Religion and technology fuse

For my final essay in Apple, Google, Facebook I wrote about the use of technology in megachurches. The following is the link to my essay on issuu.com (you might want to download it because the formatting got a little messed up with the site):

The Effects of Technology on the Religious Experience and Community

Extension, Platform, Container

Apple, Google, Facebook covered a lot of very interesting topics ranging from Steve Job to Singularity and everything in between, but I think we can all agree that the focus of the course was the connection between technology and the Self. 

Apple taught us how devices are extensions of or tools for the Self. All of these devices are expressions of ourselves. The i in iPad, iPhone, iPod, iMac, etc. can been seen as individual; these products are each individual persons. The Whole Earth Catalog provided us with a variety of tools and devices for improving ourself through their various products.

Google is a platform for the choosing Self. It is the medium in which our generation receives information, as a platform it is the the medium or lens between us and the world. . Google allows us to search for something but rather than just providing one answer, it gives us the option of what to pick what answer(s) we want. 

Facebook is a container for the Self. We upload all kinds of information and pictures to social network sites which basically become a virtual representation for the Self. Statuses, pictures, videos, etc. are all complied together on Facebook and come a capsule of our virtual self.

All three of these companies focus on how they can relate to the Self in everyone. The Self is inherently the most important aspect in everyone's life (whether they know is consciously or subconsciously). Apple, Google, and Facebook work as extensions, platforms, and containers of that Self. 

Creating to create or to profit?

Timeflies is a musical duo that started off by making their own home music videos every Tuesday, Timeflies would post a music video to YouTube which soon became known as Timeflies Tuesday. The duo gained popularity by consistently publishing these videos every week for YouTubers to view. However, as a 

In the case of Timeflies, the only money they were making was from various shows, but not from the creation of their music in general;they were not profiting from posting videos, YouTube was technically. Lanier thinks that the creation or the creators should be the ones benefiting or profiting not the aggregators or the platforms. 

It is only very recently that Timeflies paused their creation of Timeflies Tuesday videos to focus on creating an album (which is available on iTunes) to make some sort of profit. This shows their shift from their desire to simply create if their want to make money or a profit. 

Is technology destroying the middle class?

Jaron Lanier has a lot to say about how technology is ruining individualism in his book "You Are Not a Gadget." The article Jaron Lanier: The Internet destroyed the middle class discusses his new book "Who Owns the Future." Lanier says that the Internet is destroying the middle class by eroding the economy and and job security. He is essentially saying that technology is going to take over jobs that people would normally do; we see this already with robots/machines replacing people in factories. Lanier continues to discuss how technology is taking away from the creativity of artists ( especially musicians and photographers). With certain technologies, anyone can create music online or edit photos. Just look at Instagram; so many people think they're amazing "artistic photographers" just because they can take a picture on their cell phone and edit it. Things like Instagram take away from the actual artistic-ness of real/professional photographers. While both of these concepts make me question our generations use of technology, is it really destroying the middle class?

Jaron's list of concerns

There are a lot of things about Jaron Lanier's argument in You Are Not a Gadget that I don't necessarily agree with, however, one concept of his that I do agree with is laid out in his list of concerns on page 21. These are a few of those concerns:

• If you put effort into Wikipedia articles, put even more effort into using your personal voice and expression outside of the wiki to help attract people don't yet realize that they are interested in the topics you contributed to. 
• Create a website that expresses something about who you are that won't fit into the templates available to you on a social networking site.
• If you are twittering, innovate in order to find a way to describe your internal state instead of trivial external events, to avoid the creeping danger of believing that objectively described events define you, as they would define a machine. 

With all of these points, Jaron is concerned about people losing their individual voice and individual Self on the internet. I think this is really interesting because even though so many people use the internet and conform the to templates of social network sites, you don't have to lose your individuality. Jaron wants people to realize that not only can they still stand out as an individual, but that people should prioritize their individuality and the Self over conforming to the internet norms.

HTML Link

Click here for the link to the HTML page I made!

Catfish

We've talked a lot about how our Facebook profiles are an electronic identity of ourselves. But one really important thing to remember is that our profile depicts ourselves how we want it to. We decide what to share, what to leave out, and how we actually portray ourself. But because we can pick and choose what our profile says, how can you really know someone if they are deciding to leave specific details out? All of his reminds me of the MTV show Catfish. The show investigates online "couples" and sees if they are actually real or if their Facebook profile is fake. Some people get their heart broken because they find out that their online girlfriend/boyfriend is fake; aspects of them are real, but their profile is depicting someone else. 

