Blog 12: Technology aftermath due to Sandy

It was unfortunate that hurricane Sandy destroyed many of our towns and cities here in United States a couple of weeks ago. The east coast was not prepared for this storm and it made us release that anything can happen at any given time. Mother nature is honestly, unpredictable and we should be ready for anything in which she throws at us. We are now seeing the aftermath of Sandy and how people are actually trying to help the cuase. Technological companies actually reached out hours after the storm came in order to tell their costumiers that things were going to be okay with there services. Because without our data, phone calls and emails, we cant  communicate with our friends and families. Many phone companies were reaching out and telling there plan on what they were going to due after the disaster. For example, AT&T reached out and they explained how they got there service back up and running after the storm after the storm destroyed part of a building that is extremely crucial to our economy because we aren't just talking about an ordinary business building, we are talking about one of the buildings that is united with the New York Stock exchange. Workers tell us that the restoration and the pick up was something in which they have never seen before. It was hard work but the people were determined to finish the work. Specific government codes for the actual building were under investigation and inspectors determined the buildings unsafe and hazardous. Also, by analyzing the damage of the storm, they determined that it wasn't going to get any better anytime soon. The storm knocked out much power throughout the city and people were devistated. The project in order to get the power running was good. They lined up genetoratos that helped generate electricity to the actuall building. This is a social issue becouse many people were without power and this is crucuial becouse we as humans rely on it. The government should have  a better system in order people to feel more safe and secure. We rely on it and if we dont have it, it could effect many of us.

BLOG 11 Fake/Counterfeit Technology for the Government

It is something in which is happening more every year, yet our government and police officials are trying to crack down these specific cases. The cases in which we are talking about are not violence, homicide or rape. We know those rates in our society are actually going down. We are talking about fake goods and counterfeit merchandises that are getting sold to our communities and also our government. According to demographics and statistics from the past year, over 9000 bushiness and products were shut down and banned from trying to sell fake goods to the government. Not only is this a bad transication when it comes to labeling and copyrights, but we are talking about potentially putting people in danger. When we talk about fake products and counterfeit merchandises, people usually dont think about the consequences that come with buying them. First of all, it's illegal to sell and buy without knowing these things. They can cause a harm to our health and our well being. With that saying, why do you think our government is more concerned and is focusing on cracking these people down. These products in which have now been investigated are potentially harming our security, and our safety. The government has cracked down on airplane parts, spy gear and other things in order to keep valid information a secret from potential enemies. This is effecting many people including buyers and the people who actually make the real things. It's a labeling issue, crime issue and overall a bad thing to do. For example, many sources have indicated that the monetary income to plan terrorist attacks, such as the one of 9/11, have been directed to come from counterfeiting on a black market. This effects a lot of people obviously, globally. Statistics show that 90 percent of these Merchandisers that we tend to buy are coming form China. We aren't just talking about government products, but we are talking about household things in which can harm us. This is a problem globally because we are talking about global affairs and countries clashing due to things in which were produced in another country. It's something in which we need to take in consideration and it's something in which can harm the safety of many citizens from multiple countries.

Friday Nov 9, 2012
2:03pm
Lorenzo Pedro
SOC- (3) MOSAIC LIVING LEARNING COMMUNITY

Mary Roberts Blog #10: Technology Changing How Students Learn

Technology Changing How Students Learn, Teachers Say

This article is about how technology might be changing the teaching style as well as the skills children are learning in school for the bad. They think technology in the classroom is a good thing for children but they have observed that it causes children to have shorter attention spans. It has also been shown that technology might cause a decline in writing skills. According to the teachers it seems that the students pay more attention to the lesson when there is technology involved but the children might be over stimulating their brains. Another thing some teachers see as a problem with using technology constantly is the fact that it is starting to hinder children from being able to talk to other students as well as teachers and etc. face to face. The teachers also think that technology isn't challenging the students enough because they are becoming use to getting answers immediately that they fail to question what they are reading to make sure it actually makes sense.

