Well, the semester is finally coming to a close, and I have to admit, I am kind of sad as I write this last post. Despite my initial hesitations I had about this class, I made it through, completed every assignment, and I feel like I learned alot in the process. Not only has it opened my eyes to the new technologies available to us, but it also opened my eyes to the benefits of these technologies, how they are really affecting our lives, and most importantly, how they will affect our future. I always considered myself someone who didn't know much about technology, and I always dismissed it, never thinking I really needed to know anything about them. I realize now that I was very wrong, and I am very thankful for this experience. This class was not what I expected and I am very glad!
For my last post I thought I would share what I decided to write about for my NeoVox article. This one was hard, I feel like I have so much information going through my mind, I couldn't focus on just one. However, I think I found a topic we all can connect to.
Online Education.
It is something I always considered to be less valuable than an in-class education. Some research I have done, and my own personal experiences in this class have proved otherwise. I found an excellent article that addressed 15 benefits of an online education. I thought I would use those as a guide to help me through my NeoVox and hopefully produce a final assignment that has really proved how much I have learned in this class.
First of all, did you know that there are most than 4 million students participating in online education programs? I didn't, and that number is growing each and everyday. One of the most obvious benefits of taking classes online would be how easy it is to access the course material. Being able to do your homework and get resources anytime day or night and anywhere you have internet connection is incredibly convenient. It allows flexibility that the rigid classroom structure does not. With the growing number of non-traditional students who are trying to balance going back to school with other responsibilities such as families, it makes perfect sense that more and more individuals would rather take an online course. It also allows students to make the most of their most productive times. I know that I work best in the afternoon, however, not all classes are offered in the afternoon. This class has allowed me to complete my work when it is best for me, and I think that has made the work I have done in this class much more valuable because I am putting more thought and effort into it.
Another reason, that I can relate to most, would be the fact that learning online can be much less intimidating. I know that it takes alot for me to feel comfortable participating in the regular classroom. I am not an outgoing person, but with the online class, you can speak your mind more freely. Not only does this increase the number of people contributing, but with a greater number of individuals contributing comes a wider spectrum of opinions and knowledge that may not have been brought forth otherwise. In addition, everyone can contribute to the 'lecture'. There is always one person in a classroom that seems to feel the need to contribute compulsively, so much so that others may not get any opportunties to share opinions or valuable information. Online everyone has a place for contribution if they wish to take advantage of it. Also, I don't know about everyone else, but sometimes I find professors to be a little bit intimidating. It is hard for me to go to office hours, not only because of the time constraints with my other classes, but because of my own nervousness about sitting down with them. As silly as that may be, this class has made it easy for me to keep in touch with prof. Reid. I can email him anytime day or night and I feel much more at ease doing so. In the same instance, I feel like it is easier to reach my classmates and I am more inclined to do so. We can connect at anytime anywhere and talk about what's going on in the class, not just when we all have a free minute to meet on campus which let's face it, is pretty much never. There is definately more teamwork. It is very ironic to say considering that I have only met one of my 'classmates' face-to-face, but I feel like this is the most intimate classroom setting I have ever experienced. I feel connected with everyone and I feel very confident in my ability to be a valuable member of this class. I feel as though my opinions are respected, and I am not alone. That is something that is rare to find in the regular classroom setting.
Finally, I think online learning is valuable because of it's ability to offer a greater variety of course material. The fact that it can be taught anywhere, at anytime, by anyone allows professors who might not have been able to hold a regular class to reach students, and those teachers may have a whole new knowledge base to share with students that could be really beneficial. Also, the way that the course material is provided to the students allows for a whole new set our resources. It is no longer a lecture which can be incredibly boring day after day, it is multi-media and very engaging. This way each student has the ability to learn in their own style. In addition, learning online introduces you to a whole new world of technologies that will be useful in the future. I know that this class has really opened my eyes to what is out there. I now know how to podcast, make and edit movies (which I found out is so fun and easy!), have my own blog, and use webct. I don't have to just email anymore! Technology is changing and growing so fast it's important that we keep up with it. This class has done just that for me. These technologies we have been using will become more and more valuable in the future and it's good to learn about them now. I can't imagine this class being taught any other way than online. There is no better way to learn about writing online that actually writing online.
I just wanted to thank professor Reid and everyone in this class for making this experience a really good one. I wish everyone the best in the future and good luck with finals!
Sunday, May 6, 2007
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Virtual Reality is Real!
The deeper I delve into this book, the more I realize just how real virtual reality is becoming. Not only does it offer jobs that individuals can enjoy while supporting their families, but Dibbell proves that it can form real relationships and have real conflicts.
Yes, people can make money and earn and 'honest' living, as Dibbell is trying to do, but there are also people who can cheat, like Lee Caldwell. They see holes in the system and they take advantage of them. They cheat others and work the system to earn millions. Sounds alot like the real world doesn't it?