I think one thing we really need to keep in mind is that an online profile cannot replace a real person. No matter how much information I share on my Facebook profile, someone who hasn't met me or gotten to know me in person, will never know the real me. 

Generation Why?

While, yes, it might seem like technology has taken over our generation and our lives, I don't think technology is our life. Like Zadie Smith said, no computer can replace a human, and of course I agree with this. I personally do not think technology or things like Facebook are replacing humans in any way mostly because a computer cannot have/feel emotions like humans do. Zadie said that when a person becomes a set of data like on Facebook, they are reduced. I think this is a very interesting point because no matter how much Facebook tries to make a timeline of our life, there are still things about each person that are not displayed on their profile. You could stalk someone's Facebook for years and still not know that person completely without actually meeting them and getting to know them. When it comes to someone's profile, "they are more interesting than it is. They deserve better;"there is a lot more to each person than their profile lets on.

I find this whole idea of people just being a set of data very uncomfortable, it reminds me of Ray Kurzweil and his whole idea that biology and technology will fuse together. As much as I love technology, i really don't like the thought that people will become technology/computers. I think the reason it makes me so uncomfortable is because when people become computers, nothing is personal, private, or emotional anymore. People would no longer think or feel for themselves; they wouldn't be human any more, they'd just be another piece of technology.

(Ironically as I was writing this last part of this post, the song "Human" by Christina Perri came on which repeatedly says the phrase "I'm only human." This is ironic because this phrase would no longer be valid if humans and technology fuse like Kurzweil suggests.)

#6 You can make money without doing evil

Ten things we know to be true

Number five on Google's list of things they know to be true is "you can make money without doing evil." I think this says a lot about Google as a company; they aren't trying to trick anyone or use them for the company's own personal benefit. Google tries to be a true and honest company to their users. This reminds me of religion in relation to the idea of "being a good christian." A good christian, or anyone who follows their religion well, would be true and honest and not do any evil like Google. Evil and religion are obviously closely intertwined with one another but it is interesting to examine the concept of evil through Google as a tool for the choosing Self.

Human dystopia

Today in class we watched the Ray Kurzweil video which led us to talk about the Singularity idea and about technology merging with biology to a point where our lives are run on technology. During this whole discussion all I could think about were the people from the movie Wall-e. In the movie earth is completely desolate and all humans live on this spaceship thing called "Human dystopia." Everyone living on Human dystopia is completely reliant on technology to the point where they don't even walk to interact with other people face to face (its all done through computers and screens). I think this says a lot about where technology could be taking us in this world. The name "human dystopia" itself even implies something unpleasant, dystopia is the opposite of utopia. I personally do not like this whole idea of biology and technology merging because it makes me think life would be like in Wall-e, which really scares me.

Battle of the CEOs: Google vs Apple

After reading all about Steve Jobs, it's hard to go through I'm Feeling Lucky without comparing Larry and Sergey to Jobs. While both company's CEOs are highly involved in their companys, their styles are veryyyy different. Apple has always focused on perfecting every detail of every product, but Google has lived by a different motto: "good enough is good enough". Rather than getting caught up in every little detail about every little thing, Google keeps moving forward, they "spend time doing, not deciding." I think these two mottos are what make Google stand out so differently from other companies like Apple. Google has no problem making products that aren't 100% perfect when they first come out (no shame in beta versions). Google is more concerned with keeping things moving forward and providing their customers with what they want which is why if you look at all the projects Google Ina's going on now, the list is long and only getting longer!! I think Google takes pride in putting out beta versions of their products to later improve with feedback from users/customers. 

                                   

Google Doodle

If you googled anything today (which is highly likely), you would have noticed that today's google logo on the homepage looks a little different. Its not the Goggle logo, its the Google Doodle for the 2014 winter Olympics. 

A team of Google doodlers work together to brainstorm and design doodles for the Google homepage to celebrate holidays, anniversaries, and the lives of famous artists, pioneers, and scientists. Some days the doodles are informative or educational and other days they are fun and interactive. Even though we might not all know what they're called, everyone knows about the ever changing Google Doodle. So far Google has created over 1,000 doodles so far, but here are a few of the ones I liked. 

Check out the whole Doodle archive!

Google

Google in its simplest form is a medium for searching and obtaining information. But Google has become so much more than just a search engine. Google is the driving force for how people look up information. At the same time though, it has moved passed just being a search engine and now has Google Maps, Google Earth, Gmail, Google Docs, Google Drive, Google Chrome and the list goes on and on. You can use Google for almost anything, and if you can use Google to do something, you can google how to. Today's younger generation would be lost without Google, I know I would be (in more than one way, I live by google maps!). Google has become an essential part in everyday life to the point where its not called searching for something anymore, its googling for something; Google has become its own verb (its even in the dictionary).