I agree that technology is a good and bad thing when it comes to using it in the school system. Using advanced technology in the schools can really help the children learn by helping them do research and gain skills that might help them in the real world, such as typing. Another good thing about using technology in the classroom is that it helps children become more interested in certain things which might help them better complete the tasks teachers provide. The bad part of using technology is that it can be very distracting, for example if students are allowed to use computers during class they might be on social networks and etc. instead of doing the work the teacher has assigned. I believe that as long as the technology is monitored and isn't the only thing used in class then it shouldn't be a problem because ultimately the world is slowly but surely becoming more and more based on the newest technological advances.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/01/education/technology-is-changing-how-students-learn-teachers-say.html?pagewanted=2

BLOG 10: Sandy altered our cellular connections

Mobile phones, we all have them. Let's be real, we all use them and we always have them in our hands. I mean, I know I have to have my phone with me at all times. But just imgine if we had no communiation with the outside world if we didn't have these techonoglcal devices that enable us to make calls, take important notes from our meetings, have via face to face meetings with propsecitve clients or family members, check our email and see what people are up to on Facebook or Twitter. It's something that has been driven into our culture in order to make us more aware, more connected with everything and everyone. Now of days, the companies that make and manifucture these phones have exploded with a wide range of phones, plans and data packages. For instance, the main cell phone providers here in the United Sates of America are Verizon Wireless, AT&, Sprint and T-Mobile. These companies have gotten to the top of the food chain by marketing unlbievalble cell phone devices, (sometimes) affordable plans and many things in which we can use our phones rather than just calling someone.
Many people in the east coast of the US experienced an alteration to their communication with friends and relatives by not having much communication at all threw there cell phone devices. The reason is: Sandy. The hurricane that made connections with the east coast of the US made a lot of people suffer, injured and even dead. Unfortunately, when natural detesters happen, we really cant do anything about it but just wait it out and hope for the best.
The carrieres/companies have been seneding their condolecnes to the famileis and people who were affected by Sandy and are telling their coustuermesr that they are trying to reboot their systems in order for them to have a better celuclart connection with the outside world. It seems to me that these companies are all having the same problem. They have had some electreical power and they are sturggulging to keep power running in order for there systems , in essence, wake up.
This is a problem because we need to take distastes in consideration because they can alter on how we communicate with the world and our loved ones. Imagine if this were a bigger ordeal, we wouldn't know the current news in specific locations, people would go insane and societies would more than likley go in a state of panic. We've seen these things happen. For example: we saw people go insane when Katrina hit. When the Tsunami hit in India, a couple years back. THIS IS SOMETHING BIG! Fortunately, we have many of our information stored and kept to our own reach. This goes the same for governments. They tend to usually be on the same page and have more technological advanced equipment. but All in all, this effects us more than we just realize. It's something big that we need to take in consideration and I am glad these phone companies are actually working hard and making there customers feel appropriated after such a disaster! I send all my prayers and wishes to the people effected. Also, if you have not voted yet: DO IT! Early voting ends Tomorrow(Saturday)!!

Dude, where is my Blog? Tumblr is Down! - Blog 9

Blogging is something useful, obviously. It gives users the opportunity to share and exploit our thoughts and ideas in a blog form in which can be read by viewers. Blogging is something in which our generation and culture is utilizing because of it's simplicity, social connections, easy to use formats and intuitive way to get our thoughts thrown out at the world. Photographers, publishers, "bloggers" and free-writers use many websites in which they can sign up for in order to use these blogging formats. Bloggers primarily use these websites in order to get have their thoughts shared. Our blogging culture is something that is being used every single day. What would happen if one day it just, disappeared? What would happen if users didn't have that connection in order for their readers to read what they had to say that day? An example in which we can visually use in order to see the importance of bloggers and their work is to imagine if a novelist lost their publishing company. Or if a photographer lost their printing services. Well, this is what happened to many users who have a Tumblr account.
Tumblr is a social media blogging sites in which enables guests/users to feel free to write whatever their heart desires. But on this Friday morning around  8:30, the site experienced and is still experiencing an outage in which is not allowing users/writers to access their previous blogs and not giving them to the chance to free write on their pages. If you even type "Tumblr.com" on your web bar, an announcement will say "Services is temporarily unavailable"

This is something critical I think because it is still a good thing in which writers are having the opportunity to just, write and share. If you put this into prospective, many people are ignoring our literature and writing access. Our generation is trying to catch up and advance in a new technology in which is advancing every single day. What ever happened to books, many people aren't going to public libraries. Why? They would rather be limited and choose books off iBookstore(Apples library for iPhone, iPad, Mac products). This is more simple. But honestly, books are still essential. Writing utensils are still essential and provide, I think, a more prospective of t something new and fresh.

