Observation #23

Freedom of speech is a vital aspect of the American culture. It not only defines how our nation came to be independent, but it also shows the amount of trust we put into our government, and how much faith they put into us. With all this freedom I sometimes think that we get carried away into believing that we can say or do anything without thinking about the ethical effects of our behaviors; in other words, the power has gone to our heads. I wanted to know why and how the people in the other countries can deal with having limitations in the way that they express themselves. My conclusion, as well as the culmination of thoughts given through discussion by my roommates and I, is that the people don’t want that power, they like having some of their decisions made for them. Although this idea is the complete opposite point of view looking from our country into theirs, if we change our perspective around, we may catch a glimpse of the freedom that they have found. The New York Times has said that freedom of speech is the weakest card in Europe’s hands right now, but maybe we are holding the wrong cards. Maybe too much control over every aspect in the media and in language and speech is just too much control.

Observation #22

Our reliance on technology has destroyed the fundamental truth that we can do things without the internet and computers. In a way I think the creativity and imaginative effect that can come from relying on the brain, instead of technology that can downfall at any moment, has been lost. Recently the wireless internet and BYU-Idaho school website went down for the weekend. Although this may not seem like a big deal, many assignments couldn’t be turned in and learning stopped because teachers didn’t know what to have their students do. One of my friends Megan Jacobsen said, “I haven’t been able to get online all day, it has been a nightmare,” and I think that is the truth. If our use of technology results in an ineffectual communicative effort and lack of fundamental creativity to work without modern convenience, then we have lost to a virtual world.

Observation #21

Almost all modes of communication want to extract the most efficient and entertaining tools from the media. Even our transportation devices, such as cars, have cashed in on this find. With new developments and devices in the music area, as well as television and phones, cars have implemented all the necessary technology to advance the age of digitalization. New cars have sync features for mp3s and IPods, phones, along with GPS systems, that all have voice activated technology. Many cars also have technology for televisions and DVD systems. Although I love the new innovative technology, I dislike the fact that they are a distraction from the road. The time spent in a car should be enjoyable, but if taken too far, as with most things, it will go downhill. Drivers are already detached from the road with their phones, add another appealing item to the list of technology and you have a wreck on your hands. One of my friends was too close to being hit by a distracted driver while she was running, and later in the week a pedestrian was hit by a texting driver. My question is how far will technology go before it becomes destructive instead of instructive or entertaining?