Is a Computer a Tool?

I definitely think that a computer should be considered to be a tool because it can be considered to be an instrument that helps us to preform a task.  When I hear the word tool, I think about a 'tool kit' so I think about the things that a tool kit includes.  This means I think of things like a screwdriver, and a hammer, nails, etc.  These things are similar to a computer because they all help us to complete something.  I think that although you do not have to exert as much energy when working with a computer as you do when using 'actual' tools, they are still doing the same kind of thing.  Today the computer is viewed as a more sophisticated tool, performing tasks that should augment our performance as humans. It is difficult, though, to demonstrate that the computer has actually increased our performance in any substantive way. Calling the computer a tool may seem a simple matter of word choice but changing the view of the computer from interactive artifact to tool has a significant impact on how we think about the computer, what we expect of it, how we design for it and how we train for its use.

Hypertext: Of Mouse and Man

Sven Berkerts, in his article "Hypertext: Of Mouse and Man, " gave pros to both written word and technology.  His main point is that writing has moved from "product to process."  It's really more about what comes out of things and what we can get from them, not so much how.  The way that the media has transformed is something that we are all aware of and is very much apart of how we live day to day.  

The End of Books

"The End of Books," by Robert Coover discusses that a lot of things are very outdated.  for example, libraries will be coming museums soon, etc.  Coover talks about how these books are giving out information that is no longer valid.  he also discusses the concept of infinity and it is possible to get lost in that.  A lot of what he was saying wasn't necessarily "bashing" books the whole time, it was really just showing that they give us different things.  Coover says that it is important to keep up with how often things are updated as well because technology is really making things change at a fast pase.  This piece of writing was written for the New York Times which is interesting because since it is such a popular newpaper, so many more people are going to be exposed to this topic.  

Parent Timeline

Interview with dad: Paul Glazer

Q:What if your earliest recollection of writing?

A: Definitely remember writing my haf torah portion for my Bar- Mitzvah.  Wasn't the first thing I ever wrote, but it was the first real thing that had some meaning to my life.

Q: Do you recall turning points in the way you think about writing?

A: Well, when I became a musician, my writing completely changed.  Definitely for the better.  I began to really like the way I was writing because it became much more creative and I was enjoying myself.

Q: What tools do you use to write now? And how has that changed?

A: I use the notebook I've been using ever since I first started the band.  This is where I keep all the words to my songs, and even just thoughts or ideas I have for things I might write in the future...

As We May Think

Vannevar Bush was the director of his office and coordinated an immense amount of activities. He wrote the essay, "As We May Think" a while back.  Bush made predictions as to what he thought would happen in a few years from now and I thought they seemed to be pretty accurate.  He also talked about flaws that he saw in some forms of technologies.  Computers, as well as phones and cameras too are all forms of technology that we use on a daily basis and don't even think twice about.  He looked at where science was going and then made very good guesses as to what would happen in the future and I found it very interesting that he was able to do this.  He may not have known where everything was coming from or what exactly it would entail but he was the FIRST to bring this up.

Opening Hypertext: A Memoir

Being the group leader for Theodor Holm Nelson's "Opening Hypertext: A Memoir," I payed very close attention to the details for this reading.  Nelson takes us through the course of his life and the different stages that led him to creating, "The Xanagroup"which was later referred to as the "Xanadu Operating Company."  The reason that this group was created because Nelson had a dream of starting an "open hypertext publishing system based on new forms of interconnection." (pg. 45) He had an extremely hard time organizing his ideas, and he wanted a way to solve the real problem, which was -- "merge into a coherent and unified literature the many different hypertextual and hypermedia objects being created, and to comprise these many contributions--styles of interactions-- into a unified literature, a unifying system that we may all access through whatever machine we choose." (pg 50) So what better way to solve this problem than to create a "Hypertext."  Hypertext is text on a computer that will lead the user to more, related information that may be of interest to them.  Nelson believes that Hypertext is that much better than written text because it can overcome the limitations we face when using written text.  The use of hypertext makes it possible to find out more and more information on something through connections and links that lead from one thing to another.  He wasn't sure if his idea could come to life that quickly, without the help of other people because it was such a large idea for one person to accomplish alone.  So after months of extensive research and the help of others, Nelson found out it could be done... and it was.  "Open Hypertext publishing is the manifest destiny of free society.  It is fair, it is powerful, and it is coming." (pg. 57)

Preface to Writing Tech: Studies on the Materiality of Literacy

In the article, "Preface to Writing Technology: Studies on the Materiality of Literacy" by Christina Haas, we are forced to take a deeper look into the tools that we write with.  Haas wants us to notice that it isn't just about what we are writing, but what we are writing with as well.  Whether it be a pen, pencil, marker, etc. that very well might change the feeling of the writing.  Writing would not be possible if we didn't have the tools to write with.  "Technology is such an integral part of writing that it is often overlooked.  AS is often the case, what is ubiquitous becomes transparent: Writers do not notice most of the technologies they employ, simply because those technologies are always there, the technologies work, and their use has become habitual." (pg xi) Writers do not think about how important computers are for example because we are so used to them, we almost take advantage of the amazing things they do for us.  We do not realize how amazing a pen really is unless there is something wrong with it, which in turn makes us have to think a little more. 

