Technology.... Is it really a convince or just another added hassle? Is it beneficial or just another headache? Did the world even exist before the gps, mapquest, blackberries and spreadsheets? How did the world go around yesterday when none of this existed? Was life simpler then or is life simpler now with the added technology?
Looking into RSS, I just wonder how many more 'tools' do we really need to make our lives more 'simplified'? Another password to remember... Another site to update... Another tool to add on to the large of already existing tools....
Monday, May 3, 2010
Blogging...
Blogging.... The high def term for keeping a diary in essence... But now its all out there, in public. So how on earth can a little brother tease her sis or use it as ransom to convince mom jointly for a new bike.... How things have changed....
I often wonder how great men of yesterday would have utilized technology to their advantage, and how it would changed the course of history.
In the US, we have our Federalist Papers which basically were a bunch of articles in support of ratifying the Constitution... This was done individually by a few men. Today, its a great source to further understand the intricacies of the Constitution. However, what if Hamilton or Madison had 'blogged' their viewpoints and perspectives? What if others joined in, sharing their own respective feedback and thoughts? How further defined or detailed would the Constitution be, if at all? How would it have changed the course of history?
Would King have been able to create an early and more inspiring spark movement with the Civil Rights movement; would Gandhi had been able to rattle the British even earlier and created a more robust nation?
Or would it have worked against them?
Its interesting to see how news today does not alone come from the big corporations, sponsors, or 'paid' professionals. It also comes from regular people, like you and I, making the news more current, lively and pertinent to the world we live in. Blogging has if anything else, made the world an even smaller place to be in.... and a more connected place than ever....
I often wonder how great men of yesterday would have utilized technology to their advantage, and how it would changed the course of history.
In the US, we have our Federalist Papers which basically were a bunch of articles in support of ratifying the Constitution... This was done individually by a few men. Today, its a great source to further understand the intricacies of the Constitution. However, what if Hamilton or Madison had 'blogged' their viewpoints and perspectives? What if others joined in, sharing their own respective feedback and thoughts? How further defined or detailed would the Constitution be, if at all? How would it have changed the course of history?
Would King have been able to create an early and more inspiring spark movement with the Civil Rights movement; would Gandhi had been able to rattle the British even earlier and created a more robust nation?
Or would it have worked against them?
Its interesting to see how news today does not alone come from the big corporations, sponsors, or 'paid' professionals. It also comes from regular people, like you and I, making the news more current, lively and pertinent to the world we live in. Blogging has if anything else, made the world an even smaller place to be in.... and a more connected place than ever....
Web 2.0
Web 2.0.... The next chapter in advancement and technology. I think I have mixed feelings. I look at kids today, and its a whole different world. Gen X as they fondly called, are perhaps a different group altogether, more inclined towards the future as well as the present, rather than the past as well. As is often said when reminiscing about the past, things were perhaps easier, time were simpler. When I was growing up, being sent to our rooms was in fact a measure of discipline. Today, kids look forward to being locked up in their respective rooms, as they are still wired to the outside world, equipped with all sorts of gadgets. In HS, when I had to write an actual paper, there was no luxury of simply heading to your laptop at all odd hours of the night. Nope. We had to either beg mom in return for some chores, or hope a friend passed their driving license to get a ride to the library. That was just the first stage. Then we had to remember all those notes of the Dewey decimal system to look up the book that seemed appropriate based on the one paragraph intro of the book. After that, finally finding the book, we had to quickly skim through the pages to see if it was what was we were actually looking for. Otherwise, continue with that process. And that was just stage one. Putting aside all the drafts and all, which mind you, was hand written, as again, we didnt have the luxury or convenience of technology back in the day. And knock wood, I am really not old... We then had to drag out our trusty typewriter with the whiteout beside it, and go at it. Tap, tap, tap... Hoping we didnt miss anything from the draft, otherwise, in many cases, that would be either starting all over or being creative...
But today, its a whole different world. And even though its been around for at least one generation or so, it ceases to amaze me. Kids really do have easy to an extent, which is arguable. As there is more problems, stress, tensions and issues not only in their own lives but in the world at large. Now discussions sadly also deal to a large extent with hate, terrorism, intolerance and confusion. Kids dont play in the backyards or wander through the woods unprotected. Those days are long gone.
