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.
Saturday, April 28, 2007
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.
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
A New Way of Connecting
The other day I was at my house doing laundry catching up with my mom and little sister when I heard a really strange noise coming from the other room. At first I thought it might be my cell phone but I checked and it was on silent. I asked my sister, where is that coming from. She said, "Oh, the office. It's the computer." It was very strange, our computer was ringing, and I couldn't figure out why. Finally, realizing just how slowely I was putting this all together, my sister told me that my Dad put this new program called Skype on our computer. I had no idea what it was until recently when I remembered a conversation me and my dad had. So I looked at the computer and clicked on the my the picture of my Dad's face that had popped up on the monitor, letting us know it was him who was 'calling.' Almost instantly I heard his voice and the voices of several other people in the background greeting me. Sure, it wasn't perfect reception and I had to ask my dad to repeat himself several times, but we were able to have a conversation on the computer. I could hear his voice and he could hear mine, just like a phone. For some reason, I was fascinated!
My dad works in the music industry and tours alot all over the world. He travels for months at a time and it is always difficult to get ahold of him because of time differences and the cost of international calls. He is also from England and we have a large number of family members there we talk to about once a month, once again, because of the cost for both ends. However, Skype is telephone on the internet and its free and it is international. As long as you have a computer and have downloaded the program and the computer you are communicating with has done the same, you can speak into a microphone and have a regular conversation anytime day or night. Me, being the technological know-it-all that I am, was amazed. We can now talk to my grandfather, uncle, and cousin in England anytime we want for no cost, and we don't have to go weeks without talking to my dad when he is a way.
Maybe my fascination with this is just because I am so out of the loop most of the time when it comes to the latest technology trends, but I just thought this was such a great example of technology making communication easier in more ways than one. Connecting people across the globe. I know that it has brought our family closer in just a matter of weeks without worrying about costs or whos turn is it to call who. Anytime we want to talk to my grandfather we just hop on the computer and turn on the mic. It brings a whole element to communication. It proves that technology can connect people despite place and even economic status.
A service like this could do so many great things for so many people. I think technology should be used more in this way. It should not be just for those people who can afford it, it should aid those people who cannot. Staying in touch with family members should not come with a price tag or limitations, neither should services such as these. I think as technology becomes more advanced and prevelent (more and more people have access to computers everyday, for example) we will see it becoming more helpful throughout all communities in the world. I think it's going to start doing many more 'good deeds' if that's the right way to phrase it. Everyone will have a chance to take advantage of it and more and more people will benefit from it no matter what.
My dad works in the music industry and tours alot all over the world. He travels for months at a time and it is always difficult to get ahold of him because of time differences and the cost of international calls. He is also from England and we have a large number of family members there we talk to about once a month, once again, because of the cost for both ends. However, Skype is telephone on the internet and its free and it is international. As long as you have a computer and have downloaded the program and the computer you are communicating with has done the same, you can speak into a microphone and have a regular conversation anytime day or night. Me, being the technological know-it-all that I am, was amazed. We can now talk to my grandfather, uncle, and cousin in England anytime we want for no cost, and we don't have to go weeks without talking to my dad when he is a way.
Maybe my fascination with this is just because I am so out of the loop most of the time when it comes to the latest technology trends, but I just thought this was such a great example of technology making communication easier in more ways than one. Connecting people across the globe. I know that it has brought our family closer in just a matter of weeks without worrying about costs or whos turn is it to call who. Anytime we want to talk to my grandfather we just hop on the computer and turn on the mic. It brings a whole element to communication. It proves that technology can connect people despite place and even economic status.
A service like this could do so many great things for so many people. I think technology should be used more in this way. It should not be just for those people who can afford it, it should aid those people who cannot. Staying in touch with family members should not come with a price tag or limitations, neither should services such as these. I think as technology becomes more advanced and prevelent (more and more people have access to computers everyday, for example) we will see it becoming more helpful throughout all communities in the world. I think it's going to start doing many more 'good deeds' if that's the right way to phrase it. Everyone will have a chance to take advantage of it and more and more people will benefit from it no matter what.