We see the relationship that formed between Dibbell and Radney. Two people in the game to make money working together in his first semblence of a partnership to improve one another's bank account balances. Again, real world. I would have to say, though, that it really hit me that these are people playing these games which makes the game more real when he discussed an instance in which Radney asked for advice from Dibbell. This young kid was having girl problems and he chose to ask his the man he shared a virtual house with and did trading with to give him some advice. Real again. Dibbell explained his confusion with the situation in Chapter 19, "But, why me? And what to make of the trust he placed in a 40-year old half-stranger he happened to share an imaginary mansion with (pg. 148)?" This didn't surprise me when I read it. Dibbell was doing business with this young man. They were trusting eachother, a real relationship was forming between two people even though it was in the midst of a virtual game. I think it is easy for people to get caught up in the virtual aspect. When most people first think of video games and computer games that company's such as UO produce, you think of people sitting mindlessly for hours and hours in front of a screen becoming one with the computer, becoming "dehumanized" like we've talked about it class. I think that it's easy for most people to dismiss these individuals and not reckognize that there is actual human interaction going on here in the games. Dibbell's friendship with Radney is the perfect example. They may be interacting in a virtual world but their social (human to human) interactions are real, and doesn't that make this world they are living in real as well?
There is REAL money to be made, relationships to be formed, business to be done, the system can be cheated and when it is cheated there are 'police' to come in and stop forces like Blacksnow. Virtual reality isn't as mindless as many think it is. It is more real than I think anyone realizes, even Dibbell when he first started to get involved in this new 'business.' It's the people that make virtual reality real. These games exist for our amusement and now they just happen to have opened up new job market. Virtual reality wouldn't exist if it wasn't for us, so, in a slightly confusing way, virtual reality is real. Sure, we can't touch it, we can't hold it in our hands, but we control it.
Yes, people can make money and earn and 'honest' living, as Dibbell is trying to do, but there are also people who can cheat, like Lee Caldwell. They see holes in the system and they take advantage of them. They cheat others and work the system to earn millions. Sounds alot like the real world doesn't it?
We see the relationship that formed between Dibbell and Radney. Two people in the game to make money working together in his first semblence of a partnership to improve one another's bank account balances. Again, real world. I would have to say, though, that it really hit me that these are people playing these games which makes the game more real when he discussed an instance in which Radney asked for advice from Dibbell. This young kid was having girl problems and he chose to ask his the man he shared a virtual house with and did trading with to give him some advice. Real again. Dibbell explained his confusion with the situation in Chapter 19, "But, why me? And what to make of the trust he placed in a 40-year old half-stranger he happened to share an imaginary mansion with (pg. 148)?" This didn't surprise me when I read it. Dibbell was doing business with this young man. They were trusting eachother, a real relationship was forming between two people even though it was in the midst of a virtual game. I think it is easy for people to get caught up in the virtual aspect. When most people first think of video games and computer games that company's such as UO produce, you think of people sitting mindlessly for hours and hours in front of a screen becoming one with the computer, becoming "dehumanized" like we've talked about it class. I think that it's easy for most people to dismiss these individuals and not reckognize that there is actual human interaction going on here in the games. Dibbell's friendship with Radney is the perfect example. They may be interacting in a virtual world but their social (human to human) interactions are real, and doesn't that make this world they are living in real as well?
There is REAL money to be made, relationships to be formed, business to be done, the system can be cheated and when it is cheated there are 'police' to come in and stop forces like Blacksnow. Virtual reality isn't as mindless as many think it is. It is more real than I think anyone realizes, even Dibbell when he first started to get involved in this new 'business.' It's the people that make virtual reality real. These games exist for our amusement and now they just happen to have opened up new job market. Virtual reality wouldn't exist if it wasn't for us, so, in a slightly confusing way, virtual reality is real. Sure, we can't touch it, we can't hold it in our hands, but we control it.
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Play Money- 2nd Section
I just finished 3 more parts in Play Money, and I am so confused! haha I never imagined all this talk of video games and making money online would be quite so complicated. I understand the general idea of real money being exchanged for virtual goods and the different currency systems between the real world and the virtual world and how there are certain exchange values and what not. I also undestand that money takes many forms and virtual money is just another one of these forms. Dibbell loses me, though, when he starts talking specifics. The general idea I understand, but I am really not enjoying the specifics that he goes into. I am enjoying the book, overall, I think it is important to explore the newest things happening in our culture, however, I get somewhat bored when he starts talking about exchange value and how much money he can make from each online book he sells on eBay and how that money will grow towards his future investments in the game.
"The last investment I'd placed with him, 500,000 gp, had netted me 300,000 in two weeks, for a 60 percent ROI. If he did as well this time, my 2 million gp would become 3.2 million, which with any luck I could eBay for $64, an 88 percent return on my $34 (pg. 80-81)."
HUH?
Yeah, this kind of thing is totally lost on me, but I think I'm getting alot out of the rest of the text that gives more background, history, and current events. I've said it before and I will say it again, his discussion of play is so interesting to me, and I think this is a great book to follow A Whole New Mind, it really augments what Pink didn't have time to really go into depth about. I think there is great validity in these author's theories that will continue to present themselves throughout our culture as time passes. On page 54 he discusses how civilization is not made from war and religion, they are too serious. Our civilization (defined as: "an advanced state of human society, in which a high level of culture, science, industry, and government has been reached (dictionary.com.") is created by play which I think is, essentially, how we cope with these more serious areas of life. Play gives us character and makes our civilization unique. " Civilization is, in its earliest phases, played... It does not come from play.. it arrises in play, and never leaves it (pg. 50)." Play is much more important than many of us think it is, and if play is part of who we are, why not play for money as well? He made a good point by saying that the internet introduces and possibly, perfects, the idea of productive play. It finally allows to multitask, and by multitask I don't mean getting 3 projects done at once while on the phone with your boss and IMing your business partner about your next meeting. I mean multitasking our lives, who we are. We can now play and produce a source of income for our families. Those who enjoy video games and enjoy creating them, right brainers, can finally prove to the world that they will rule the world one day.