Being the geographically challenged individual that I am, Google maps saves me. Even when I'm talking to my older brother about pretty much anything, if I don't know what something he said means or don't know where a place is that he's talking about, being the teacher he is, he tells me to learn for myself and go google it. I honestly cannot remember the last time I went a day without googling something. Google is a medium that has become a way of life for our generation.

The Chive

Below is the link to my presentation about the Chive, check it out! And remember KCCO!!

The Chive Presentation

Do something innovative this weekend...

In class this week we talked about the concept of innovation. What does it mean to be innovative? What makes someone an innovator? Is Steve Jobs an innovator? I thought it was fitting when I found this post on the Chive today: Do Something Innovative This Weekend. While yes, all of these pictures made me laugh, are they really innovative. Creative, maybe, but I wouldn't necessarily say innovative. But I think this is an interesting point, the concepts of innovation and creativity are starting to be used synonymously. But does being creative really mean innovative too? What would an artist (like Picasso) say about this? What would Steve Jobs say about this (I'm sure he would tell you you're fired)? 

KCCO- Keep Calm and Chive On

theCHIVE is a photo-entertainment website. The site (and app) post pictures and videos everyday of whatever Chivers submit. A Chiver is me, its you, its anyone; anyone who creates an account can submit photos or videos to be posted on the site. Photos are added to all kind of categories, from travel, animals, and DIY to bachelor pads, creepy, and mind blowing. Daily posts include things like daily morning awesomeness and daily afternoon randomness. Any Chiver can submit photos and comment on photos but not everyone is a Chiver. 

Chive is for a mature audience only because, yeah, there are some inappropriate things (most specifically pictures of women). As explained in an article, "teenagers, 20-somethings, 30-somethings, and even open-minded middle-agers will enjoy The Chive." The Chives audience is young but also mostly men. AS a result, The Berry (a more girl friendly version of the Chive) was created in 2009. Because the Chive has a specific audience, it can be seen as more of a lifestyle enclave in Bellah's terms. 

                                     

However, one way the Chive and it's Chivers really come together and a sense of community is formed, is through Chive Charities. All money made through donations and merchandise sales gets put to a good cause by helping those in need; especially the underdogs. The Chive is a lifestyle enclave that posts funny pictures to brighten your day, but in the works to give back to the community and people in need. 

Karōshi

Another aspect of the documentary Happy that I watched this week that was I found interesting was this relation to the first and second languages we talked about in class. Throughout the documentary, it was really interesting to see people identify and describe their lives through their second language; talking about their material values, jobs, wealth. The focus is placed on utilitarian individualism and careers rather than expressive individualism and private, personal satisfaction. This made me realize how much of an issue it actually is for people to see past this second language to their first language and find ways to make themselves happy. 

In Japan people have been over working themselves so much that they literally overwork themselves to death. This concept is so common now that there is a word for it; karoshi. It's sad to see so much importance placed on work and having a successful career that personal happiness and development of the Self gets downplayed and takes a second place to this sort of material success. People need to realize that there is more to success, happiness, and life in general than just a good or successful job. They need to realize that personal happiness is what is really important in life and that you can achieve that in many different ways as long as you move past the little (second language) aspects of life. 

Happiness, Success, and... Money?

Yesterday my roommates and I watched Happy (Happy-Netflix). This 2011 documentary explored what it really means to people to be happy. The filmmakers went all over the world interviewing different people in search of what it is that really makes people happy in life, similar to how Bellah looked at the four different americans. All of the people in the documentary are so different (in their cultures, daily lives, and in what makes them each happy), but at the same time, all of these different people want to be happy in their lives in one way or another.

One part of the documentary that stuck out to me was this young businessman in America who was asked about his happiness:

          Reporter: What would make you happy?

          Young businessman: Success

          Reporter: And what would make you successful?

          Young businessman: Well, right now, money of course, lots of money. 

To me, this man's response was not surprising at all. I think one issue within America is that there is a common misconception about what it means to be happy or successful and often the two concepts are combined and have the answer of money, money is what would make people both happy and successful. Americans, especially today's younger generation, seem to be consumed by utilitarian individualism and this idea that the only kind of success there is is that of professional success, that making a lot of money at your job equals success in life.

