Recently, Google had to re-write the algorithm that decides what websites appear first in a search in response to a story published in the New York Times. For some reason, the original algorithm caused websites with awful reviews to come up first in a search. For this reason, some businesses actually want their customers to write bad reviews about their company so that they will appear at the top of a search. They say "it increases business". Is that weird or what?! However, the main incident that caused google to re-write its algorithm was due to the owner of DecorMyEyes.com, a glasses company. According to customers, the owner bullied them to the point of threatening sexual harrasment if they didn't write bad reviews.
According to the article, this is not the first, or last, time something like this has happened. I understand that business owners have to be smart technology users, but is this really necessary! Unfortunately, when new technologies are created, there will always be a way to exploit them. It is important for engineers to predict the consequences of certain technologies, but it is also the responsibility of the individual to use these technologies responsibily. Technology not only provides opportunities for exploitation, but mass exploitation. In the past, you could only be threatened or coerced into something if the bully had personal ties to you. Now, with instant and global communication, anyone with technological savvy could manipulate a large group of people with ease. In this scenario, the manipulation led to unfair business practices, but it could get much worse. Along with techonological advancement comes an individual responsibility to uphold ethics and moral values.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
The Next Generation
Recently, a group of fourth graders were allowed to visit Saint Josephs hospital to learn about robotic surgery techniques. They not only watched videos of surgery, but allowed the kids to use the robots. Surprisingly, the kids did very well. They seemed very comfortable with this new technology. I think that this experience represents a paradigm shift in the way our generation views technology versus the way past generations have viewed it. In the past, complicated technologies, like computers and robots, were "grown-up toys". However, today, children are learning from a very young age how to use technology and in many cases understand certain technologies better than their parents.
Unfortunately, while this generation understands the newest technologies, there are many skills that are lacking. For example, with such a focus on the use of technology, many mathematics skills have been lost due to the high capability of calculators. As well as a loss in mathematics ability, I have noticed an increasing amount of people who can't read analog clocks or use paper dictionaries! This may not seem like a problem, but old technologies are sometimes better than new ones. People expect this generation to become the leaders of the future. While I'm sure that there are many who will excel in the future, I can't help but be concerned that our dependency on technology will lead to a decline in our technological advances. I believe that there needs to be a focus on technology in schools, but I also believe that we need to make sure that children are learning basic skills.
Unfortunately, while this generation understands the newest technologies, there are many skills that are lacking. For example, with such a focus on the use of technology, many mathematics skills have been lost due to the high capability of calculators. As well as a loss in mathematics ability, I have noticed an increasing amount of people who can't read analog clocks or use paper dictionaries! This may not seem like a problem, but old technologies are sometimes better than new ones. People expect this generation to become the leaders of the future. While I'm sure that there are many who will excel in the future, I can't help but be concerned that our dependency on technology will lead to a decline in our technological advances. I believe that there needs to be a focus on technology in schools, but I also believe that we need to make sure that children are learning basic skills.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Politics and the Internet
While technologies, such as the internet, are rapidly developing, our legal system is a little bit behind. According to the article I just read, the Obama admistration and FCC Chairman, Julius Genachowski, will propose a bill to Congress on Dec. 21 proposing the idea of "net-neutrality". Net-neutrality is based on the idea that high speed internet providers will no longer be able to control the speed at which certain sites load. However, the bill will not propose regulations for mobile internet. The fact that the bill will not include provisions for mobile internet providers is controversial because many feel that it will cause smaller companies and other lesser-known websites to not receive equal representation.
This article presents many interesting dilemmas. Most importantly, the bill described in this article is almost causing the internet, or atleast the mobile internet, to become less democratized. Big websites like facebook, won't have a problem existing but smaller websites or peer-to-peer filesharing websites may be slowed down and slowly be phased out of existence. Before I read this article I was not aware that large internet providers had the ability to slow down or speed up the loading of internet sites. This situation reminds me of the way that commercials are always louder than the television program being watched. It is a good reminder of how much the media can manipulate the information we have access to without us even realizing it. However, I am glad that the government is finally trying to "update" our legal system. As technologies change, the legal system must develop to accomodate these changes. Part of being a Ben Franklin is learning how to foresee the legal and cultural implications of certain technologies.
This article presents many interesting dilemmas. Most importantly, the bill described in this article is almost causing the internet, or atleast the mobile internet, to become less democratized. Big websites like facebook, won't have a problem existing but smaller websites or peer-to-peer filesharing websites may be slowed down and slowly be phased out of existence. Before I read this article I was not aware that large internet providers had the ability to slow down or speed up the loading of internet sites. This situation reminds me of the way that commercials are always louder than the television program being watched. It is a good reminder of how much the media can manipulate the information we have access to without us even realizing it. However, I am glad that the government is finally trying to "update" our legal system. As technologies change, the legal system must develop to accomodate these changes. Part of being a Ben Franklin is learning how to foresee the legal and cultural implications of certain technologies.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
OnLive Gaming
Steve Perlman, one of the founders of Google has come up with a new gaming system. His new gaming system is called OnLive gaming. It allows the user to stream any video game to their TV or PC. The only piece of hardware needed is a 99$ box and controllers. According to Perlman, "Being tied to physical media is gradually dying away". I agree with this statement. Atleast as far as I'm concerned, the less hardware there is to malfunction, the better! However, OnLive gaming has to deal with many issues. According to the article, many consumers don't want to have yet another box attached to their televisions and the large gaming companies have a lot more financial resources than OnLive Gaming.
