A Reflection on English 102

I decided that for my last blog post, I wanted to rip off Casey's previous blog and reflect on our time together during English 102 this semester. I'm not super shy or anti-social, but I'm also not a social butterfly, and I really liked that I was able to feel so comfortable in this class (which is rare for me). In most of my other classes, especially my political science classes, I tend to not like most of my classmates, and I often just feel distanced from my classmates.

In English 102, however, I truly did feel comfortable in the class, and like I could say something and no one would hate me for it. It always felt like a safe, comfortable place to discuss ideas and express myself, without having to be apologetic about it. I wanted to thank all of you for making the classroom feel like such a comfortable place, and making English 102 a class that I actually looked forward to attending. So in addition to learning in class about writing and rhetoric, I'm happy I got to learn about all of you and all the different personalities we had in class. It really was a fun, constructive class to be a part of.

P.S. Extra props to Professor Hanrahan for putting up with us. You the real MVP. (insert fist-bump emoji)

"Rollable" Screens: The Future of Technology?

While browsing around on social media this week I came across this video that was shared on my feed and I thought it was really interesting how our technology has developed in the last ten years. In short, the video talks about new TV and smartphone screens that can be rolled up or bent without being broken. Apple has already bought rights to the products themselves, but I'm thinking that these really won't catch on in the market. The curved TV screen as well as 3D TV's aren't really bought because in most ways, they are impractical. The curved screens may be good for those looking at it head-on, but for those who are to the side of the room it becomes hard, almost impossible, to see what's happening.

That being said, much like how every Apple object ever seems to sell despite the inflated costs, I think that it's possible that some people may want to buy the new roll-able TV's to brag about the really expensive TV they have that no one else does, much like the Apple Watch. Now, my clear disdain for the bourgeoisie aside, what do you guys think about this?

Positives VS Negatives

I know that most of my posts this semester have either been acknowledging the positives of technology or discussing the negatives of it. Since this is the last post of the semester, I just wanted to say that I am neither for, nor against technology, because I feel that the positives and negatives balance each other out. I also wanted to say that it isn’t necessarily the technology, itself, that creates the negatives we see today, such as people not carrying on conversations or the whole online dating vs. naturally meeting someone debacle. What creates these negative effects is the people using the technology and their intentions when using it. Overall I feel that it’s relevant to make such a distinction because so many people blame the negatives on technology, on how the cooler the gadgets are the worse our society becomes. But it isn’t technology’s fault. It’s the minds that use it to whatever their ulterior motive may be.

As a side note, I just wanted to say that I’ve really enjoyed this class and being able to converse with all of you!

Are We Becoming "Cyborgs?"

After talking about technology for the entire semester and observing my classmates, I have become much more aware of the amount of technology we use. Almost everyone in every single one of my classes has a laptop, a tablet, or both in front of them at all times. Technology rules all of our lives to an extent, and even though we are still generally in control, we are in danger of relying on technology too much. People allow themselves to become brainwashed by technology and many people seek to misuse it. This could cause serious problems in the future when technology becomes too smart and people become even more reliant on it. We could either become melded with technology, or we could be completely wiped out and replaced by technology. We should be careful about how much we rely on technology to "think for us."

Long Term Friendship

I have this friend named Ellie. She has been my best friend since second grade. Without technology we would never still be friends. In fifth grade she transferred to private school. She had all new friends and I felt left out. She would Skype me once a week and even when she was wit her new friends. Meeting her friends made me feel great. I knew who she was talking about when she would talk about them.

Throughout middle school we continued to spend the summers together on family vacations or by going to camp together. In high school we grew distant, spending less time with each other. But every time we called or texted each other we would catch back up. Ellie is a life long friend. Thanks to technology I know that we will always be able to stay in touch. I hope that one day our kids can be friends with each other no matter where we are living. 

I usually complain about technology, but this is one of the reasons why I am really thankful for technology.

Thank you all for an amazing 102 class this semester! (:

Technology to form bonds

I believe in technology. Despite all the negative connotations that can be related to technology, it can do more good than bad. For example, I have an older sister who I didn't have contact with until about two years ago. We started out by finding each other on Facebook and then later on we added each other on Skype. Through Skype we have been able to form a relationship and be able to keep each other up-to-date with everything going on in our lives. Through Facebook I am able to see pictures of my niece and be able to know that my sister is doing okay. I think that this is a good thing as far as technology because now I am able to know and see things from my sister that I probably wouldn't have known before. Without Facebook I wouldn't have known I was going to be an aunt and I wouldn't have been able to form a bond with my sister. For that, I am very thankful.

Reunited...digitally

This morning I was telling my friend a story about something that happened back in high school between me and one of my classmates, who I was really close with before we graduated. Through most of junior and senior year, Paraag and I got to know each other really well. We texted almost every day after school. Between classes, we would make sarcastic comments as we passed in the hallways. And in class, the teacher often scolded us for laughing and causing distractions. All around, just a really good friend. Then graduation happened... I knew once college started that I'd lose touch with the majority of my high school friends, but I was super sad to not talk to him as often. Over the summer, we talked a little bit and went to each others grad parties, but still no where near the same as during the school year.

Before today, I hadn't talked to Paraag since about October or so. But since he came up in conversation, I figured I'd shoot him a text to see how school has been going for him at WVU and ask about his summer plans and whatnot. Just to catch up. His reaction to getting a random text from me was wonderful, and we settled right back into how things were before life got in the way for a bit. We're still catching up as I type this, and honestly it's hard to not wear a consistent smile.

With finals approaching and end-of-semester projects being due, there is a lot of stress piling up for all of us. I hear things like, "I'm just ready to go home," many times a day across campus. Everyone is worn out. But something as little as reuniting yourself with a friend, even if it's just over text, can boost the day up so much. You guys should contact someone, too, and see if it helps you to not feel so dang bogged down with school.

Good luck with finals week! Keep positive and stay smiling.