But how far can money really go? Of course if you were living on the streets money would be great to buy yourself some food and shelter. But what about someone like Bill Gates? He has all the money he could imagine, but does that mean he is necessarily successful or happy? I think we can all agree that professionally Bill Gates is successful, but what about with his personal life, does his money make him successful then?

iTribute- think different

In class the other day after watching the 1997 Apple "Crazy Ones" commercial, we talked about using Apple's different products as tools to make a difference in the world like the crazy ones. The 2011 song/video, "iTribute" by the hip-hop/rap duo Timeflies, was made using only Apple products. Timeflies created the song in October 2011 as a tribute to the late Steve Jobs. The lyrics are about different Apple products/software and Steve Jobs himself. The song showcases Apple products from iCal to the iPod and everything in between. The song even includes excerpts from Jobs's Stanford commencement speech ("stay hungry, stay foolish"). Timeflies used these various Apple products as tools to create something great. The duo has gone from making weekly YouTube videos (Timeflies Tuesday) in their apartment to selling out arenas in major cities across the country. 

"If apple taught us anything that's to think different"

Timelfies- iTribute lyrics

The Whole Earth Catalog: the brain's perception

"I can't think of another book as well-made as this one. It is well designed, illustrated, and diagramed. The writing is excellent, the subject matter important and new. The book is inexpensive. Altogether Eye and Brain lets you see how crappy most books are." 

This introductory paragraph to the Eye and Brain book sounds exactly like something Steve Jobs would say. A smart straight forward description and promotion of the product followed by a quick slap in the face to others like it; typical Jobs style. This reminded me of Jobs's commencement speech at Stanford where he says something along the lines of how there wouldn't have ever been personal computers like this today if it weren't from himself because really Windows just stole from Apple (a great inspirational statement followed by that slap in the face to Windows). 

Eye and Brain also reminded me of Jobs in the sense that the book focuses on the way in which the eyes and brain perceive objects in every day life. Jobs's particular attention to detail and beauty in his products is something he takes pride in because he understands the importance of how an object is perceived by someone. Jobs understands that a product needs to be both good in quality as well as aesthetically pleasing to the customer to be the most successful. 

Jobs strives to make each product better and better with each detail that goes into the production, focusing on design and function as well as the way the consumer will perceive the product. In a similar manner,  this book, as well as many others in the Whole Earth Catalog, shows the reader how to better themselves in the sense of brain perception to objects. Understanding how the brain perceives objects can help someone better understand themselves. 

Steve Jobs: Follow your heart and intuition

In his speech, Steve Jobs told Stanford's graduating class of 2005 three stories from his life. Jobs first told the class about his college experience, how he dropped out after a year but stayed on campus to take a few classes. Jobs was no longer taking the classes required by the university, he was taking the ones he wanted using them as tools to better himself as an individual. Jobs chose classes that would better his Self similar to how someone can choose their faith to find and better themselves. He proceeded to tell the class how even though he didn't finish college or know what he wanted to do with his life, you need to have faith that the dots in your life will connect somehow. Believing and trusting in life, or religion, give you faith to keep going through life each day. As a college senior getting ready to graduate myself I know its scary to think about what will come in the rest of my life once I leave Lawrence but its reassuring to hear things like Jobs' speech ensuring that all of the dots will connect and to simply have faith that they will. 

Steve then told the class about how he was fired from Apple, the company he and Woz had started. Even though he was bitter that his own company fired him, Jobs loved what he did which gave him courage to start over. As a result Jobs started a few more companies (like Pixar) that eventually ended up bringing him back to Apple. Again his message was clear, even though you might get shot down, don't lose faith. The most successful people aren't successful because their firs idea worked perfectly, they hit some bumps in the road too but never lost faith and didn't give up on what they loved. Steve Jobs would never have been as successful of a person if he had lost faith every time he hit a bump in the road. I think this is perfectly fitting for a commencement speech because all of these students are about to be thrown into the real world where their first job or plan might not work out but that keeping faith will help them work through the hard times. 

The last part of Jobs' speech was about his battle with cancer. Steve told the class to leave each day like it could be your last and to ask themselves one thing each day: will you like what you're going t do today? He told the class to remember you'll all be dead soon, don't fall into the trap of living in fear of doing something; time is limited so don't waste it. Its kind of scary to be so blatantly reminded that you will die but Jobs does it in a way to encourage the class to not hold back and live in fear of death or of what could happen but to go out there and make things happen while you have the time and opportunity. 

Jobs ended his speech by telling everyone to follow their hearts and intuition because somehow they know what you want.  This is a perfect summary of Jobs' points; he is telling everyone to keep faith and believe in what they do because one day you'll be dead, so don't give up. Basically he just wants everyone to have faith in not only life itself but also in what everyone does with their lives. Even though this speech might not seem to be related to religion it is in the aspect of having faith in something; without something to believe in or have faith in, getting through life (both the good times and the bad times) can be difficult.