Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
HW # 8 Comment to Aja's Video
Dear Aja,
Like my video, yours is also gripping stuff....not. The lighting was so dark that I couldn't really see your expression so you didn't seem as bored as I did in my video.
I think we both had the same reaction about how our time could have been better spent. The fact is that we use the computer for homework and information, and if we also use it for our down time, there is a whole lot of time that we are sitting and staring. I appreciate your honesty about saying that you might use the digital devices as a way of avoiding conversation that might take a little more effort, for example with your mother.
What you say about using the devices late into the night suggests an addiction that we all share.
I guess the challenge is to try to balance our lives with more live conversation, relating to people face to face, and, for me, getting outside into frest air and having physical exercise.
It's funny but I think that if we filmed ourselves reading a book, we wouldn't have the same reaction as we have had to our videos of ourselves looking looking at computers. For one thing, you can get more comfortable reading a book and somehow there is the idea that reading a book is a very positive thing that exercises the imagination. Reading material on a computer shouldn't be all that different, but it certainly looks different. We don't look like such zombies (I looked more zombyish than you did).
Like my video, yours is also gripping stuff....not. The lighting was so dark that I couldn't really see your expression so you didn't seem as bored as I did in my video.
I think we both had the same reaction about how our time could have been better spent. The fact is that we use the computer for homework and information, and if we also use it for our down time, there is a whole lot of time that we are sitting and staring. I appreciate your honesty about saying that you might use the digital devices as a way of avoiding conversation that might take a little more effort, for example with your mother.
What you say about using the devices late into the night suggests an addiction that we all share.
I guess the challenge is to try to balance our lives with more live conversation, relating to people face to face, and, for me, getting outside into frest air and having physical exercise.
It's funny but I think that if we filmed ourselves reading a book, we wouldn't have the same reaction as we have had to our videos of ourselves looking looking at computers. For one thing, you can get more comfortable reading a book and somehow there is the idea that reading a book is a very positive thing that exercises the imagination. Reading material on a computer shouldn't be all that different, but it certainly looks different. We don't look like such zombies (I looked more zombyish than you did).
HW # 8 Comment to Julie's Video
I appreciate your honest assessment of yourself watching your video. I was equally unimpressed by my video. In fact, just the idea of other people watching me doing seemingly less than nothing makes this whole exercise more depressing.
We were both struck by the dramatic lack of physical activity in our videos. You looked either bored or annoyed (said your mother was trying to talk to you). What made your video more interesting to me than mine was the fact that you told us you were watching Happy Feet. Now watching a thousand penguins tapdancing ought to produce a smile or even a smirk, but you seemed to be getting no enjoyment at all from this movie. Also, you were multitasking by texting at the same time. I would bet that you either weren't even mentioning the film or, if you were, you were saying something like, " I don't know why I'm watching this."
This experience of watching ourselves staring at the computer makes us question how healthy it is for us to be spending so much time essentially watching televison. We all need some down time, but I think more of it should be physical, doing sports, dance, or, as you say, going for a walk with your family. This is especially true because we are using the computer for homework,
research, practical information, and entertainment. That means a lot of sitting and staring, and there is still all that sitting even when our minds are at work.
The texting (like emailing or going on Facebook) is interactive but looks so lonely on film. We would look more animated I think filming our telephone conversations. At least there would be sound, and we would probably be using our hands or arms to express ourselves. What I think we both feel from this experience is a need to balance our lives by interacting with people face to face, going outside, and doing physical stuff.
We were both struck by the dramatic lack of physical activity in our videos. You looked either bored or annoyed (said your mother was trying to talk to you). What made your video more interesting to me than mine was the fact that you told us you were watching Happy Feet. Now watching a thousand penguins tapdancing ought to produce a smile or even a smirk, but you seemed to be getting no enjoyment at all from this movie. Also, you were multitasking by texting at the same time. I would bet that you either weren't even mentioning the film or, if you were, you were saying something like, " I don't know why I'm watching this."
This experience of watching ourselves staring at the computer makes us question how healthy it is for us to be spending so much time essentially watching televison. We all need some down time, but I think more of it should be physical, doing sports, dance, or, as you say, going for a walk with your family. This is especially true because we are using the computer for homework,
research, practical information, and entertainment. That means a lot of sitting and staring, and there is still all that sitting even when our minds are at work.
