Reading Response 3

In the documentary, “Digital Nation” producer Rachel Dretzin and correspondent Douglas Rushkoff observe the positives and negatives of the growing world of technology. They selected numerous areas to study that have had the greatest impact on us. While doing so, they traveled to many locations, from different schools to different countries, to get a better look and understanding inside this increasing world. They found many setbacks, but also many benefits. A huge issue when technology comes to mind is the addictive aspect of it. There are “internet cafes” all throughout Korea for kids and teens to be able to fulfill their desire for internet games. These cafes are so addictive, there have even been deaths in them due to lack of sleep and food. The government in South Korea found this to be a huge crisis, so they established Internet Rescue Schools to try to stray kids away from their computer addiction. In an effort to help these kids, they also try to teach kids safe using of technology at an early age. On the other hand, a middle school in the Bronx, New York found technology has been a savior to the kids’ future and education. Since students started having their own computers in class, it has helped them to really engage in class activities and grasp things they were unable to grasp before. Due to the increase activity of technology in class, the Dean of Instruction, David Prinstein states that incidents of violence are way down at the middle school, daily attendance is up over 90% and test scores in reading went up 30% and in math almost 40%. This video also demonstrated how ineffective multitasking can be and how the game and web have helped the military as well as regular people at home make connections with others. There will never be an end to technology, only more advancements and upgrades. We have to learn how to adapt and practice a healthy use for this creation. We have to make the effort to mold this creation as only a helpful tool in our world and not mold it into our whole world.

I have been in denial of how much of a necessity technology has become for me. There is not a day that’s gone by in my recent years I have not used some sort of technology. My phone is with me at all times and I can use it for all different purposes. I can get on the internet, contact my friends via text message or phone call and play a variety of different songs. It’s a computer, phone and iPod all in one. I feel a constant need to have my fingers moving, whether it is on my keyboard or on my phone. There was one month I had to go two days without my phone because I was late on my phone bill. Though I knew it was off, I still continued to go to my inbox, my call log wanting it to work so badly. I felt lost and totally disconnected from the world. It is shocking to see how in need of technology this world actually is today. It is not just for our own social benefit, but in our workplace and school as well. I am in constant use of Microsoft Office for writing pieces and presentations assigned to me from my classes. I use google.com on a daily basis for things I don’t understand and random curiosities that come to mind. When I am without it, I feel a void that needs to be filled.