Technology

Technology has greatly changed just about every aspect of our daily lives. The use of and effects of technology are so vast and encompassing that most of the time we don’t even realize that there once was a time when people didn’t have many of the technologies that we take for granted today. It’s amazing to see how far and quickly we have advanced in even the last 50 years. Take a second and look around, everything has in one way or another been affected by technology and the advancements made within that field.
Communication is a great topic when talking about how technology has affected our lives on a day to day basis. To imagine a time when the only way to communicate over long distances was to write a letter or send a messenger seems a bit ridiculous. Today I can send a text or make a phone call to about anywhere in the world. Phones, computers, and transportation have greatly changed the way we communicate, and are continuing to do so today.
Another aspect that technology has greatly influenced is entertainment. I remember growing up as a kid, going out and playing with the neighborhood kids was about all we had to do for fun. These days kids hardly step foot outside, most of them glued to the computer or television screens. Technology hasn’t only effected the entertainment of our youth, but teens and adults as well. Everything we do these days for fun seems to, in some way or another to be connected to technology.
Nothing seems to bring justice to the effects technology have had on our lives, but when looking at daily tasks themselves we begin to get a feel for how much it has really impacted us. Starting from when we wake in the morning to laying back down at night, almost every task we complete is made easier or possible because of technology. It has made our lives easier, comfortable, and safe in ways we forget to realize. It really amazing to see how far and quickly we have advanced in technology and it doesn’t seem to be stopping anytime soon. The future will be full of new technologies that we couldn’t even begin to imagine today.

Televison

Television



When talking about technology and daily lives, the television is one thing that must be mentioned. TV’s have become a major part of most all Americans lives. In one study it was stated that on average Americans watch three hours and forty-six minutes of TV a day. This means that by the age of 65 and average American will have watch nearly nine years of television. The TV is clearly a substantial part of most people’s daily lives, effecting many aspects of daily life such as communication, entertainment, and even day-to-day tasks. The TV has had a major impact on the communication aspect of daily life. News is a great example of this. TV stations reporting local, national, and even global news inform people of events that they may have otherwise never heard about. Another aspect of communication that the television has changed is what people talk about. Be it the sports game, news, or a favorite show, the television and its showings are often a very common subject of conversations these days.
The most obvious aspect that the TV has affected in our daily lives would be entertainment. The TV provides limitless options that can appeal to almost any person out there. As technology advances, improvements in TV appliances like TiVo and On-demand make it easier than ever for TV to be a major form of entertainment. Not only is the television entertaining, but it can also be very informative and possibly even educational. Shows like Discovery, National Geographic, and the Travel channel inform and educate viewers, while keeping them entertained at the same time.
The TV has also impacted the way we go about day-to-day tasks. People today flip the TV on in the morning and listen to the weather and traffic report and don’t think twice about it. We also can access shows that show us how to fix things around the house, prepare a healthy quick meal, and even get a quick workout in. The TV provides countless shows that affect our daily tasks and lives in more ways then we know.



The TV has many positive aspects, but it also has its fair share of negative ones as well. With so much on TV, people sometimes become addicted to watching. In a survey, 49 percent of people believed that they personally watch too much TV. Adults and children alike begin to trade in other activities that they us to enjoy to watch TV. This can lead to a sedimentary lifestyle which has many negative side effects. Another commonly sees downside is that amount of violence and sexual content that is on TV these days. With children becoming more and more accustomed to the TV, the amount of inappropriate content they have access to increases as well. Thousands of studies have been done on the relationship of TV violence and sexuality having negative effects on children real lives.

Some stats and facts about TVs and TV usage:
http://www.soundvision.com/Info/misc/tvturnoff.asp

YouTube

Since its beginning, the web site Youtube.com has had tremendous success. During the summer of 2006, YouTube became one of the fastest growing sites on the internet, out pacing even MySpace’s growth. It is estimated that 78.3 million videos had been uploaded as of March 2008, with over 150,000 videos being added every day. YouTube has become one of the largest communication tools in the world. The site has developed a wide variety of individuals using YouTube for its wide variety of audiences and potential viewers. Sports athletes, music enthusiasts, business professionals, and children use YouTube’s simple and inexpensive video posting to publish their videos on the web. With so many potential viewers, YouTube has become a great way for people to get their name out there for whatever means they happen to be seeking.
YouTube is not only a great site for communication purposes, but also has become a popular site for entertainment. Thousands upon thousands of videos are posted every hour, some serious, others downright hilarious. Video surfing on YouTube has become and activity within itself. I personally have laugh for hours just surfing different videos on YouTube with a group of friends. It is becoming more and more common to hear, “have you seen the YouTube video when…”. YouTube has developed into a very popular site used for entertainment purposes, and with more and more people becoming familiar and comfortable with the site, YouTube’s future looks very bright.

So I have discussed how YouTube can and is being used for both communication and entertainment purposes, but are there any other aspects of daily life that the site addresses? The answer to this question is an overwhelming yes! YouTube has videos that address just about every aspect of daily life. If you want to watch how to change a tire, cook a meal, tie a tie, or watch the correct form for the squat exercise, all of these and many more are online at your disposal.
YouTube has developed into a great web site, with many different aspects that appeal to a wide variety of audiences, but there are also some downsides to having such a great program at our disposal. With the great freedom of YouTube’s services, anyone can post a video, and anyone can view a video you post. This poses some issues with content and privacy. Another content issue is dealing with violent videos and animal abuse. Another problem YouTube is coming across is privacy invasion and Copyright infringement. People are posting videos that they don’t have permission to post, and in-turn YouTube takes the blame. YouTube does their best to restrict these videos, but it will always be present in one way or another.