So the fact that writing services are down is something that is effecting tumber users right now. But what if this was permanent? What if we didn't have services like tumbler or Blogger in order to let us storm our ideas on a clean canvas for personal use, educational use and free-write use. It would effect our generation and send them down hill. Of course this would effect different cultures/generations depending on where they are from. But in reality, it could be something in which we might regret later on. I'm glad we use theses services, it helps me have my voice be heard. It also helps my photography and its importance. Users are obviously using Facebook now of days but with Facebook and twitter,obviously, you are limited. Not with these blogging mechanisms and websites. You have a clean peace of paper and your hands to do all the ink work for you.



http://www.cnn.com/2012/10/26/tech/social-media/tumblr-down/index.html
Lorenzo Pedro
10:45
September 26, 2012

Twitter and our Global Governments- BLOG 8

Twitter is a social network that is fairly new and its a site in which millions of millions people use every single day. "Normal" users have the opportunity to log on and "follow" users who who are notable like celebrities, athletes, companies and other important users/hosts that are important to us, globally. To date, there is a twitter account in every country on this planet. Twitter has so many users that sometimes people get "whaled" which means the site has capped the activity with too much activity at one time. Which is sometimes, eye opening. Twitter serves for people who want to follow and to keep up with that specific users every move.

Sometimes, people exaggerate and abuse this technological form of communication. For example, a couple of days ago, Twitter Head Quarters blocked users in Germany who follow and are affiliated with the neo-Nazi group that has been banned. This form of use is obviously very controversial and this was the very first time Twitter actually enforced their stirct policy "country-withheld content" which was issued in January in order for countries to have a say and access to ban or block something that has direct affiliation with them to serve safety measures for its citizens and users. Many German Government officials  agreed with the fact that Twitter did this in order for people to feel more sage and more at ease. This is obviously an issue that bothers many people to this day. 

I feel like this article helps a lot of people e globally in order for countries to have direct access in order to oversee what users in the social media world have to offer. It is very important for them to have such access in order for there to be measures of safety. This is also a good thing in order for less violence and negative activity. Some say Technology is bad and it is effecting more people than actually helping people. I honestly think this is not true. Technology is something important that we need and the social media sites are helping us to evolve and to demonstrate to other individuals what we have to offer. 

This twitter controversy has not only happened on twitter, recently this happened to Google and YouTube over a video that was demonstrating the Prophet Muhammad in a negative way. Many countries were blocked access to the video in order for things to not get heated up. It's a good thing that these sites are having more safety settings in order for there to not be an uproar for many things that could possibly damage a culture or  country. Because we know that the most smallest things could lead to even bigger things that could be devastating. Technology and sites like Facebook and Twitter are vital and they should be used in a good, calm matter. 

LORENZO PEDRO 

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/19/world/europe/twitter-blocks-access-to-neo-nazi-group-in-germany.html?ref=technology

Blog 7: Street View> Airfare

This past week, Google announced and is promoting their new street views for there millions of users. We all do it, we google information, images and we also are always in need of directions and how to get from point A to point B. Google has always given the public the oppuritnity to use "Google Maps" online and on several mobile devices. Just recently, google and apple went there seapreate ways when Apple decided to use it's own "mapping" app. They no longer have much of an integration and relationship with Google and they even took out the "YouTube" app on the new software update.

   But anyways, Google has announced to the public more maps and more images in order for us to see "street" views and images that are now at our finger tips. They are now alloing us to see 250,000 more miles of street views from many other countries. The innovation and the quality that google has given us is enormous and a tool in which is very beneficial when we are using. Many use this application in order to find out more about their desitination and to actually have a visual on what point B looks like. This new street update will also have many other features. One includes the oppurtinity to find out more infromation on torusim events and locations. So if you're on vacation, you will not only know how to get there, you will also have additional infromation on what to do with your free time.

I think this is benifitial for many to use becouse this is an opputinity for peeople to have more ambition to actually go and travel, experiance new things and meet new people. Honestly, that's what we need to do in society. Our communities and societteis have set a precedent on how specific places look like. For example, many people are not going to places like mexico becouse they hear on what is happening on the news, regarding the drug cartels and killings. But many people dont know, that there are many locations in MX and places that are undergoing drug wars, that are actually safe and a great location to sit back, and relax. Like mentioned before, this is something that will help global problems regarding labeling and confusion on how to get from place to place. Heck, I use google maps all the time. 

