Internet Credibility

RachaelS_DTC

“Locative art” searched in three different websites provides a list of possibilities. Wikipedia sent me to a page about locative media where locative art was a topic, Leonardo Electronic Almanac showed a list of blogs about the topic, and WorldCat showed a list of books about art. As the document “Evaluating Information Found on the internet” states, the information I was given on each cite can be useful “when we view it critically” (Hopkins). Wikipedia provided a list of references and I read through them to investigate their credibility. One reference was from the Leonardo cite, and the link provided an article published by two people from (supposedly) two different universities. Unfortunately most of their sources, like Wikipedia’s, were from internet sites which weakened the credibility. Like most information from the internet, information “becomes misinformation when they are repeated by sincerely misguided people” (Hopkins). The books from WorldCat are credible because you can find information about the authors to investigate their knowledge of the subject. Unfortunately they were not always relevant to locative art because the database searched for all text with those two words in the abstract. I can understand why people prefer searching for information on websites like Wikipedia because it gives you quick information. People do not check the sources or use credible sites because it is easier to use a site that is easier to use and gives more relevant information. “If you don’t know who wrote what you read or why they wrote it, you don’t know if it’s trustworthy” (Hopkins).

Locative art

@PerrinKyla

When searching “locative art” on the three sites I found that each one had very different results. Wikipedia didn’t have a page strictly for locative art, but they did have a page for locative media and then listed locative art as a subcategory for locative media. In the Leonardo Electronic Almanac there are articles or books done on topics related to locative media and when clicked on they give an abstract or the information needed to go find the article. Similarly in WorldCat there are scholarly or peer reviewed articles and books that the school has put together for students and professors at WSU to use. The information on Worldcat seems like it would be more credible then both of the other sites because the information on Wikipedia could be misinformation or disinformation since it is a site that can be edited by anyone and the information on the Leonardo Electronic Almanac could contain some propaganda. I suppose that some of the articles on the WorldCat search could contain propaganda because there are many articles that contain bias. However, after reading “Evaluating Information Found on the Internet,” I can see how easily people just go to a site like Wikipedia because it is the first one that shows up on a Google search. Most people just want information fast pertaining to whatever it is that they are looking up and they don’t bother to take the time to search through several sites to see what is and is not credible.

Blog Post 13: Locative Media/Transmedia

@DTC_AlexTDTran

So I dunno which one we’re  supposed to do it on so I chose week 12 since it was posted first I guess.

Locative Media is defined as the media of communication based on location (Merriam Webster Dictionary Locative + Media). Locative media is an example of convergent and distributed media. But first, what is convergent and distributed media. Convergence is generally defined by Harry Jenkins, a media scholar, “the flow of content across multiple media platforms, the cooperation between multiple media industries, and the migratory behavior of media audiences” (Jenkins 2). This means that as media intersects, it begins to shift. This shift begins to push consumers to interact with others and use different media options to grow and learn more. Locative media is an example of this because of the fact that locative media pushes information based on where you are currently.  If for example you are on Facebook and you post your location. Suddenly an ad pops up and says, “Liked this place? Here are some other suggestions for you”. This is an example of locative media acting as convergent media. It allows your phone to attract you to this new location that you have not been to before. Distributive media is most likely media that can be distributed among various amounts of people. Without distributed media, locative media cannot move. It would stay in one location and not be able to be distributed to various different locations to grow and integrate more people. This being said, distributive media itself would then be locative media because as it is distributed it integrates itself location-wise linking the two locations together.

Week 12 Stansberry

@stansberry_dtcv

The day without technology turned out to be impossible as my world has become so interconnected that I rely heavily on the use of the internet. From checking my work schedule to finishing homework there are few days during the year that I would be able to remain productive without the use of technology. It’s unfortunate that many do no have access to technologies such as computers or phones that access the internet because it is such a useful resource. When a customer wants to know the release of a new movie, I can google it in seconds. When I’m having trouble finding my friends apartment, I use GPS on my phone. Even applying for jobs is done strictly online for many businesses today, leaving those without the internet at a severe disadvantage. Having to plan to use computers at a University or library location would make finishing homework, applying for jobs, and purchasing online products extremely inconvenient and difficult. The digital divide is a real struggle for many Americans who can’t afford such technologies and are adversely affected because of it. It’s very possible that I would not have the job I’ve attained or the grades I’ve earned without having convenient access to the internet.

out of sight out of mind

I when I was younger I used to turn off my phone, and leave the house sometimes I would merely drive around for hours, (this is when gas was much cheaper) other times I would simply walk around in the city as a way to get lost in the surroundings.  I like to be invisible, turning my phone was a way to be invisible from family and friends.  This exercise was not that difficult for me since it’s natural inclination to disconnect and be incognito.  I couldn’t do it for the whole day since, my family and particularly my boyfriend would be worried, though not too much since again I have done this in the past.  I hate how connected yet disconnected we have become.  Rushkoff talks in his book about a girl who is considered the most social girl in school, she is always going out trying to find the hippest party communicates with thousands on facebook and everyone listens to her.  Yet her phone is a constant barrier, face to face communication seems much more difficult for her.  When I was walking around Portland on my technology free day I saw two guys, who looked to be friends, they weren’t even communicating to each other they were both engrossed in their phones.  I made a remark to them on how odd it looked to me, and they said they were tourists.  This poses an interesting point, our smart phones help us navigate a foreign city and allow us to see different attractions in a more efficient manner.  We can go to this famous coffee shop, we can see that famous monument, but that takes away one of the greatest joys of traveling.  Exploring for the sake of exploring.  Simply walking around without any preconceived notion on what you want to see, this allows for pleasant and not so pleasant surprises.  If we no longer discover things on our own, then I feel we have lost part of human experience.

