Technopoly

After reading the first five chapters of Technopoly by Neil Postman, my initial reaction was, "This is entirely too much information to discuss in one blog."  He is amazingly successful at summarizing almost our entire history of human interaction with tecnology in ninetyone pages.  I have never before considered the negative aspects of such mainstays as writing, grading, and the mechanical clock.  I only considered their benefits. As a parent, there are two main technologies that have always been a sort of 'enemy' to my children, the television and the computer, and how they conflict with learning. (p.16)  I have always controlled the use of them in my home because they certainly effect a child's ability to develop reading skills, memory and concentration.  But even with that effort, it is impossible to seclude children, and people in general, from them.  In order for any of us to function in our society and in the future, we are forced to accept them as part of our culture.  As stated, "new technologies compete with old ones-for attention, for money, for prestige, but mostly for dominance of their world-view."(p.16)  We must conform or fall out of our own world and be left behind, with some of our traditions as mere memories.  For example, during my first writing class back in 2000, the professor asked us to write an essay.  As the whole class got up and sat at the computers, I picked up my pen and started writing.  The professor quickly informed me that I must use the computer (which I had never used to write before).  So, even if I had an appreciation for the tradition of hand-written papers, I had no choice but to conform, in order to keep up with the 'speed' of technology.  This is a minor example of how the 'meaning' of education has changed, as it it is discussed by Postman.  Just as some professors may question whether an online degree is actually the same as a traditional degree earned by attending actual classes.  The unfortunate truth is that because we live in this form of "technopoly", the definition of education is changing and professors have little or no control in sustaining tradition, that is if they want to remain a part of the institution of higher learning.  But I would like to fast-forward through our progress from a tool-using culture, to a technocracy, to the current technopoly as Postman states that we have entirely become. (p.48) I do agree that our society has lost control over the information that is spewed as us at a continuous and overwhelming rate.  However, I don't believe that people have let this situation entirely annihilate our traditional views.  There are still those who are battling for tradition.  Postman writes, "When the supply of information is no longer controllable, a general breakdown in psychic tranquillity and social purpose occurs."  It is that breakdown of tranquillity that people are now noticing.  Even the marketing companies see that people are longing for simplicity and still appreciate the skill of the tool and technocracy age.  Just recently there was a automobile commercial praising that this country was known for making things, for pride in our craftsmanship, and that is what their new truck is made from.  The ad agencies are appealing to our sense of tradition and old-time skill because they know that is what we value. Another company is sponsering a "project dinner-time", to promote families eating together and slowing down from our computer-paced lives.  This may seem slightly off-topic, but in a small way it shows that we have not yet succumbed to the "totalitarian technopoly". (p.51)

how did they get here?

Rather than write a blog about the details of the final half of the book, Computers, I would just like to reflect on something that I just realized.  My first knowledge of computers was probably in 1975 when Pong was released, and I have no idea how they became what they are today.  I mean I understand the technological advancement that is described in the book, I just don't remember it all happening.  It was like a blur of different keyboards to the one I'm using right now.  My most vivid memory, after Pong, is being in high school and learning computer programming.  It was something like, "If x is this, then let y be that", vaguely of course.  It wasn't until over ten years later that I bought my first desktop, and Dell was the leader at the time.  And if it wasn't for my daughter, we probably wouldn't have purchased the laptop currently on my lap. 
As I read through the developments of the last few decades, Atari, Apple, Microsoft, etc., I can't help but think that I should have been more aware of all the amazing new hardware and software that was being created before my eyes.  How busy could I have been?  I didn't even remember the famous Apple Macintosh commercial released during the 1984 superbowl.  Thankfully, I caught up with it on YouTube.  It's a good thing that everything we need to know about computers, is easily found on one.  Having their complete history at our fingertips is a blessing for all of us who were there, but somehow missed the show. :)

Computers History Reading

After completing the reading assignment, the first thing I thought of was "Got Acronyms?"  ENIAC, EDVAC, EDSAC, UNIVAC, IBM, RAM, EPROM, ROM.....
I don't think I've ever seen so many in one reading.  They can be seen as a symbol of the industry itself, always trying to fit an enormous amount of information in a small space.
While being directed through the history of ingenious technological inventions, I found myself frustrated that I could not even imagine what most of the mechanisms looked like.  Google images, one of the great offspring of computer technology, helped with vintage photos of Napier's Bones, the slide rule, a pascaline, and analytical engine, etc. 
It was intriguing to read about the transformation from mechanical calculating to electronic and digital and from vacuum tubes to transistors to microchips.  Facts, such as the Qwerty keyboard being developed to slow the typist down in order to allow the computer to process, and that Atanasoff originally coined the term "jogging", what is now "refresh", successfully connected the past and present in my mind.
Another piece of history that stands out is how decoding during WWII, the Cold War, and NASA's space program, had propelled the computer industry to such an extent that it has completely changed how we function in our culture today.  Would the industry have developed at such a rapid pace with only the drive of consumerism and profit?  And what is the main reason for development today?  Is it the military, the consumers, or both?

Thoughts on creating a blog

I don't smoke, but I need a cigarette.  I'm not a very social person, so I'm going to have to get used to blogging.  Even having a Facebook profile was a big step for me.  The process was not difficult but I am not enjoying it at all.  Hopefully that will change. 
On the other hand, I began the reading assignment and the book is fascinating so far.  The information is almost overwhelming.  Having been born in the sixties, I've witnessed many shifts in technology over the years.  And in my lifetime, the change was extremely rapid, and becoming more so.  What is amazing about the early years of technology is how much TIME people spent THINKING.  We are all moving at such a high speed now, I think most people think in 'tweets' rather than depth.  Scary.