http://www.cnn.com/2012/10/11/tech/web/google-maps-street-view/index.html

BLOG 6- Facebook impacts 1 out of 7

It's on our daily routine to always update our status and check out what our friends are up to on Facebook.Yes, we all have an account and we tend to find it so addicting. Just in case you don't know, Facebook is a HUGE social media website that has been in the business and a part of our pop culture for a couple of years now. With it's short success, Facebook has just recently announced that there population of users hit the 1 billion mark. Just to give you a prospective on how significant that is, in 2004, Facebook had 1 million users. It has skyrocketed in the past couple of years to an empire so huge, it made it's founder/CEO Mark Zuckerberg the youngest billionaire. When they hit this milestone, they realized that they can communicate with 1 out of 7 people on our planet. That's huge. Facebook users are obviously addicted and its a great tool in which we all use to interact and stay in touch with people all over the globe. They also merged with Skype so that face to face video calls would be much easier for people. Now of days, records from Facebook HQ tell us that more and more users are signing up with the social site from developing places around the world. This is something interesting because we are now using this tool in order to trace and find people whom we've never talked to.
 Also, I think it's important to know that Facebook has done many things in which has contributed to our society. It has given us the opportunity to work with police in order to crack down people who do harm to other people across. Although, some people think that this sort of thing. I remember an article and a headline in which I saw on CNN in 2010 that said that with the merge with Facebook, Police and agents found a murder suspect in the Philippines. Many cases like this contribute to the well being in our society. Although, some fear that Facebook is not private enough and how there personal information is being leaked, Facebook has announced so many times ways in which individuals can change those preferences at there own will but people are not getting that message.
With this being said, I think Facebook has and will continue to do great things. At a global standpoint, Facebook has brought our generation many opportunities to get involved with things that need help in our communities. I remember when KONY 2012 came out and made it's mark on Facbeook. Everyone thought it was important to help and Facebook gave the door for many people out there the knowledge that there is a lot of bad things happening in Africa. It's things like this that make a global impact. Facebook has given us the window of opportunity to make it public and share with friends and family the importance of specific global issues. With the election around the corner, Facebook has also given many people out there to go out to there communities and register to vote. This social media site is now being used as a stage in order for parties and their representatives the push for young people and the current generation to do something with there right to vote and make changes. Its something important to know that Facebook is a way in which we all interact. Zuckerberg are on the right track with Continuing the success of Facebook. There ideal prospective has stayed the same and it looks like it's not going down the same direction that MySpace took. Wait, who even has an account still?


Friday Oct. 5 2012
4:34PM
Lorenzo Pedro


http://money.cnn.com/2012/10/04/technology/facebook-billion-users/index.html

Self Driving Cars in Califronia

Growing up, I'm sure we all thought and visualized that our future will consists of robots, flying cars, talking houses and everything mechanical. Obviously, we are advancing in technology every single day; but have we gotten to our "childhood visualization" of the future? Well according to Google, we have. For the past couple of years, Google Inc. has been working and technologically advancing to present a form of transportation that will allow you to not only ride in the vehicle, but to not drive and have your hands on the wheel. Yes, we are talking about self-driving cars. Google has obviously outdone it's self with technology that benefit us every single day. Whenever we need to find out more information about a specific topic, our current generation doesn't refereed much to a dictionary anymore. Our pop culture has referred to "I need help" to the saying: "Google it". They have introduced us to software that allows us to watch videos(YouTube), connect with people Via. E-Mail(G-Mail), find and navigate our way back home(Google Maps) and to even connect us with the world as we know it, ( Google+). Heck, I'm even using Google to BLOG this Current Events post with the help of Blogger.  Anyways, back to the new technology. Google has developed a safe way in order for humans to only ride in the vehicle while the car virtually drives itself using special cameras, GPS systems such as Google Maps, Specific senors and mechanisms that ensures the car and most importantly, the passenger's safety. Now, this project has been in the air for a while now but the component that makes it "current" is that the state of California has just announced that they will allow Google to have their Self Driving(Toyota Hy-Bird Prius') be on the main roads and interstates, just like regular motor vehicles. It was this Tuesday(Sept. 25, 2012) that Gov. Edmund Jerry Brown signed and declared that the "autonomous vehicle" law be active.  The state of Nevada also has granted Google the same laws and regulations to test their cars out on public roads.  One of Google's main focus is to make the overall driving more experience safer, more efficient and more ideal. They have recorded that their tests' data say that the overall car is more safe and more prepared to avoid an accident. They obviously need more time for testing and reassuring but Google feels very confident in there new innovation. Google has proposed this very publicly in order to notify the general public that this project will not only just benefit the company but other individuals as well. They predeict new innovated jobs will be on the market, safer roads and reduce overall road congestion.
     This form of new technology in which has been presented is very ideal and very "creative", in my opinion, because it will create a new way in which we see transportation. Creating new innovations obviously heightens more curiosity in finding new technological aspects for the future. I also like the fact that with this project, there is more of an opportunity to actually give back to the general public. More jobs is something our country is in need of so that is a factor in which we should look at in order for people who are unemployed find some way of getting a solid income. Also, the general safety for the public is something that we all take in consideration. Car crashes and accidents in general are very crucial and dangerous. Personally, I am always Caution when on the road. So the fact that this form of innovation will prevent more accidents is something that is both appealing and safe. Also, the fact that Google has partnered with Toyota and their "Hi-Bird" vehicles can both promote and aware people of the importance of living a better and healthier life by going green and to start conserving our planet. This form of transportation is very interesting and its something that our government and other countries should strongly consider. This innovation and form of technology is coming from a company in which we rely on so much that we incorporate in our day to day lives, so why not accept the challenge and see where this form of transportation will take us.

