Marxism

We discussed Post-Marxism and defined it for the class. We then began a discussion in the class talking about the different technologies and whether or not they fit with the Marxist or post-Marxist concepts. Technologies we talked about included google glass, golden-I, and arduino.

Classical Marxism and the Frankfurt School:

Classical Marxism is not what most people think.  Marx says, “The Mode of Production of material life conditions the social, political, and intellectual life process in general.”  To understand this we must understand the relationship between base and superstructure.

Base – Forces of production (raw materials, tools, workers, etc.) and the relations of production (slavery: master/slave, feudal: lord/peasant, capitalist: bourgeois/proletariat)

Bourgeiois – “of or characteristic of the middle class, typically with reference to its perceived materialistic values or conventional attitudes”

Proletariat – “workers or working-class people, regarded collectively (often used with reference to Marxism)”

Superstructure – consists of institutions (political, educational, cultural) and forms of social consciousness (political, philosophical, and cultural) generated by these institutions

The relationship between the base and superstructure is said to be twofold because the superstructure expresses the base, but the base conditions or determines the superstructure.

“The ideas of the ruling class are…the ruling ideas; the class ruling material force in society is..the…ruling intellectual force.”  This does NOT mean the ideas of the ruling class are meant to be imposed on subordinate classes!  “A ruling class is compelled…to represent its interest as the common interest of all the members of society…to give its ideas the form of universality, and represent them as the only rational, universally valid ones.”

The Frankfurt School is the name given to a group of German intellectuals associated with the University of Frankfurt.  I see their ideas as a type of applied Marxism; that is, what happens when you take Marxism off paper and apply it to real life.

Critical Theory – the name given to the institute’s critical mix of Marxism and psychoanalysis

The main difference between Classical Marxism and the Frankfurt School is seen through comparing the above quotes with the following: “The Frankfurt School see only ‘conformity’: a situation in which ‘the deceived masses’ are caught in a ‘circle of manipulation and retroactive need in which the unity of the system grows ever stronger.”

Althusserianism and Hegemony:

Althusserianism is a version of Marxism that was developed by Thomas Althusser.  Rejecting the base/superstructure concepts of Marxism, Althusserians focus on social formation, referred to as the structure in dominance.  The belief behind structure in dominance is that large social practices are the result of the economy.  For example, we are all students at LSU because jobs have become scarcer and we want to be able to compete for them.

Althusser has two types of interpretation: Symptomatic Interpretation and Identifying people as members of a group. The Symptomatic Interpretation focuses on identifying a problematic.  The problematic is a term coined by Marx during his critique of Adam Smith’s work.  Marx believed Adam Smith was addressing a problem by providing a solution, without the question being posed.  An example of and Althusserian problematic would be a typical car commercial.  Most car advertisements focus a car driving quickly on an empty road near an ocean, canyon, or mountain with the ending addressing the gas mileage and cost.  The problematic in this type of media would have several meanings

1)   Because the car is driving on an empty road, a buyer will never be stuck in traffic in this car

2)   Because the car is driving through a scenic route, the car and nature can coexist, without the car causing any harm to the environment.  This is also emphasized through the listing of the gas mileage.

3)   Because the car is “only $25,000”, the extra excluded costs of gas and insurance will not effect the buyer’s decision to get the car.

Although the problematic in this example is deceiving to the buyer, it helps the car sell.  Machery was an Althusserian who believed in relating the problematic to a historical event.  For example, the movie The Shining, Althusser would say the problematic is identifying the connection between mental illness and murder because of the insanity Jack develops.  Machery on the other hand would say that The Shining is addressing the problems of racism, specifically the terror inflicted on the Native Americans when the white man inhabited the United States due to constant tribal symbols placed in the movie, and the only victim of murder is Black.

The interpretation of Althusser does not seem to be affective.  Althusser would group people by social beliefs, and address them through their beliefs.   An example of why this is ineffective would be the social issue of racism.  If a person claimed to be opposed to racism but laughs at a racist joke, Althusser could not group that individual by that belief. This interpretation has been seen to effective in the media through advertising.  Most commercials address people by saying things like “This product is perfect for you!” “Do you travel a lot? Then you should buy this!” By identifying people in groups, Advertisement can reach a wide range of people.

Hegemony is a type of democratic government in which the dominant group leads the inferior group intellectually and morally.  This belief is how Marxists explain the success of capitalistic democracies.  Hegemony only works if every individual in the society is concerned with his or her own success.  For example, in the previous political election, republicans would have typically voted for Mitt Romney, rather than democratic nominee, Barrack Obama.  Hegemony is not only incorporated into government, but also in pop culture.  A good example of this would be Justin Bieber.  Not everyone likes Justin Bieber’s music, but nearly everyone knows who he is and has heard his music.  In this situation, it is in everyone’s best interest to know that Justin Bieber is successful pop star, in the social aspect.  But not everyone is going to go buy and listen to his music.