I also liked his point about games often, modeling the real world. Not all the time of course, however, how many racing video games are out there? What about military games (fighting)? These are things that many of us cannot do in real life. It involves too much risk, not only risking our lives, but risking our income and livelihood if we were to abandom our own careers to follow our secret dream of being the next Nascar driver. But, these games allow us to live our dreams without the consequences, as Dibbell says. We can escape our realities, if only for a moment, and do things we never would be able to otherwise. His idea of 'suspension of disbelief' also stood out for me. We talked about this idea in my fiction class recently. I thought it was interesting that the same term was used and is very applicable in both contexts. You want the reader or the player, to believe that the reality you have created is real, in that moment. It allows a greater connection with the book or the game, I think that plays a big part in the fascination with video games and the goal of achieving this suspension is what keeps video game designers not only employed, but in high demand. The transition of video games from just games into a form of employment and income might be due to a greater suspension of disbelief, a more broad form that is expanding into the lives of its players. It has become such an important part of our culture that we have, in a way, turned this disbelief into belief. It is a world that so many people live in everyday that it is no longer not real. It is very real to many people and adding monetary value to that only enhances the idea of virtual reality becoming more and more real in the lives of everyone. I am really enjoying the layers Dibbell is adding to what many of us consider "just a game" before we started this book. There is so much more to it and I'm glad I'm becoming more aware of it because who knows what the future holds for us.
"The last investment I'd placed with him, 500,000 gp, had netted me 300,000 in two weeks, for a 60 percent ROI. If he did as well this time, my 2 million gp would become 3.2 million, which with any luck I could eBay for $64, an 88 percent return on my $34 (pg. 80-81)."
HUH?
Yeah, this kind of thing is totally lost on me, but I think I'm getting alot out of the rest of the text that gives more background, history, and current events. I've said it before and I will say it again, his discussion of play is so interesting to me, and I think this is a great book to follow A Whole New Mind, it really augments what Pink didn't have time to really go into depth about. I think there is great validity in these author's theories that will continue to present themselves throughout our culture as time passes. On page 54 he discusses how civilization is not made from war and religion, they are too serious. Our civilization (defined as: "an advanced state of human society, in which a high level of culture, science, industry, and government has been reached (dictionary.com.") is created by play which I think is, essentially, how we cope with these more serious areas of life. Play gives us character and makes our civilization unique. " Civilization is, in its earliest phases, played... It does not come from play.. it arrises in play, and never leaves it (pg. 50)." Play is much more important than many of us think it is, and if play is part of who we are, why not play for money as well? He made a good point by saying that the internet introduces and possibly, perfects, the idea of productive play. It finally allows to multitask, and by multitask I don't mean getting 3 projects done at once while on the phone with your boss and IMing your business partner about your next meeting. I mean multitasking our lives, who we are. We can now play and produce a source of income for our families. Those who enjoy video games and enjoy creating them, right brainers, can finally prove to the world that they will rule the world one day.
I also liked his point about games often, modeling the real world. Not all the time of course, however, how many racing video games are out there? What about military games (fighting)? These are things that many of us cannot do in real life. It involves too much risk, not only risking our lives, but risking our income and livelihood if we were to abandom our own careers to follow our secret dream of being the next Nascar driver. But, these games allow us to live our dreams without the consequences, as Dibbell says. We can escape our realities, if only for a moment, and do things we never would be able to otherwise. His idea of 'suspension of disbelief' also stood out for me. We talked about this idea in my fiction class recently. I thought it was interesting that the same term was used and is very applicable in both contexts. You want the reader or the player, to believe that the reality you have created is real, in that moment. It allows a greater connection with the book or the game, I think that plays a big part in the fascination with video games and the goal of achieving this suspension is what keeps video game designers not only employed, but in high demand. The transition of video games from just games into a form of employment and income might be due to a greater suspension of disbelief, a more broad form that is expanding into the lives of its players. It has become such an important part of our culture that we have, in a way, turned this disbelief into belief. It is a world that so many people live in everyday that it is no longer not real. It is very real to many people and adding monetary value to that only enhances the idea of virtual reality becoming more and more real in the lives of everyone. I am really enjoying the layers Dibbell is adding to what many of us consider "just a game" before we started this book. There is so much more to it and I'm glad I'm becoming more aware of it because who knows what the future holds for us.
Friday, April 20, 2007
hmmm
Well, I was totally stumped as to what to write about this week. Officially at a loss for words. All week Ive sat with this screen up trying to conjure up something creative from my right side... but nothing. That was until I decided I was bored enough to surf the net. All this talk of games made me want to play one. I went to a couple different sites and settled on online billiards. Sure, it's nothing compared to Dibbel's virtual life, but nonetheless, I became completely wound up in it. Before I knew it an hour had passed and I was still clicking away at this little green, virtual pool table. I was talking to few people online at the time... I had totally forgotten about it and they were starting to get mad at me for failing to respond. When I looked at the clock and realized just how much time I wasted I made myself drag my mouse up to the X and just like that, I was released from the powerful hold of online gaming.