However, todays kids are much more connected, tech-savy, well-versed for the most part and have a better grip. For them to write a paper, simply means going to their rooms, and with a few clicks of the keyboard, having the worlds experts literally at their fingertips.
And now, its Web 2.0...
Yesterday, either it didnt exist or was an expensive option to have a laptop for college. Today, its part of the costs involved. Yesterday, we had physical textbooks to refer to. Today, you have some of the greatest books right there in your laptop without the excess weight.
But when all of this started, there was very minimum study done on the effects, pros and cons of tech. While some Profs for instance, swear by it, and integrate it in their classrooms, others have labeled it as a trouble maker and an interference. Some have gone to the extent of banning it completely from their classrooms.
Take a look at this recent article from the Wash Post --- http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/08/AR2010030804915.html
Another older article can also be found at --- http://www.britannica.com/blogs/2008/10/why-i-ban-laptops-in-my-classroom/
An interesting perspective and conundrum. Without any doubt, there are a lot of pros and benefits to the technology that we are wrapped up with. It is such a great tool, to say the least, to assist us with teaching. But alas, as with anything else, there are also cons and areas that have given it a bad rep.
I am not sure what the answer is. However, its up to each individual teacher to not only incorporate tech seamlessly in their classroom, knowing how much to utilize and when to hold back. When to go the 'traditional route' and when to go at it 'new age'.
Todays kids are no doubt an interesting bunch of group. A different learning style, a new approach, a different perspective. Unlike the others before them, they have literally grown up submerged in the world of tech. So its no wonder, their minds work differently, and they view things differently and also go about things differently. Another recent article --- http://abcnews.go.com/WN/kids-electronics-study-shows-kids-spend-hours-day/story?id=9616699 -- states that kids today spent more than 75 hours -- yes 75 -- of media time. And that dosnt even include the cell phones!
So if this is a major media for them, its not as simple or even wise to just let go.... As it may be just the avenue needed to reach out to them, and provide the proper education they all deserve and need....
Thanks...
But today, its a whole different world. And even though its been around for at least one generation or so, it ceases to amaze me. Kids really do have easy to an extent, which is arguable. As there is more problems, stress, tensions and issues not only in their own lives but in the world at large. Now discussions sadly also deal to a large extent with hate, terrorism, intolerance and confusion. Kids dont play in the backyards or wander through the woods unprotected. Those days are long gone.
However, todays kids are much more connected, tech-savy, well-versed for the most part and have a better grip. For them to write a paper, simply means going to their rooms, and with a few clicks of the keyboard, having the worlds experts literally at their fingertips.
And now, its Web 2.0...
Yesterday, either it didnt exist or was an expensive option to have a laptop for college. Today, its part of the costs involved. Yesterday, we had physical textbooks to refer to. Today, you have some of the greatest books right there in your laptop without the excess weight.
But when all of this started, there was very minimum study done on the effects, pros and cons of tech. While some Profs for instance, swear by it, and integrate it in their classrooms, others have labeled it as a trouble maker and an interference. Some have gone to the extent of banning it completely from their classrooms.
Take a look at this recent article from the Wash Post --- http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/08/AR2010030804915.html
Another older article can also be found at --- http://www.britannica.com/blogs/2008/10/why-i-ban-laptops-in-my-classroom/
An interesting perspective and conundrum. Without any doubt, there are a lot of pros and benefits to the technology that we are wrapped up with. It is such a great tool, to say the least, to assist us with teaching. But alas, as with anything else, there are also cons and areas that have given it a bad rep.
I am not sure what the answer is. However, its up to each individual teacher to not only incorporate tech seamlessly in their classroom, knowing how much to utilize and when to hold back. When to go the 'traditional route' and when to go at it 'new age'.
Todays kids are no doubt an interesting bunch of group. A different learning style, a new approach, a different perspective. Unlike the others before them, they have literally grown up submerged in the world of tech. So its no wonder, their minds work differently, and they view things differently and also go about things differently. Another recent article --- http://abcnews.go.com/WN/kids-electronics-study-shows-kids-spend-hours-day/story?id=9616699 -- states that kids today spent more than 75 hours -- yes 75 -- of media time. And that dosnt even include the cell phones!