Self Reflection

            “You didn’t like my picture on Facebook!” I told my cousin one day, referencing a picture of my acceptance to an Italian University, feeling like she did not care about my accomplishment.  “Do you really care if I like your pictures?” she confusedly replied.  To her, Facebook is simply a communication tool.  I saw Facebook as just a communication tool too, or at least I thought I did.  Why did I care if she publicly liked my accomplishment when she already told me how she was proud of me in ‘real life’.  When did my self worth become tied into this profile?  My Facebook profile should be a superficial reflection of me at best, just enough that I can be recognized as myself when communicating with others.  Having this profile though, especially at a time where popular culture has amplified the appeal of and desire for physical beauty, has caused a change in my brain chemistry that makes me concern myself over how this superficial reflection makes me look.

            Reading the chapter on narcissism in Rosen’s iDisorder ‘Media Starts with “Me”, I had a shocking revelation.  I am a huge narcissist.  I already knew that I was mildly narcissistic, but I did not realize it was to this extent.  I scour my photos for the perfect profile picture.  I ‘untag’ myself in pictures where I do not look good.  I try to perfect this superficial reflection, this profile that others identify as me.  Why do I do this?  Is it because it’s easier to change my portrayal on the Internet than it is to change myself in real life?

            I’m still reflecting on this, but do y’all have any thoughts on the subject?  Do y’all find yourselves doing the same things?

Every year, The Edge poses a question to 150 of the top minds in the world. This year's question was "What should we be worried about?" Recognized a few names in the list that were pretty interesting.. "That digital technologies are sapping our patience and changing our perception of time." –Nicholas G. Carr “I worry we have yet to have a conversation about what seems to be a developing 'new normal' about the presence of screens in the playroom and kindergarten” -Sherry Turkle

KTD- Kissing Transmission Device
Perhaps one of the most unique devices examined this semester, the Kissing Transmission Device is truly a feat of modern technology.  The simple, yet profound device, developed in the Kajimoto Laboratory in Tokyo, marks the introduction of the first new medium of communication since the cell phone.
With the ability to instantaneously talk to anyone around the world via phone or internet messaging, the only thing that had been missing from long distance communication, prior to this invention, was physical contact.  The purpose of the KTD is to fill that void.
The device is simple enough- just a small box with a small, slightly bent rod sticking out.  This rod acts as a "tongue" that is manipulated by the tongue of the user.  The movement of the rod is then transmitted to and replicated by another device, either simultaneously or after a period of time if the motion is recorded.
The practical application is fairly straightforward, couples in long distance relationships now at least have a semblance of contact with their partner.  The device could also be used by celebrities to send a message to their fans that would certainly be much more intimate than a "tweet", according to the device's creator.
The device isn't without downsides, however.  Anyone who has experienced a kiss can vouch for the fact that it isn't exactly the same as rotating a robotic rod with your tongue.  A much deeper problem lies in the device's "telos", which Sherry Turkle addresses in Alone Together.  She notes, "The blurring of intimacy and solitude may reach its starkest expression when a robot is proposed as a romantic partner."  Although there is another person operating the other end of the device, it does represent the steady disintegration of true, meaningful, human interaction.
What's next? Who knows, but it will be interesting (or depressing) to see.

Race, Racism, and Representation

                Biologically, there is only one human race. All people belong to the genus and species Homo sapiens. The construct of differences based upon skin color is created an idea created by humans. Racism is a social and political hierarchy in which different divisions are placed above one another based upon observed trait. Historically, race and racism stem from one main event in the West’s history: Slavery and the slave trade.

 The beginning of racism can be traced back to the beginning of slavery. As soon as the economic advantages were realized, slavery was something that light-skinned people wanted to keep and protect because they were reaping the benefit. The idea that slaves were lower in the human hierarchy stems from the protection of slavery for economic gain. This view point allowed the sentiment to spread that slavery was acceptable because slaves were inferior to people who have lighter skin. Racism, however, did not end with slavery. The sentiment against people with darker skin lingered in the West becoming ingrained in society. People of lighter skin did not want to mix with the ‘inferior’ races due to a personal protection of their superiority. By the 1800’s, the human race had almost completely been split into the superior lighter-skinned people and the inferior darker-skinned people.

While slavery was the reason that racism is so widespread, sentiment was not changed when it was abolished. The ideas of superiority and hierarchy based upon skin did not go away. Laws have been created to stop blatant segregation between people due to race, religion, or culture, but that does not mean the end of racism, either. The fact remains that small forms of separation of races still linger today. Today, racism is defined as more of a separation of people of different skin colors and the judgment based upon stereotypes. Just as literature was influenced in the years after slavery to continue a form of this segregation, technology today is still slightly influenced its movement to a small degree. Today, most technology that is geared to a certain race is created to please a stereotype.