After I was finished I got to thinking. I also got to my work. For the hour lost in the game, I spent another very productive hour getting alot of homework done. Homework that didn't even need to be done for another week. Even extra credit! I thank the game. Maybe that hour wasn't a waste of my time.
I think that what Pink was trying to get to with all his talk of play has finally sunk in. After allowing myself to think of nothing but the game in front of me, I felt more relaxed and more prepared to take on my work. There is certain release that games allow, and I think that is what people keep coming back for time and time again. It allows you to become completely engrossed. Letting the rest of the world fall away. I wasn't thinking about a paper I have due next week or a huge test I have yet to study for. However, I was thinking. My mind was engaged for that hour. I wasn't staring at the wall without a thought in my head. I was deciding which position would allow for the best shot and based on the that position and the distance from the target ball, just how long I would have to hold the mouse to apply the right amount of force to the cue ball to send the target into the hole, upping my point value.
A lot of people, adults mostly, see young kids playing games such as these. Lost in the Xboxes and playstations and they consider it a waste of time. They think these kids are mindlessly engaged in something completely unproductive. But, Pink was right. Gaming is productive. I know when I was finished I felt refreshed, a bit more creative, and with a new attitude I took on the work that needed to be done. Therefore, I have come to the conclusion that play is essential for work! And I think I will engage in play a bit more often. I think simple gaming would be a great way to take study breaks. Instead of staring at the tv, maybe I will try playing a few games. It's amazing to think that a few minutes of "unfocused" thought could accomplish so much. It most certainly accomplished this post! Now that we are reading A Whole New Mind and I have just gone over Dibbel's discussion of play, I think we are going to see a big change in the way people are thinking. I was unaware of it until I started reading this books, however, these are ideas that will change the way we think, work, and play. It won't be long before they spread like wildfire, and who knows, maybe there will be a mandatory 'play' break in every office from here to California!
After I was finished I got to thinking. I also got to my work. For the hour lost in the game, I spent another very productive hour getting alot of homework done. Homework that didn't even need to be done for another week. Even extra credit! I thank the game. Maybe that hour wasn't a waste of my time.
I think that what Pink was trying to get to with all his talk of play has finally sunk in. After allowing myself to think of nothing but the game in front of me, I felt more relaxed and more prepared to take on my work. There is certain release that games allow, and I think that is what people keep coming back for time and time again. It allows you to become completely engrossed. Letting the rest of the world fall away. I wasn't thinking about a paper I have due next week or a huge test I have yet to study for. However, I was thinking. My mind was engaged for that hour. I wasn't staring at the wall without a thought in my head. I was deciding which position would allow for the best shot and based on the that position and the distance from the target ball, just how long I would have to hold the mouse to apply the right amount of force to the cue ball to send the target into the hole, upping my point value.
A lot of people, adults mostly, see young kids playing games such as these. Lost in the Xboxes and playstations and they consider it a waste of time. They think these kids are mindlessly engaged in something completely unproductive. But, Pink was right. Gaming is productive. I know when I was finished I felt refreshed, a bit more creative, and with a new attitude I took on the work that needed to be done. Therefore, I have come to the conclusion that play is essential for work! And I think I will engage in play a bit more often. I think simple gaming would be a great way to take study breaks. Instead of staring at the tv, maybe I will try playing a few games. It's amazing to think that a few minutes of "unfocused" thought could accomplish so much. It most certainly accomplished this post! Now that we are reading A Whole New Mind and I have just gone over Dibbel's discussion of play, I think we are going to see a big change in the way people are thinking. I was unaware of it until I started reading this books, however, these are ideas that will change the way we think, work, and play. It won't be long before they spread like wildfire, and who knows, maybe there will be a mandatory 'play' break in every office from here to California!
Friday, April 13, 2007
Play Money- 1st section
Well, I just finished reading the first couple parts of Play Money, and I really dont understand what all the fuss is about concerning the video-gaming phenomenon. I've taken a look at some of the class debates and I really have never felt that video games are such a negative thing. I've never been one to really play them myself and, don't get me wrong, I am not in support of games that teach violence and criminal activity to young children, however, I think that they can be a very good thing for kids and for adults. My cousin was always playing video games throughout his teen years, constantly, and my whole family was worried about him because that was all he did all the time, literally. He is now 23 and going to school for game design. He is taking something that he was passionate about and loved and making it into a career, and with the way the video game industry has taken off over the years, it looks like it will be a very lucrative career. As long as someone enjoys what they do for a living and are not engaging is some illegal activity while doing it and they are making enough money to support themselves... who cares whether they play video games or crunch numbers in a cubicle all day like a robot. Video games are engaging, and the couple times I have played them, I find them to be a way of relaxing, "blowing off steam" I guess you could say.