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
A Whole New Mind- 4,5,6
I really enjoyed the everyday applications Pink provided in these next chapters as he introduced us to Design, Story, and Symphony- 3 of his six senses. I think it is not only important that he provided us with his own explanation, but he also gave us real life examples and suggestions for how we can develop these senses of our own. I feel as though this book is very practical and will prove useful for all of us as our society changes.
The first sense he discusses is Design. Here, he emphasizes the importance of not only creating something, but creating something that has beauty, something that is unique, and something that you connect with emotionally. "Utility enhanced by significance (p. 70)." These elements help to set your creations apart from those in this time of abundance. In order to become successful, in business especially, you must set yourself apart with your products. I was really intrigued by his observation of how artistic people are viewed these days. He gave an example of children refusing to admit to being artistic in a classroom by sixth grade. You can't help but think of the stigma that is still seen today, when someone says that they are an artist or a musician. I think a lot of the times it is assumed that you are "suffering for your art." When society thinks of 'artist' they think of someone tortured or broke or even uneducated. Children are encouraged to be doctors and lawyers or study business. More and more often these days, it is exactly the opposite. I like how Pink addressed the fact that design enhances life therefore it is not insignificant. If we seek to enjoy our lives on a deeper level, live more for family and experience than for money and career opportunities, it is important to surround ourselves with things we enjoy. Designs that we can connect with on a deeper, emotional level, and designs that not only allow us to accomplish our everyday tasks (utility) but help us to enjoy them and bring meaning from them (significance). Artists today could be designers for businesses and yet they are not really seen as artists... they work in business. It almost seems like a euphemism to me. I know that my sisters is looking into art school and she is an amazing photographer and we are so excited for her future because we know there are enough opportunities for her today to get an excellent education, find a well paying job, and live a more fulfilled life.
The second was Story- which I really identified with because I use story when I study! Pink says that we have an "internal story grammar." We have an automatic ability to tell stories in order to share our experiences. When we tell our friends about our day we don't give them the simple, robotic facts, we share our feelings that connect with what actually happened, our reactions, our dialogues, we provide a setting and a time frame, etc... I loved how he said that telling a story is the ability to place facts in contexts, once again adding meaning to our lives and our experiences. He primarily relates story to persuasion when discussing the importance of story in business practices these days, saying is "supplements analytical thinkin by enabling us to imagine new perspectives and he worlds (p. 108)." It should also be used to attract consumers, enhancing their buying experience- making it personal. I think it is wonderful to see modern medicine undergoing a change as well. I don't know how many times I have walked into a doctors office and felt completely unimportant, even as the patient. My experience, how I was feeling, what led up to my sickness didn't matter. The fact that I was sick was all they needed. I'm very excited for the change that Pink describes. The new practices that doctors are taking part in. I think it will be very beneficial for everyone's experience.
Finally, Pink introduces the idea of Symphony. He describes it as "seeing the big picture." He primarly relates this to automation and jobs moving overseas. Because so many L-directed jobs are seeing their jobs given to individuals overseas who can preform them faster, just as well, and for less wages, he gives value to having the ability to provide services that cannot be replaced overseas... making yourself valuable in different ways. Because our lives have so many demands on them these days, he says that it is important that we can attend to all of these demands. Specialization is no longer the key to success like L-directed thinking has led us to believe. In a world of 'multi' we need to be 'multi'. He also includes reckognizing patterns and seeing relationships. This ability to see new and different connections will allow us to be more creative and more able to relate seemingly unrelated items to eachother discovering a new and deeper level of meaning, yet again enhancing our experiences. I love his emphasis on unconventionality and his new take on brainstorming. I know that when I am tryign to come up with a great idea I put a great deal of pressure on myself. Pink says we should go for quanitity instead of quality so we will have more ideas to work from. Also, we should be extreme in these ideas. It is much easier to make an extreme idea workable than make a boring and conventional idea interesting. By far my favorite part of Symphony is his emphasis on metaphors. I had never really thought about it before, but I thought it was so interesting to see how we really do live according to metaphors. They help us to make sense of our experiences and help us to relate to eachother. It's not just an annoying literary element in English class anymore. They help us to describe how we feel not only to ourselves but to others. It helps us to me make connections and see relationships.
I can already see this book changing the way I look at the world in so many different ways. It amazes me that it is such a thought provoking, forward-thinking novel while maintaining simplicity and practicality. I keep thinking that this is so simple, it has always been right in front of us, why did it take us this long?
