Connections

The 'connectedness' of the information age seems to be a double-edged sword.  On one hand, we can easily see the negatives of spending too much time online...ignoring family, responsibilities, withdrawing into one's own head, and failing to develop crucial social skills. On the other hand, there are definite benefits to being 'net savvy'.

Computers in schools seem to have engaged students at higher levels than have been apparent in recent times. The interactive presentation styles that are available using videos, animated tools, and student responsiveness are able to tie students to lessons in ways that a straight lecture style (regardless of how good the teacher is) seems to be unable to do.

The overarching drive to use this technology in the US seems to be a need for connectiveness, though. People are reaching out through online virtual games, chat programs, social networking and email. It's interesting that as so much of our technology is 'single user' and yet is used to reach out to others and form human connections - even with people who are in close physical proximity.

I'm not sure that online, virtual 'relationships' are an adequate substitute for real-time, personal connections...maybe they are simply a marginally acceptable, second-place, substitute in a society where forming real relationships seems to be increasingly difficult.

Triumph of the Nerds Pt III

This part of the documentary focussed more on the development of the gui and how it affected development, release, and upgrades to Mac computers (primarily). The development of the GUI has direct applicability to my chosen field - completely changing how photographers edit and access their product.  Far from being limited to a mouse at this point, I have the option of touch screen editing or pen/tablet editing and with the appropriate application software (Adobe CS, monitor calibration) I can access/edit my images at a level that was not previously possible with a traditional darkroom and have the images that I eventually print be an exact match for what I see on my screen.

The ease with which I can use photo editing was one factor that led me into digital photography as a business.It would never have been an option if I'd had to type command lines in DOS! I certainly didn't have access to a darkroom, nor did I have the money to invest in film at a level that would have allowed me to 'go professional'....while the availability of digital media and the fact that I could work in a 'digital darkroom' (thank to the GUI) made being a photographer much more viable as a career choice.