Unit 1 Portfolio
Unit 1 Portfolio
Source Analysis #1
"A Pencil Shop, for Texting the Old-Fashioned Way" by Molly Young
Digital Newspaper (New York Times)
The New York Times article titled "A Pencil Shop for Texting the Old-Fashioned Way" by Molly Young explores the newfound use of old writing tools, such as pencils, in a modern age that is overtaken by technology, quick forms of communication, and electronic devices. Although digital communication is rapidly replacing traditional writing tools, the purpose of Young's text was to explore the ways that other forms such as pencils still manage to remain relevant. There's a clear sense of nostalgia for more meaningful and authentic ways of communication, which is likely to resonate with an older or more old-fashioned audience in comparison to one who supports the continuous evolution of technology. Young blends in storytelling aspects by learning about the founder of the pencil shop, Caroline Weaver, and her back story/experience with writing and communication. The imagery used throughout along with the intimate encounters/experiences ultimately symbolizes a longing to slow the fast paced lifestyle and tap back into older personal forms of communication that we seemed to forget about.
The genre is a digital newspaper with a cultural feature aspect to it. The genre is flexible enough to allow Molly to include different forms of research and content such as interviews, images, descriptions, etc which guides the reader to understand the purpose in a better context. The genre is influenced because this project takes on a ‘human interest’ type of story to accommodate, while blending storytelling elements with cultural appreciation. The intimacy and detailed recounts also make it more profound for the readers to feel connected to or empathetic towards.
I believe that the article is successful at getting its point across, and reminding us that the use of something as simple as a pencil in the digital age can still be essential even though it is no longer the norm. The use of storytelling in the text conveys the passion behind our ‘communicative roots’ that some people still uphold to this day, especially by resisting indulgence in technology for the sake of traditional forms (handwriting). The article also fits into a larger conversation of the evolution of technology and communication by making the pencil seem almost ‘ancient’ and almost as if it's rare to obtain one. In the article, it states “I asked the man why he’d chosen that particular pencil. “Because it’s cool,” he said. ‘And how often can you buy a functional thing from the 1950s in mint condition for $5?’” (Young, 2015). It appears that the reliance of one of the original methods of communication is a factor that convinces people of the beauty of the traditional ways. This also calls upon the act of possibly slowing down, as it appears that technology is moving quickly and causing us to lose our roots. These old traditions shouldn’t get lost in technology, so it is a call to action to remember and honor the simple ways of communication.
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Source Analysis #2
“The Role Of Technology In The Evolution Of Communication” by Sol Rogers
Forbes Magazine
Rogers explores how technological advancements have reshaped communication in the world overtime, from phones to the internet to virtual reality. She illustrates the progression of technology through the following of these ‘communication milestones’ in our history to provide better understanding. Kairos can be seen evident in this piece because of the critical time of technology which we are in, with never ending limits for its growth. The author maintains a neutral and informative tone while still portraying the change and evolution of technology through different examples.
Rogers’ article falls into the genre/category of a tech-focused magazine article, which utilizes past knowledge and information of technology with newfound predictions and innovations. The article is able to compare and contrast new trends and prior innovations like virtual reality for instance, while maintaining an informative tone. Additionally, difficult concepts and terminology pertaining to technology are able to be simplified for an audience of this large magazine company. Since the magazine article isn't biased, it follows a more technological route without any social or cultural commentary.
I believe that Rogers is successful in demonstrating how technology and communication continue to go hand-in-hand in the modern day world, as innovations emerge. Although there is no bias, it appears that there can be evidence found to support the argument that technology has contributed to social progress, especially amongst people with distance. “The internet has made communication easier and faster, it’s allowed us to stay in contact with people regardless of time and location” (Rogers, 2019). There is only exploration into the ways that technology has progressed life with its benefits, and it would’ve been interesting to see a flip perspective surrounding the possible negatives of the high emergence of technology. So, in larger conversation with my topic of the evolution of technology and communication because it expanded the variety of ways for people to connect despite factors that keep them apart. All in all, she remains neutral and conveys the message about the contributions of technology towards newfound and improved ways of communication.
