Module 13

Before taking this class I never really though about all the opportunities that computers and technology has provided us with. I think I was most amazed at how many things have created a more equal opportunity to people all over the world. It is amazing that you can live in a less developed country but because of the internet and other programming creations we are able to have the same opportunities and businesses can be ran from anywhere in the world. It is crazy to see how much the world has already changed in the short period of time that computers have been accessible to everyone. Reading the stories that we did it is easier and easier to see how people can believe that eventually computers would be able to control us, since they already are so much more powerful than when they were first developed. This was probably one of the most interesting classes that I took, because it really opened my eyes to all the opportunities that technology provides me personally with. I was able to see the huge influence that it has on my life every single day. I believe that computers and the world becoming flat is a good thing because there is a lot more freedom to do the things that you want wherever you may be. There are no longer limitations from working from the same computer in the same spot, you can hook up to just about any computer and network and with the right use of programs you can access files and data from another computer. It is amazing to me all the progress that we have already made and that we are continuing to make. I never realized how wide of an effect and influence computers, networking and programming have on each and everyone of us. When I learned about all the ways that it helps companies, like Walmart, work more efficiently I realized that there isn't really one person in this world that isn't using technology in some way, it has a huge influence on everyone even if you aren't actually sitting down at a computer everyday, when you are shopping at stores it is what keeps them running efficiently. I want to just say thank you for having us read this book, it was something I would have never read on my own, but really opened up my eyes and am glad I took the time to read it. 

Module 12

This article that related to GNRs was quite fascinating. GNRs are Genetics, genetics, nanotechnology, and robotics which are all 21^st century technologies. They are believed to be so powerful that they can spawn whole new classes of accidents and abuses. These things are all becoming closer in reach to people, which is scary for some people to comprehend. The author even believes that we are on the edge of a new evil. People believe that with the development of robots then we will be able to live life more leisurely. I think that with the advancement of robots that we will become less and less needed. If people had no purpose then why would we continue to exist? If we had nothing to work for or give us purpose in life then it is most likely would become lazy and inadequate individuals in which society has no need for. People also believe that eventually we could live forever because of advancements with robotics, we would be able to replace vital parts of ourselves with robotics to keep us alive and maintain our health. If we are giving up the things that make us human and individuals to computers and technologies then yet again we will cease to exist. Yes robotic, computeristic forms of us would exist in our place, but life would be nothing like it is now. There would be no use for human life if computers were to take over the world, eventually they would be smart enough to maintain themselves and keep everything running smoothly, therefore there would be no need for us. People like to believe that we would coexist and ultimately control them and make sure that they are not taking over, but really in the end they will outsmart us and have no need for us. I believe that once there is no need for humans than they will cease to exist due to lack of need. People wouldn’t have a purpose to continue living, therefore they most likely wouldn’t. 

Module 11

A movie that sticks out to me when it comes to technology and computers is Eagle Eye. In this movie a young man and woman are put together to help fight against  technology. There is a mysterious phone call  and money that shows up in Jerry's (the main character) bank account. All of this sets him off and makes it so that they have to fight to figure out what is going on. There is a woman on the phone who helps him through all sorts of terrible events, and makes it so that he doesn't get caught by the FBI. Come to find out in the movie the whole basis is based around a computerized machine called "ARIIA", Autonomous Reconnaissance Intelligence  Integration Analyst, a device that is brother had been monitoring before his death. ARIIA is used to track all the movements of people and things and keeps records of everything. His brother starts to notice weird behavior about ARIIA but later dies and so Jerry is brought in to help stop ARIIA from thinking on her own and taking control over things. She is supposed to help prevent bloodshed, but doesn't function properly and ends up creating more problems and messes for the government. I think that this movie is realistic in the fact that obviously there are computers and machines that are able to gather information from all different networks and categorize them and keep record of them. It gets a little extreme when she starts acting in on her own and is able to "think" on her own and take over control, it becomes a mission for them to override her. She controls cameras around the city instead of them just filming how they are set up. I also think another absurd  part is when she can pick up conversations and record them simply from the vibrations of the person's coffee cup. I do think that computers play a huge role in our government and help them keep track of things and figure out some threats, but I don't think that we will ever actually let computers take over full control of determining threats without people being more involved then just sitting and watching.

Module 10

This story is about a robot named Joe. It is amazing that in 1946 they were able to predict some things that robots/computers can actually do for us today. I love the part where they are asking Joe for answers to questions about killing your wife, or getting away with drinking and he is able to give them a response. Is that not what we use the internet for today? Anytime that you have a question and need and answer you can pull up the internet on your computer or even the robot in your pocket called a “cell phone” and search for a result. You will be given a wide variety of answers and solutions to your questions and problems. Joe is even able to store personal information about accounts and so forth, much like computers and used today. That is how society functions, relying on technology to store information for us so that there is less and less that we actual have to remember. Technology can even track our mistakes to help us from creating errors or leaving steps undone. I think that the difference is that our computers don’t have a mind of their own and they can’t control things without us asking them too. We are still able to keep limits on them, so that our lives can stay secure. I believe that because of technology we rely a lot on it. Without it a lot of people couldn’t get through their daily lives since that are entwined in our jobs, schools and personal lives. They are quite helpful in helping us figure out key points in our lives, and making sure that we have immediate answers. If you aren’t able to do something or have never done a certain thing on your own before you can ask your computer, much like Joe and find out the best and easiest way to do it. Without technology we wouldn’t be able to share the things that we learn so easily. I think that technology is both hurting and improving our way of doing things. It hurts us because instead of people trying to think outside the box and come up with a solution on their own, they rely on others having already found a solution and simply copying it. I believe though that people who lack creativity are still able to learn a lot more than they would be able to otherwise because now they can read or watch how it is done and figure it out on their own. I believe that Joe is a pretty good example of just a few things that computers have done for us, although he has his flaws, he had some key points in prediction about technology. 