While the technology itself does not necessarily prefer one race to another, the marketing and advertisement of the technology does show a preference. Many different technologies that aid in a healthy lifestyle will advertise themselves to white, younger women. This demographic then feel that the technologies is made for them and they tend to buy it more. Other products like the Beats headphones market itself to black people who are in their teens and early adulthood. The advertisements pick a demographic to advertise to so that they have the best chance of making a profit. The advertisement may, however, be indirectly suggesting a certain class of people to buy a technology by using a certain race in the advertisements. Statistics state that more white families are of a higher financial class than black families. Therefore, an apple product would use a white model to advertise a new, expensive technology. This is not meant to necessarily target a race, but instead uses race as a means to entice a social class.

Racism is still present in today’s society. In the interviews, most people said that they do still see racism around them. Not as many people, however, saw racism as a trend in the creation of technologies. Instead, they suggested that the technologies like Facebook provided a means of racism occurring in society, especially anonymously. So, while race and racism are not factors that mold the creation of new technologies, it does still affect the technologies in society today. 

take a year off from the internet

What happens to your life when you take a year off from the internet?  This man did just that and wrote about it.  Check it out:

http://www.theverge.com/2013/5/1/4279674/im-still-here-back-online-after-a-year-without-the-internet

TechShop: An Inventor's Paradise in San Francisco

Technology's Influence on Gender and Sexuality

Feminism

What is it? And what is its purpose?

A political movement concerned with women’s oppression and the means and ways to empower women

To eliminate a long established patriarchal society

Not all societies have a patriarchal view

History

1920—Women’s Suffrage

1968 Bra Burning—protesting Miss America pageant

1980s and ‘90s--Post-Feminism

Technology’s role?

Television and radio helped to spread the ideas of Feminism

Technology’s role now?

Blogs and Internet are the new medium for communication

Feministing

Feministe

Our Bodies Our Blog

Jezebel

Broadsheet

Male dominance in technological fields

20% CS majors

27% in CS jobs

down from 30% a decade ago

The growth of feminism has caused it to shift to post-feminism

Most people generally believe in the idea of women’s rights, but the ideals of feminism is now defined by each individual

 Zack in dress

Zack is late—comes in with dress on

Colette ask class to define Zack’s gender and sexuality from 3 different perspectives

1) First day of class

2) Right now

3) How he perceives it

Gender

Sex vs. Gender?

Is there really a difference?

Historically

gender was defined by cultural appearance

sex was defined by biological appearance

Now?

The line between gender and sex has been blurred due to technology (communication, medical)

Femininity and Masculinity

How do we define our technologies?

Google Glass

YouTube

Smart Board

Yoga Balls

Pebble Watch

GroupMe

Snapchat

Re-Walk

Arduino

Ancestry.com

Autismate

My Fitness Pal

Infrascanner

Wolfram Alpha

23 & me

Everyone’s were different

not everything can be strictly labeled as Male or Female

What is Masculinity and Femininity?

Socially and Self-defined

Reference technology picks.

Reference to Zack in dress

Reference to feminism

What’s blurring the line?

Medical

Sexual Reassignment Surgery

Transexuals increases by 14% each year and the average age is rising--LGBT Health Summit in Bristol UK

Communication

Online dating

The stigma associated with it has completely changed in the past 10 years

Similarly, Instagram and Pintrest

Have molded photography from a male dominated field to a female hobby

Facebook profiles (show a FB profile)

Defining our gender and sexuality

Only allows for Male and Female (no other option), but does allow different sexualities

Appeals to varying sexual orientations but not genders

Sexuality

Differences in sexuality are more culturally accepted than differences in gender

i.e. It’s more socially acceptable to be gay than to be transgender

This is why Facebook allows for a variety of sexual orientations, but not genders

What is sexuality?

Someone’s self defined expression of feelings of desire, attraction, and excitement towards others

When boiled down, it’s a desire for sexual experiences

Do sexuality and gender go hand in hand? –poll the class-

Sexuality is different from gender!

I could decide to only dress like this (im wearing a dress) every day from now on, but still date women (that’s my gender changing)

I could decide to only date boys tomorrow, but continue to want to be a man (that’s my sexuality)

Clearly these aren’t just a decision to be made, but these two instances are very real

Technology’s role?

Created a more post-feminist world

blur the line between sex and gender

defined the difference between gender and sexuality

Thank you for your time!