So if this is a major media for them, its not as simple or even wise to just let go.... As it may be just the avenue needed to reach out to them, and provide the proper education they all deserve and need....
Thanks...
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
A Journey to the Land of Cananda
I dont do blogs.... I mean really... Who would want to listen to my stories of all people... But here I am.
On avg... Its been -10 here. Thats Celsius which makes it around 14F. Thats another problem. I have to constantly log on to convert the daag meters and liters here... Or simply turn to my wife. Shes the one who can run numbers in her head, that too while standing on one leg, and watching tv.
So -10C of course is without the wind chill factor. WCF has the weatherman with a smirk but endearingly refers to it as. With the 'WCF' it then casually goes down to about -25C to -27C or so. Again thats 'C' which makes it around -13F. The most I can recall from the weather peeps in the NYC area is saying its going to be bitter as its head down to the teens... Dont think it hardly ever went below 0...
Whats also interesting is that when the weather does occasionally go up to -5C or so which is 23F (and which has occurred a mere few times so far), the weather guys have the audacity to call it a 'heat wave'. I am thinking to myself you got to be kidding me as I am still freezing, wondering if I should even get out of bed for yet another day... But then its truly a 'heat wave' for these locals. I am all bundled up and all, and as I look around, lo and behold, they are more people on the streets enjoying this 'heat wave' and are literally wearing a lighter jacket without the usual gloves and scarf...
Anyways... To add to misery.... People that I talked to have always in their kind and gentle ways, advised or warned me, depending how you look at it, to brace for it. I have been constantly told since Sept or Oct when the cold snap hit us, that this is nothing... I was like its -10, how worse can it get after all? They cautioned me that the worse days are in Feb till April and at times, a little beyond, as mother nature is always keen on telling us who really is in command here.... So of course, being from the other side of the border, where for us, the 'City' means NYC, after all, there cant be any other city in the world, and where we study geography for only a year or so, I thought they did not know what they were talking about....
After all, just a few weeks ago,after we brought our coffee from the local 'Tim Hortons' --- yes, Dunkin Donuts who? -- and headed over to the campus... After settling in her office, Tasneem texted me that she left her coffee in the car... I told her no prob, I will get it in a bit. Have to warm it up anyway, so whats the big deal if I get it now later, I thought to myself, wisely of course, at that time at least.. She calmly and rationally said okay, thats fine, knowing well my American soul, that we know whats right and what we are doing always... Not realizing what lies ahead, a few hours later, I finally go down to the car to get her coffee... As I attempt to pick it up from the console, there is a different funny type of feel to it.
I am thinking to myself, now whats this..... Looking close, and I could have sworn my American eyes got wider, I noticed that the daag coffee was forzen... Frozen, like really frozen! Like solid ice! I was like OMG, in a few hours, the cold which was nothing for the locals, did this to the daag coffee! Hows that possible, in a few hours? I could have sworn I have read on hypothermia that certain factors must be in place, and it has this certain temperature and what not... And here my wife's coffee in just a few hours, was a pack of ice... Of course, I was also amused. Perhaps at where my fate had brought me in the middle of the seals and moose. Yes, we are in an area, where from the coast, as our town is located on the river, we seldom see seals swimming by in the fall when the waters were not frozen... Pretty sure, they are sun bathing on the daag ice as we havnt rode up there in a while.. So, amazed at this phenomena, I took out my camera, to attempt to capture the essence of that situation... No luck really... I then sheepishly took back the coffee to my wife, who already knew what the outcome would be.... After all, she is the Doctorate in the family... I excitedly like a child told her what happened as she tried to calm me down, saying yes, thats what happens in these temperatures..
I should have known... After all, when we took a ferry to one of the many islands here, I noticed the scheduled said that the ferry ran only till end of Oct. So, I inquisitively asked the captain what do the people do after winter if they have to go or come back? He amusingly said to me, oh!, it gets real easy then! They just walk back and forth as they please.... I was like daag yo! Never seen the Hudson River freeze like that...