Module 9 

As I continued to read The World is Flat by Thomas L. Friedman, I learned how some many things that I never thought about continued to make the world a more equal playing field. A lot of things in these sections were harder for me to completely grasp the ideas, since they were a lot more in depth about programming on computers.

                One of the things that contributing to the flattening was work flow software. This is what standardized computers and the way they communicated. It was allowed for people to work on the same projects from all over. It allowed for different individuals and even different companies to access the same information. My wife currently works in a job where she works from two different computers, one at the office and one at home, because of work flow software she is able to transport files back and forth from the two computers, even though they don’t run the same exact programs. I guess what was most shocking about the idea of work flow software was the fact that I never knew it was any different that it is today. I didn’t realize all the complications that there was when it came to sharing information, files and company information. It is insane the amount of programs that we have allowed to communicate with one another and work hand in hand.

                The next “flattener” open source software has also made it so that we have found many new advances due to the contribution of many people. These software programs allow people from all over to tap into them and edit them. They are allowed to make improvements or find problems. Someone writes a code that allows the program to run as they want. Another aspect that plays a part with the codes written for software programs are hackers, they developed a community where they would go in and change programs and share their ways. Most of this really goes above my head to be honest, I do not fully understand about computers and codes and the interworking’s that there are, I just want my computer to work when I want it to. I am grateful that there are people that have developed such programs so that I am able to do everything that I am able to from the convenience of my living room couch.

                The last section was on outsourcing, which is when companies outsource their jobs to other country, the biggest being India. Through the internet and programming companies are able to share information across seas. It was amazing to me that in the book they said that often times in other countries there are many companies that work out of one large room. Since the companies aren’t stationed there they don’t need a fancy office, so often times they cram as many individuals in the office as possible and have them working for multiple companies depending on the part of the room that they are assigned to. I think that outsourcing has provided companies a cheaper way to run businesses. A lot of companies are also able to have extended hours of customer service when they outsource to other countries. Personally, I see the advantages for companies to outsource, but sometimes as a consumer it can be very frustrating. They don’t always understand completely how the problems that you are having because sometimes there is a gap in the understanding of the company that they work for.

                This section of the book was a little harder to completely comprehend, but I still think it helped to open my eyes to all the interworking’s of companies and all the things that they are constantly doing to make sure that we are still advancing.

Module 8

How have computer been relevant in my education? It would probably be a lot easier to tell you how they have not. All throughout school I have had to utilize computers for many different purposes. For instance in college, you apply online, you register for classes and online, and you can even take classes purely online. How would any of this be possible without utilizing computers, exactly it wouldn't. I am extremely grateful for computers in my education because I take advantage of them by taking mostly online classes since by life seems crazy busy enough. Trying to balance a full time job, a family and school at once can seem at least overwhelming, but because of computers I have been able to get my education all while not leaving the comfort of my own home, which makes it seem less demanding. I am so grateful for all the technologies that have made communicating with teachers easier, so that any questions I have working from home can be answered. Programs like canvas, and this blog help me to stay on top of my school work, all while not having to worry about getting to class on time. 

It seems as though every part of my education is interlinked to computers and technologies. I have to type all my assignments from my computer. I have to post my assignments online to my professors, all on a computer. I have to go to school to take tests all of which are on a computer. It is remarkable that computers can basically run our lives and keep them organized. My computer has a calendar which reminds me when I have assignments due. Without my computer I probably wouldn't be able to pass my classes because I can't seem to remember anything on my own with out my computer or cell phone.

It is hard to imagine having to go through school without computers and all the accessibility that they bring us. They allow  us to research for projects, communicate with classmates and teachers, type assignments, turn in assignments and keep our education on track. I myself am grateful to get to go to school today and have all the help that computers have brought. 

Module 7

How have computer been relevant in my education? It would probably be a lot easier to tell you how they have not. All throughout school I have had to utilize computers for many different purposes. For instance in college, you apply online, you register for classes and online, and you can even take classes purely online. How would any of this be possible without utilizing computers, exactly it wouldn't. I am extremely grateful for computers in my education because I take advantage of them by taking mostly online classes since by life seems crazy busy enough. Trying to balance a full time job, a family and school at once can seem at least overwhelming, but because of computers I have been able to get my education all while not leaving the comfort of my own home, which makes it seem less demanding. I am so grateful for all the technologies that have made communicating with teachers easier, so that any questions I have working from home can be answered. Programs like canvas, and this blog help me to stay on top of my school work, all while not having to worry about getting to class on time. 

It seems as though every part of my education is interlinked to computers and technologies. I have to type all my assignments from my computer. I have to post my assignments online to my professors, all on a computer. I have to go to school to take tests all of which are on a computer. It is remarkable that computers can basically run our lives and keep them organized. My computer has a calendar which reminds me when I have assignments due. Without my computer I probably wouldn't be able to pass my classes because I can't seem to remember anything on my own with out my computer or cell phone.

It is hard to imagine having to go through school without computers and all the accessibility that they bring us. They allow  us to research for projects, communicate with classmates and teachers, type assignments, turn in assignments and keep our education on track. I myself am grateful to get to go to school today and have all the help that computers have brought.