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"Can You Hear Me Now?"

Here is the post for comments/questions on Turkle's "Can You Hear Me Now?"  Turkle's view on technology is very different from many of the articles we've read prior to this one.  While I know that many of you disagree with her and think that her article is a little overdramatic and extreme in its view, can you see any value to the questions she is presenting? I think the most important metaphor that she draws in her discussion of technology occurs with the question about the live turtle in the Darwin exhibit, does it matter that the turtle is real? Does it matter whether our relationships, conversations, and interactions with others take place face-to-face or electronically? Does it make any difference? Will it change the way we think, feel, or act as human beings?

And just for fun, a quote from "Mr. Roboto" by Styx:

The problem's plain to see
Too much technology
Machines to save our lives
Machines de-humanize

And the link to the incredibly awesome music video if you've got time to kill :)

What's the Matter With Kids Today?

What's the Matter With Kids Today?

In our class discussion of this article, we seemed to agree on the idea that, if kids use common sense and self-control, technology can be a powerful learning tool and an outlet for creative expression. Here's my question: can we really rely on teens, or even their parents, to apply self-control and establish limits in their use of technology?

Audiobooks, anyone?

I had to post this ad because I found it really interesting--I've mentioned in class that I'm resistant to e-readers, and yet, while I was working on my master's degree, I did quite a bit of my "reading" via audio files on my iPod. The problem was trying to go back and forth between the printed text and the audio.  Here's the solution to that problem! I may have to buy a Kindle now! (Ha :)) What do you think? Could you convert to audiobooks?

"Mind Over Mass Media"

"Mind Over Mass Media"

Do you agree with Pinker that "[t]he effects of consuming electronic media are...likely to be far more limited than the panic implies"? Or do you think we need to be more concerned about the world's steady diet of information that is fast-paced but lacking depth?

"The ABCs of E-Reading"

So, what did you think about "The ABCs of E-Reading"? If you are not an avid reader of e-books, did this convince you to run out and buy a Kindle? If you already own some kind of electronic reader, did this justify your purchase and make you feel superior to those of us who are digging in our heels, resisting technology, and clinging to our beat-up paperbacks?

"The Power of Young Adult Fiction"

Here is the link to the next article:
The Power of Young Adult Fiction
Remember to click on each of the articles and read all seven commentaries.

What is your experience with young adult fiction? Which of the articles do you agree with? Which ones do you disagree with?


In other news, here are links to the Google Docs versions of the handouts we looked at in class on writing summaries, evaluations, and comparisons for your reading responses.  The formatting is a little different, but the information is still there.

Evaluation/Comparison Handout
Summary Handout