Complete three of the following four essays. There is no minimum or maximum length requirement to the essay. Essays are due on your blogger site by March 6 at Midnight.
Essay 1
In the movie, Triumph of the Nerds, Steve Jobs is quoted as saying "good artists copy, great artists steal." Do you agree with this statement under the context of the movie?
Essay 2
Discuss at least three reasons why it pays to be a knowledgeable computer user, or to be computer literate.
Essay 3
E-mail has quickly caught on as the primary method of electronic communication. List at least four of the benefits to utilizing email. List four of the drawbacks to using email. Think of your response in terms of users, organizations, and general society as a whole.
Essay 4
Define affective computing. What impact do you think computers that are capable of affective computing may have on you? List and discuss at least two advantages and two disadvantages.
1)
Pirates dock at Silicon Valley... It has been said that the mother of invention is necessity. There is also a theory that war times have given birth to some of the most influential technological breakthroughs (I would attest that this is arguably so… I'm sure there is much we in the private sector are unaware of). Now, when we take these statements and compare them in context to Steve Jobs and the Apple Corporation, especially with the aforementioned quote about artists, it procures an almost dichotomous emotional response. On one hand, we must give credit where credit is due… however dishonest its foundations might be. The Apple corporation in which Mr. Jobs is accredited with founding (alongside Steve Wozniak) has its roots in an era that was hazy to say the best (haha get it, hippies.. ok but seriously). Actually, since the computer industry was spawned from hobbyists, there was much collaboration in the efforts towards its initial advancements. This backdrop of development allowed for "shady" practices in which some could benefit from the works of others, if they were so inclined and business savvy. Case in point Apple. Now as we look back and see how the company has grown, is it right that a few people made millions while others are lost to computer antiquity? Personally I think its rubbish, but then again I'm aware of the cutthroat nature of capitalism and the way the world works so if anything it must be taken with a grain of salt. However, does the ends justify the means? Apple has done a lot for the computer world over the years, and its impact is quite clear if one takes a look at the current market. But, is this quote a confession that Jobs indeed stole ideas? It's hard to say exactly, as the continuity of Apple's past depends on how you talk to (youtube Jobs and Wozniak and listen to them dispute references made to them in the media, is Pirates of Silicon Valley)
I suppose before we focus entirely on Jobs, we must recall that the original quote is credited to Picasso. Picasso, as we are all aware of, is recognized as one of the greatest artists in history. So how does this reflect on his integrity? Is stealing a concept and changing it to make it your own, really stealing? If someone can create a masterpiece from another’s initial idea, someone say without the means to actually implement their idea… is that stealing? Who should be awarded the credit, the artist or the visionary?
When I personally think about Jobs I have emotions of disdain and distrust, and my wallet cries. I understand for business and capital reasons why the industry leaders act the way they do, but I also have the humanitarian side that strives for the best possible scenario in regard to public interests. Really, should we have to conform to one format over another per say? Should we have to shell out a major wad of cash for products that are cheaply manufactured? (again, this can be applied to most businesses, Microsoft for example) but at the end of the day is it better to help the world, or get rich? I don’t think that this quote helps Job’s public persona, as I feel it’s almost a confession towards a lack of integrity and affirms his motives as a business leader. I almost feel that it’s a blatant statement that is used to laugh in the faces of those that work passionately towards their goals. If anything, it’s like telling the world that in order to succeed you have to be morally flexible. Simply put, crime can pay but there’s always a victim.
2)
Reasons to be Computer Literate
The General Statement of Truth
The world is increasingly becoming more digitized in aspects that have far reaching application and effect.
So why should a normal person become more savvy with computers?
·
Communication, the world is “shrinking” thanks to computers, and in order to participate with the new community one must be aware of the new pathways and how to utilize them. Information is readily available at your fingertips, but it’s useless if you don’t know how to acquire and manipulate it.
·
Jobs, it literally pays to have computer skills, as an Informatics student it is the very core of what we do with our lives in that we apply technology to a concentration or pre-existing field. We work towards advancements to better the world around us, than in itself could be the sole reason to become computer literate.
·
Maintaining and understanding your personal resources, this in essence is like comparing the need to understand how to take care of your car or your home. As we progress into the future, many of our daily routines will revolve around computing. Knowledge has been regarded as power, but it is also a critical component to surviving in your environment. In order for us to continue on, we must adapt or we will certainly be left behind.
3)
Email Pros and Cons It is quite clear that technology has altered the world in which live, from our personal day to day lives to our professions. Yet, with every advancement we make forward, we must be aware of the downfalls of our new path. For one thing, as we advance, we must consistently acquire a new skill set. We must also make ourselves aware of the potential for problems within a new system… at least realize that something could go wrong. When we apply the notion that nothing is perfect, and we focus on email here is a quick list of pros and cons.
Pros
· Allows for quick transmission of large amounts of information in a semi permanent format
· Can be sent to multiple people, or users in a network setting
· Helps reduce waste produced by paper, is a step towards saving the planet
· Can include other types of information aside from print, links to websites as well as audio and video which is a vast improvement over standard mail
Cons
· Impersonal, lacks the human element of a phone call or the intimacy of hand written letter
· Easy to miss important emails if you don’t check frequently
· Can be potentially harmful if they contain malware, phishing and viruses
· Electronic forms of data are not physically permanent, and can be erased or lost very easily (not that this doesn’t happen with physical copies either)
