Technology?

1.Technology is defined by the Oxford American Dictionary as “a manner of accomplishing a task especially using technical processes, methods, or knowledge.” Pretty much, what that means is using new knowledge or more efficient ways to solve a basic task. However, to me, it means something completely different. Technology has come to define the world that I’m growing up in. It means computers, ipods, cellphones, the internet, printers, televisions, Xboxes, cameras, etc. So I guess I can define it as the new, more efficient, better way to solve basic tasks, connect with others, and define our world.

2. Everyone is different, meaning they're going to say different things. But for me, my top five are all used many times a day. Coming in a first is, of course, the computer. Second: cellphone, Third: Internet, Fourth: social software or things like facebook or msn, and Finally: The Usb and flash drive systems. Well, on the topic of least used technology, coming in at first place is the Rubik's Cube. They say it's a form of entertainment, but if waisting half a day rearranging shapes for no reward is entertainment, then I'm outa here. Second, The dish Maker, Third: Stickers, Fourth: Excesise Videos, and Finally: the Spork

3. I think that the amount of technology at Aes is pretty good, and not lacking to much. We can do ALOT from our small laptops, like printing, sharing, and creating. Also, there is alot of new technologies on the way. In fact, Aes is pretty far ahead when it comes to utilizing technology. For instance, my old school just got a laptop system like the one here. So overall, @∑S has done a pretty good job of intergrating technology into our lives..

Just a quote to share, " The future is already here, just not widely distributed yet." -Willam Gibson, SF novelist.

Reflection on Kurt Vonnegut's Writing

“Do you know what a Luddite is? That’s a person who doesn’t like newfangled contraptions. Contraptions like nuclear submarines armed with Poseidon missiles that have H-bombs in their warheads, and like computers that cheat you out of becoming. Bill Gates says, “Wait till you can see what your computer can become.” But it’s you who should be doing the becoming. What you can become is the miracle you were born to work—not the damn fool computer.”

False. That's my assessment. I disagree with the quote for a few reasons. The first is that everything Kurt does in his writing defines him as a hypocrite. For example, even though Harrison Bergeron and the Euphio Question are meant to be satirical, they force the reader to accept technology, not to despise it. If the attempt of these writings was to repulse readers from technology, he failed horribly, resulting in people leaping into the science fiction genre with a vigor. Second, this idea that everyone has stoppped "becoming" is complete rubbish. Mr Vonnegut, I believe, doesn't understand the fact that becoming is really a form of development, and development is something disinctly human. The only true form of "not becoming" can be found in harrison Bergeron, where everyone has been handicaped from developing. It is through this development that we as humans can make better decisions, communicate faster, create new ideas. Finally, the very essence of this quote threatens the jobs and livelyhoods of thousands of people that work with technology. What I mean is that people who work with machines are working the mircale they were put on the earth to do. This could be making car parts, fine tunning microsoft software, or typing up reports in an office. In summary, no matter how you look at it, technology is part of the "miracle" were supposed to do on earth.

End of Quarter 3 Feedback

I think that this quarter of humanities was the most knowledge loaded quarter from this year. There was just so much to learn and understand, and this made my some of my goals hard to achieve. But I still cannot believe that the quarter went by so fast. Period. My goals from last quarter were to turn in all my assignments on time, finish blog earlier then the blog evaluation, and prepare for Socratic seminars with solid facts. I can't really say I kept all of my goals, I missed one of them. All most all my assignments were on time, however, there were still late ones, something that shouldn't be happening this far into my 8th grade year. My blog was finished pretty close to the due date, but there was enough breathing room for me to get it done in time. My final goal, about the Socratic seminar, I completely missed because I wasn't here for it. I WAS IN ISTA! But anyway, two out of three yet again is not bad at all.

For the last quarter of humanities, i think my main goal is to have fun. I know that isn't a measurable goal but it's something I should strive for. I want to keep my goal of turning in my ALL my homework on time. It's a goal that's stuck with me, and it would be a shame to break the habit in the final stretch of school. My second goal, UBD related, is to finish my research paper before spring break. My third and final goal is to finish my short reflection on my 8th grade year. I know, it's not for humanities, but it's has um... ideas and words in it.

Great Powers Game Debreif

Nikaya and I were the mighty Russian Emipre. While the word "empire" is in the title, we didn't necesarily manage to build and mantain one. One of the reasons was that Russia was hobbled industrially and economically at the start of the game, while other countries like Germany had vast amounts of armies and industries. Relative to the other empires, ours was prosperous but small.

I think that in order to build an empire, it's necessary to have a good balance between military and economy. However, you also had to keep a strong presence abroad. In the long run, since we are all teenagers prone to agression, we should have bought more armies to ensure our saftey. If our country was safe, and not backstabbed by allies, then it could have built up it's industrial strength over time. Despite the fact that we were owned by our freinds in the end, I think we did a good job of bulding the alliances that strangled us in the end. If Nikaya and I had another chance at this game, we probably wouldn't have been so trusting and open with other countries.

Three specific things I learned? Well... First of all, trust no one. Seccond, strength first, economy later. Finally, to survive, you must surround yourself with others who can take the fall for you.