LORENZO PEDRO
3:05AM
September 27, 2012

http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/business/technology/120926/self-driving-cars-given-the-ok-california-gov

http://www.cnn.com/2012/09/25/tech/innovation/self-driving-car-california/index.html

BLOG 4- Cloning a Wooly?

As much as I would love to talk about the iPhone 5 and all the new innovations in which Apple has announced these past weeks, I wont. I will be discussing something that I found very interesting and that we only hear about on rare occasion. Both technological and Russian scientist found a young wooly mammoth that has been preserved well and still in good condition.  Semyon Grigoryev, who was the head leader of this expedition reported that this finding was very significant and more important than other findings in the past. At any given time in which scientist locate either a well preserved body or some type of remain from a prehistoric animal, they try to learn and crack down reasons why they went extincted in the first place. But you still might be asking why this finding is more important than findings in the past. Well, the real reason is that these scientists not only found a three-four year old well persevered body, they are investigating and think that they have found specific cells that  could lead to the possibility of actually cloning this large mammal.
     Why is this important globally you ask? Well, the fact that scientist from around the world are trying to figure out and investigate more cases like this one is very new and fresh. Countries like Japan and Russia have been trying to conduct this kind of scientific form for over a year now. Not only does it take time, money and ambition; it takes patience and a lot of trial and error. This form of technology could help us in the long run when both doctors and scientists are trying to find reasons in health, Diseases, agriculture and benifital research that could help both humans and animals. For example: Agriculturally, scientist mention that if you clone meat, it could help our food supply and reduce the need to kill and to mutilate cows and other animals. Same thing goes for both human  and animal health. The waiting list for specific organs will be less and more people will not only have the opportunity to get something they need to survive, but they will have the opportunity to live a healthier life. I think governments around the world should help and supply financial assistance to research as such. It could help out our economy and produce more jobs if the science is right and meant to be. At the same time, there should be strict regulations when conducting such experiments. We all know that science fails and this form of research and technology should not be messed around with. It should be formally reviewed and conducted thoroughly under authoritative supervision. I honestly think that we should do more research for subjects and experiments that could possibly lead for us to live a healthier life. 



http://ca.news.yahoo.com/blogs/dailybrew/discovery-intact-woolly-mammoth-cells-russia-promises-progress-200311708.html

Blog #3: Wind Power may be the Future.

In December world leaders will meet in Copenhagen to try to agree on cutting back on greenhouse gas emissions for years to come. Scientist are saying the most effective step is one completely away from fossil fuels, and moving to all-purpose carbon-free resources such as Wind, Water, and Solar.

Scientist have been building to this moment for at least a decade, analyzing various pieces of the challenge. Stanford recently did a study, that ranked energy systems according to their impacts on global warming, pollution, water supply, land use, wildlife and other concerns. The very best options were wind, solar, geothermal, tidal, and hydroelectric power all of which are powered by wind, water, or sunlight.

The plan scientist in America have come up with, calls for millions of wind turbines, water machines, and solar installations. These large numbers frighten some, but to the scientist, this is nothing compared to the past. During World War II, the U.S. retooled automobile factories to produce 300,000 aircraft, and other countries produced 486,000 more. In the 1956 the U.S. began building the Interstate Highway System, which after 35 years, extended for 47,000 miles, changing commerce and society.

