Centralization vs Decentralization

Read the following article. Relate the ideas of centralization versus decentralization to the impact of technology on our society. Be creative and think outside the box. There are no right and wrong answers.  Your response must be at least 2 solid paragraphs longs. Feel free to research some other articles to use in your response but make sure you paste the link at the bottom of your reply.

http://adamp.com/management/centralization-vs-decentralization/

Final Project - Technology Presentation

I just wanted to give you all a heads up about the final project for our class.  The description is below.  Let me know if you have any questions: alissa.renner@willistonstate.edu

Choose a topic related to technology in society. Create a 5 minute power point about that topic. Include details such as prominent people, pros and cons to society, how it will affect the future, and anything else you think we would be interested to learn about your topic. Be creative and professional with your presentation. You may work in groups of 2 or 3.

Things to cover...
 - brief history of topic
 - prominent people (2-4)
 - current update of this technology
 - future plans for advancement
 - analyze the effect the development of this technology has had on society (pros/cons)

Create a fun handout (quick facts, word search, etc.) to give to the class after your presentation.

Topic approval - 5 points (Post topic and group members to blog by May 1, you can't chose a topic that has already been posted by another group)
Information - 25 points
Handout - 10 points
Presentation - 20 points
Total - 50 points

Presentation date: Wednesday, May 14th @ 9 AM (Location TBA)


***Post your topic and group members to this blog as well as two links to important information you will be using for your presentation.

The search continues...

We have already blogged about this tragedy in this class however there is a link to an article below that provides a current update.  How has this search evolved over the past month? Have you been following the search?  From a technology standpoint, what are the pieces that intrigue you the most?  If this tragedy had occurred 50 years ago, how would the search and media coverage have differed?  Share your thoughts!

http://www.cnn.com/2014/04/14/world/asia/malaysia-airlines-plane/index.html?hpt=hp_c2

Who is watching you?

Government spying has been a huge hot topic issue over the past twelve months.  Now major tech giants are banning together to limit this "privacy intrusion".  Here is the latest news on their efforts.

http://money.cnn.com/2013/12/09/technology/nsa-government-spying/index.html

http://www.cnn.com/2013/12/05/tech/web/microsoft-nsa-snooping/index.html

What are your thoughts on government spying?  Is it something that effects your day to day life?  Do you think they are overstepping or simply just doing their jobs? Share your thoughts!

"Mid"Term Paper

Write a three-page, size 12, double spaced, 1" margin paper on "How Technology Affects My Life".  Please use specific examples that demonstrate the topic. Be sure to discuss various aspects such as communication, ethical factors, advancements, etc.  Papers are due by the specified time.

Due by Midnight Friday, April 4th

Please upload the file to Moodle.

New and Improved?

It seems as though many trends in technology start out by causing people to shake their heads and say "that will never become popular!" And before we know it, we don't know how we lived without that certain technological advance - Facebook and Cell Phones are prime examples! :)  Here is another invention that might be heading right down that path.  When these glasses were first introduced there was a large crowd laughing that they would never become mainstream.  With the new improvements, they might just be the next big thing we start to wonder how we ever lived without!  What do you think? Find another example of  some"outrageous" technology that either became hugely popular or became a joke (Hello Snuggies!)

http://money.cnn.com/2014/03/25/technology/innovation/google-glass-luxottica/index.html

Unsolved Mystery (March 24 Class Post)

As I type this blog post on March 20th the largest  mystery in recent memory is still unsolved - what happened to Malaysia Airlines Flight 370?  There are endless theories swirling around the media to answer this question yet there still is no concrete answer.  Here is one article currently considered breaking news - remember this is as of March 20th.

http://www.cnn.com/2014/03/20/world/asia/missing-plane-q-and-a/index.html?hpt=hp_t1

How is this whole tragedy being effected positively and negatively by advances in technology?

What would be different if this mystery disappearance had occurred 50 years ago? 100 years ago?

Search and read a few more articles on this topic. What do you think happened to the aircraft?

Face to Disgrace

For many years Lance Armstrong was the face of cycling.  In recent years, and thanks to some advances in technology, he has become the disgrace of cycling to many people.  The article below outlines why this shift has occurred.  Share your thoughts on the topic.  Discuss how technology advances triggered this fall.  What are some of the social implications of this discovery?  What is another instance in sports where events such as this have changed someone's legacy?  Post a link to an article about that event as well.

http://www.cnn.com/2012/10/22/sport/lance-armstrong-controversy/index.html?hpt=hp_t1

Outside of the "technology" box...

