digital representation device?

Overall, your paper was amazing, like I said above. I can’t wait to read your final draft, please IM me when it is up (:

-Rachel

Carrie,

First, let me say I enjoyed reading your outline. I thought it was extremely organized, concise, and sharp. Your thesis is extremely thought out, and makes a lot of sense. Your arguments are also extremely thought out, and I can tell that you spent a lot of time trying to word them correctly. The resulting product is fantastic.

I really liked your quote in the first paragraph, “For some, computer screens act as barriers that help us avoid the type of physical confrontations we fear. This shield allows us to create a virtual identity where we become the person we've always wanted to be.” I agree with this statement, because social networking websites such as Facebook and Myspace help users create a false sense of protection. We could be talking to someone who acts two different ways, once outspoken online, but shy in person. It’s an interesting contrast, and I like how you focused an argument on that.

I think that in argument one, using Wall-E as an example is smart, and helps support your point; however I think you should elaborate more on how it connects to our society and who we are as humans. How does the interaction between Wall-E and the guy connect to our society, and the daily social interactions between humans, whether it is through the use technology or in person?
I also like that you incorporated quotes from your classmates and their view points, it definitely strengthens your arguments. I also like that you put me in your paper (:

Just a last bit of advice, talk about online predators and how social networking sites make it easy for predators to reach out to young children or teenagers. As many know, social networking sites make it easy for predators to catch their prey, and I think it would be interesting to read your point of view on that subject.
I really liked reading your outline, and can’t wait to read your post (:
-Rachel

HW 16 - Big Paper 1 Outline

Thesis: Although most people think that digital representation devices are corrupting the minds of our society’s youth, digital representation devices actually provide our society with the ability to keep in touch with everyone, and entertain and stimulate our minds through television and video game systems.

Argument one: Technology provides our society with a faster way to keep in touch with people. Instead of sending letters, we can send emails that would reach the recipient faster, and text people when we feeling like having a quick chat. Websites such as Facebook or Myspace help us reconnect with old friends, or people in other countries. Through a satellite we can talk to people in China, Australia, or Russia, with the simple click of a mouse.

Argument two: Video games help stimulate our minds while improving our hand eye coordination and character survival skills. Video game systems such as the Wii also keep our bodies fit and in motion. Not all games make the players sit on their couches and stare at a TV screen; they also incorporate the movement of the player’s bodies.

Argument three: Television stimulates our mind, even though our body is at rest. While some people think that we are just mindless bodies watching a box with images, some shows actually make us think, and analyze what is going on. Shows such as ER, House, Lost, and Flash Forward, make the viewers analyze what is happening, and in the case of Lost and Flash Forward, predict an outcome. In the case of ER and House, viewers are able to actually see what goes on in a medical room, an experience they would not likely have in their daily lives. All though they are not actually in the hospital, they can imagine themselves as if they are.

Evidence: “Everything Bad Is Good For you” by Steven Johnson (use in paragraphs two and three), Classmate's quotes

Me: how do you think wii's stimulate our mind and bodies in physical motions?
Carrie: it makes us interact physically with the game rather than the typical video games
where u only have a control and you're only moving your fingers
Me: do you think it stimulates our brain also?
Carrie:so i guess it links your mind with your physical activities
like how you would in real life
Me: do you think it stimulates our brain also?
Carrie: yeah