POST 3 - The Bright Side of New Technologies

          Obviously, we can criticize the impact that new technologies have on our lives, and that big corporations are making huge money on us because they managed to make us need their products. That's something. But now let's look at the bright side, specially focusing on smartphones. 

As this Samsung add says for its new smartphone, it's kind of a 'life companion'. First, we're going to put apart the marketing idea conveyed in this expression, and ask ourselves : why do they say it ?

The first aspect is the most obvious one, and it is the fact that you ALWAYS, no matter what, have your mobile phone with you. Seen by a modern and materialistic point of view, it makes of it kind of a life companion, that follows you everywhere. 

But one thing is clear, a phone nowadays is way more that a phone. The number of characteristics of a smartphone has increased considerably since the last 5 years. Who knew that one day a telephone could also be a instantaneous mail deliverer ? We don't seem to realize but this thing is totally revolutionary ! The pigeon thing was not doable after all... 

Then came the radio integrated, but we all know that no used it very much, and it consumes too much of the battery life. 

The camera, oh sweet lord, the camera. We all remember how badly we wanted one of those phones that had the first cameras ! For sure, the quality was really poor, but now some phones can make some really good pictures, with multiple effects, and 'scenes' that optimize the use of the camera. It is true that many persons don't have a classic compact camera because of their iPhone's or Samsung's. Now, we can take photos and videos of every instant of our life we want, such as concerts, promenades at the park, parties with friends, or even the famous 'selfies' that consist on taking a picture of ourselves and posting it on social media pages. 

All kind of applications appeared for the tiny screen of a phone such as Facebook, YouTube, The Times and countless more. This makes us have all kinds of accesses to the things we used to do on computers. Now we can make a video conference through the wireless internet connection without being home, and read the newspaper in the metro while going to school. We can even share our boredom on Facebook while endless classes at school ! (But shhh ! It's a secret !)

By the way, some schools are now trying to integrate tablets and/or smartphones into classes for educational uses. Some applications are being created for teaching, with exercises integrated and all the stuff. I don't really know what to think about that but let's say its a good thing because this essay is about the good things of new technologies...

Anyways, what used to be the good old red dialed phone is now something completely different. Thanks to the internet connection included on smartphones, the number of information and resources included is infinite. Our lives are definitely easier concerning communication and information thanks to smartphones. Thanks Samsung for giving us this unique chance of having a TRUE life companion !

2 Videos on Technology Issues

1- When technology is too much :

Description :

This video is structured around two main narrative voices and a character illustrating what the voice-over says while a singer repeats what's been said. The setting is a christian home and church, which is meaningful. We can notice that the character is addicted to high-tech products, mostly smartphones. He is shown as a family man unable to interact with his wife, except through texting. He is also shown as a church-goer incapable of attending worship without all his phones vibrating all the time, making him look like he's full of the holy spirit. 

Interpretation :

Basically, the video means that high technology has become a religion for many people, even christians who aren't supposed to be materialistic.Then, quite a few church-goers and believers tend to focus more on a materialistic issues than on spiritual ones. We can add that technology reigns supreme for many people who venerate it as a God enlightening his followers. The question is, is it a real progress for humanity ?

2- When technology is missing :

Description :

Two people are stuck on an escalator in a place that seems literally empty. The man looks upset and annoyed. He might be an office worker walking to his job. The woman claims that she's already late, so for her this is the last straw. At one point, she's about to cry and asks for a phone. In short, the two of them look helpless, clueless, powerless, hopeless.

Interpretation :

We can relate this situation to a fairly common one in real life : getting stuck on an escalator. The difference is, however, that in this situation, people have a right to feel panicked whereas on an escalator, there is no reason whatsoever to panic.

The video points out the increasing dependance of human beings on technology. If it goes missing it is as if a crutch had been taken away, so these two people cannot even climb up the escalator, which would be the normal thing to do.

POST 1 : A Cartoon !

          This document is a cartoon taken from Google Images. There is actually no way we can know the publication date of this cartoon, but we can guess that it must have been during the 2000's, because of the obvious content. It raises the controversial issue of the violation of author's rights because of the illegal access to their work thanks to the internet. 

The three main characters placed in the middle of the image catch the eye at first sight. At the top, on the left side, we can see the 'Cannes' logo which indicates us geographically and  indacates the context which is crucial. At the bottom, there's the red carpet on which the artist, the artist's partner and the fan stand. The fan seems excited, but the artist seems not to appreciate his words : 'I've pirated them all !' In the background, we can see a mass of fans and reporters behind the red strap who acclaim the guests.This cartoon is made up of a drawing in colour,  signed at the bottom lefthand corner by the author. 

The author is clearly criticizing and making a caricature out of different things such as the progress in technology which is literally HELL for media producers, including musicians, film directors, photographers, etc... It also convays a criticism of the behaviour of today's youth toward the others and their work. Overall, the author wants us to think (and laugh) about this fact, and maybe also to reconsider doing that. 

This document is well made, the message is clear. But personally I think it is more funny than convincing after all. It's not because someone sees it that he's going to change his mind. It isn't enough to convince the readers, cause they're probably gonna think something like 'Ha-ha, so true. But anyways, he is ridiculous, I'm not like that !' and that's all ! I agree with the author's point of view, probably because I am also an artist and I publish music periodically... But still, I download stuff from the internet and I admit it. 

The Cartoon is a good way to remind us that pirating is synonymous with stealing, even if it is not really controlled by the authorities and everyone does it.