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Source Analysis #3
Kevin Kelly: How technology evolves TED Talk by Kevin Kelly
Kevin Kelly’s TED Talk explores the fundamental concepts that contribute to how technology continuously evolves, such as an ‘organism’ in biological evolution, and how it never remains static but rather grows due to patterns of growth, creativity, adapting, and more. Through concepts, visual guides, and past technological history, Kelly argues that the evolution of technology is living like that of biological natures, and it isn't something that humans create but rather something that helps them to grow and progress as a whole.
The genre is a TED Talk which allows Kevin Kelly to be able to freely share his ideas uninterrupted, and with a simple and understandable tone to convey his point to the people in the audience. The tone comes off to be conversational which also makes complex ideas easier for groups to understand, and it makes the content less overwhelming especially given that we discuss the crossover of technology and human evolution/change. By referencing technology as a “living system,” the TED Talk is ironically an example of this, and it makes it easier for listeners to relate and understand the way that technology evolves.
Kelly’s TED Talk expands the discussion about technology and how it is able to evolve outside of human control, similar to living organisms. I believe that the TED Talk succeeds at convincing the listeners of the complexity of evolution, especially as someone who is watching this video about 20 years after it was originally made. In 2005, technology was still a foreign concept that people were beginning to explore and grapple with, but "the potential for differences, diversity, options, choices, opportunities, possibilities, and freedoms" (Kelly, 2005) emphasizes that the growth looks different for everyone which is what made the idea of technology so exciting. By asserting that "technology gives us more possibilities," Kelly emphasizes the positive impact of innovation day-to-day while the vagueness suggests that the possibility is still very unknown. He calls upon viewers to rethink the way that technology intertwines with human evolution. The source fits into the larger conversation because it calls light to the way that communication is constantly evolving, as an organism and the way that innovations build off of each other. Kelly declaring that "I think that we should embrace technology because it is an essential part of our journey in finding out who we are" supports the idea of technology is more than just a singular tool, but rather a key component and reflection of human evolution, which is the ultimate message being conveyed in the TED Talk.
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Source Analysis #4
Apple Macworld Keynote 2007 by Steve Jobs
Steve Jobs keynote presentation at Macworld in 2007 was an essential component of the history of technology and communication, as it marked the first sights of the first iPhone. He used the keynote as a platform to introduce the product to the audience and to demonstrate the turning point of internet devices such as mobile phones. Jobs employed several methods to convince people of the product, and this involved testing the product to show its functionality, or with visual aids to convey the use of the iPhone. The tone was engaging with usage humor in order to connect to the audience, while the style of the presentation was minimalistic yet impactful. His confidence ultimately tied together the entire presentation, making it reputable and easy for the audience to follow.
The genre of this source is a tech keynote presentation, which is very common in the unveiling of new technological products and innovations. Steve Jobs, specifically, is known for being one of the first individuals to successfully hold presentations for these new products, which is what set the standard for the years succeeding. Including a live demonstration of the product also heightened the excitement and interest surrounding it, making people curious to want to test it out themselves.
Ultimately, Steve Jobs presentation succeeded and this is apparent through the continued popularity and innovation of the iPhone even after his passing. He was correct when referencing to the iPhone as a revolutionary product, because it is still extremely significant to this day. The iPhone even proved to be a stepping stone for apps to be developed, starting with the creation of the app store/app ecosystem. This keynote presentation perfectly ties into the topics of the evolution of technology and communication because this marked the beginning of a more modern way for individuals to communicate with each other, and it also combines '3 revolutionary products' being "a widescreen iPod with touch controls; a revolutionary mobile phone; and a breakthrough Internet communications device. An iPod, a phone, and an Internet communicator. An iPod, a phone...are you getting it? These are not three separate devices, this is one device and we are calling it iPhone." This marked a defining moment in the transformation of technology, and it was the start of the domino effect for the development of technology and enhanced means of communication. It is so crazy to think that in 20 years, the features of a phone that once shocked people would now be something so normal.
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