I was really interested when Dibbell started discussing psychology and why people play video games. In these games that he describes he says that there is no ultimate goal and no winner or loser to speak of. If there is no winner and loser and no huge prize or accomplishment to aspire to, then why do people keep going back? I started thinking about reinforcement, something that they never fail to bring up in ANY psychology class you take, and think that is what Dibbell may have meant in all this talk of psychology. People are reinforced on a small scale regularly throughout the game. They are able to raise certain scores or obtain certain goods, and while they are only small gains, they make you feel productive. Your rewards are small but constant, unlike the daily grind where your reward comes once a week or once every two weeks when you get your paycheck. I think it fills a void in a lot of people's lives. People who engage in everyday work that truly has no meaning to them. They don't have jobs they love and they work simply for the check and because that is what society expects us to do. I think it's like Pink's idea. We need to use the right side of our brain to be fulfilled. We need to connect with what we are taking part in emotionally and it needs to have meaning to us for us to truly love it. Video games connect with the right side of the brain and give individuals an outlet that they wouldn't normally have.
I also really liked his talk about economy. The idea of scarcity. I have never really heard of this theory before, if it even is a theory, but I thought it was really new, refreshing, and true! Sure, we always think the grass is greener on the other side and we complain about work and school and responsibilities. I think most people, including myself, would describe their paradise is a place where they do nothing all day and night and have everything they need laid out before them. It seems great right? But actually think about. Sure, that would be great for a couple weeks or so, but what happens after that? What do you have to keep you going? What gets you out of bed in the morning. I think of it like stress. I am a very stressed-out person. But when I have 4 tests, a research paper, and about a million pages of reading to do in one week, yes, I am ready pull my own hair out and completely break down but I don't, the stress of the situation, being right there on the edge is when I do the best. My highest scores on tests are when I have had at least 2 other tests in the same week or when my blood pressure was at its highest. I know, it sounds a little crazy, but people don't thrive in a paradise where they do nothing all day, they thrive in a world where they have expectations, responsibilities, and a reason to roll out of bed each morning. No one wants to be bored all the time. So I guess, in a twisted way, we bring about our own stress and we do enjoy scarcity and the stress that comes with it. We have learned to love it, we have learned to thrive under it's conditions. It makes us productive, but this is the world that we have created and its not going to change any time soon.
As far as making real money selling fake goods is concerned, yeah it is a little crazy. I had trouble wrapping my head around the idea in these first few chapters. I immediately thought of a recent addition to Facebook. There is this new thing now where everyone has a 'gift' they can give someone. Its like a little clipart picture you can send to someone. You get to pick your own out of ones that the company has designed so they are tailored to the individual you would like to give the gift to. Its a cute idea, someone has a birthday, you can send them a little pic of a cupcake with a candle on it. When you are picking out your 'gifts' though, there is a little line... the first gift is free, after that they cost $1 each. At first, it made no sense what so ever to me now, but now that I see how the virtual world is becoming reality, it doesn't seem that crazy.
Video gaming is becoming a way of life just like any other job is, things are changing as Dibbell said from 'manual to mental labor.' It only makes sense that the concept of money and what y0u can buy with it would change too. It is an abstract concept to buy fake good for real money, but when you think about it, money is an abstract concept in its own way. Maybe I'm going a little too far out there but, to me, money only has meaning and value because we give it meaning and value. The only reason that we think money is so concrete is because we have assigned it to paper and coins. What is to say that these goods don't have value, just because we don't have something that we can hold in our hands that represent them? Virtual reality is becoming a real place to us, no matter if it's in front of our faces or in our minds. We have created it and made it what it is, it is real to all those people out there who love to play these video games, so why can't we encorporate a way for people to make a living in this other new world that is becoming part of our culture?
I was really interested when Dibbell started discussing psychology and why people play video games. In these games that he describes he says that there is no ultimate goal and no winner or loser to speak of. If there is no winner and loser and no huge prize or accomplishment to aspire to, then why do people keep going back? I started thinking about reinforcement, something that they never fail to bring up in ANY psychology class you take, and think that is what Dibbell may have meant in all this talk of psychology. People are reinforced on a small scale regularly throughout the game. They are able to raise certain scores or obtain certain goods, and while they are only small gains, they make you feel productive. Your rewards are small but constant, unlike the daily grind where your reward comes once a week or once every two weeks when you get your paycheck. I think it fills a void in a lot of people's lives. People who engage in everyday work that truly has no meaning to them. They don't have jobs they love and they work simply for the check and because that is what society expects us to do. I think it's like Pink's idea. We need to use the right side of our brain to be fulfilled. We need to connect with what we are taking part in emotionally and it needs to have meaning to us for us to truly love it. Video games connect with the right side of the brain and give individuals an outlet that they wouldn't normally have.
I also really liked his talk about economy. The idea of scarcity. I have never really heard of this theory before, if it even is a theory, but I thought it was really new, refreshing, and true! Sure, we always think the grass is greener on the other side and we complain about work and school and responsibilities. I think most people, including myself, would describe their paradise is a place where they do nothing all day and night and have everything they need laid out before them. It seems great right? But actually think about. Sure, that would be great for a couple weeks or so, but what happens after that? What do you have to keep you going? What gets you out of bed in the morning. I think of it like stress. I am a very stressed-out person. But when I have 4 tests, a research paper, and about a million pages of reading to do in one week, yes, I am ready pull my own hair out and completely break down but I don't, the stress of the situation, being right there on the edge is when I do the best. My highest scores on tests are when I have had at least 2 other tests in the same week or when my blood pressure was at its highest. I know, it sounds a little crazy, but people don't thrive in a paradise where they do nothing all day, they thrive in a world where they have expectations, responsibilities, and a reason to roll out of bed each morning. No one wants to be bored all the time. So I guess, in a twisted way, we bring about our own stress and we do enjoy scarcity and the stress that comes with it. We have learned to love it, we have learned to thrive under it's conditions. It makes us productive, but this is the world that we have created and its not going to change any time soon.
