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.