The texting (like emailing or going on Facebook) is interactive but looks so lonely on film. We would look more animated I think filming our telephone conversations. At least there would be sound, and we would probably be using our hands or arms to express ourselves. What I think we both feel from this experience is a need to balance our lives by interacting with people face to face, going outside, and doing physical stuff.
Monday, September 28, 2009
HW # 7 Interviews and Surveys (Marc.R)
Q # 1- Are you on Facebook? If you are what do you get out of it and if you aren't do you think you are missing out on anything?
Yes, Facebook allows me to connect with people I haven't seen in years and talk with friends daily.
Q # 2 - In your opinion which is better: Playing video games or Watching Television?
Watching television is better because it allows you to find out what's going on in the world.
Q # 3 - Do you think that the Internet has made you smarter?
Yes, the Internet lets me find out interesting info that I didn't know about before.
Q # 4 - Do you think that you are in danger of becoming a computer potato as oppose to a couch potato?
Yes, I know it's bad but I'm always on my computer.
Q # 5 - Do you get annoyed having to listen to people's cell phone conversations on the street? Do you think people get annoyed having to listen to your cell phone conversations?
Yes, because who gives a damn about other people's (strangers) lives if you don't know them personally.
Q # 6 - Which of the new technologies most revs your engine?
The I-phone because it has " a cabillion" apps: camera, i-pod, and phone all in one hand held device.
Q # 7 - What do you think will be the next new technology that will change your life?
Time travel, although it's pretty much impossible.
Yes, Facebook allows me to connect with people I haven't seen in years and talk with friends daily.
Q # 2 - In your opinion which is better: Playing video games or Watching Television?
Watching television is better because it allows you to find out what's going on in the world.
Q # 3 - Do you think that the Internet has made you smarter?
Yes, the Internet lets me find out interesting info that I didn't know about before.
Q # 4 - Do you think that you are in danger of becoming a computer potato as oppose to a couch potato?
Yes, I know it's bad but I'm always on my computer.
Q # 5 - Do you get annoyed having to listen to people's cell phone conversations on the street? Do you think people get annoyed having to listen to your cell phone conversations?
Yes, because who gives a damn about other people's (strangers) lives if you don't know them personally.
Q # 6 - Which of the new technologies most revs your engine?
The I-phone because it has " a cabillion" apps: camera, i-pod, and phone all in one hand held device.
Q # 7 - What do you think will be the next new technology that will change your life?
Time travel, although it's pretty much impossible.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
HW # 6 video project
Untitled from devin morgan on Vimeo.
Thoughts and feelings -
If I had to watch myself too much longer, I would bore myself to death. The physical effect is just too passive - too bad we can't film the workings of the mind.
Thinking about a big part of my life being the physical expericence of this video would be incredible depressing. Thankfully, I had soccer practice in Manhattan this morning followed by a game in Queens. I've had a lot of physical exercise today. In fact, I have hours of physical activity everyday between my two soccer teams and my study of dance.
I have a brother who is also an athlete and who had an internship at Columbia this summer helping kids in Harlem who are overweight and who have asthma get more physical exercise. I know that I would want my own son to balance the technological side of his life with a lot of exercise.
Since I was looking at football games on ESPN, the contrast couldn't have been greater. I looked as though I was in a trance by comparison to what I was watching.
I have played tennis on Wii, and, believe me, it is nothing like the real deal. My arm was swiping to the left or right, but I was definitely not breaking a sweat. It was fun, but it was not really physical exercise.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
HW # 7 Interviews and Surveys (Mom, Strangers)
Q # 1- Are you on Facebook? If you are what do you get out of it and if you aren't do you think you are missing out on anything?
I am not on Facebook. Luckily perhaps, because I work full-time and have children I don't have time to think about what i might be missing. I get emails now saying that someone wants to friend me, and my reaction is "I can't manage any more friends!"
Q # 2 - In your opinion which is better: Playing video games or Watching Television?
Playing video games is an active experience and with some games can be a learning experience.
Watching TV is always passive, but there are some good shows. Doing either for too long a time is depressing to me because most of us are sitting so much of the day in our jobs or in school.
Q # 3 - Do you think that the Internet has made you smarter?