Postmodernism & the Digital Age

Postmodernism is

• A rejection of the ideals of modernism
• Canonized great literary works and fine art
• A rejection of the categories of  “high art” and “mass media”
• Andy Warhol & pop art
• Encouraged people to find art in everyday life
• Jean-François Lyotard The Post-Modern Condition (1979) which introduced postmodernism into academic study.
• A rejection of metanarratives, or anything that is considered universally true.
• Pluralism
• Value of objects not on their importance to individuals, but to the community as a whole.
• The distinction between popular culture (the culture of the masses) and high culture (the culture of the elite) is relatively lost—therefore we are less capable of distinguishing between “good” and “bad” culture.
• Globalization
• Misconception that globalization is congruent to Americanization, which is the phenomenon in which the attitudes and culture of America matriculates into other international cultures.
• The hybridity of cultures, not the dominance of the American culture over everything else
• The spread of technology is one of the main reasons globalization has been enabled. 

We emphasized these points through three presentations:

The first was a demonstration of plurality and postmodern principles through an activity involving metanarratives formed through the composition of songs and images.


The second was a presentation of the history of postmodernism.

Postmodernism

The third was a presentation on pluralism and globalization.

Fundawear

"Touch me over the Internet!"

This is the kiss transmission device on steroids. Check it out:

http://ifunny.mobi/i/TKKYCMNy

What does this promote? Would you use it?

I see nothing negative it promotes. And yes, I would use it. I'm willing to admit it. I see it restoring a feeling of intimacy over a long distance much better than KTD. 

Thoughts?

Wolfram Alpha

Wolfram Alpha is an online answer engine.  Let it be noted that this differs from Google because Google is a search engine; where Google searches the web and provides links that may answer your search, Wolfram Alpha computes an answer itself.  That is, it provides specific answers to questions, as opposed to providing links to other websites for answers.

Y'all can read more specifics about Wolfram Alpha on the website:
About Section

I believe Rosen would support this technology, because he writes, in iDisorder, "Avoiding an iDisorder does not mean getting rid of your technology.  Most assuredly the solution is about balance and moderation." (15)  This follows what we said in class.  The majority seems to have concluded that it is important to learn mathematical computational skills, but once the computation is understood, the technology may be a beneficial time saver.

23andme

23andme.com is a wonderful resource that allows individuals to explore more than any family tree could tell them. Not only does it help build a family tree based on genetics, but it gives the user power over their own health. Since knowledge is power, it allows you to partake in preventative medicine. 

However, this service proves to have some flaws that could be potentially hurting their business. One main flaw is a lack of good customer support. Many customers complained on other websites such as Amazon, saying to "NEVER use this site" because of the lack of communication between the buyer and the seller. Also this website seems to have less genealogy information than another website like ancestry.com. Another huge flaw is that it has given customers inaccurate data about the readings of their DNA in several instances. This can be terrible for someone who believes their family heritage may be from a whole different continent than where he/she is really from. Many customers reviews spoke for themselves saying that this technology may not be worth it. 

Rosen would not like this technology because you are treating for a disease that you may never have, since 23andme only provides percentages.

Here DARPA goes again...

I just came across this article on Gizmag and I thought I would share it with y'all given the presentation Griffin and I gave on Argus-is earlier in the semester. As you can read in the article, DARPA is currently working on a navigation chip that defeats the limitations of a traditional GPS. We had an interesting debate about the pros and cons of Argus and I'm just curious to know your opinion on this technology. What are the implications? In my opinion, the article presents this chip in a positive light, but do you think it could be used negatively?

http://www.gizmag.com/darpa-timu-gps/27039/

Yoga Balls

So I investigated the Pros and Cons of using Yoga Balls in a classroom setting. From my perspective, the pros outweigh the cons. The use of yoga balls exercises the core muscles, which with repeated use can improve posture. With the core engaged, the body's blood flow increases and allows more oxygen to get to the brain, increasing alertness and concentration. Research also suggests that the younger generation work better when multitasking, so the yoga ball may help in this way as well. Another detail is the cost effectiveness of yoga balls. A yoga ball costs a quarter of what a typical school chair would. 

Some fear that introducing yoga balls will be a distraction to the students, because of mischievous children bouncy and rolling the balls while they should be learning. It has the possibility of a lot of sounds and distractions, as well as possible injuries that may be caused by misuse. Another problem that is encountered in schools is the wastefulness. Why should chairs be replaced by yoga balls if the chairs are still usable?

Rosen would encourage the use of yoga balls as a technology because it is a physical technology instead of a virtual technology like computers or the internet. Also since it is so simple but useful, it would lessen any technology anxiety or OCD someone might have. 

http://prezi.com/oaomcwwffplo/untitled-prezi/?kw=view-oaomcwwffplo&rc=ref-29436495

Follow Up: "Why Brain Games are Bogus"

Since we discussed Lumosity at length in class I thought you might be interested in this article from the New Yorker magazine, "Brain Games are Bogus." I've included a teaser below, but be sure to follow the link for an in-depth discussion of the science.