The question that now stands, is it feasible for us to transform the world’s energy systems? And scientist say, only if the leaders choice the right technology. I personally think they upon seeing the numbers, and if they can come to a reasonable agreement. Carbon-free energy will be chosen, and the way we see energy will change quickly in America, where many will get their dream of a green-country, but if they choose the wrong technology, we may see ourselves in a similar situation many decades in the future, but under a worse circumstance, and less time to act. A lot rides on the meeting in December, and many are hoping the elites can make the right decision.


http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=no-limit-for-wind-power

BLOG 3- Questioning "Smart"-Phones

    We all have them. It's either you're "team" iPhone, Android, or Blackberry. Utilizing our smartphone devices have embraced our lives tremendously. We have them at our finger tips everyday in order for them to help and organize our lives. We love them for their versatility of delivering various applications that will let us read our email, set up appointments with calendars, present a PowerPoint or Keynote presentation, make/customize a birthday card and sometimes, we use them to make phone calls. If we look at the evolution of the way we communicate and interact with others socially, we now have more of an opportunity to branch out and communicate with other individuals via smartphones. But are individuals abusing this form of technology? Let's dig deeper.
    John Sutter, a writer for CNN TECH, recently pointed out statistics and explained in his own words that people who interact with smartphones and technology devices are using them to make them more
"Super Human". He then received a plethora of comments from readers saying that his theory was wrong and that smartphones have been a huge distraction into young people's lives and that it is effecting them while they are under certain situations but more importantly, while they are behind the wheel of car. He then statistically explains that we use them in certain places that we shouldn't be operating a handheld technological device. For example, according to the United States Department of Transportation, in 2010, over 3,000 teenagers died in a car crash for not having their eyes on the road. And that number is getting bigger and bigger as technology becomes more cheap and accessible. Instead, they were more engaged on their phone. So yes, Sutter has a point in empathizing the dangers of cell phones/tech devices with people using them while they are operating a motor vehicle. Another thing phenomena that has been circulating the technology world is that the World Health Organization has identified there is more radiation waves in which are being exposed to a human's brain while they are near it and on the phone. Which can lead to the possible diagnosis to some form of cerebral cancer.
   How is this a global problem you say? It effects everyone because we all have a cell phone that is brings benefit to our lives. We all want our hands one too, and want the very best. Oh, and to follow up from my WEEK 2 blog: Apple announced their iPhone 5. (Just saying). It effects others on the roads as well. It's also something in which we all need to take in consideration that we should avoid using our phones not only while driving, but while we do important tasks. Such as working, helping out with machinery and other reasons. It's also glad that governments, especially the US, have recognized this problem and has now settled new laws and precedents that prevent individuals to text while they drive. It's not safe and it's not safe to work these products while we are doing something else. It is prevent that we will pay less attention to something in which we are looking for when we are driving, Having laws and officials enforcing will not only make our streets a better place, it will help reduce a stat that is growing fast. It has been said that this phenomena is growing at a significant rate. That if we dont do something soon, this will be a "killer" on our list of top "killers" in the world. Which include obesity, smoking and addictive drugs. After reading this article, it made me realize to value my time on Earth a little bit more. Texting will reduce your concentration on the road. It's very important to be aware and to help out individuals out there. It's important for the world to know, regardless of cell phone carriers or manufactures: a phone is a call. It could either help us tremendously, or it could become something worse. Coming up with small solutions should be very ideal.


LAPEDRO
5:04 AM
lapedro@uncg.edu

http://www.cnn.com/2012/09/11/tech/mobile/smartphones-superstupid/index.html

http://www.cnn.com/2012/09/11/tech/mobile/smartphones-superstupid/index.html

Blog 2: Roaches to the Rescue

Most people in the world would think of words such as “disgusting” or “repulsive” when it comes to roaches, but not this team at North Carolina State University. The team at NCSU’s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering is using cockroach's uncanny survivability to possibly save humans. They have plans for using them in buildings that have fallen to rubble to find people who could possibly be trapped. The team designed a backpack for the roaches that fire of wireless signals at the roach’s antennae and other sensory organs to guide it to a desired destination. The researchers see these remote-controlled roaches as an alternative to small-scale robots, which at that scale is both difficult and expensive.

While this is both inexpensive, and life saving. The thought of respecting all organisms still come into play, and while not all animal rights groups are necessarily this in itself is bad, but they are afraid of what paths this may open up as far as using animals for things humans deem too dangerous themselves.  

