January 24 Response to Articles

In "Visual and Verbal Modes of Representation in E-Mediated Communication" by Gunther Kress, he states that technology is socially applied knowledge. Which I find to be rather interesting because it's true. The internet spread because of its social appeal to people. Each culture differs, but we can all learn things from one another. We are able to transmit large amounts of information at once through email. Technology is so advanced today that we can even communicate to others who speak different languages with the click of a button. Unfortunately though, sometimes the translations don't match up, and can be interpretated quite differently than we meant. I found the idea of airlines using visual, instead of verbal, means to display information. I never really thought about it, but everything from the no smoking sign, to the fasten seatbelt sign, to the what to do in case of a crash sign on airplanes is visual. I found this interesting because then this applies to a entire mass of people. The airlines never need to speak in one language, then have to worry about translating it, and then have to worry that people did not interpret accurately what they said. Even today, many products and places are associated and well-known by their symbol. McDonalds, for example, is known for their golden arches all over the entire world. All over the internet are visual ads, trying to persuade you to click on them. They need to be eye catching and unique, or else no one will pay attention to them. If these ads can appeal globally, then they will be successful internationally. It is amazing to see how the internet, TV, text, and all of technology have changed greatly over the years. As our society and the world become more technologically advanced, we have to find ways to keep up in the electonic age.

"Myth" by Hefland, starts off in an interesting way, saying that Lewis Mumford once wrote that he believed the industrial age was merely a passing phase in which the quality of human life would be sacrificed to further the prowess of technology. I find this quote to be very interesting because it is true to some extent. Technology has taken over people's lives. Nowadays peoples' main concern is to get home to check their emails, or their facebook or myspace. I think technology has made people more uncaring. I know someone who will facebook their friends when they are mad at them about something. It's so odd because if you were really upset about something wouldn't you take the time to speak to them in person. We rush to get things done, and get angry if the internet is working too slow. We just want things to be over and done with. With such technologically speed, the need for speed carries over into the "real world," causing us to get impatient in lines. I feel like Americans especially are this way, it's not the entire world. We are so pressed for time between deadlines, school, work, errands, and technology adds to this. Sometimes its good just to stop and take a minute.