Happy vs Utiltiy

Dealing with apps they all have their utility and they all bring happiness. Unfortunalty most of the apps that are used to waste time. For example; instagram, facebook, and candy crush. Some may argue that they are used to maintain contact with others, but they aren't being used for a educational stand point.

Utility and happiness go hand and hand. I think Utility comes first and the happiness follows. If an app makes your life better, or smoother than it makes us happy. If companies focus on making apps that benefit us then we are happy.

The Zing

About one year ago a terrorist attack occurred during the Boston Marathon. Three people were killed and about 264 were injured. During this chaotic mess how were people receiving news? Was it all true or was it falsified information?

Brooke Gladstone interviewed, Alex Goldman, he was listening to a police scanner and tweeting everything that he heard during the bombing. Alex said, “he made some mistakes…” Alex sent out false information, and that he wish he could have gone back and fixed his errors”. He did what he did because of the, “adrenaline rush”. (the interview with Alex)

We all get caught up in the “zing of authenticity”. The rush to find out new information that know one knows about. It’s definitely exciting to find out something new but, we need to watch what we say. Unfortunately only 20 percent of tweets during this horrendous event were reported to be true. Think about all of those people being mislead, and the different emotions that they had to deal with.

I don’t believe it is okay to give falsified information, talking about people's safety. I mean come on, people were dying. I don’t believe this is something to lie about. This was a terrorist attack it wasn’t a joke! (a moment of silence one year later)

If you are tweeting about something effecting an entire country. In my opinion if you aren’t completely sure about the information you better be hastanging #unconfirmed #rumor #notsure … I think it is sad knowing that many people were so mislead, over and lied to about a tragic terrorist attack.

Benefits to the zing

• we can find out about news instantly
• it can be fun, and create new conversations
• it can keep us informed

Harms of the zing

• its can mislead people from the truth
• example, Boston Marathon bombing
• it potentially could cause wars, and riots.
• false rumor of explosion

The “zing” potentially can bring joy to us. It can be exciting, knowing something new! But the true question is it true? Could what you tweet potentially hurt someone? Is posting something false worth it? That is up to you! It is up to you to decide if that post is worth it. I hope everyone out there, can put on their critical thinking caps. This falsified information is destroying our world! What are you putting out there is it worth it?

The Drought from Technology

The average American uses technology 24/7. We are covered in it, and we don't even notice. The average American spends 3.2 hours a day on social networks, and check their phone 110 times per day. I personally believe those statistics don't apply to me. I think I am half of what the average is, but I replace those hours using technology elsewhere.

My job requires me to use technology constantly. I have kind started doing little film projects around the state. The applications that really make my job easier: Google Drive, and Dropbox. These have been a great tool for me to use. These applications allow me to work with people in other cities, its great!

My fast from technology occurred over spring break, and I will say it was hard. Just the torturous feeling not being able to do what I love. I love taking pictures, videoing, and more. These things all involve technology. I rely on my phone to wake me up in the morning, and I rely on technology to help pay my bills.

Luckily for the fast I did it on the weekend from Saturday to Sunday. I took a little journey to Zion, the entire time I was there I wanted to take pictures. I knew for this assignment I had to remove technology from my life so I left my camera at home. I spent most of the day hiking, so when I got home I was exhausted. When I got home I was able to just read a little and go to bed. My Sunday was a great day I spent a lot of time just sleeping.

I was happy to get my technology back. It did feel good to get away just because my phone gives me stress. If I ever need a break I know I can just turn off my phone.