Blog #7: COMM 303

As a kid, I grew up playing all the video game systems there were basically. I had a younger brother so he would always ask for the systems for his birthday or Christmas. My mom would make sure we didn't spend all of our time playing video games and that we got our homework done and played outside. People today can spend most of their time playing video games and not get any exercise. This causes people to become lazy and possibly obese. They have tried to make games that get you to stand up and be active such as the Wii and Kinect for Xbox.

I'm one of those people that find myself playing video games for hours. I usually stick to Nintendo 64, Wii, or The Sims 3. Video games has never been a huge distraction for me though to where I choose to play games than do my homework. For others, it causes them to fall behind in class because they need to play it all the time. Society has changed a lot towards video games since Sega first came out back in the day. They are making systems with better games and better graphics making it more enjoyable to play. People will have to learn to cut back on time to play and focus on things that are more important in life. 

At this rate, people will continue to buy video games and play them while escaping themselves from the real world. Video games will just become more technical and fun to play so they will become more addicting. Video games has a while before they stop being made and stop being played. 

Blog #6: COMM 303

 I remember when my family first got a computer. I was about 6 or 7 years old and it was a Gateway desktop that they put in our study room. I was so excited we finally had a computer but I wasn't allowed to get on it very much since I was young and didn't know how to use it that well. When I was turning 13, my parents bought me an HP laptop for my birthday. I basically just used it for the internet and to chat with my friends on AIM. One time I tried to turn it on to use it but it wouldn't at all. I didn't know what was wrong with it so my mother and I went to Best Buy to try to get it fixed and they said there was a virus on it that caused it to shut down. It would've cost $1,000 to fix so my mom didn't even bother. I eventually got another laptop when I was older though since my parents thought I would be more responsible. 

I remember this experience so well because it was the first time I ever had a laptop and I wanted one for so long and my parents trusted me enough to be able to own my own laptop. That, however, didn't go as well as we thought it would. Now, I make sure I take care of all my electronics I own; laptop, phone, ipod, ipad. The internet has made a huge impact on my life because you can depend on it for so much. If you have a question about anything and need the answer, the internet is always there to provide you with an answer. It helps me get all my school work done quicker, without it, we'd all have to look into books and that could take a while. The use of the internet is much like the concept of Use and Gratification. You usually get what you need when you use the internet and it helps people out a lot in their everyday lives. It helps pay bills and make graphs and even the use of social networks to see how others in your life are doing.

Blog #5: COMM 303

After reading the article, I can sort of understand what Daniel Wilson is saying. When he is discussing how people are saying technology is difficult nowadays, I can relate to that. Even though I am big on Apple's new technologies, I still don't understand all of it. When the iPad first came out, I didn't get it because I thought it was going to be a waste of money since it was a larger version of the iPhone. Eventually, I figured it would be pretty handy and felt like I had to have the newest version of the technology so I got the iPad 2. Newer technology only seems difficult but it really isn't.

My parents are never up to date with the newest technology. We still have a house phone because my mom doesn't feel like its necessary to have her cell phone on her all the time. Wilson talks about the radio, the telephone, and Facebook and how "each of them scared the heck out of an older generation". My parents talk to me all the time how they think it's stupid to have a Facebook because it just causes drama by everyone putting everything out there. I agree with her on that but she didn't grow up with a social network such as Facebook or Twitter so she doesn't completely understand it. 

I agree with Wilson on the article about technology basically turning into robots and becoming complicated. However, I will always be that person that feels like they have to be up to date on all the newer technologies. I feel like since we have grown up learning and getting the new technologies that we'll stay up to date with them and not feel confused when we are older. There may be a point when we are older and realize we don't need this stuff and may stop buying them but until then, I think we will continue to keep up with technology.