The Internet allows us to satisfy our curiosity immediately, and I think having this resource might make us more curious. If we read or hear something that makes us want to know more, we can find out right away. Before the Internet, people would think, "Oh, I should go look that up in the library," but might never end up going or go having forgotten all about a particular question. I think the answer is yes if we use the Internet to keep learning more about a subject.
Q # 4 - Do you think that you are in danger of becoming a computer potato as oppose to a couch potato?
Because I use the computer so much in my job, I try not to use it too much at home in the evenings. If I did, I would absolutely be a potato and probably a blind potato (too much eyestrain). It's important not to forget our legs and arms and other muscles.
Q # 5 - Do you get annoyed having to listen to people's cell phone conversations on the street? Do you think people get annoyed having to listen to your cell phone conversations?
Incredibly annoyed, and do I think about what others might be thinking about my conversations on sidewalks? Never. I feel like a big hypocrite. I do try not to talk too loudly.
Q # 6 - Which of the new technologies most revs your engine?
Two that I don't have yet. I look forward to having an IPhone and an IPOD. I especially want an IPOD so that I can listen to podcasts I like from public radio and pick the music I like the most -- all different types.
Q # 7 - What do you think will be the next new technology that will change your life?
Perhaps a robot that can act like a personal trainer.
Strangers #1 and #2
Q # 1- Are you on Facebook? If you are what do you get out of it and if you aren't do you think you are missing out on anything?
#1 - No and no.
#2 - Yes. Facebook lets me stay in touch easily with people I don't often see because I can write them a brief message instead of calling them on the phone which I don't do because I don't have enough time.
Q # 2 - In your opinion which is better: Playing video games or Watching Television?
#1 - Neither is good. It's better to be reading or exercising.
#2 - Playing video games is better because it can sharpen the mind and is an active expirience unlike watching television.
Q # 3 - Do you think that the Internet has made you smarter?
#1 - No. It is just a tool like a dictionary.
#2 - Yes- in the sense that it makes information available to me so easily that I get much more information than I used to and this information gives me more to think about.
Q # 4 - Do you think that you are in danger of becoming a computer potato as oppose to a couch potato?.
#1 - No. I try not to use the computer at night because I have to use it so much during the day.
#2 - No. I play sports and exercise all the time to avoid becoming a computer potato.
Q # 5 - Do you get annoyed having to listen to people's cell phone conversations on the street? Do you think people get annoyed having to listen to your cell phone conversations?.
#1 - All the time. I try not to use my cell phone when other people are around.
#2 - No. I am too busy listening to my I-pod.
Q # 6 - Which of the new technologies most revs your engine?.
#1 - None of them. I am still waiting for one to do that.
#2 - The I-pod. It relaxes me and gets me pumped.
Q # 7 - What do you think will be the next new technology that will change your life?
#1 - One that will let me fly on a plane without having to go to an airport.
#2 - One that will let me close my eyes in one country and open them right away in another.
I am not on Facebook. Luckily perhaps, because I work full-time and have children I don't have time to think about what i might be missing. I get emails now saying that someone wants to friend me, and my reaction is "I can't manage any more friends!"
Q # 2 - In your opinion which is better: Playing video games or Watching Television?
Playing video games is an active experience and with some games can be a learning experience.
Watching TV is always passive, but there are some good shows. Doing either for too long a time is depressing to me because most of us are sitting so much of the day in our jobs or in school.
Q # 3 - Do you think that the Internet has made you smarter?
The Internet allows us to satisfy our curiosity immediately, and I think having this resource might make us more curious. If we read or hear something that makes us want to know more, we can find out right away. Before the Internet, people would think, "Oh, I should go look that up in the library," but might never end up going or go having forgotten all about a particular question. I think the answer is yes if we use the Internet to keep learning more about a subject.
Q # 4 - Do you think that you are in danger of becoming a computer potato as oppose to a couch potato?
Because I use the computer so much in my job, I try not to use it too much at home in the evenings. If I did, I would absolutely be a potato and probably a blind potato (too much eyestrain). It's important not to forget our legs and arms and other muscles.
Q # 5 - Do you get annoyed having to listen to people's cell phone conversations on the street? Do you think people get annoyed having to listen to your cell phone conversations?
Incredibly annoyed, and do I think about what others might be thinking about my conversations on sidewalks? Never. I feel like a big hypocrite. I do try not to talk too loudly.