It seemed like a breakthrough, offering new approaches to education and help for people with A.D.H.D., traumatic brain injuries, and other ailments. In the years since, other, similar experiments yielded positive results, and Klingberg helped found a company, Cogmed, to commercialize the software globally. (Pearson, the British publishing juggernaut, purchased it in 2010.) Brain training has become a multi-million-dollar business, with companies like Lumosity, Jungle Memory, and CogniFit offering their own versions of neuroscience-you-can-use, and providing ambitious parents with new assignments for overworked but otherwise healthy children. The brain-training concept has made Klingberg a star, and he now enjoys a seat on an assembly that helps select the winners of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. The field has become a staple of popular writing. Last year, the New York Times Magazine published a glowing profile of the young guns of brain training called “CAN YOU MAKE YOURSELF SMARTER?”

The answer, however, now appears to be a pretty firm no—at least, not through brain training. A pair of scientists in Europe recently gathered all of the best research—twenty-three investigations of memory training by teams around the world—and employed a standard statistical technique (called meta-analysis) to settle this controversial issue. The conclusion: the games may yield improvements in the narrow task being trained, but this does not transfer to broader skills like the ability to read or do arithmetic, or to other measures of intelligence. Playing the games makes you better at the games, in other words, but not at anything anyone might care about in real life.

Sleep Cycle Alarm Clock

While searching the internet tonight on some of my favorite health and nutrition blogs, I came across an article called 7 Tech Tools for Better Primal Living. I found the Sleep Cycle Alarm Clock to be the most interesting and useful tools on this list. After further research I found this iPhone app can actually monitor and analyze someone's sleeping patterns and wake the sleeper up in his/her lightest phase of sleep. It wakes the sleeper up with a low soothing noise and will increase the volume slowly until the sleeper awakes. The website Lifehacker took a vote on the best alarm app currently on the market, and this App won with a 50% vote. At a price of $0.99, this app seems worth it for such a practical technology.

Smell-O-Vision

     Recently, both Gizmodo and The Verge posted about the possibility of being able to incorporate smells into TVs to enhance the viewing experience to include more senses.  (No, the post was not on April Fools Day, or following Google's "Google Nose" April Fools joke) Here is link to a fairly thorough description of how it works: http://www.theverge.com/2013/3/31/4166884/japanese-smelling-screen-might-be-the-next-big-thing-in-advertising

     In short, scents are bound up in pre-made gels which are heated at the proper time.  Then, four fans along the sides of the TV blow air carrying the scent, towards each other, parallel with the screen.  Based on fan speeds, the air currents from each side of the TV hit at a controllable location and begin to disperse.  Supposedly, controlling where the currents hit can give the illusion that the smell is coming from a particular part of the screen.  It seems though, that scent cartridges would have to be bought and replaced.

     Can anyone see this becoming big someday?  Do you find the implications of it for advertising pleasing or scary?

     Personally I think it would be well suited to a movie theater experience, and maybe for homes too if it's not expensive.  Already, foods get "advertised" by their natural scents that waft around where they are made.  I know I really want Subway every time I pass by Foster hall and smell the fresh bread.  I am worried though that if it were to become popular that it would increase the bombardment of advertisers, both in the home and in public places.  Successively run commercials could both release their own scents which would mix in the room and have unintended results.  If this technology were to get underway, I think it would be best used in a movie theater experience.  This way, consumers wouldn't have to worry about getting more hardware or being bombarded in their own homes.  The movie producers could create a well-tested, controlled, and continuous experience that could make a movie more interesting.

Last week, Alexis and I presented on GroupMe--the group messaging system that relies on its ease of use. The GroupMe application allows for mass communication without any of the uncertainties of texting and the immediate feedback of the Internet.

GroupMe has the ability to encourage communication although it lacks the face-to-face interaction that Turkle says is necessary for actual community. I believe GroupMe does--more than anything else--encourages organization. The organization that GroupMe provides for the ever-busy college student or businessman is irreplaceable by any other group messaging system. GroupMe allows one compartmentalize each conversation and duties accompanied with that group.

Snapchat

Snapchat is a "real-time picture chat" application for iPhone and Android-based telephones: a user takes a photograph, captions it, and sends it to a friend with the Snapchat application installed on their telephone. Photographs and their captions persist only for a user-selectable duration of time, up to ten seconds. After this, they disappear forever. In class, we discussed the repercussions of ephemeral photographs. These photographs allow for a certain amount of non-judgemental play between users; a smile can be shared, a frown, or a funny face.

We also discussed the nature of digital identity: what does it mean to create persistent, online profiles? how do these profiles relate to our self-identity?

For more information on Snapchat, visit the Snapchat homepage.

Blast Proof Train: Reade & Amy

Reade and I presented on Secure Metro's latest project, the Blast Proof train.  This project was developed in response to the 7/7 bombings in London (essentially their 9/11).   Unfortunately, this was not the first attack on the train system in Europe, Madrid and Moscow have also been targets in the past with a bombing in Moscow as recent as 2009.  The blast proof train provides a cheaper and more secure environment in the event of a bombing.  Damage is incredibly minimized and it encourages a safe and secure environment.  However, the project is still in development and has not been tested in a subway environment.  Additionally, the main goal of the project was to prevent a mass shutdown of an important transportation system in Europe, not saving the lives of the passengers.