Anyway, as I was getting up, and hearing on the news that the groundhog saw its shadow, I also remembered that we had entered the month of Feb. Yesterday, wasnt so bad, so how bad can it be. I mean really. How much would the locals know? Well... There was Lisa on TV. Thats one of our local weather people, as she told us that today, it was -17C. I was like wait did I hear that right? -17C. And that too Celsius! I quickly called my wife over who was making tea, to quickly convert for me, so I can figure out how cold it was.... She told me it was around 1F. I was like woah.... And as I was thinking that that prob dosnt even include the 'WCF', Lisa, the weather girl, as if she was reading my mind, quickly pointed out to us viewers, that the WFC right now is at about -35C to -40C... I look over to my dear wife like a wounded puppy to just give it to me like man... Tell me how much that really is... I can take it.... Let the reality set in. She slowly told me, as I cringed like the child on a Dentist's chair, that it was about -31C to -40C.... In other words, it was now all balanced out...
I am not sure how I was able to crawl out of bed hearing that this morning. Those memories are very faint now.... So I got ready as did my wife..... As you may know, I dont blow dry my hair. No. Men dont do that... Real men that is... Metros maybe.. The only people I know who blow dry their hair is Brad Pitt... Not me. Thats not for me... Well, as we walked across the parking lot to our car, which was only a few feet away or so..... I noticed as we got in the car, that my wet hair started feeling 'heavy'.. Just a bit... I was like what the heck is going on now... So very cooly, I attempted to brush my hair with my hands, like Gregory Peck, and yet, my hand couldnt move across my hair... Why? Why you ask? I will tell you why! In this frigid weather, where according to a groundhog, we have six more weeks of, which is a joke --- I laugh at that btw! -- my hair was literally frozen as well in just a few mere minutes. Frozen I tell you! How is that possible?! I cant ever remember that ever happening in my great state of Jersey. How can that be? Like the pack of wolves gnawing on their prized prey, the unsympathetic frigid brutal artic cold of Canada viciously munched away at my sensitive hair...
I sit in my car, as it warms up, looking up at the sky all amused, with my full set of great but frozen hair.... Frozen hair...What can I tell you..... Me and my frozen hair.... It adds a whole new dimension to the word 'cool'...
Welcome to the northern frontiers....
=
On avg... Its been -10 here. Thats Celsius which makes it around 14F. Thats another problem. I have to constantly log on to convert the daag meters and liters here... Or simply turn to my wife. Shes the one who can run numbers in her head, that too while standing on one leg, and watching tv.
So -10C of course is without the wind chill factor. WCF has the weatherman with a smirk but endearingly refers to it as. With the 'WCF' it then casually goes down to about -25C to -27C or so. Again thats 'C' which makes it around -13F. The most I can recall from the weather peeps in the NYC area is saying its going to be bitter as its head down to the teens... Dont think it hardly ever went below 0...
Whats also interesting is that when the weather does occasionally go up to -5C or so which is 23F (and which has occurred a mere few times so far), the weather guys have the audacity to call it a 'heat wave'. I am thinking to myself you got to be kidding me as I am still freezing, wondering if I should even get out of bed for yet another day... But then its truly a 'heat wave' for these locals. I am all bundled up and all, and as I look around, lo and behold, they are more people on the streets enjoying this 'heat wave' and are literally wearing a lighter jacket without the usual gloves and scarf...
Anyways... To add to misery.... People that I talked to have always in their kind and gentle ways, advised or warned me, depending how you look at it, to brace for it. I have been constantly told since Sept or Oct when the cold snap hit us, that this is nothing... I was like its -10, how worse can it get after all? They cautioned me that the worse days are in Feb till April and at times, a little beyond, as mother nature is always keen on telling us who really is in command here.... So of course, being from the other side of the border, where for us, the 'City' means NYC, after all, there cant be any other city in the world, and where we study geography for only a year or so, I thought they did not know what they were talking about....
