As Steve Jobs once said, “I think death is the most wonderful invention of life. It purges the system of these old models that are obsolete.” Technology is an ever-changing state-of-the-art mechanism that is constantly improving over the course of history to enrich our lives. With every trial-and-error made in history to either create or improve a piece of technology, a death has occurred in the digital world leading to a more efficient concept. Innovation today is an entirely new definition in comparison to even just ten years ago. The most noted tech brands, Apple, is a more trending history that our generation can recall from start to present: the evolution of the Macintosh computer, first iPhone, or even the first iPod.
Technology is a progressive catalyst that is being summarized in three different methods throughout the reading sections. All of these reading sections struck me in a different way. In one of the reading sections, ‘As We May Think,’ the article was about the history of detailed wiring in computing and the comparison of our biological senses to the systematic formulas of technology. The article was the most memorable for me, because it shifted the way I thought about certain tools in technology such as computers. It is necessary for technology to mimic our brain formulas in order for our minds to grasp the concepts of computer science. Within the article, ‘Promises and Perils of Digital History,’ I found the article to expand upon the benefits of using technology in our past and how it effects our future to be of benefit. These were uses I was aware of but not in such elaborate detail.
Throughout the assigned readings, my favorite article was the ‘Founding Father’ article. I am politically active, and I was not aware of the technological creation “packet switching.” The article highlighted the achievement of engineer Paul Baran, who during the Cold War, sold the Department of Defense on the concept of creating control of all communication; however, the 1970s was when “packet switching” was established due to challenges with AT&T and the Pentagon. The article contained an interview with Baran, which I also appreciated, since I am a Communications major and have an interest in journalism. This piece of technology in particular, “packet switching,” had a nice concept of the definition of the ‘digital past.’ It is also fascinating how in depth Baran remarks, “To have a credible defense, you had to be able to withstand an attack and at least be able to show you had the capability to return the favor in kind.”
Moving forward but remembering the past, it is important to come into this class with learning objectives. GMU is entertaining the idea of adopting Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs); therefore, I would like to learn about the historical context of MOOCs (when did the classes become available, what is the platform behind the service). Since the Generation Z, my generation, is known for constantly staying connected– I would like to further investigate the evolution of how the telephone became the cell phone, and what pieces of technology were improved to create a more modern design and uses for the phone. For the past seven years, I have donated my life to working steadfast for a cure for Diabetes since my older sister has Type-1. The Insulin Pump is a crucial part of her life and the difference between staying alive or passing out, so I would like to research the background of the Insulin Pump, and how the medical equipment is constructed.
In this class, The Digital Past, I hope to gain information about new tools in technology that are applicable to my life and will improve my well-being.