Interesting sites pertaining to YouTube: Stats and Facts
http://www.gadgetizer.com/2006/08/31/youtube-statistics-phenomenal/

http://mediatedcultures.net/ksudigg/?p=163

Pros and Cons of YouTube:
http://www.surfnetkids.com/safety/pros_and_cons_of_youtube-19022.htm

Cell Phones

When thinking of day-to-day activities and types of technology we use on a daily basis, we commonly overlook the cell phone. The cell phone however is a great example of how technology has changed many aspects of our daily lives. Cell phone usage in the United States alone has increased from 34 million to 204 million in the last ten years. Cell phones affect our day-to-day lives on many levels, increasing communication between friends and families, by providing entertainment to users, and by helping user’s complete tasks and errands.
Cell phones have affected our means of communication possibly more than any other aspect. Before cell phones people were forced to make calls on LAN lines or pay phones. Cell phones greatly increased the mobility and convenience of communication in this day and age. Cell phones are also made long distance and global calls possible and more affordable. This greatly increased communication, because distance is not longer a limiting factor. Cell phones not only increased communication through calls made and received, but also through text and media messages sent from user to user. This aspect of cell phone communication has greatly increased in the last five years.

Cell phones, originally seen more as a tool for business, have evolved into more personal and entertaining devices. Phones today allow users to do anything from play games online, to searching the web for the best prices plane tickets for your upcoming trip. Cell phones have greatly changed how people entertain themselves and get by on a daily basis. Today we take for granted how handy and convenient cell phones are. If we’re going to be late for dinner, or forgot the grocery list on the counter at home, we just make a simple call on our phones and the problem is solved. This was not the case 15 years ago. Cell phones are also becoming extremely advanced with regards to entertainment. Smart phones of this day and age are replacing the need for other objects that were once used for recreational enjoyment.
Cell phones are a great form of technology, that have effect our lives in more ways than we could ever know, but like all good things they also have brought some negative effects with them. A recent study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, they found that 73% of people report using their phone while driving. They later on also concluded that people are four times more likely to get into an accident while on the phone. Another problem that has arose from the increased popularity of cell phones is the decrease in face-to-face contact. In past years people waiting in line at the grocery store, or for the bus would be less likely strike up a conversation with the people next to them. In this day in age however, people are more likely to pull out there cell phones and call or message someone instead. As a whole, our society is slowly losing this face-to-face contact that was once the only means of conversation.

Some interesting sites that I came across while researching cell phones:
http://www.accuconference.com/blog/CellPhoneStatistics.aspx

History of cell phones:
http://www.xtimeline.com/timeline/History-of-Mobile-Phones--Cell-Phones-

Facebook

Facebook.com was originally founded by Mark Zuckerberg, created initially as an exclusive network for Harvard students. The program has exponentially grown since then, becoming the world’s largest social networking site to this date. With over 400 million active users, half of which visit the site daily, Facebook is an excellent example of how technology has changed the way we go about day-to-day lives. Facebook has become one of the most popular ways of communicating, meeting, and reconnecting with friends and family in this day and age. With anyone able to create a page over the age of 13, Facebook has very few aspects restricting access to the site, allowing for a very wide variety of users.
Facebook is not only a very efficient and effect way to communicate and network socially, but it also serves as great way to pass time. Whether connecting socially, playing games, or catching up and news and events, Facebook has an endless numbers of activates and programs available to its users for entertainment.
Like all good things, Facebook has some downsides and unintended effects that come with its use. One of the more serious and often talked about issues is that of user’s security. Facebook has had several privacy scares in the past that have many of its users questioning the service and its ability to protect user’s personal information. Another hot topic in dealing with Facebook’s privacy is its compliance with its advertising company’s demands (Facebook’s main source of income). Mark Zuckerberg talked about his plans to begin sharing user’s information with outside websites making peoples private information public. Many complaints have been filed and are currently being looked into, but the company is continuing to operate as is for the time being.

Another unintended aspect of Facebook that has gotten a little out of hand is Spam. Companies have noticed the great potential to reach select target markets through this vast social network, and work to capitalize on it. My inbox on Facebook is constantly being filled with spam notices from clubs, restaurants and sporting and music events alike. Companies and businesses are also hiring people on Facebook to do the “dirty-work” for them.
Facebook is a great way to connect with friends and family, and keep yourself entertained in times of boredom, but at what level does it become too much. It several studies it has been found that on average a person spends seven hours a month on Facebook, surpassing all other sites on the internet. Facebook has become so second nature to people, that it has often times become counterproductive in regards to school and work. Some companies and business have even banned the site form the workplace, stating that it greatly reduces the productivity of employees. I personally vouch that Facebook can interfere with studies, and often times find that I need to set a personal restrictions when I have work to do.
Facebook is an amazing site, and has greatly changed the way people go about their day to day lives!










Here are a couple cool links I came across while looking for some statistics dealing with Facebook usage.
http://mashable.com/2010/02/16/facebook-nielsen-stats/

http://www.resourceshelf.com/2010/02/16/wow-january-2010-facebook-users-spent-an-average-of-seven-hours-on-site-thats-up-nearly-10/

http://www.facebook.com/press/info.php?statistics