Q # 6 - Which of the new technologies most revs your engine?
Two that I don't have yet. I look forward to having an IPhone and an IPOD. I especially want an IPOD so that I can listen to podcasts I like from public radio and pick the music I like the most -- all different types.
Q # 7 - What do you think will be the next new technology that will change your life?
Perhaps a robot that can act like a personal trainer.
Strangers #1 and #2
Q # 1- Are you on Facebook? If you are what do you get out of it and if you aren't do you think you are missing out on anything?
#1 - No and no.
#2 - Yes. Facebook lets me stay in touch easily with people I don't often see because I can write them a brief message instead of calling them on the phone which I don't do because I don't have enough time.
Q # 2 - In your opinion which is better: Playing video games or Watching Television?
#1 - Neither is good. It's better to be reading or exercising.
#2 - Playing video games is better because it can sharpen the mind and is an active expirience unlike watching television.
Q # 3 - Do you think that the Internet has made you smarter?
#1 - No. It is just a tool like a dictionary.
#2 - Yes- in the sense that it makes information available to me so easily that I get much more information than I used to and this information gives me more to think about.
Q # 4 - Do you think that you are in danger of becoming a computer potato as oppose to a couch potato?.
#1 - No. I try not to use the computer at night because I have to use it so much during the day.
#2 - No. I play sports and exercise all the time to avoid becoming a computer potato.
Q # 5 - Do you get annoyed having to listen to people's cell phone conversations on the street? Do you think people get annoyed having to listen to your cell phone conversations?.
#1 - All the time. I try not to use my cell phone when other people are around.
#2 - No. I am too busy listening to my I-pod.
Q # 6 - Which of the new technologies most revs your engine?.
#1 - None of them. I am still waiting for one to do that.
#2 - The I-pod. It relaxes me and gets me pumped.
Q # 7 - What do you think will be the next new technology that will change your life?
#1 - One that will let me fly on a plane without having to go to an airport.
#2 - One that will let me close my eyes in one country and open them right away in another.
HW # 5 Response to Comments
Andy,
Your reaction to my response to Julie's criticism of the use of new technologies helps me think through exactly what I said.
I obviously gave the impression that I rank certain activities according to which ones I consider more valuable. What I meant to do was recommend more balance between different types of activities - sorry that that that did not come across.
For example, some texting and Aiming with friends are good things, just a part of social development. I was agreeing with Julie that it is also good for teenagers or anyone else to take an interest in the news issues of the day and the new technologies provide a way to discuss these issues with others and hopefully get some greater understanding out of the discussion. I think this is a good thing to do although I have to admit that I rarely do this myself. And if I did go into a chat room it would be about something like why the Knicks are incapable of getting good draft picks. I also think it is important to have physical exercise everyday.
So I think what your response has made me do is realize that what I meant to say to Julie was that we should try to have balance in our lives - a social life, taking an interest in the news to stimulate our brains, and getting enough exercise. I don't mean to rank these after school activities.
And of course texting and Aiming are interactive social activities as opposed to watching tv or listening to an I-pod. Which have their good side too. I listen to my I-pod on the way to my games. The songs relax me and pump me up. It's all in the balance don't you think?
Your reaction to my response to Julie's criticism of the use of new technologies helps me think through exactly what I said.
I obviously gave the impression that I rank certain activities according to which ones I consider more valuable. What I meant to do was recommend more balance between different types of activities - sorry that that that did not come across.
For example, some texting and Aiming with friends are good things, just a part of social development. I was agreeing with Julie that it is also good for teenagers or anyone else to take an interest in the news issues of the day and the new technologies provide a way to discuss these issues with others and hopefully get some greater understanding out of the discussion. I think this is a good thing to do although I have to admit that I rarely do this myself. And if I did go into a chat room it would be about something like why the Knicks are incapable of getting good draft picks. I also think it is important to have physical exercise everyday.
So I think what your response has made me do is realize that what I meant to say to Julie was that we should try to have balance in our lives - a social life, taking an interest in the news to stimulate our brains, and getting enough exercise. I don't mean to rank these after school activities.
And of course texting and Aiming are interactive social activities as opposed to watching tv or listening to an I-pod. Which have their good side too. I listen to my I-pod on the way to my games. The songs relax me and pump me up. It's all in the balance don't you think?
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