DTC 101 – Spring 2013

@JacobCWalton
I spent 4 hours without using the Internet. It was alright, mostly because I have several books on hand that I occupied myself with reading. If I had to give up certain websites completely, I could go without Facebook and Netflix. However, I would not like to lose MSN, as I need it for E-mails. Also, I like to entertain myself by looking up random words on Youtube and finding what videos come up.

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@reneejo714

I would like to give myself a round of applause; I went a full 24 hours without technology (that has internet access). Phew! Glad it’s over!  For starters I haven’t worn a watch in years! I found that having to study was a real bummer.  I went through my history book like a thousand times, rather than just opening up my Google search engine to figure out a few definitions.  I usually spend my morning driving to the store to get a NEWSPAPER…. A NEWSPAPER! I paid .75 cents to read about the worldly events…when I could get it free off my Ipad/phone. Since I only have Hulu & Netflix I dragged my boyfriend to Portland and went shopping…in my eyes having no technology can get spendy! I guess people that don’t have access to internet and devices I assume they would have much more connections personally with friends and family, more of a word of mouth to get things across and done.  Example: if one was looking for an apartment they would tell their parents, who then would tell others and someone may have a couple ideas, and it would eventually get back to that one person. They would also have to drive around and look in local papers to find what they are looking for. Those who had homework would have to take better notes, and have group study sessions to help one another out instead of going online to get tips and hints.

@brandonluc01

I didn’t find this assignment all that difficult. I was fortunate enough to have this assignment assigned on a day when I did not have work or school work. If I were to do this assignment on a Thursday, Friday, or Saturday then I would be in trouble because my work contacts do not have my home phone number to tell me details about when I work. I thought it was easy to find alternative forms of entertainment. I am very active in sports and the community so I did not need to rely on technology to waste the time of the day. But none the less I do think I am reliant on technology for work, school, and activities. I’d imagine that people without the same advantage I have would have a much more difficult time doing homework and searching for jobs. I’d imagine they would have to use sources like books, magazines, and newspapers from around town to research jobs or school assignments. Since online applications wouldn’t be accessible without a computer or smart phone a person would have to travel to the job place in order to apply. For job searches and housing the newspaper would be the best resource because it has a section devout to job applications and available apartments and houses.

So many users of smart phones and computers have become so reliant on technology to complete daily tasks. According to Donna Haraway, these people are living in an “x-reality.” Those in countries where the technology is not available or unaffordable, have limited access to the changing world around them. Everyday these people get further behind in the technological revolution.

@cougar_sean

We take so much for granted. Living in a first world country and being an active participant in Internet activities such as social media and news networks, I personally have innumerable “online” connections each and everyday. Whether it’s checking email with breakfast, reading about world news between classes, or texting a friend the time and place to meet that night, we all use electronic devices as an extension of ourselves. According to Haraway, we should all be considered “cyborgs” because of this. And really, we are. Through Smartphones and desktop computers, we have all become cyborgs to some extent or another—pushing our abilities beyond their physical limitations. We can be chatting on Facebook, texting friends and doing research all at once (debatably). If I’m not mistaken, this is an obvious example of x-reality and the ability to be in multiple places at once. Our physical bodies may just be sitting in a library chair, but through electronic devices we have extended ourselves cross country, over open waters and to our international friends all through the World Wide Web. I didn’t realize how heavily dependent I had become on my computer for basic interactions. I can’t even remember that last time I actually called someone on a phone. The Internet has taken a lot of basic communication skills away from our society. The more prevalent Internet becomes the more silent our lives become; yet at the same time we are more impulsive due to copious amounts of immediacy: direct contradictions, yet perfect complements.

I knew right away that going a full day without my internet media would be challenging. As it turned out, I was not able to go a full day because I had prior commitments that required internet access throughout the weekend. I managed to find a time from lunch until about 10pm on Sunday to perform this experiment. A few hours without my laptop or phone proved challenging. After dropping the media, I began to notice that I would feel my pockets out of reflex as if I had gotten a text message. There of course was nothing there. I was lucky because though I didn’t have my media, I still had a full day planned out. I went to several places including peoples houses. One thing that was strange was actually walking up to the door and knocking, as opposed to text/calling them saying that I was there. In my life, my general connectivity to others was lost, but a more close connection to myself was found. Those who dont have this luxury of internet must be very in-tune with themselves. I would imagine that things like finances would be difficult. For job searching, it would not be that bad because managers prefer to meet the applicant in person as it is. After coming home and picking up my media again, I found that I had many text messages and notifications lined up. It just goes to show how much other people have been using their devices.