Journal 8

In your journal reflect on the three readings. Include at least one quote from the Hall piece. Also, consider the following: What do you think about Haas and Raschke? Do you agree or disagree with them? Do you think our use of computers in this class has influenced what you think, how you think, or how you write? Have they hindered or enhanced your learning?

"Though the game allows players to defy reality, what actually ends up happening in-world really is no different than what happens in the real world." Where do draw the line between perception and reality? The Hall selection really scares me. It really makes me question whether society is shaping computer software, or if computer software is now shaping society. How can you be certain as to which way the situation is moving? With the online "life", how do you control WHO plays the game? You can easily just say you are of age and enter the site. The graphic detail associated with the bars and strip clubs in this online world is quite revealing. The fact that all of this exists in the real world and is exploited in this online world concerns me – it may symbolize a further transition towards less morals.
I think that the digital world explored in the Hall selection is extremely unhealthy to the people who are “living” in it. It gives a false sense of reality to those people, and crushes their physical well being since all they are doing is sitting in front of a computer. They’re physical communication skills crash – equate it to being lonely in a crowded room.

Hass mentions how the technological ongoing is changing culture as a whole rather than just the way of writing. I agree and support this statement very much. Culture is the way of life of a group of persons, and since we have so much new technology and new systems of doing things, peoples way of life is changing as well. It is more than just using a computer to type an essay rather than hand write it out. The computer allows for spell check and grammar check, which is something that you can not do with pen and paper. You are putting a whole new dependence on this technology, and thus, you are having a slightly different way of life.
With regards to Rashke, I feel that a transition to complete digital education would be an atrocity. I do not understand what people who have been taught to rely on computers are going to do in the event of a complete technological failure. Although it is not likely, the fact that is possible should be enough to stand in the way of completely digitizing modern education. Students need to be able to use a pen and paper and be able to scribe their own writing, memorize the grammar rules, and be able to write efficiently.