As far as making real money selling fake goods is concerned, yeah it is a little crazy. I had trouble wrapping my head around the idea in these first few chapters. I immediately thought of a recent addition to Facebook. There is this new thing now where everyone has a 'gift' they can give someone. Its like a little clipart picture you can send to someone. You get to pick your own out of ones that the company has designed so they are tailored to the individual you would like to give the gift to. Its a cute idea, someone has a birthday, you can send them a little pic of a cupcake with a candle on it. When you are picking out your 'gifts' though, there is a little line... the first gift is free, after that they cost $1 each. At first, it made no sense what so ever to me now, but now that I see how the virtual world is becoming reality, it doesn't seem that crazy.
Video gaming is becoming a way of life just like any other job is, things are changing as Dibbell said from 'manual to mental labor.' It only makes sense that the concept of money and what y0u can buy with it would change too. It is an abstract concept to buy fake good for real money, but when you think about it, money is an abstract concept in its own way. Maybe I'm going a little too far out there but, to me, money only has meaning and value because we give it meaning and value. The only reason that we think money is so concrete is because we have assigned it to paper and coins. What is to say that these goods don't have value, just because we don't have something that we can hold in our hands that represent them? Virtual reality is becoming a real place to us, no matter if it's in front of our faces or in our minds. We have created it and made it what it is, it is real to all those people out there who love to play these video games, so why can't we encorporate a way for people to make a living in this other new world that is becoming part of our culture?
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Brainstorming
Well, after meeting with my partner for the video project and talking all of what we want to do out, I think that this video project could actually be done! haha. I have to admit I was totally scared of it when I saw it on the syllabus, but 3-4 minutes shouldn't be bad and I feel like we have a topic and idea to present it that could be fun and interesting. I was doing some brainstorming for the video and thought I would sort out my thoughts here.
So, our proposal is to ask Cortland students to give us their take on technology. We thought that technology is changing so fast that we are going to have to become much more flexible and open to change with it. I know that I have little knowledge of the newest developments out there, so I wanted to know if my peers were as clueless as I was before I started taking this class. Also, we decided that we wanted to get a feel for how much students use these new technologies, like their cell phones and what not, and where they think they will go in the future (ie. will computers be obsolete?)
We thought that we would start by creating a base of questions. We thought 6 would be a good number to cover with a few people in the short time we have. It was hard since we have to cram all these ideas into a measly 4 minutes (but I'm not complaining, I don't have time for much more!). Since we are going through all this talk of Second Life we decided to ask them 1) what their definition of virtual reality and 2) explain Second Life briefly and get their thoughts. Then we decided we would 3) ask how often they use their cell phones and 4) what do they think cell phones will be like in the future? Then, because neither of us had a clue about blogging or podcasting or anything that, we wanted to 5) ask if they know what blogging is? do they blog? how often? and if not, do they think it is a good idea? and finally, we wanted to ask an all-inclusive question about technology as a whole and where they think it is going. So we thought of something along the lines of 6) how do they see themselves interacting with technology in the future? what about your children? etc...
We are trying to create a short but sweet introduction to really summarize why we are making the video that we are. I think that our video idea is something that everyone could find interesting because it involves us! Things are changing and we need to change with them, I realize that now that I have been introduced to all of these new technological trends. Some of our peers will be creating these new technologies, like Second Life, and all of us will have to use these technologies unless we plan to live under a rock for the rest of our lives. I think it will be interesting to ask these questions to our peers and take a look at the video 5 or 10 years from now and see how things have changed. It would be a really good 'time capsule' I guess you could say. Things are changing everyday we step out the door and by buying these new cell phones and using these new computers and participating in these new trends like blogging, we are being active members of these changes and where they will go in the future. I think it's important for our generation to understand that. We buy, buy, buy and use, use, use without actually thinking about our role in technology. I know I am more aware, and maybe making things like this video will bring a little enlightenment to others as well.
So, our proposal is to ask Cortland students to give us their take on technology. We thought that technology is changing so fast that we are going to have to become much more flexible and open to change with it. I know that I have little knowledge of the newest developments out there, so I wanted to know if my peers were as clueless as I was before I started taking this class. Also, we decided that we wanted to get a feel for how much students use these new technologies, like their cell phones and what not, and where they think they will go in the future (ie. will computers be obsolete?)
We thought that we would start by creating a base of questions. We thought 6 would be a good number to cover with a few people in the short time we have. It was hard since we have to cram all these ideas into a measly 4 minutes (but I'm not complaining, I don't have time for much more!). Since we are going through all this talk of Second Life we decided to ask them 1) what their definition of virtual reality and 2) explain Second Life briefly and get their thoughts. Then we decided we would 3) ask how often they use their cell phones and 4) what do they think cell phones will be like in the future? Then, because neither of us had a clue about blogging or podcasting or anything that, we wanted to 5) ask if they know what blogging is? do they blog? how often? and if not, do they think it is a good idea? and finally, we wanted to ask an all-inclusive question about technology as a whole and where they think it is going. So we thought of something along the lines of 6) how do they see themselves interacting with technology in the future? what about your children? etc...