Ancestry.com

Philip and I presented on Ancestry.com in class. This technology allows for a user to search through their family lineage by entering information of relatives like birthday and place of birth. Ancestry.com then checks this information with their very large databases that can encompass information from all over the world. Ancestry.com also checks family trees made between one another as to connect the information input together. There are a few very good pros about this technology and about Ancestry.com specifically. I have personally had to use online family tree makers in order to make a family tree for a study. It was much easier than starting from scratch in paint or word. The databases that Ancestry.com have the ability to cross check are also a major pro for this website in particular. The cons about this technology is the fact that it charges money for information that is public record. Even if a person would opt for the free trial, the first question asked is the person's credit card number. This technology can connect to two of the texts. Parallels can be drawn to compare Ancestry.com to Chapter 8 of "The Shallows" by Carr. In this chapter, Carr discusses the development and power the search engine Google. This technology can also be compared to Turkle's key point in "Alone Together." As we look to technology for more and more information, we isolate ourselves from other people. This technology, in my mind, stops conversations between parents and children about nationality and family lineage. Now, the children just need to search the internet and no conversation is needed or, in most cases, wanted.

Arduino

This week, Edward L. and I did our presentation on Arduino, a multiplatform microcontroller that can be programmed to fulfill many different functions. These functions can range from being able to detect earthquakes before they happen and tweeting when one is detected to powering a mechanical bull for dolls to ride on. For computer programming aficionados, this circuit board is a very exciting piece of technology. It utilizes its own programming language, but it closely resembles the C++ programming language that is standard in a lot of programming software. Arduino is also very affordable--the base chip costs around $25-$30, and add on devices called shields range anywhere from $10-$100.

One really unique aspect of Arduino is that it promotes open source programming. Open source programming is essentially a movement to get away from proprietary elements of other programs, which means that people are allowing their creative and intellectual property to be utilized by anyone who wants to utilize it without any major copyright or ownership issues. By allowing for open source development, programmers can create newer concepts based on things other people have already developed. Arduino strongly promotes creativity and innovation among those who have a knack for programming.

Linked below is a TED talk done by Massimo Banzi, creator of Arduino:

Also linked here is our Prezi on Arduino:

Online Homework- Sarah & Amy

Online Homework is something that nearly every college student has used at some point in time.  Using Online homework has several benefits, mainly convenience for professors with large classes and the way it keeps students accountable for their work.  However, some negative aspects include the increased amount of cheating and the tendency to learn trends rather than concepts when referring to problems.  Additionally, we discussed a few other ways to reenforce what is learned in the classroom like the Exeter method of teaching and contextual retrieval cues.

Lernstift Digital Pen

The Lernstift Digital Pen is a writing tool that offers the unique capabilities to sense when the writer makes a spelling, grammatical, or penmanship mistake dependent upon the mode that the pen is set to. In orthography mode, the pen senses what is being written- either on paper or in air- and vibrates once to denote spelling mistakes and twice to denote grammatical errors. In calligraphy mode, the pen vibrates when a letter is not formed properly. A future feature planned to be included in the pen is pressure plates within the grip. These pressure plates would sense whether or not the pen was being held in the correct way. The pen has two release dates set, one in mid-2013 and another in early-2014. The project is currently being funding by the public in order to launch production. It is estimated that the pen could cost anywhere from 50 to 80 euros which is approximately $65-$105.

Innotab 2 Baby

Last week, Hayley and I presented on the Innotab 2 Baby. This device is a tablet made specifically for children. The Innotab is designed specifically for child development. There are applications for the tablet that aid in child development such as sign language, nursery rhymes, and photo slide shows of animals. The tablet is child friendly with a removable gel bumper for any kind of wear and tear the device may endure.

In class, we presented a few downsides to the Innotab along with the positive aspects. Although the device has many learning applications, it could potentially be a social barrier between the child and parent. If the device is used as a replacement to the parent teaching the child certain skills, major problems could occur in the next generation. Another flaw in this device is that the age range is actually not that accurate, and children might lose interest in the applications sooner than perceived.

Today there are many new technologies that are created for the upcoming generation, but we need to stop and ask ourselves what the long term effects might be when presenting technology so soon in a child's life.

Khan Academy

Originally simply a collection of videos on YouTube, Khan Academy has developed into a fully-featured website that also offers exercises to complement its video library, a discussion forum, and a "knowledge map," which illustrates the connection between content areas. The advantages of Khan Academy are obvious: in true democratic fashion, anyone with access to the Internet can now have good-quality, free instruction in the various disciplines of mathematics and the sciences. And yet Khan Academy's videos teach only the techniques necessary to solve problems like those featured in the videos; the viewer, just as the student in the "traditional" classroom, is not often invited to consider why things are as they are, but must accept on authority that they are so. Further, there can never be conversation between video and viewer as there is ideally between student, teacher, and peers in the classroom.

