Difference between revisions of "325--2011--Week 13 Questions/Comments"
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The connection between viruses of the biological and digital varieties, both in the descriptors used and also in titles such as "Invasion of the Data Snatchers," must have done a great deal to increase public fear by giving a terrifying face to a relatively unknown phenomenon. I found Ross' distinction between "viruses" and "worms" as relates to computers fascinating, particularly when he discussed intentionality--we as people do attribute all sorts of morality to the computer viruses/worms that afflict our computers and steal our data, when in fact they are intentionless, amoral things. --Nicole Steck | The connection between viruses of the biological and digital varieties, both in the descriptors used and also in titles such as "Invasion of the Data Snatchers," must have done a great deal to increase public fear by giving a terrifying face to a relatively unknown phenomenon. I found Ross' distinction between "viruses" and "worms" as relates to computers fascinating, particularly when he discussed intentionality--we as people do attribute all sorts of morality to the computer viruses/worms that afflict our computers and steal our data, when in fact they are intentionless, amoral things. --Nicole Steck | ||
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| + | The safety hazards of the electronics and computers that essentially go to die in Ghana, particularly the toxic levels of lead, PCBs, cadmium and others are shocking, particularly when one considers that a great deal of the products that are polluting Ghana's soils were sent there as so-called "humanitarian" gifts to bridge the electronic divide. Instead, these technological wonders are being treated much as First World castoffs have long been treated: they are broken apart for the parts and pieces that can be of use to developing countries, and in the process damaging--perhaps irreparably--the Ghanaian environment and its people. -- Nicole Steck | ||
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| + | It is quite a sight to see that computers are being used as seats. Personally, I think that the closing of a digital divide is an absolute joke. As far as that goes, the United States is constantly increasing how technologically advanced our computers become, so how does sending old computers help anothe nation catch up digitally? Furthermore, I think that it is funny that these old junked computers are sold for money, seeing is how they are outdated for what is really out there. Then again, you do what you have to if you want to survive in today's world. I just wonder what the buyers of the junked computer parts do with them. Maybe they re-sell it, because I don't think that somebody should buy old computer parts and then not even use them for an actual computer. --Patrick Kramer | ||
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| + | The computer graveyard slide show highlights many disjointed views about what foreign countries need to develop properly. One particular slide mentioned that the computers that were "donated" from other countries were meant to bridge the "digital divide." There is not only a digital divide between the developed and third world countries, there is also a severe lack of understanding about what is really needed for the latter's proper economic and social uplifting. Many of the people who received those computers just turned around and sold their components to provide for their basic needs. Now, while it isn't the responsibility of other nations to devote all their time and energy to helping other countries develop, there really does need to be a better outreach program in regards to how Europe and the U.S. interacts with these countries. - Scott | ||
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| + | It is interesting how nerds have become rather romanticized today, which is kind of what Ross was hinting at during his piece. However a problem with the romantization is the nerds tend to lead boring lives. Even the writers of the Social Network (some famous movie about facebook... never heard of it ;D) admitted to changing parts of Zuckerberg's life to make it seem more interesting on the silver screen. Yet we still are fascinated by these people, maybe it is because of the amount of time and dedication they put in to learning what most seem as extremely complex. Whatever the case computers have changed how we think and interact with the world. It has made us more connected with other people miles away, but at the same time it has made us more disconnected from those with out the internet. I think the NY Times slideshow showed that disconnection taking place. We give these computers to people in Africa, yet they don't use them in ways that we expect. They don't see as much value in the connection it brings compared to the money they can make from the parts. (It kind of reminds me of when the Europeans tried introducing their technologies to the Native Americans...)I guess it is another example of how sometimes people don't use inventions the way you expect them to. Just the way that computers weren't meant to be personal... - Jenn | ||
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| + | I feel like these people were trying to map uncharted waters in a way. There are both the technological and physical viruses that are trying to be understood, and all the while, the public watches. So everyone is hyperaware of these viruses as experts try to learn more. Here's this new, awesome technology that was just made public not too long ago, and now the public has to worry about the spread of technological viruses... and physical viruses, too. What did Americans learn about sex and computers in this time period? Always use protection. --Stephanie Lipscomb | ||
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| + | I found the connection when describing computer viruses, to aids to be interesting. I think the analogy worked well. I personally like to think of computer viruses as being meaningless. When my computer is affected by one it cause nothing but inconvenience. However, the author does a good job of pointing out the possible motives to creating computer viruses. The creation of a computer virus is completely motivated by the intentions of the creator. I was also interested to learn about the glamorization of the hacker. I believe this is true. Many of the popular movies released over the last few years have had a hacker character. -Kathleen Mead | ||