I personally think this is great, but much like the animal activist groups, and interested in how people interpret this new form of ideology. Will they take it too far and possibly place animals in harm that shouldn’t be? Or will science be able to control itself and not place animals at risk. While cockroaches are indeed capable of navigating hostile areas, it still puts the idea in my head of “is it right?” and I’m sure many people are in the same situation as me.



http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=remote-controlled-roaches

BLOG 2: Apple's 5th Generation iPhone

     They say, "An apple a day, keeps the doctor away". A lot of Apple Inc. costumers believe in this theory but we are obviously not talking about fruit. We're talking about one of the biggest companies on earth that design and retail unbelievable technological products that make our lives easier. This company ranges from high advanced computers, phones, tablets, portable music players, and accessories that make these products more compatible and efficient. Apple products play an enormous roll in the pop culture of our society. If you go to any large city, university campus or to your local coffee shop, you will see that apple products are being used everywhere and by everyone. They have created products that can be vital and useful for everyone who lays a finger on it, worldwide. This past summer, the company launched their new computers and also demonstrated that their products are not only bringing satisfaction to the people who buy these elite products, but that they are helping people worldwide. They filmed individuals from across the world that say that they are thankful that Apple and their application designers create and innovate ways for them to live a better life. We are talking about people who are blind, have autism, want to learn a new language, and people who just want to chat and spark new relationships. With this recognition of Apple's designs, I want to talk about their new plans for the fall. It's something that is so discreet and very, "hush, hush" at the moment. Yes ladies and gentelmen, I am talking about the new iPhone 5.
      Earlier this week, the company sent out a notification, notifying the press and media, that they will host a company convention on Sept. 12 2012. It is very common for Apple to do this sort of thing. And every time we hear something like this that is so secretive and so discrete, we're in for a huge surprise. To give you a little background information about the iPhone, it's sales and ratings are out of this world. Technological analysts predict that the new iPhone will sell about 200 million iPhones in the next year. How is this a problem for society, it will bring uproar and demand for these phones and the company will more than likely be late with store demand. In January, China citizens received the opportunity to obtain an iPhone 4s and apple had to close down the stores. Why? The demand was so high and so crazy that people on the streets were getting injured, arrested and even prosecuted. Everyone wanted one. And it wasn't only in China. This sort of behavior was happening in a lot of countries. And obviously, affecting a lot of people. All in the name of a phone. So expect it happening this fall.
      Also, Apple has been on top of the food chain when it comes to technology companies. It's out-beating companies like Sony, Dell, HP, Kindle, Google, etc. This is effecting the companies financial state and the people are employed under the company. For example, you walk into Best Buy and you want a tablet, you will automatically envy and want the New iPad. Why? It's lighter, faster, More nice, versatile and overall, it's an Apple product.  So jobs under these corporations are failing and will continue to fall under. Why? Obviously Apple Inc. is not stopping and will not have plans to stop in innovating new products. The thing that I also don't get is the corruption that the company has within it's plants. ABC aired a special regarding the plants where they innovate and produce our gadgets. Our nation was overwhelmed and speechless after the "A trip to the iFactory" airing. It showed how young Asian teens were the ones who were in the plants making the products we know and love. They were telling the ABC crew that they felt trapped and not worthy. Some, were falling into the pressure to commit suicide. This could be another topic regarding human rights and inequality. Please watch the report
    Overall, Apple deserves two thumbs in the innovation in which it has been producing. Although, it is important to recognize that we could be driving our ohter companies down hill. These companies are still failry new and intuitive. We will just have to see the outcome of their success in times to come. As for Apple, they need to start making ways to be more versitale, worldwide. As a personal owner of an iPhone, iPad and Macbook, I can tell you that their technology is good, beyond words. But are they manipulating us to become Apple hungry? Are they trying to destroy big buissnes not only here in the US, but worldwide? We don't know. For now, let's just see what they will announce on Wednesday at 10am.


Lorenzo Pedro
3:37PM 9-7-2012
SOC 202






http://money.cnn.com/2012/09/04/technology/iphone-5-launch-date/index.html\

http://articles.cnn.com/2012-01-13/asia/world_asia_china-apple-iphone_1_iphone-apple-store-shanghai?_s=PM:ASIA

http://abcnews.go.com/International/trip-ifactory-nightline-unprecedented-glimpse-inside-apples-chinese/story?id=15748745

Blog #1 Apple iPhone 5

Apple iPhone 5 

     Today, September 4, 2012, Apple Inc. released information that the Apple iPhone 5 will be on sale starting September 12, 2012.  It is predicted that Apple will possibly sell between 6 million and 10 million iPhones by the last week of September--driving up the sales expectations to at least 28 million units.  It is rumored that the iPhone 5 features a screen of at least 4 inches and it has been noted that users with larger display screens on their devices are making use of the phone in many ways which results in higher user retention.  News of a smaller version of an iPad and an Apple television are supposedly next on the Apple "to do."