When the word "technology" comes up we tend to instantly think of computers, hackers, or anything that starts with "i" however technology encompasses a much wider array of topics.  Today we are going to look at how technology effects transportation.

This was a big day in the transportation industry!!! Read the following article and share your thoughts!

http://www.cnn.com/2013/10/30/world/europe/turkey-marmaray-tunnel-first-day/index.html?hpt=hp_t2

The following article discusses one of the newest trends in air travel.  Do you think it will become a reality?  Share your thoughts!

http://www.foxnews.com/tech/2013/01/27/hypersonic-paceliner-aims-to-fly-passengers-in-2050/

Then, click on the link and take the quick quiz :) What do you think was the most worthwhile invention? Why?

http://www.cnn.com/2011/11/18/tech/innovation/transport-firsts-quiz/index.html

The Olympic Games - Much more than just an athletic competition!

The Olympic games are a world wide event that is full of fun and excitement from start to finish.  The planning that goes into these events is second to none.  The athletes and sporting events are typically the main focus of the games, as they should be, but there are many other factors that contribute to making the Olympics a success.  A major one of these factors is technology.  Please find at least two articles relating to technology used at the Olympic games in Sochi.  Be creative!  The write a brief summary of how this technology was used at the games, how it effected the events, and what could  be done to make things better in the future.

Superbowl....SuperAds?

This year's game was mediocre at the best so many people were counting on relying on classic superbowl style commercials to keep them entertained.  It is actually no secret that many viewers of the Superbowl are more excited for the commercials than the actual game!  Many go as far as to DVR the event and fast forward the game!  The first link below is a slideshow of many of this year's most buzzed about commercials.  Which was your favorite?  What appealed to you?  How did the marketing department use advancements in technology to enhance this ad or campaign?

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1945685-super-bowl-commercials-2014-grading-best-and-most-memorable-ads/page/2

Here is one websites list of the best and the worst ads from 2014.  Do you agree with their selections?  Is one of you favorites missing from the "Best of" list?  How does the marketing done during this event effect the game?  How does it affect the consumers?  Is there anything that you suddenly want or crave during these commercials?  How has technology changed the marketing plan of these businesses?

http://www.superbowl-commercials.org/33442.html

http://www.superbowl-commercials.org/33428.html

Finally, here are some notable ads from 2013.  Before you even start watching them, what are a few ads that come to mind when you think of last year?  After watching this years ads, I'm not convinced that I will remember any of them this time next year.  What do you think?  Last years' ads were definitely better in my opinion, I'm excited to hear yours!

http://www.superbowl-commercials.org/23531.html

http://www.superbowl-commercials.org/23491.html

Don't quit your day job but...

Review the following slide show.  What are at least three trends you notice from one millionaire to another?  What business idea interests you the most?  Why?  If someone came up to you and offered you a million dollars to tell them your best entrepreneur idea what would your idea be? Or if you want to keep it a secret, what issue would it address?  Why?

http://www.kiplinger.com/slideshow/business/T012-S001-how-to-be-a-millionaire-by-age-25/index.html

Exercise Technology

This blog must be completed by midnight on Monday, January 27th.  You must reply to at least two classmates' posts by midnight on Wednesday, January 29th.

To promote exercise and the upcoming Olympics, Moscow has adapted a very unique ticket price.  Check out the link below to learn more! What do you think?  What are some other ways that technology promotes fitness?  Share a link to another fitness technology idea that you think is cool!

http://www.viralviralvideos.com/2013/11/11/moscow-subway-ticket-machine-accepts-30-squats-as-payment/

Another side to the Olympics

There is no doubt that the Olympics are a worldwide phenomenon that captivates audiences every two years.  Recently, London hosted the 2012 Summer Games and Sochi is set to host the 2014 Winter games.  The following articles outline a few interesting points about how technology was a major part of the Olympics in London.  What are some other aspects of the games that technology effected?  Was it a positive or negative effect?  If you could stir a technology revolution at the Olympics, what would be your targeted area?

 http://www.computerweekly.com/news/2240161354/The-Olympics-in-technology-stats

http://www.itproportal.com/2012/07/24/the-tech-behind-the-2012-olympic-games/

http://news.yahoo.com/how-new-technology-has-transformed-the-olympics.html

First Post :)

Welcome to Social Implications of Technology the Spring 2014 edition.  Find a news article online that interests you.  If you're having trouble thinking of where to start feel free to Google a topic that interests you or stop by cnn.com, yahoo.com, or any other news outlet that crosses your mind! Copy the article's link and paste it as a reply to this blog.  Also, have you ever blogged before and what do you think of blogging?

Welcome to our class, hope you have a great semester!