For those interested in other perspectives on Khan Academy, Zack and I have prepared a list of supplemental readings, which can be found on our Bitly page.

+Binaural Beats

     This week Philip G. and I made our presentation on binaural beats.  The presentation can be found at the end of this post.  Essentially, binaural beats are two channels of slightly different frequencies, each played in one ear of a set of headphones.  Our brains perceive a pulsing of sound due to the perceived alternating of constructive and destructive interference.  One thing which I forgot to mention during the presentation is that the speed of the pulsing is equal to the difference of the two tones being listened to.  So if one ear hears 100 Hz and the other hears 105 Hz, the pulsing is at a rate of 5 Hz, or 5 pulses per second.  The hope of binaural beats is that this pulsing or beating will cause the brains waves to be drawn toward that frequency.  While I would like to see more studies on how exactly electrical signals in the brains are affected, I think there is enough evidence to be cautiously optimistic that there are positive effects.  At the very least, I think it is helpful to sometimes have a steady sound to help keep focused, so long as it is not played too loudly.  In The Shallows, Nicholas Carr lists four categories that all technologies can be placed into: those that extend our physical strengths  those that extend our range or sensitivity of our sense, those that enable us to reshape nature, and those that "extend or support our mental powers - to find and classify information, to formulate and articulate ideas, to share know-how and knowledge, to take measurements and perform calculations, to expand the capacity of our memory" (44).  Binaural beats, whether placebo effect or true science, is a technology that can extend and support our mental powers.



 

YouTube:
Last week, we presented on YouTube and the EDU portion of YouTube.
For more information, see our Presentation

Connected, But Alone

     In February 2012, Sherry Turkle, author of Alone Together, gave a talk at TED 2012, which I think is a great summary of her views presented in the book.  I encourage you to watch the talk, embedded below.  If you have already read her book, her talk is great at reiterating the main point, and if you haven't then it will introduce you to her insights.


     So what can we do about this?  How can we still be good people to each other while simultaneously owning a piece of connected technology and having the desire to be connected?  I think it begins in the small moments.  That moment when your friend or group of friends is on their cell phone, not speaking to you.  I think a good start here is to be more willing and open to sharing what's on our devices.  "What are you doing on your phone" you could ask.  Take an interest.  If they're texting someone, ask them how that person is.  But this only breaks the surface.  It may lead to some mild conversation, but nothing too deep.

     In her talk, Turkle says that many of us desire "The illusion of companionship without the demands of friendship".  So I think that we must all demand friendship, but without demanding.  How do we do that?  It requires that you be the best that you can be to another person, but without putting on a show - really taking interest in them.  Care demands respect without being demanding.

     So, the next time you hit that moment of silence in a conversation where you don't know what to say next, let it play out in real life.  Be brave, don't reach for that device in your pocket.  Don't hide behind the phone because hiding makes it impossible for others to truly find you.

Rewalk: Alexis & Amy

Rewalk is a great tool that can help drastically improve the lives of those bound to wheelchairs in many ways.  The system basically mimics the motion of walking by attaching a pair of robotic legs to someone’s real legs.  A computer strapped to the back then moves the legs, allowing the user to “walk.”  This seemingly miraculous technology allows paraplegics and the disabled to regain strength, bone density, and cardiovascular health simply from the motion of walking.  These people have been forced to sit for so long that this upright mobility can really help get their bodies moving in ways that just cannot be done from the confinements of a wheelchair.  The ability to be able to actually get up and walk around also greatly boosts the users’ morale.  It gives them more confidence and security and allows them to make level eye contact, something that we take for granted but is very uplifting to those who are used to constantly being below everyone around them.

            The Rewalk’s function and structure itself has many positive aspects as well.  For one, it allows the individual to have a wide range of mobility—walking, turning, sitting, and even climbing stairs.  The Rewalk can also be of use to a wide range of people, being able to fit anyone who weighs up to 220 pounds and is between 5’3” and 6’3”, making it a very versatile piece of technology.

                  Although there are a lot of positive things about the Rewalk, there are negative aspects as well.  One problem is that Rewalk can only be used in physical therapy.  Additionally, one Rewalk costs around $100,000.  Also, a common misconception about the Rewalk is that it can heal whatever problem the user has by training them to walk again.  This is not true; the purpose of Rewalk is to regain lower body strength. Although there may be cases reported where therapy has helped the problem, Rewalk is not designed to do so.  Even though Rewalk gives the opportunity to regain physical strength, the user must also have a level of physical strength to even use the nearly 50 pound device, which isn’t always realistic for anyone who has been confined to a wheelchair. Despite its range of mobility, Rewalk is not designed for everyday life.