The first sense he discusses is Design. Here, he emphasizes the importance of not only creating something, but creating something that has beauty, something that is unique, and something that you connect with emotionally. "Utility enhanced by significance (p. 70)." These elements help to set your creations apart from those in this time of abundance. In order to become successful, in business especially, you must set yourself apart with your products. I was really intrigued by his observation of how artistic people are viewed these days. He gave an example of children refusing to admit to being artistic in a classroom by sixth grade. You can't help but think of the stigma that is still seen today, when someone says that they are an artist or a musician. I think a lot of the times it is assumed that you are "suffering for your art." When society thinks of 'artist' they think of someone tortured or broke or even uneducated. Children are encouraged to be doctors and lawyers or study business. More and more often these days, it is exactly the opposite. I like how Pink addressed the fact that design enhances life therefore it is not insignificant. If we seek to enjoy our lives on a deeper level, live more for family and experience than for money and career opportunities, it is important to surround ourselves with things we enjoy. Designs that we can connect with on a deeper, emotional level, and designs that not only allow us to accomplish our everyday tasks (utility) but help us to enjoy them and bring meaning from them (significance). Artists today could be designers for businesses and yet they are not really seen as artists... they work in business. It almost seems like a euphemism to me. I know that my sisters is looking into art school and she is an amazing photographer and we are so excited for her future because we know there are enough opportunities for her today to get an excellent education, find a well paying job, and live a more fulfilled life.
The second was Story- which I really identified with because I use story when I study! Pink says that we have an "internal story grammar." We have an automatic ability to tell stories in order to share our experiences. When we tell our friends about our day we don't give them the simple, robotic facts, we share our feelings that connect with what actually happened, our reactions, our dialogues, we provide a setting and a time frame, etc... I loved how he said that telling a story is the ability to place facts in contexts, once again adding meaning to our lives and our experiences. He primarily relates story to persuasion when discussing the importance of story in business practices these days, saying is "supplements analytical thinkin by enabling us to imagine new perspectives and he worlds (p. 108)." It should also be used to attract consumers, enhancing their buying experience- making it personal. I think it is wonderful to see modern medicine undergoing a change as well. I don't know how many times I have walked into a doctors office and felt completely unimportant, even as the patient. My experience, how I was feeling, what led up to my sickness didn't matter. The fact that I was sick was all they needed. I'm very excited for the change that Pink describes. The new practices that doctors are taking part in. I think it will be very beneficial for everyone's experience.
Finally, Pink introduces the idea of Symphony. He describes it as "seeing the big picture." He primarly relates this to automation and jobs moving overseas. Because so many L-directed jobs are seeing their jobs given to individuals overseas who can preform them faster, just as well, and for less wages, he gives value to having the ability to provide services that cannot be replaced overseas... making yourself valuable in different ways. Because our lives have so many demands on them these days, he says that it is important that we can attend to all of these demands. Specialization is no longer the key to success like L-directed thinking has led us to believe. In a world of 'multi' we need to be 'multi'. He also includes reckognizing patterns and seeing relationships. This ability to see new and different connections will allow us to be more creative and more able to relate seemingly unrelated items to eachother discovering a new and deeper level of meaning, yet again enhancing our experiences. I love his emphasis on unconventionality and his new take on brainstorming. I know that when I am tryign to come up with a great idea I put a great deal of pressure on myself. Pink says we should go for quanitity instead of quality so we will have more ideas to work from. Also, we should be extreme in these ideas. It is much easier to make an extreme idea workable than make a boring and conventional idea interesting. By far my favorite part of Symphony is his emphasis on metaphors. I had never really thought about it before, but I thought it was so interesting to see how we really do live according to metaphors. They help us to make sense of our experiences and help us to relate to eachother. It's not just an annoying literary element in English class anymore. They help us to describe how we feel not only to ourselves but to others. It helps us to me make connections and see relationships.
I can already see this book changing the way I look at the world in so many different ways. It amazes me that it is such a thought provoking, forward-thinking novel while maintaining simplicity and practicality. I keep thinking that this is so simple, it has always been right in front of us, why did it take us this long?
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