Final Project

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Third Web Writing Assignment

The creation of this blog along with the internet, in reflection, will neither hurt nor hinder society. With blogging in its early years, many are left wondering how blogging will truly impact both society and future generations. Nevertheless, there were a few intellectuals throughout history who predicted drastic changes in society with the advancement of technology. In 1846, writer Nathaniel Hawthorne discussed a drop in social interaction due to technology in his essay ‘Fire Worship’. Hawthorne’s essay discussed in depth the connection between new technology and social change. Many years later in 1945, Dr.Vannevar Bush wrote an article titled ‘As We May Think’ which focused on possible technological innovations for the future. Both Bush and Hawthorne wrote about technological innovations; however they had entirely different viewpoints on the subject.

Nathaniel Hawthorne lived during the 19^th century which placed him in a period of drastic economic and social change. Throughout his life he experienced many changes; however one change made him especially distressed. In the late 19^th century, Hawthorne broke down and decided to acquire a brand new wood stove. This stove was efficient, time saving, and especially warm. Nevertheless, Hawthorne was disgusted by this new technological innovation. He saw this stove as the downfall of societal interaction. In years past, Hawthorne and others kept warm by staying close to the fire with the rest of ones relatives. Now with the new stove, one could wander throughout the house and stay warm without the central fire. Hawthorne believed this new stove along with other inventions were changing the world as he it and were making the world a less inviting place. In his essay titled ‘Fire Worship’, Hawthorne wrote “In one way or another, here and there, and all around us, the inventions of mankind are fast blotting the picturesque, the poetic, and the beautiful out of human life” (Hawthorne). This statement sums up Hawthorne’s beliefs about technologies effect on humankind. Hawthorne would be content with less technology; however Vannevar Bush believed technology could save mankind.

Threat to society???

Vannevar Bush believed technology was an achievement for mankind in every aspect. In his article ‘As We May Think’ he stated “technology has improved his food, his clothing, his shelter; and increased his security” (Bush). He believed technology was the answer to all of the problems faced by mankind. Dr. Bush was the first to come up with an idea for a linking system called the memex for both books and film. In today’s terms, his linking system is similar to the internet. He believed that the intellectuals of the world needed a linking system for their thoughts and articles. By linking these together, the information would get to all those interested in a quicker manner. Nevertheless, he died before he could see his ideas become reality. His vision of the memex influenced the use of “subsequential hypertext and intellect augmenting computer systems” (memex). With the development of his ideas, Dr. Bush helped to forge the way for linking systems such as Google and self publishing sites such as blogger. With this new technology, we as a society can research at any time and make shopping decisions without leaving home. In general, this is quite possibly one of the best inventions to come out of the early 21^st century. Some may believe society has changed with the advance in technology, however change is inevitable.

The Memex--idea of Vannevar Bush

As stated above, the creation of the internet brought great benefits. Without the internet, globalization and mass communication around the world would be a thing of the future. The internet and blogging have made a great impact on our society thus far. The blogging epidemic has only just begun; both young and old enjoy publishing the daily thoughts to the public. Mass sharing of ideas was the big idea for Bush which is now our reality. The sharing of ideas can neither hurt nor hinder our society. We can only gain a better understanding of one another, now that we can talk to each other and share our daily lives.

Bush, Vannevar. "As We May Think". Atlantic Journal. July 1945. 12 Sept. 2007. HTML version by Denys Duchier, University of Ottawa, April 1994. Updated August 1995, Simon Fraser University.
http://portal.appstate.edu/cp/tag.f79877efcfabf254.render.userLayoutRootNode.uP?uP_root=root&uP_sparam=activeTab&activeTab=u12l1s53&uP_tparam=frm&frm=

Hawthorne, Nathaniel. "Fire Worship". Mosses from Old Manse. 1846. 12 Sept. 2007.
http://portal.appstate.edu/cp/tag.f79877efcfabf254.render.userLayoutRootNode.uP?uP_root=root&uP_sparam=activeTab&activeTab=u12l1s53&uP_tparam=frm&frm=

Memex. Wikipedia. 12 Sept. 2007. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memex

My early memories of the computer

My generation came of age just as the internet was coming into its own. By the age of 12, I knew there was an internet; however, I rarely used it. I was mainly interested in the games the computer had to offer. My favorite game on the computer, now that I look back, was graphically lacking the brilliance of today’s games. The game enabled you to snow ski down the trail and use the mouse to avoid the obstacles. The obstacles were rocks, trees, and sometimes other people. This game was great because I enjoyed seeing how many levels I could concur before starting my homework. By the age of 15, I began to download tons of my favorite music with the help of Napster. At the time, I did not know that downloading music was illegal. The program was user friendly and it cost absolutely nothing for me to get my music. I loved finding all the new music and transferring it to my many burned CDs. I had tons of burned CDs! In the years to follow, the internet grew by leaps and bounds. I became obsessed with my Yahoo chat and with my AOL instant messenger. I would stay up for hours just chatting away with friends and random people I met online. The AOL instant messenger was a blast; I could talk to any of my friends at any hour. I found it very easy to use the functions of the computer. However, I had to teach my mom how to use the computer when I was 17. That was quite a challenge. She would get me to teach her because she has no clue what was what on this strange device. As time passed, she got more efficient with her typing and emailing. I look back on those tutoring sessions and wish I would have been more patient with her. I believe she has forgiven me for being an arrogant teenager.

Another frustrating time that stands out to me, is the time I lost half of my intensive research paper. This was about two years ago which puts me in my sophomore year. I had one week left before this giant paper was due. I had finished five pages and was about to start on the next. However, fate was not on my side that night. I had emailed myself the five pages earlier in the day and had just pulled the pages of my email onto my current computer. I had no idea that you must resave your work because a temp file will not save the work for you. Without knowing I typed two other pages and was about to save the new information. At that time, I found I could not access my old information and it was lost forever. At that moment, I lost all composure and started quietly cursing the screen. I knew I had to gather my composure and start fixing the mess that I had just made. The mess I made was fixable and only took me a day or so to sort through. I eventually turned that paper in and made a B+. I was very happy with the outcome of this rather disastrous event. I did learn how to save my papers appropriately when switching from computer to computer.

Overall, I believe my formative years with the computer were good ones. I learned so much in a very short amount of time. I learned valuable information that will be useful to me in the future. Today’s business deals heavily with the computer and the internet. I will one day enter the business world with knowledge of the computer both from my past and from my years in college. The classes I am taking right now are teaching me the most relevant information which will help me stay current in the ever changing world of computers.

old greg

About Me!

Hi, my name is Heather. I'm a senior at Appalachian State University. I'm studying for a degree in advertising with a minor in marketing. Due to my major, I would consider myself efficent at the computer and with the internet. I am interested in learning more about blogs, embedded vidoes, and building websites. I hope to learn as much as I can in order to stay current in the ever changing business world.