     Because this particular technological advance affects so many people around the world it contributes to globalization and carries us higher into the world of technology.  Each new iPhone generation contributes to our technological ranking, as a baby step towards our larger advances in the future.  Taking a step back and looking at this technological piece of news from a sociological viewpoint, I think it is absolute madness that half the population on Earth is occupied staying up to date on current technology, clothing, decor, etc., while the other half is looking for food and water in order to survive.  The two classes are polar opposites that affect each other.  The lower class countries (also known as Periphery) making materials and products for the higher class (Core countries).  The higher class supplying the Periphery with the needed high profit consumption good for the Periphery to make the products for the Semi-Periphery and Core countries.  We are all interconnected and we don't even think about the connections until it is brought to our attention. 

iPhone 5 Introduction Officially Set for Sept. 12

http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Mobile-and-Wireless/iPhone-5-Introduction-Officially-Set-for-Sept-12-138787/

Blog 1 Solar Energy Becoming the Main Source of Energy.

In less than five days, the Sun provides more energy than all proven reserves of oil, coal, and natural gas on the planet, 36 zettajoules of energy. What this means is that if humanity could capture a small percentage of the energy that the sun provides us, we could provide ourselves with energy that we could use for hundreds of years to come.

Now, scientists are saying that we can apply Moore’s law to solar energy.  Moore's law dictates that the number of components that can be placed on a chip doubles every 18 months. This is why the iPhone has more computing power than supercomputers a little over two decades ago had. If this law applies to solar energy that we will eventually reach the iPhone equivalent of Solar energy. Meaning we will have cheaper, more efficient, more powerful, solar energy producing items, and because Solar energy produces little-to-no greenhouse emissions, this could be a very large turn-around in a drastic and dangerous future humanity is currently moving towards.

This also means for meaning countries such as the United States, and countries in Africa near the equator, where the sun is shining nearly 24/7, large scale infrastructures could be more easily accessible as this technology becomes cheaper, allowing them to develop and catch up to post-industrial countries.

Humanity is currently on the path to a very dangerous future with as much harm as our current sources of energy to do the environment. Harnessing the power of the sun provides both a future for our children, and a present for those less fortunate, and while we still need a here-and-now solution knowing that our future can still be bright and better can lead many people around the world to do better now. We still need to have voices teaching those around us of the problems that we face today.

While solar energy won’t be the savior of humanity and all of its problems, on terms of energy this is a huge step in the right direction while keeping the environment cleaner and accessible in the future.

http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/guest-blog/2011/03/16/smaller-cheaper-faster-does-moores-law-apply-to-solar-cells/

Technologcial Security (BLOG 1)

     With supportive customer  reviews and booming business, It has been said that if you are working for either Apple Inc. or Google, you have a job that not only pays good, you will probably be there for years to come. Both these companies have contributed so much to the culture of our generation. Many people strive to land a job at either of these companies. Morgan Marquis-Boire is an official engineer agent at Google. Over the summer, Boire worked with a friend,  Bill Marczak, who is in the process of obtaining his Ph.D. in computer science. They both do an outstanding job and do their jobs well. Over the summer, they were not in Hawaii or Malibu soaking the sun's rays. No. They were undercover. They were in the hunt to obtain more information on a surveillance tool, that they thought was violating individuals rights, in about five countries.
     Not only did they find information in these countries, they found their hypotheses being true, that these mechanisms were being used to violate individual's rights. First of all, this equipment was being used in a way that was necessary for the government in some of the countries. The government was actually using them in order to track down criminals and to archive information that would lead to suspicious activity. Therefore, this program was meant for officials who were specifically trained to use it for the government. And in reality, the main targets were individuals who uphold a position within the government. The individuals who were misusing this program were basically threatening them by taking over their web enabled devices and obtaining government information.
    During their investigation, they took matters in to their own hands and decided to not only stop this problem, but the wanted to prevent such things to happen again. Boire and Marczak worked along technical organizations to stop this from happening. As their time was wrapping up, they didn't successfully end the British programs, they help to reduce the activity.
   In my opinion, we should not incorporate these softwares at all into society. doing so would only make the government look bad and people would start riots and declare their hatred towards the their safety. Also, our government archives and holds information that should never be accessed for security reasons. If people could access these files, our security would go down hill and people could cause danger to our communities. It is very important to always have security in mind. We in Ameica have seen danger before our eyes. And we obviously don't anything bad to happen. This might sound like a technological glitch, but it could turn to something horrible.


Lorenzo Pedro
Aug. 31, 2012
1:38PM


Reference: NY TIMES
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/31/technology/finspy-software-is-tracking-political-dissidents.html?ref=technology