Technology Autobiography

    Whether you like it or not communicating through technology plays a significant role in our lives.  Evidence of this can be seen at the introduction of most lives where in the hospital delivery room, doctors and nurses communicate with computers to make sure our arrival is a smooth one.  From there there video cameras record our all of our first big moments, cameras capture the memories of people and places, and we are introduced to television and movies revealing a very small world from inside a glass box (at least they were small glass boxes in the 1990’s). It seems technology has always been aiding our lives as a prime source of communication and education.  In this blog I will explore the three biggest technological influences in my life thus far and their impact on me, for better or worse. 
    Coming in at number one I rank digital music.  In the form of CD's and mp3s the communication and education I received through this media has shaped much of my personality.  Most importantly it has introduced me to a new medium of communication.  Making the discovery of how powerful digital music’s impact on people of the world was huge.  Positively, digital music has given me insight into new perspectives and allowed me to understand emotions and experiences of others through their songs.  The music I listened to connected me with my fellow classmates at a young age, which helped me make many great friendships.  Without these friends and the convenience of digital music I may not have been inspired begin learning how to play musical instruments.  Especially because it was really easy to rewind and replay parts of songs so I could learn them.  I doubt it would have been as exciting if I had to stop my record player and try to drop the pin to the section I was working on, or continuously rewind my cassette player.
    On the downside I was introduced to some very inappropriate music at a young age.  The artists I listened to had a big impact on my understanding of society and the decisions I made as a kid.  I spent a lot of times plugged into my headphones during elementary school, most notably during after school care and on camping trips with the boy scouts where I could have been connecting with nature but instead was connecting with digital sounds.  There was one instance during the video “Learning to change...” with one of the kids explained how he has been using music software to write original music.  I have been exposed to music software while recording with groups and for use in school projects.  It really does present a whole new field for developing music with some interesting possibilities. 
    The next most influential technology in my life has been the T.V.  For a good while this was the reason I didn’t mind waking up at 6 am to get ready for school because I got to watch my favorite cartoons while I ate my cereal.  I would have to say cartoon watching has dominated my experience with T.V to this day.  Some of the best shows have taught me a lot about creativity, artistic expression, and of stories with positive messages.  You could also argue the countless hours I spent watching cartoons  was just time I spent crafting a mold of my backside in the couch.  Combined with the hours I spent playing video games with my online community of friends, that couch was the nest of my youth for a good couple years.  But I did learn a few things about being with a group and interacting with new people to work towards a common goal of defeating the enemy.  One student from the video we watched explains how he learned this concept of teamwork from games like I used to play, and how this relates to the school environment of working with your peers and coming together for a common goal.  In many ways there is still a way to see the experience we have with T.V as a positive one.  Especially because it has the ability to bring families and friends together around a couch for their viewing entertainment.  Only recently I have been watching more documentaries and using T.V as a source for history and current events.
    Lastly I will credit the computer for its vast education sources and social connectors.  This is where I generally find information about health and nutrition, recipes, music, history, and get introduced to things I would not otherwise be looking to learn about.  There is a never ending list of negative side effects from overuse of the computer that I don’t care to get deeply into because the cramps in my hand and stiff neck are starting to bother me.  So I will end this post with a farewell and good night!