This is also another great example of the democratizing ability of new technologies. After listening to the podcast about piracy, it struck me that something needs to be done to stop it. This OnLive Gaming system is piracy-proof. Since the games don't come on CD's, it is impossible to make copies. To me, this is democratizing because Stever Perlman saw that we had a piracy problem and used his ingenuity to do something about it. Personally, I like the idea of having on-demand games. It's almost like Netflix. We'll have to wait and see if this gaming system is successful!
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/29/technology/29onlive.html?ref=technology
This is also another great example of the democratizing ability of new technologies. After listening to the podcast about piracy, it struck me that something needs to be done to stop it. This OnLive Gaming system is piracy-proof. Since the games don't come on CD's, it is impossible to make copies. To me, this is democratizing because Stever Perlman saw that we had a piracy problem and used his ingenuity to do something about it. Personally, I like the idea of having on-demand games. It's almost like Netflix. We'll have to wait and see if this gaming system is successful!
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/29/technology/29onlive.html?ref=technology
The Smart Shopper
Have you ever bought something for full price only to find out that a nearby store was selling it for half price? It's frustrating isn't it! Especially with Christmas around the corner, shoppers are doing everything they can to find the best deals. There are multiple new apps that are now available for download that allow the user to take a picture of the barcode on an item with their cell phone. Ideally, the phone will then recognize the item of interest and search the internet for nearby stores with better deals. According to the article, the app can be extremely useful but can create some awkward situations if a store clerk happens to notice. However, it is completely legal. I think that if this app becomes widely used, it could not only allow people to save money this holiday season, but also may pressure some retailers to put their merchandise on sale.
This app is a perfect example of the democratizing effect of the internet. The ability of cell phone users to search for better deals allows the general public to take more financial responsibility. However, while store clerks can't really do anything about it, I feel that this app could become slightly controversial. Just like we talked in class about how, in the past, what type of car one owned showed their social class, those with this app may be stereotyped as people who are living on a tight budget. But living on a budget isn't a bad thing! According to the article, many users of this app have said that if you can get over being self-concious it is a great money-saving tool.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/25/technology/personaltech/25smart.html?_r=1&ref=technology
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/25/technology/personaltech/25smart.html?_r=1&ref=technology
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Hey, There's an App for That!
How would you feel if your bank account was as public as your Facebook page? Well, now theres an iPhone app called Blaze Mobile that allow its users to pay for things by swiping their phone past a sensor. It works like a debit card. The phone owner puts a certain amount of money on their phone card and uses it when ever he/she likes. The only problem with this is that everytime someone makes a purchase the details of the purchase are posted on facebook or which ever social network the user decides to use. Does anyone, other than me, see a problem with this? This not only puts personal bank information on the internet, but allows anyone to find you no matter where you are which poses a huge safety issue.
The companies that support this type of payment say that it will decrease the amount of payments made in cash so that people can get through lines faster. I personally think that there a some things that should stay private either because they are personal or because no one cares about. For example, who cares that you just bought a 12 pack of Diet Coke? As far as the lines going faster, I feel that life is too fast-paced as is. I think that our society would benefit greately if we all just took life a little bit slower and enjoyed every day as much as we can instead of always planning every little detail ahead of time.
Another aspect of this technology that bothers me is that as more information is put on the internet it is much easier for companies and the government to have complete control over every aspect of our lives. This idea of digital information leading to complete government control reminds me of Neuromancer. I feel that the technology that society is creating today is going to create a future similar to that of Neuromancer.
The companies that support this type of payment say that it will decrease the amount of payments made in cash so that people can get through lines faster. I personally think that there a some things that should stay private either because they are personal or because no one cares about. For example, who cares that you just bought a 12 pack of Diet Coke? As far as the lines going faster, I feel that life is too fast-paced as is. I think that our society would benefit greately if we all just took life a little bit slower and enjoyed every day as much as we can instead of always planning every little detail ahead of time.
Another aspect of this technology that bothers me is that as more information is put on the internet it is much easier for companies and the government to have complete control over every aspect of our lives. This idea of digital information leading to complete government control reminds me of Neuromancer. I feel that the technology that society is creating today is going to create a future similar to that of Neuromancer.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Path
One of the main themes of today's society is the idea of being constantly connected to as many people as possible. Well, not everyone agrees with this idea. Sometimes sites like Facebook and Twitter can cause people to feel uncomfortable about sharing their thoughts or pictures with others because there are so many possible viewers. I know, on multiple occassions, I have refrained from posting my thoughts or pictures on Facebook due to the fear that someone might mistinterpret them and get offended. Even so, the goal of these "powerhouse social networks" is to increase the use and publicity of their websites. To counteract this idea, "Path" has been created. Path is a picture sharing website, very similar to facebook, but only allows each user to have 50 friends.
According to the article, the idea behind this website is that people will be able to be themselves if their pictures and thoughts are available only to those who are closest to them. This number wasn't just randomly set at 50 friends. Physcologists have concluded that the human brain is not caple of having "close" relationships with more than 50 people at any given time. Path is innovative in the fact that it goes against the norm that social networks should continue to expand. I feel that the emergence of Path is a sign that society has finally realized that being connected all of the time to the entire world is the best idea. Hopefully, more websites like this will be created and we will be able to rebuild the idea of true relationships, instead of cyber relationships.
According to the article, the idea behind this website is that people will be able to be themselves if their pictures and thoughts are available only to those who are closest to them. This number wasn't just randomly set at 50 friends. Physcologists have concluded that the human brain is not caple of having "close" relationships with more than 50 people at any given time. Path is innovative in the fact that it goes against the norm that social networks should continue to expand. I feel that the emergence of Path is a sign that society has finally realized that being connected all of the time to the entire world is the best idea. Hopefully, more websites like this will be created and we will be able to rebuild the idea of true relationships, instead of cyber relationships.
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