"Her" the Movie

In english class we watched the movie "Her" staring Joaquin Phoenix as Theodore Twombly and the voice of Scarlett Johanson as that of the OS, Samantha. A bit of background for those who have not seen the movie; It is about a man in the year of 2025 who comes to form a relationship with an intelligent computer program, known in the movie as an Operating System (OS). The OS has that of a female voice and personality, programmed to suit itself to its user, in this case Theodore. The movie is set in the near future and technology of today is on its rise to soon coming out with similar programs. It seems some what inevitable since technology is constantly advancing. I think this movie has much to say of what our future could look like due to our dependence on technology. Most of the population relies on the technology in their pockets, cars, and at home in order to "connect". Siri, a somewhat similar voice system on the iPhones, does as you say when you command it to. It provides you with information with a touch of a finger and a few command words and will do as you say on the phone to send out messages, calls, and etc. I would not be surprised when those who invent such systems come out with one similar to that in the movie "Her". The idea of such a intelligent Operating System is indeed enticing. In the movie, Theo is able to have full on intelligent conversations with the computer as if it is another human being, this is eerily cool. What is frightening about the OS is the fact that he becomes close to the system, Samantha. So close that he develops a relationship, feelings and even has "sexual intercourse" with the OS in a sense. Could it really be possible for a person to develop feelings toward an inanimate object with a "personality"? It seems so odd and weird, yet possible. I see that our generation is very dependent on their technology and would go crazy if separated from for even the slightest moment. Having similar emotions to that of someone having withdrawals from an addiction. Its absolutely mind-blowing how attached we are. I say we, because that includes myself. In instances where I can't find my phone I go into a instant panic in order to find it. I certainly need to learn to not be so reliant on my cellphone and computer and technology in general in everyday use because what will happen if one day something happens and I no longer have it? Technology of today allows us to do so much that previous generations were not able to do but at the same time has made us incapable of knowing how to do things that our  previous generations knew how to do.

The Veldt

The Veldt  is a story by an unknown author. The story is about a family that lives in a home that does everything you can possibly think for them. From cook for them, retrieve anything they desire, clean, get them dressed and transport them easily to anywhere in the home. The home is like a caregiver and takes care of them in every way possible. The children have a "nursery" as they call it where they can go into and it emits whatever they can possibly imagine. The children imagine "Africa" a hot, deadly place where these lions are continuously feeding on unknown objects. The parents after a while become concerned wondering why their children are imaging such a dreadful place. It turns out that the children have built a resentment toward the parents and have created Africa from hatred for them and that the lions are feeding on their parents. The story is definitely different and really makes a point about how technology can really effect people and children. People can become dependent on technology and that is what the future is going to turn out to be if we are not careful. Everyday people are inventing mechanical machines to help people with their every day lives and replacing having to do stuff ourselves. This is both a good and bad thing. Most bad though because society will become dependent on machines and robots in the future. As if we don't already rely a lot on technology to get us throughout our days. Cellphone and the internet are a pertinent item in society that almost every one uses on a daiy basis and would not be able to get though a day with out them. The story shows a rather dramatic version but effective possibility on how children will become so reliant on technology that they will not feel the need for parents. They will become so attached to machines and technology and rather protect those things over humans. It seems bizarre and if it won't ever happen. But with the rate technology is going at that just might be our future for our future generations and I am not so sure that is a good one.

Are Social Networks Messing With Your Head?

The article, " Are Social Networks Messing With Your Head?" by David Disalvo, is a rather boring piece to read. It was an assignment to read it by my english teacher and to write a summary and response to the article. I was only able to read it half way through because honestly I got bored and it is very uninteresting. From what I did read, the article speaks on the effects of the internet and social media. How it effects people today in both a negative and positive way. I could not continue to read because the writer is just boring and some of it doesn't even make sense to me. I don't understand what he's trying to get at half the time. I just could not force myself to read it anymore. I know I was supposed to but I'm sorry. I wish it was more interesting or had some new points that haven't been stated a million times before by other writers who have wrote about the effects of the internet. There are some great statistics in the article and credible sources but it just seems like a hyped up article with nothing that hasn't been written before. From a personal standpoint of being a teenager growing up in the technologically advanced era of today I must say there are benefits and also a hindrance that the internet and social media yields. It solely depends how one utilizes the internet, whether for good and retaining knowledge or in a obstructive way.