Monday, April 26, 2010
Thursday, April 22, 2010
1001 Words is Worth More Than a Picture
References:
http://images.google.com
http://oels.byu.edu/student/idioms/proverbs/a_pic_thousand_words.html
Monday, April 19, 2010
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Modern Technology Fuels Conspiracy Theories
Every day people observe the world around them. From the moment we wake up to the minute we fall asleep, the mind is constantly learning and interpreting what we view. We draw conclusions and perceptions of reality and form our lives accordingly. And what one person sees may be the complete opposite of what another person sees, even if they view the same occurrence. This leads people to challenge one another and their opposing views. Conspiracy theories are a very good example of this. Hoaxes and reality alike spark debate to find the truth, and perceptions are used to sift through wayward ideas in order to determine the facts.
With today’s modern technology, this “sifting process” becomes complicated. Videos, photos, and editing technology can now be used to accurately reflect virtually anything the mind can dream up. But at the same time, the advanced technology can be used to accurately portray visual evidence. Without pictures, Big Foot and the Loch Ness Monster would only be folktales. Hard evidence makes it much more difficult to refute conspiracy theories.
Although the imagination plays a large role in conspiracy theories, modern technology has its place. As Arthur C. Clarke’s third law states, “any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic” (quotationspage.com). Basically, when people don’t understand something, they use terms such as magic to describe it. Even basic principles such as electricity, fire, and gravity appeared supernatural and magical to those who couldn’t explain them. Over time, these things that can’t be explained finally reach a logical and scientific conclusion. For example, a piece of rope and a wooden board can be used to flatten crops into near-perfect circles and designs (wikihow.com). Before I learned of this method, I was convinced that crop circles were real because I personally couldn’t explain how it could be done (even though it’s fairly simple). These days, it can also be easily done by using an aerial photo and Photoshop.
Technology can also be used to disprove conspiracy theories. A popular conspiracy theory that is still around today is the moon landing hoax. Some people still believe that the moon landing was taped in a Hollywood basement and that we never went to the moon at all. But with a little knowledge of cameras, NASA history, basic physics and a little common sense, all moon landing hoax theories can be debunked (braeunig.us).
In conclusion, perception can be a very powerful influence. We choose what to believe and what to disregard as reality. The popularity of conspiracy theories thrives on seeing only one side of the story and modern technology fuels the adage that “seeing is believing”.
http://www.quotationspage.com/quotes/Arthur_C._Clarke/
http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Crop-Circle#Things_You.27ll_Need
http://www.braeunig.us/space/hoax.htm
With today’s modern technology, this “sifting process” becomes complicated. Videos, photos, and editing technology can now be used to accurately reflect virtually anything the mind can dream up. But at the same time, the advanced technology can be used to accurately portray visual evidence. Without pictures, Big Foot and the Loch Ness Monster would only be folktales. Hard evidence makes it much more difficult to refute conspiracy theories.
Although the imagination plays a large role in conspiracy theories, modern technology has its place. As Arthur C. Clarke’s third law states, “any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic” (quotationspage.com). Basically, when people don’t understand something, they use terms such as magic to describe it. Even basic principles such as electricity, fire, and gravity appeared supernatural and magical to those who couldn’t explain them. Over time, these things that can’t be explained finally reach a logical and scientific conclusion. For example, a piece of rope and a wooden board can be used to flatten crops into near-perfect circles and designs (wikihow.com). Before I learned of this method, I was convinced that crop circles were real because I personally couldn’t explain how it could be done (even though it’s fairly simple). These days, it can also be easily done by using an aerial photo and Photoshop.
Technology can also be used to disprove conspiracy theories. A popular conspiracy theory that is still around today is the moon landing hoax. Some people still believe that the moon landing was taped in a Hollywood basement and that we never went to the moon at all. But with a little knowledge of cameras, NASA history, basic physics and a little common sense, all moon landing hoax theories can be debunked (braeunig.us).
In conclusion, perception can be a very powerful influence. We choose what to believe and what to disregard as reality. The popularity of conspiracy theories thrives on seeing only one side of the story and modern technology fuels the adage that “seeing is believing”.
http://www.quotationspage.com/quotes/Arthur_C._Clarke/
http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Crop-Circle#Things_You.27ll_Need
http://www.braeunig.us/space/hoax.htm
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Does technology make us smarter or dumber?