                  Altogether Rewalk is a versatile technology that gives the user a creative type of therapy that promotes health and confidence. However, use is limited, its expensive, and it is not a remedy for whatever problem is faced by the user.  Despite all of the current limitations placed on the Rewalk, the device is pretty cool and there is absolutely no limit on the innovations that could eventually lead to alternative treatment for paraplegics.

InfraScanner

The InfraScanner presents an interesting new technology developed in order to have a portable brain scanner to use in the detection of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs).  TBIs are the leading cause of death and disability every year. These individuals range from sports players to military servicemen children falling to ordinary  people in car accidents.  InfraScan, Inc. created this technology based on near-infrared wavelengths, which penetrate skull and show the tissues of the brain. The largest downside to the InfraScanner is the accuracy, as the device shows different areas of the brain rather than a complete brain image, as a traditional CT would.  The InfraScanner's portability is a huge draw.  The size allows for the device to be carried to patients that are far from hospitals or the importable CT scanners, such as comatose patients and soldiers. The device also allows for patients to be scanned quickly, which is a benefit for children, as well as pregnant mothers who could not have a CT due to the radiation affecting the fetus but can have a brain scan through this method.  Educationally, Carr presents a history of technology and how people throughout history, such as Socrates, believed that the brain was suffering for this ideal.  Likewise, Rosen presents disorders that can root from the dependence on technology and the effects of the technologies.   Aldous Huxley presents a similar view, stating "Technological progress has merely provided us with more efficient means for going backwards."  All three of these authors present valid points pertaining to the derelict state of the mind due to technology but I believe this InfraScanner presents a new technology in a way that the human mind alone could not function; therefore, this technology presents a innovative mean of saving lives, cutting down costs, and providing brain imaging , despite the flaws.

Argus II - Hayley Nicolich and Josh Saltz

Instrumentalism vs. Determinism

     In beginning my reading of The Shallows by Nicholas Carr, I was at first skeptical of the prologue's claim that it is not the content of the media that shapes us, but the media itself.  But then I recalled that Maryanne Wolf's Proust and the Squid gives much support that the development of reading has shaped the way mankind thinks.  I have long been an instrumentalist, though I never had seen the word until I came upon it in Carr's work.  An instrumentalist believes: "Our instruments are the means we use to achieve our ends; they have no ends of their own" (Carr, 46).  A technological instrumentalist uses his tools to achieve good.  At the other end of the spectrum, we have determinism.  A technological determinist believes that "technological progress...an autonomous force outside man's control, has been the primary factor influencing the course of human history" (Carr, 46).  The extreme view of determinism says even that our only role is to produce sophisticated technology, until technology is able to reproduce itself.  "At that point, we become dispensable (Carr, 46).

     First of all, I think that finishing my read of The Shallows will likely convince me that the idea that media shapes how we think.  But at the same time, I will still see the way media content shapes who we are.  Both are true.  In regards to instrumentalism versus determinism, I have slightly altered my view and propose a balanced approach.  It should not be unreasonable to say that the internet has made us text skimmers, books promote deep thought, that music gets us to listen to sound differently, and that movies orient us towards visuals and plot.  But technology will never have ultimate control over us.  In fact, instead of thinking so much in terms of control, maybe it would be appropriate to think in terms of a conversation.  People make things that you may see or use, which can influence you via content or form of media.  In turn, you create something which has been influenced by things made past.   This can apply to more than just technology.  It applies to all things - works of art, buildings, music.  But you get to choose what to make, if you make it, how you make it.  You get to choose your tool set and how you use your tools.   Like our Creator, we like to create because its in our nature.  But our creations are based on materials that are around us.  Therefore, we listen and we learn, then we speak.

Autismate

You all saw today what we presented in class about the Autismate app, so I’d like to point out one of the revelations that we as a class made about this app. During class today, we came to the conclusion that the Autismate app may be applicable beyond just children with Autism. I originally saw it as a great way to link spatial skills to reading and to communicating for children with Autism; however, I never drew the conclusion that the practice with naming could increase RAN (rapid automatized naming) in any child on the cusp between speaking and reading. Below is a link of an interview with Dr. Wolf (the same as the author of Proust and the squid regarding her breakthroughs in the science of reading and RAN and her experiences with dyslexia.

http://childrenofthecode.org/interviews/wolf.htm

On the other side of things, I see some flaws to this app. Although it can be useful for nonverbal kids with Autism, only 30 percent of kids with Autism are nonverbal. Instead of putting the children in real life situations they are stuck in the virtual world of the app. This app may encourage more alone play which part of the problem in the first place. The children may become too attached to this technology, and their mood may become dependent on it. Although the app seems to be a “cool” new technology, the majority of the class agreed we would not use it on our child if he or she had autism.

Link to the Prezi