We are trying to create a short but sweet introduction to really summarize why we are making the video that we are. I think that our video idea is something that everyone could find interesting because it involves us! Things are changing and we need to change with them, I realize that now that I have been introduced to all of these new technological trends. Some of our peers will be creating these new technologies, like Second Life, and all of us will have to use these technologies unless we plan to live under a rock for the rest of our lives. I think it will be interesting to ask these questions to our peers and take a look at the video 5 or 10 years from now and see how things have changed. It would be a really good 'time capsule' I guess you could say. Things are changing everyday we step out the door and by buying these new cell phones and using these new computers and participating in these new trends like blogging, we are being active members of these changes and where they will go in the future. I think it's important for our generation to understand that. We buy, buy, buy and use, use, use without actually thinking about our role in technology. I know I am more aware, and maybe making things like this video will bring a little enlightenment to others as well.
Thursday, April 5, 2007
A Whole New Mind- 7,8,9
After finishing a whole new mind, it may sound cliche, but I feel like I have a whole new view of how we live as a society and how I live as an individual. I found the book to be very englightening yet very simple. There are so many things that I want to try, like walking a labyrinth. Pink explores entirely new ideas and he doesn't leave anything out. I thought it was very impressive to see him flawlessly combine things such as business, spirituality, laughter, empathy, design, economy, and even metaphors into one book that has so many practical applications that we can all use to augment our everyday lives.
These final chapters were, by far, my favorite. The discussion of Empathy, Play, and Meaning spoke to much deeper levels within myself. I think the best part of this book is how Pink makes you re-examine your own life. For example, while I was reading the chapter on Play and thinking about laughter clubs I started asking myself questions. When was the last time I really laughed? What does it really feel like to laugh? What makes me laugh? When Pink explained laughter on a much deeper level I was fascinated. He said, simply, that when we laugh our right side is activated, and our right side is unlimited in its abilities (unlike the left) therefore when we are experiencing laughter and joy our abilities are unlimited. It's so simple yet so perfect. I definatly think the world would be a much more productive, creative, and enjoyable place if we all laughed more. I also liked the connections he made between humor, the workplace, and productivity. He said laughter is one of the highest forms of intelligence and at first, I admit, I was like, 'yeah, ok.' But as he went on I got it. Humor is usually complex, sure there are blatantly funny things we laugh at, but a great deal of the jokes that we make and the subtle remarks that can make someone laugh consist of several components. In addition, we usually tell jokes or make these remarks to make people laugh, therefore, we don't usually laugh alone, and when we laugh others often laugh with us (it is contagious) therefore laughter is a cohesive force. Laughter is also sensative. We have to be sure that we are making people laugh for the right reasons and we have to be careful of the feelings of others around us as we tell our jokes, we also have to be sure that it fits the context of the conversation or else it won't be funny! If we want to see more cohesion and feelings of togetherness and teamwork in the workplace or any place we may go, it would make sense to encourage humor. With one simple idea (laughter) we can increase cooperation with its cohesive force, stimulate creativity with its complexity, and teach us to be more emotionally intelligent with its need for correct timing and placement within a conversation and context. I definately think he is right. Laughter may just be one of the highest forms of intelligence.
On to Empathy... I think Empathy is a rather simple idea that many people complicate, confuse, and ultimately misinterpret. I liked how he explained it as not feeling bad FOR someone, but feeling bad WITH someone. I wish all definitions were this simple, then maybe everyone would be more aware of their own empathetic abilities. I thought it was also important how he brought up the fact that facial expressions are universal. Therefore, using our right brain to interpret facial expressions and ultimately, exhibit Empathy is a HUMAN ability. It isn't a result of our culture or our learning, it sets humans apart. I think it also is important to note that this means that all individuals are capable of it and feel it (unless damage to a specific area of the brain also damages this ability) we have no excuse for being 'inhuman'. This also sets us apart from computers. It is our ability to thrive in this new R-directed thinking world that is emerging. Engaging in careers that play to our human instincts and abilities are our best bet and beating our competitors overseas and making ourselves valuable in the new world. It makes sense that nurses, teachers, caregivers are becoming some of the most sought after professions. They use are innate abilities in a practical way that will allow us to make a good living to support our families and also enjoy the lives we share with those families.
The more I read this book the more I got the feeling that so many of us, including myself at many times, are so focused on getting somewhere in life and less focused on the journey. The final chapter really struck a chord with me. I had a moment of clarity I guess you could say, where I said, I do all this work and wish each day to go by faster and faster and hope to just get through this test or get through this week. Where am I in such a rush to go? We live in such a fast paced world that we can't help but get caught up in living our lives in a race. Once I get through this semester there will be another and another and another. Once I graduate I must go on to grad school. Once I finish grad school I will need to start looking for a job. Once I look for a job I need to work as hard as I can to make sure I am preforming my duties to the best of my abilities, and so on and so forth. Life should not be a race to the finish line. There is no where that we NEED to be and there is nothing that we HAVE to do. Sure, we have goals to accomplish, but with time and hard work we will achieve them. Life is a journey and we should enjoy that journey. It doesn't have a finish line... we will never feel like we have reached that point where we can just stop. Once we get somewhere there will be somewhere else to be. We need to take more time to enjoy this moment, take it in, learn from it, and eventually move on, taking a piece of it with us as we experience new things in the future. I think this is what Pink is saying in the final chapter about Meaning. He emphasizes spirituality, not religion, a higher quality of life, more self expression, and ultimately... happiness. My favorite quote was when he stated that we have "enough to live but nothing to live for." We need purpose. We need quality. It is so easy to become absorbed in 'stuff', in demands, in unpleasantness. We need to take more time to make sure that 'stuff' has meaning and will add to who we are.