The Printed Word: Architect of Nationalism

In the reading, "The Printed Word: Architect of Nationalism," by Marshall McLuhan, the author focuses more on the part of writing that concerns printing, which created a more modern world.  "For print presented an image of repeatable precision that inspired totally new forms of extending social energies." (pg. 172) People were able to get so many things out of print, is what the author is trying to say here.  It was not just about reading the words.  It was the first teaching machine along with the first mass-produced commodity.  In reading this article, we learn about technology and how it is becoming much more prevalent in our society and is changing the styles of writing, and will continue to change the styles of writing on a constant basis.

The Written Word: An Eye for an Ear

In Marshall Mcluhan's article, "The Written Word: An Eye for an Ear," we find that it is true that things are becoming much more technological then they used to be.  Mclauhan uses the example of the American flag.  If we were to write down the word "American Flag" instead of being able to actually look at the stars and stripes themselves, the effect on us as people would be extremely different.  Yes we would get the same meaning, but we might not feel as strongly without actually seeing it there.  The emotions that we feel from actually looking at the American flag would in no way, shape, or form be able to be shown if we were to just look at words.  Mclauhan goes into great detail about alphabetic cultures which was basically breaking up every kind of experience into uniform units and he compares these to hieroglyphic cultures.

Response Orality and Literacy

In this reading by Walter J. Ong, the main idea the author is trying to get across is "orality," is a way in which we can better understand the "new" world of writing. "There is no way directly to refute a text. After absolutely total and devastating refutation, it says exactly the same thing as before. The one reason why 'the book says' is popularity tantamount to 'it is true'. It is also one reason why books have been burnt." (pg. 78) In other words, the reading books right off the paper os sort of becoming something that is in the past. We learn in this reading that Plato thinks that writing destroys one's memory. This came as a surprise to me because since he is a philosopher, I would think that writing is something that he thinks is very important. But he believes this because people who use writing will rely too much on "external resources." But in order for Plato to make these arguments... he is in fact writing them down, so it sort of contradicts some of his statements being made. Plato looks as writing as a weird sort of technology, but for us this new technology is the computer. Walter J. Ong makes a valid point in stating "By contrast with natural, oral speech, writing is completely artificial. There is not way to write "naturally." Oral speech is fully natural to human meings in the sense that every human being in every culture who is not physiologically or psychologically impaired learns to talk." (pg. 81)

Sibling Timeline

Interview with my sister- Jackie Glazer/ Age: 24

Q: What is your earliest recollection of Writing?

A: In third grade, my teacher asked us a very ambitious question: What do you want to be when you grow up?  I wanted to be a dolphin trainer.  While all my other peers were writing doctors, lawyers, teachers, etc.  I expressed my love for dolphins. 

Q: Do you recall turning points in the way you think about Writing?

A: Yes.  My fifth grade teacher, Mr. Boyes made us write a book.  With chapters and pictures and stuff.  This book actually made me love to write because ever since then I have noticed that writing is one of my favorite things to do.

Q: What tools do you use to write now? And how has that changed?

A: I always have someone read over whatever I wrote to give me suggestions and feedback.  This was something I always did and still do because it is something that has always helped me be a better writer.

Timeline

• 1988- May 4th I was born.
• 1990- Learned to scribble with a crayon.
• 1994- Finally able to write my name on paper in Mrs. Miller's class. Didn't really look too much like english, but it was indeed readable. At least I though it was.
• 1998- Started to keep a weekly journal for Reading class where I wrote down things I did that day, and things I enjoy (hobbies, activities, anything about my life...)
• 2000- Wrote my first "real" memoir in Ms. Ventura's Language Arts class about my childhood.  I think it was more a fairytale of my childhood because a few years later when I read it all over, to my surprise, half  of it wasn't true.
• 2003- Entered Hewlett High School and became a member of the "Spectrum Newspaper" group, which was the school paper where all events  and info from school were written.
• 2005- Scored a 90% on the English Regents which was one of the most tedious and painful tests i've ever taken in my life.  It was a 2 day long test and was NOT fun stuff.
• 2006- Graduated High School and started my Freshman year at Syracuse University.
• 2008- Joined the NEW WRITING MAJOR :)