SWA 3

I really enjoyed reading this passage from Wiesel’s book because it got me thinking about human nature in general and the role we all play in the world. He emphasizes certain words like information, knowledge, responsibility, and presence; and defines them in a way I had never thought of before. I agree that there is a big difference between the information we are exposed to and the knowledge we retain from it. It is easy to hear and see information all around us but much more difficult to let it sink in. People don’t want knowledge of tragedies or those in need of help because people don’t want to feel responsible for not acting on that knowledge. Society has truly adopted the saying “ignorance is bliss”. However, Wiesel is saying that responsibility does not always mean acting on everything every time there is a need. He is simply advocating that we be present for others in need. Although we cannot take someone’s suffering away from them and put it on ourselves, we can be there to witness and ease it. When you suffer you need a presence.

In Wiesel’s eyes presence is synonymous with communication. He believes something good comes out of people sincerely talking “with the same respect that one owes to a close friend or to God”. I agree that the world is too focused on individuals than society as a whole and therefore not a lot of communication takes place. We would rather focus on one famous celebrity than a group of starving children simply because it is easy and requires no action. Wiesel does, however, keep a realistic view of what society can and cannot accomplish. He accepts that as a society we cannot help everyone, but expects us to help at least one person and not be indifferent to what is happening around us. Indifference is true evil according to Wiesel, and I would have to agree.

ICWA 1

There is a definite generation gap between my parents and my sister and I. My sister and I are fast, efficent typers that are familiar with all of the common computer programs. We are always on the Internet on our Ipods and phones and know how to use video-calling programs like Skype. My parents, especially my mom, are not so tech savy. My mom only types with one hand instead of two and gets confused while using almost every computer program with the exception of Microsoft Word. Her most recent technology update was learning how to send text messages on her phone. My dad is a little more comfortable with computers and his phone but still has trouble with things like Facebook and Skype. We are unlike the Campbells because my parents are not the ones using technology. However, my mother does get angry just like Mrs. Campbell does when my sister and I are too focused on our phones and laptops rather than spending time together.

SWA #2

Richtel includes the quote “technology is rewiring our brains” to emphasize both the positive and negative effects technology has on our always adapting brains. He provides evidence from various studies to show these effects. Imaging studies shows that internet users are more efficient at finding information and are constantly growing their neural circuitry. Those studies also showed that players of video games have better visual acuity and reactions. However, Richtel also includes a study done by Mr. Ophir that revealed multitasking can have a negative effect on the brain. In Mr. Ophir’s multitasking study he found that multitaskers cannot filter out irrelevant information and have trouble focusing on a single task.

            The Campbells represent the average modern family. They are included in the article as an example of the strain technology can put on a family’s connectedness. Mr. Campbell’s life is consumed by technology and while that may be rewiring his brain, it is rewiring his family as well. His struggles with email-overload and forgetfulness are extremely relatable and common, and give the audience something to reflect on and attempt to prevent from happening in their own lives. Richtel also uses the Campbell family to emphasize how much of an impact parents have on their children. Connor Campbell bonds with his dad over technology but has also begun to show signs of dependence and almost addiction to it. It sends the message that if parents are not careful their children’s use of technology will become counterproductive.

            “The myth of multitasking” refers to the common belief that multitasking is a productive way to accomplish things in the most efficient and timely manner. Richtel includes Mr. Ophir’s study to show that multitaskers actually take longer to accomplish tasks due to their inability to ignore useless information. I have always thought that multitasking produced quantity rather than quality and this study confirmed that for me. Multitaskers are so focused on all of the new information and new tasks that they barely pay attention to the previous ones. I have personally never been a good multitasker and I prefer to take my time on each assignment or task individually.

SWA 1

Writing comes most naturally to me when I am writing about something I am interested in. Whether the topic can hold my attention really determines whether or not I will be able to hold my reader’s attention. My best writing experience was when I was asked in my AP Language class to write about my contribution to the community. I always find it easy to write about myself and my experiences but this particular topic meant a lot to me. I used to be a volunteer that helped physically disabled children with therapeutic exercises in a pool. This was my favorite thing to write about because I was passionate about the program and wanted to let others know what it was all about. I felt a personal connection to my essay and I was eager to share it with the class. I believe a reader can tell when a writer is passionate about what he/she is talking about and when he/she is not. I was proud to share something that I felt strongly about believed in.

            On the opposite spectrum, my worst writing experience was on a topic I had zero interest in. For Honors British Literature I was forced to write a literary analysis on the old novel “Beowulf”. Not only did I not enjoy the book, but my teacher assigned a required length of ten pages as well. Writers block plagued me for days and the most I could muster up was 7 pages. Every word I wrote felt forced and I was definitely not proud of what I handed in. It was my worst experience because I found the topic terribly unappealing and I was not confident in my work. This affected me the most because it made me question my writing abilities and temporarily lose confidence in myself. However, it also taught me that I will not love every assignment I am given, but that I need to fight the animosity and try my best.

Get Smarter

This article took a more optimistic approach to the growth of technology and use of the internet than the Google article did. I thought the drug modafinil was interesting and it did remind me of  Ritalin and the other medicines prescribed for ADD. I am definitely someone who considers the use of those medicines cheating and do not agree with the statement "everybody's doing it, and if your're not, you're probably falling behind". I did agree with Cascio's prediction of how political debates will be in the future. He said that arguments will be more intense but held together with reasoning over opinion.  Overall I personally related more to this article than "Is Google Making Us Stupid?" because Cascio realized that this technology is not going to go away and we will learn to adapt.

Is Google Making Us Stupid?

In this article I found the references to Friedrich Nietzsche very interesting. I had no idea that the typewriter actually affected his writing style and his quote "our writing equipment takes part in the forming of our thoughts" stuck in my mind. I too feel that my writing has changed both from typing on a computer and constantly reading writing on the Internet. My writing has become more focused on being concise rather than stylish.