Thesis and Bibliography- Milestone 1

02Nov09

 

We are Cyborgs.

Technology and Self: Causing the need to be and stay connected

Idea for thesis:

Although we may not like to admit it, we are cyborgs. Most of us are incredibly dependent on technology for education, business and pleasure.  We are cyborgs to stay connected to each other and the world around us. Many people, including myself have a hard time admitting they are cyborgs. The term is somewhat nerdy and sounds like it was coined from a piece of science fiction. In today’s world it is geared toward the “cool kid”. The kid that is connected a way to stay informed, socialize, and express opinions. (Maybe it’s cool to be nerdy.)

Everyday examples:                                                                                                                        Technology is now embedded in our routine:            Walk up to an alarm clock, brush teeth, check email, browse the news online, coffee is brewed by an electronic coffee maker. Get dressed, leave the house of course with your cell phone, drive to work. Check your voice mail, turn on your computer, return some calls, send some emails. Lunch time, heat up food in the microwave, make a personal call on your cell phone, eat and enjoy your hour break. Back to work: check your voice mail, check your email, send some emails. Work is over, get in car, drive to the gym, use the treadmill listen to an mp3 player and watch the news, get back in car, drive home , shower and make a quick dinner. Time to relax, sit back and watch some tv. Time for bed, set alarm for the morning. Snooze.

 

 

Collet, C., A. Clarion, M. Morel, A. Chapon, and C. Petit. “Physiological and behavioral             changes associated to the management of secondary tasks while driving.” Applied Ergonomics 40.6 (2009): 1041-046. Print.

-The article discusses the danger of driving while using a cell phone, whether it is for text messaging or for making calls. It analyzes the strain that is placed on the body while multitasking (including listening to the radio) which involves reaction time and heart rate. Driving alone and having a conversation  instead of driving with a passenger causes physiological changes while operating a vehicle.

Goggin, Gerard. “Adapting the mobile phone: The iPhone and its consumption.” Continuum:             Journal of Media & Cultural Studies 23.2 (2009): 231-44. Print.

Online access: http://www.informaworld.com/smpp/content~content=a910302250~db=all

-The article examines the way people have gravitated and adapted to using “smartphone” technology. It also talks about the way that these phones and are use of them is a good example of how our culture is based on consumerism.

Goggin, Gerard. “Introduction: What do you mean cell phone culture?” Cell Phone Culture: Mobile Technology In Everyday Life. London, New York: Routledge. 1-16. Print.

-The book discusses how present cell phones are in everyday life. It analyzes and explains cell phone uses and how it has turned into a culture. It also goes over the history of the cell phone and goes onto describe how people use it today.

Pierce, Tamyra. “Social anxiety and technology: Face-to-face communication versus technological communication among teens.” Computers in Human Behavior 25.6 (2009): 1367-372. Print.

-The article breaks down the way that the internet and using cell phones to text message others contribute to the anxiety that teens have with face to face interactions. The study was conducted using 280 high school students. The study also talks about the differences in between males and females and who spends more time on line and/or on their phones.

Wei, Ran, and Ven-Hwei Lo. “Staying connected while on the move: Cell phone use and social connectedness.” Sage Publications, 2006. Web. 6 Oct. 2009. <http://nms.sagepub.com/cgi/reprint/8/1/53>.

-“This study explores that question in the framework of gratifications sought and their relationship both to differential cell phone use and to social connectedness.” The information collected is based on a group of college students in Taiwan. The article will discuss the way that having a cell phone grants many an instant tie to the modern culture and gives them access to easy socialization.

Other References:

Books:

Me++ : the cyborg self and the networked city by William J. Mitchell

-The book talks about the way that human and technology are very much connected. Since mp3s and phones are getting smaller and smaller, we carry them around and become part of us. As a result, we socialize less and lives are have changed.

The second self : computers and the human spirit / Sherry Turkle

Online Articles:

http://texthub.com/unlimited-text-messaging.aspx

http://healthfieldmedicare.suite101.com/article.cfm/how_to_stop_text_messaging_while_driving -The article points out that text messaging while driving is a growing problem. It gives step-by-step ways to stop the dangerous behavior

 

 

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