In today’s technologically advanced society, information is virtually everywhere. Access to the internet allows people to have endless amounts of knowledge right under their fingertips. But even with all of these resources, does technology improve how people think and learn? This topic can be debated depending on one’s definition of intelligence and the context of the argument as a whole. I personally believe that when technology is used correctly and responsibly, it can greatly improve human intelligence.
According to Webster, intelligence is “the ability to learn or understand or to deal with new or trying situations” (merriam-webster.com). But people have many different ways to define intelligence. Is it the college degree on the wall or the ability to survive independently that makes people smarter? Stephanie Olson explains that Sir Isaac Newton “was socially inept and a borderline hermit” (cnet.com). One requirement of intelligence, for example, might be that a person must be able to communicate what they think. But by this logic, the father of physics and calculus would be considered “dumb”. Furthermore, the proof that technology makes people smarter can be the same reasons that technology inhibits learning.
After the invention of the calculator, one could argue that it became a great tool for learning. But in the same context, our generation has never learned to use a slide rule which was used to get the first man to the moon. So which generation is smarter? It becomes a matter of perspective. A neutral position would be that technology makes us more efficient but neither smarter nor dumber.
Critics tend to take the side that technology makes us dumber. For instance, while typing this blog I overlooked the simple rule of “‘i’ before ‘e’ except after ‘c’”. But because of spell-check I will not be marked down for grammar. This brings up the point that the union of technology and intelligence is entirely up to the individual. Being completely reliable on something such as spell-check is different than using spell-check simply as a tool. For the same reasons, when browsing the internet for a research paper a person might not take the time to learn and absorb what they are reading but rather find what they need and be done with it.
The upside of technology is that it makes it easier and more efficient to learn. Tools such as Microsoft Office, the internet, and interactive learning programs in school are designed for people to present information in an effective manner. Dr. Mike Merzenich has even “developed software to help children with dyslexia and other disorders learn how to read” (cnet.com). If this technology didn’t exist, these children would quickly fall behind and would struggle to be competitive in society.
In conclusion, technology can be viewed as a blessing or a curse. Many factors play a part when people make up their minds regarding these advancements. But if technology did not continue to evolve, our ability to learn new and exciting things would cease to exist.
References:
merriam-webster.com
http://news.cnet.com/Intelligence-in-the-Internet-age/2100-11395_3-5869719.html
http://news.cnet.com/Are-we-getting-smarter-or-dumber/2008-1008_3-5875404.html
According to Webster, intelligence is “the ability to learn or understand or to deal with new or trying situations” (merriam-webster.com). But people have many different ways to define intelligence. Is it the college degree on the wall or the ability to survive independently that makes people smarter? Stephanie Olson explains that Sir Isaac Newton “was socially inept and a borderline hermit” (cnet.com). One requirement of intelligence, for example, might be that a person must be able to communicate what they think. But by this logic, the father of physics and calculus would be considered “dumb”. Furthermore, the proof that technology makes people smarter can be the same reasons that technology inhibits learning.
After the invention of the calculator, one could argue that it became a great tool for learning. But in the same context, our generation has never learned to use a slide rule which was used to get the first man to the moon. So which generation is smarter? It becomes a matter of perspective. A neutral position would be that technology makes us more efficient but neither smarter nor dumber.
Critics tend to take the side that technology makes us dumber. For instance, while typing this blog I overlooked the simple rule of “‘i’ before ‘e’ except after ‘c’”. But because of spell-check I will not be marked down for grammar. This brings up the point that the union of technology and intelligence is entirely up to the individual. Being completely reliable on something such as spell-check is different than using spell-check simply as a tool. For the same reasons, when browsing the internet for a research paper a person might not take the time to learn and absorb what they are reading but rather find what they need and be done with it.
The upside of technology is that it makes it easier and more efficient to learn. Tools such as Microsoft Office, the internet, and interactive learning programs in school are designed for people to present information in an effective manner. Dr. Mike Merzenich has even “developed software to help children with dyslexia and other disorders learn how to read” (cnet.com). If this technology didn’t exist, these children would quickly fall behind and would struggle to be competitive in society.
In conclusion, technology can be viewed as a blessing or a curse. Many factors play a part when people make up their minds regarding these advancements. But if technology did not continue to evolve, our ability to learn new and exciting things would cease to exist.
References:
merriam-webster.com
http://news.cnet.com/Intelligence-in-the-Internet-age/2100-11395_3-5869719.html
http://news.cnet.com/Are-we-getting-smarter-or-dumber/2008-1008_3-5875404.html
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