In the L-directed world we are moving away from I think we had this idea that money/success will bring happiness. However, I like Pink's idea much better. Happiness will bring money/success. Being fulfilled as an individual comes first. That is how we should live our lives.
These final chapters were, by far, my favorite. The discussion of Empathy, Play, and Meaning spoke to much deeper levels within myself. I think the best part of this book is how Pink makes you re-examine your own life. For example, while I was reading the chapter on Play and thinking about laughter clubs I started asking myself questions. When was the last time I really laughed? What does it really feel like to laugh? What makes me laugh? When Pink explained laughter on a much deeper level I was fascinated. He said, simply, that when we laugh our right side is activated, and our right side is unlimited in its abilities (unlike the left) therefore when we are experiencing laughter and joy our abilities are unlimited. It's so simple yet so perfect. I definatly think the world would be a much more productive, creative, and enjoyable place if we all laughed more. I also liked the connections he made between humor, the workplace, and productivity. He said laughter is one of the highest forms of intelligence and at first, I admit, I was like, 'yeah, ok.' But as he went on I got it. Humor is usually complex, sure there are blatantly funny things we laugh at, but a great deal of the jokes that we make and the subtle remarks that can make someone laugh consist of several components. In addition, we usually tell jokes or make these remarks to make people laugh, therefore, we don't usually laugh alone, and when we laugh others often laugh with us (it is contagious) therefore laughter is a cohesive force. Laughter is also sensative. We have to be sure that we are making people laugh for the right reasons and we have to be careful of the feelings of others around us as we tell our jokes, we also have to be sure that it fits the context of the conversation or else it won't be funny! If we want to see more cohesion and feelings of togetherness and teamwork in the workplace or any place we may go, it would make sense to encourage humor. With one simple idea (laughter) we can increase cooperation with its cohesive force, stimulate creativity with its complexity, and teach us to be more emotionally intelligent with its need for correct timing and placement within a conversation and context. I definately think he is right. Laughter may just be one of the highest forms of intelligence.
On to Empathy... I think Empathy is a rather simple idea that many people complicate, confuse, and ultimately misinterpret. I liked how he explained it as not feeling bad FOR someone, but feeling bad WITH someone. I wish all definitions were this simple, then maybe everyone would be more aware of their own empathetic abilities. I thought it was also important how he brought up the fact that facial expressions are universal. Therefore, using our right brain to interpret facial expressions and ultimately, exhibit Empathy is a HUMAN ability. It isn't a result of our culture or our learning, it sets humans apart. I think it also is important to note that this means that all individuals are capable of it and feel it (unless damage to a specific area of the brain also damages this ability) we have no excuse for being 'inhuman'. This also sets us apart from computers. It is our ability to thrive in this new R-directed thinking world that is emerging. Engaging in careers that play to our human instincts and abilities are our best bet and beating our competitors overseas and making ourselves valuable in the new world. It makes sense that nurses, teachers, caregivers are becoming some of the most sought after professions. They use are innate abilities in a practical way that will allow us to make a good living to support our families and also enjoy the lives we share with those families.
The more I read this book the more I got the feeling that so many of us, including myself at many times, are so focused on getting somewhere in life and less focused on the journey. The final chapter really struck a chord with me. I had a moment of clarity I guess you could say, where I said, I do all this work and wish each day to go by faster and faster and hope to just get through this test or get through this week. Where am I in such a rush to go? We live in such a fast paced world that we can't help but get caught up in living our lives in a race. Once I get through this semester there will be another and another and another. Once I graduate I must go on to grad school. Once I finish grad school I will need to start looking for a job. Once I look for a job I need to work as hard as I can to make sure I am preforming my duties to the best of my abilities, and so on and so forth. Life should not be a race to the finish line. There is no where that we NEED to be and there is nothing that we HAVE to do. Sure, we have goals to accomplish, but with time and hard work we will achieve them. Life is a journey and we should enjoy that journey. It doesn't have a finish line... we will never feel like we have reached that point where we can just stop. Once we get somewhere there will be somewhere else to be. We need to take more time to enjoy this moment, take it in, learn from it, and eventually move on, taking a piece of it with us as we experience new things in the future. I think this is what Pink is saying in the final chapter about Meaning. He emphasizes spirituality, not religion, a higher quality of life, more self expression, and ultimately... happiness. My favorite quote was when he stated that we have "enough to live but nothing to live for." We need purpose. We need quality. It is so easy to become absorbed in 'stuff', in demands, in unpleasantness. We need to take more time to make sure that 'stuff' has meaning and will add to who we are.
In the L-directed world we are moving away from I think we had this idea that money/success will bring happiness. However, I like Pink's idea much better. Happiness will bring money/success. Being fulfilled as an individual comes first. That is how we should live our lives.
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