After all, just a few weeks ago,after we brought our coffee from the local 'Tim Hortons' --- yes, Dunkin Donuts who? -- and headed over to the campus... After settling in her office, Tasneem texted me that she left her coffee in the car... I told her no prob, I will get it in a bit. Have to warm it up anyway, so whats the big deal if I get it now later, I thought to myself, wisely of course, at that time at least.. She calmly and rationally said okay, thats fine, knowing well my American soul, that we know whats right and what we are doing always... Not realizing what lies ahead, a few hours later, I finally go down to the car to get her coffee... As I attempt to pick it up from the console, there is a different funny type of feel to it.
I am thinking to myself, now whats this..... Looking close, and I could have sworn my American eyes got wider, I noticed that the daag coffee was forzen... Frozen, like really frozen! Like solid ice! I was like OMG, in a few hours, the cold which was nothing for the locals, did this to the daag coffee! Hows that possible, in a few hours? I could have sworn I have read on hypothermia that certain factors must be in place, and it has this certain temperature and what not... And here my wife's coffee in just a few hours, was a pack of ice... Of course, I was also amused. Perhaps at where my fate had brought me in the middle of the seals and moose. Yes, we are in an area, where from the coast, as our town is located on the river, we seldom see seals swimming by in the fall when the waters were not frozen... Pretty sure, they are sun bathing on the daag ice as we havnt rode up there in a while.. So, amazed at this phenomena, I took out my camera, to attempt to capture the essence of that situation... No luck really... I then sheepishly took back the coffee to my wife, who already knew what the outcome would be.... After all, she is the Doctorate in the family... I excitedly like a child told her what happened as she tried to calm me down, saying yes, thats what happens in these temperatures..
I should have known... After all, when we took a ferry to one of the many islands here, I noticed the scheduled said that the ferry ran only till end of Oct. So, I inquisitively asked the captain what do the people do after winter if they have to go or come back? He amusingly said to me, oh!, it gets real easy then! They just walk back and forth as they please.... I was like daag yo! Never seen the Hudson River freeze like that...
Anyway, as I was getting up, and hearing on the news that the groundhog saw its shadow, I also remembered that we had entered the month of Feb. Yesterday, wasnt so bad, so how bad can it be. I mean really. How much would the locals know? Well... There was Lisa on TV. Thats one of our local weather people, as she told us that today, it was -17C. I was like wait did I hear that right? -17C. And that too Celsius! I quickly called my wife over who was making tea, to quickly convert for me, so I can figure out how cold it was.... She told me it was around 1F. I was like woah.... And as I was thinking that that prob dosnt even include the 'WCF', Lisa, the weather girl, as if she was reading my mind, quickly pointed out to us viewers, that the WFC right now is at about -35C to -40C... I look over to my dear wife like a wounded puppy to just give it to me like man... Tell me how much that really is... I can take it.... Let the reality set in. She slowly told me, as I cringed like the child on a Dentist's chair, that it was about -31C to -40C.... In other words, it was now all balanced out...
I am not sure how I was able to crawl out of bed hearing that this morning. Those memories are very faint now.... So I got ready as did my wife..... As you may know, I dont blow dry my hair. No. Men dont do that... Real men that is... Metros maybe.. The only people I know who blow dry their hair is Brad Pitt... Not me. Thats not for me... Well, as we walked across the parking lot to our car, which was only a few feet away or so..... I noticed as we got in the car, that my wet hair started feeling 'heavy'.. Just a bit... I was like what the heck is going on now... So very cooly, I attempted to brush my hair with my hands, like Gregory Peck, and yet, my hand couldnt move across my hair... Why? Why you ask? I will tell you why! In this frigid weather, where according to a groundhog, we have six more weeks of, which is a joke --- I laugh at that btw! -- my hair was literally frozen as well in just a few mere minutes. Frozen I tell you! How is that possible?! I cant ever remember that ever happening in my great state of Jersey. How can that be? Like the pack of wolves gnawing on their prized prey, the unsympathetic frigid brutal artic cold of Canada viciously munched away at my sensitive hair...
I sit in my car, as it warms up, looking up at the sky all amused, with my full set of great but frozen hair.... Frozen hair...What can I tell you..... Me and my frozen hair.... It adds a whole new dimension to the word 'cool'...
Welcome to the northern frontiers....
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