@ColleenBurke85

Technology free for a day

@TannerSturza

I had to wait until monday to start my day without technology because I was traveling to Los Angeles, CA over the weekend and it would have been too difficult to travel without technology. I had class on monday and homework to do so I couldn’t go the entire day without using a computer, but there were only a few occasions when I needed to use a computer. Other than that, not using technology for the rest of my day wasn’t too bad. I found myself wanting to listen to music because on a normal day I always like to have music playing while I do something. I didn’t have a problem not using social networks because I don’t use them very often when I can access them. Although I did struggle with knowing what my friends were up to because without my phone I couldn’t talk to them. The relationships I have with people are completely dependent on my cell phone, without my phone I can’t talk to my friends. When I get bored I like to go on the internet, so without the internet I had to find another way to entertain myself. I tried to spend the spare time I had accumulated with studying and doing homework, but I still wanted to listen to music while I did my school work. Although I was more productive with the time I spent doing my school work without the internet and my friends distracting me.

No Tech Day

I went “off-line” Sunday when I knew I was going to have less things to do and thought it could be more manageable. I was honestly very surprised on how much of a change being off my phone and computer was on my life. I never before recognized how dependent I really was on them. I might even go as far to say that I am addicted to them. My phone has my schedule, contact info, pictures, reminders, and even alarm. If I wanted to know what time it was I actually had to go find a clock. If I needed to get in touch with a friend I would have to use a home phone and even then I have no idea what the phone numbers are of the people I know. If I wanted to just relax I could not just surf the web, I had to actually find something to do. I would think that it would be extremely frustrating for those with seldom computer access to try to compete in our highly technology driven world. I honestly wouldn’t know where to look for a job or housing. Perhaps the newspaper, but I bet more and more companies are going away from a paid ad in a newspaper and just putting free ones on job websites. As for homework, I feel like I would probably spend all day at the library searching for articles, definitions, facts. In addition to having to write entire essays by hand which I feel is way harder than on the computer. However, after the entire day of no technology I actually felt better not worse. I felt less distracted and felt like I had a little more control over my life. But I am definitely not giving up my technology anytime soon.

Blog post #12

@chrisdtc101

To comply with the class assignment, I decided to go without technology last Saturday afternoon. For roughly four hours I went without my computer, my smartphone, the Internet, and even television. The most obvious thing that I walked away with was that it’s hard to keep in contact with people without texting or the Internet. With the Internet, I could see what my friends were doing through Facebook and interact with them, and if I wanted to talk someone all I had to do was pick up my phone and text them. Without this technology, if I wanted to talk to someone I had to either find them in the physical world, or call them and hope that they would answer their phone.

During this afternoon, I was also unable to do any homework other than reading a book for my English class. The rest of my homework assignments were either posted online through Angel, or were essays that required research on the Internet. Luckily I was able to finish all my homework on Sunday and my grades did not suffer because of this assignment.

It was surprising how much we depend on technology in order to communicate with each other and do basic things such as homework. While I was able to do alright without it for a few hours, I don’t think I could pass college classes or communicate with many people very well if I gave this technology up permanently. Our dependence on technology has been steadily rising over the past several years, and we’re getting to the point where society cannot function without it. If this increasing dependence continues to rise, where will we be in the next couple decades?

A Day without Technology

quy_luu

“More than half of American households now use the Internet, and two-third own home computers” (Karen and Caroline 201). Before I started this “Non-Tech” day experiment, I thought this was going to be hard because I use to open my laptop every time as my favorite activity.  When I wake up, checking my email on my laptop or my phone is my normal habit; however, for that day, I just went straight to the kitchen to make delicious breakfast for myself. At this point, I had lots of thoughts about what activities was going to be next. Unfortunately, I did not check all the places that I could go on the previous day so I decided to clean the base on my thoughts. For me, it’s kind of bored little bit to go through this experiment because playing game, listening to music, watching video and chatting with my friends seemed to be funnier. However, this experiment showed me how to use limited time for productive activities such as cleaning my room, washing my car, going to the gym and hanging out with my roommates. That way, I think that technology is just tool to make our life more colorful, we do not have to rely too much on it and people definitely can live without it. For this “Non-Tech” day, I believe that people should limit their technology consuming time and get more time to socialize with others. Besides, it helped me to realize how much I use technology every single day and acknowledge how to use my time in beneficial ways.

No Technology Sucked!

I have recently switched phones from the HTC One V to the iPhone 5, and I can tell you that I do not stay off my phone. Laptops or desktops, yes, I can handle staying away from. But my phone? No. On Sundays, our youth is not allowed to have our cell phones until we go home, so I considered that being my day challenge with no cell phone and whatever technology I owned. It was hard because I felt the need to check my phone, but I couldn’t. I always knew the ‘411,’ so they call it, or the latest news. The way I see changes through out that day was the fact that I wasn’t keeping track of what was going on around the area. Every time I’m using a computer device/cell phone, etc., I’m always being informed. I mainly use my phone to socialize, and that’s how I get informed. I feel like people who don’t have access to these devices get their information off the street, or from a friend of a friends. I know a bunch of people who don’t have cell phones or don’t have access to these that go out and find newspaper ads, or go in to stores and actually ask them if they’re hiring. Teenagers who don’t have access to these probably do their homework in an environment where they can access devices, such as the school, or even the library. Technology is always going to be around, just because someone doesn’t have access, doesn’t mean they don’t know where to get access.