Journal #2, July 13

http://www.enotes.com/technology-society-article

The first part of the article is something that I feel I can neither agree nor disagree with; it is simply the stating of facts about the internet and its use and progression so far. When it began to talk about how the Neo-Luddites felt that the internet caused fewer person-to-person relations, I was a little confused. I wanted to know if they were only against the internet, computers in general or all forms of technology like TiVo, digital cameras, cell phones, and etc. I searched Neo-Luddites on Google and found their website…it was simple an all black page that said “Hi;” So much for me getting information on the Neo-Luddites first hand.
From the information I did find on the Neo-Luddites I can’t help but partially agree with them about the digital divide the internet has caused. People don’t write letters, sealed with a kiss, anymore, they don’t visit their families and friends to share slideshows of vacations and catch up, they just send e-mails complete with smileys, and picture and video attachments. People hide behind their computers and use it to mask their issues and insecurities or even worse use it to vent what they can’t say in the real world. The internet also makes it harder for those who don’t have access to the internet to succeed in life. When I went out looking for a summer job I found that most places I went to apply at told me that all applications were done online. In high school most papers that I had to do were required to be typed and some type of internet research. Even networking is different, it used to be done at social events but now it’s all done through websites like Facebook. Just as the internet brings people together, it further sets people apart. It leaves out people who need voices the most.