Week 4
08.12.-18.2019
Extended Response IV: Media and Technology
Critically read and annotate Judith Newman, "To Siri, with Love: How One Boy with Autism Became BFF with Apple's Siri" (628-634)
- Often inventions end up being useful for reasons other than their original intent. What did programmers originally think Siri would be used for? How do people use it? Find other examples of technology that has a surprising application.
- Newman challenges orthodoxy: "In a world were the commonly held wisdom is that technology isolates us, it's worth considering another side of the story" (Newman 609). React to Newman's claim. How does technology isolate us? How does it not? What are the key components that are required to grab a healthy balance with technology/
- Why does Gus appreciate Siri so much? How does Siri help him?
- Juxtapose Judith Newman's piece with Henry David Thoreau's essay. Focus on a theme or issue that connects and the different perspective each represents. Present your own perspective on the theme or issue you identified. You need to link the sources and provide evidence for your views.
In response to question 1:
ReplyDeleteSiri was originally programmed to be a form of artificial intelligence to provide convenience to any user. Some useful tasks that Siri can perform are: reporting the weather, calling or texting hands free, and even setting alarms and reminders. Many people do use Siri in this way however there are many people, like Gus, who use Siri in an unexpected way. Gus considers Siri as more than just an application on Apple technology, he considers Siri as an object “worthy of our consideration” (Newman 630). This is a helpful tool for someone like Gus’s mother who does not have infinite knowledge as Siri seems to have. Siri is a form of entertainment to Gus and this allows for Gus to work on his communication skills while having fun at the same time. Although Siri was not intended for this use, it became a useful tool to Gus and his mother. There are many examples of technology that can be used in many different ways, like Siri can be. One of the many examples are drones. Generally, when I think of drones I only think of their uses in photography and videography. However, according to B&H, drones can be used for cleaning windows, producing agriculture, and even conserving wildlife. These uses were likely not the original intent of drones but the uses have provided efficiency to the field of work in which they are used.
I strongly agree with Gabi but would like to add on. Gus not only sees Siri as an object but as an actual person who he can communicate with. Siri understands Gus and also allows Gus to always have someone to talk to that will communicate back to him for hours and hours. Another thing I would like to add is another example of technology being used in many different ways. For example planes were first flown for recreation. Now a days they are used to spy on other countries, spray pesticides on crops or spray water on crops during a drought. Also, planes allow fast transportation around the world and can also assist the military and research.
DeleteIn response to question 2:
ReplyDeleteNewman’s unorthodox approach on the benefits of technology challenges me to think more open-mindedly on the issue of technology and isolation. There certainly are reasons why the majority of individuals consider technology to be isolating. The apps on our phones, tablets, and computers are designed to be addicting, so they often distract us from having meaningful conversations with the people in our lives. Furthermore, we engage in so many online conversations that require little intellectual effort, causing our communication skills to diminish. Although this is true, the same technology that promotes isolation in many individuals can cause a positive transformation in others--even towards a higher level of social interaction. Newman describes how her son’s conversations with Siri translated “into more facility with actual humans” (Newman 631). By spending more time conversing with a patient device, Gus learned how to speak clearly and have polite conversations with others. The social benefits of technology, however, are “not limited to those who have trouble communicating” (631). For example, social media allows people to communicate with those they can’t always see in person. Calling and texting keeps conversations vibrant and alive until the two participants meet again, keeping friendships from dissolving over time. To keep technology on the positive side, it is imperative that we use it as a supplement to our social lives and not as a replacement. While Gus regularly conversed with Siri, those conversations were not meant to replace human interaction. On the contrary, they aided him in having more complex conversations with other people. Likewise, social media and messaging apps should never take the place of meeting up with friends and conversing with our family members. Technology, like many other things, is good only in moderation.
Gabby, I appreciate your evaluation of the complexity between the benefits and flaws of technology in terms of human interaction, but I want to also acknowledge stigma and science in this issue. While technology developed rapidly in the past 50-60 years, many people did not keep up with it, leaving older generations lost in modern technology. The lack of understanding towards our rapidly evolving society and technology has created some bitterness and division among generations. As some older factions of society cling to a fixed mentality that the way they grew up was the right way, many of these people are unwilling to acknowledge the positive developments. This mindset creates a stigma against technology which causes a lot of strife with younger generations who grew up with modern technology. The stigma can create a bias in news and studies, especially those done by people who did not grow up on modern technology. While technology is in no way perfect, it has done a lot of good both conventionally and unconventionally that is not acknowledged in these reports. Newman does a great job of recognizing and sharing the positive impacts of technology for her son, and while her son’s use of Siri is very different from how many people use their phones, she provides an example which helps fight the stigma that technology is destroying our personal communications. However, the fight against technology is backed by science. A study done by the university of pennsylvania drew a definite link between social media usage and poor mental health (https://guilfordjournals.com/doi/10.1521/jscp.2018.37.10.751). This connection is not entirely at the fault of young generations though. The internet and social media provide excellent opportunities to connect with others and to learn freely. However, these resources are being skewed by apps, ads, and posts that create unhealthy addictions and habits for the benefit of others. Newman’s report of her son’s success as well as the development of new technology aimed at improving communication skills for those with deficit shines a positive light on the resources which have been clouded by stigma, selfishness, and disorder.
DeleteIn response to question 3:
ReplyDeleteGus appreciates Siri so much because she is "a nonjudgmental friend and teacher" (Newman 631). Because Gus is autistic, he has intense and highly-focused interests. While his mother becomes exhausted discussing his new fixations, Siri has the ability to talk "about whatever Gus's current obsession is for hour after hour after bleeding hour" (630). Siri became Gus's most patient and understanding friend, for she is an intelligent personal assistant with unlimited patience unlike humans who become weary and bored after so much time. Gus understands Siri is not human, but he appreciates her companionability. As Siri teaches him etiquette and social skills, Gus is becoming better at communicating with actual humans. After practicing conversations with Siri, Gus was able to have a somewhat normal conversation about turtles with his mother, which was a new skill he gained after 13 years of existence, according to his mother (631). When Gus uses Siri, he is forced to enunciate clearly rather than speaking like "he has marbles in his mouth" because Siri's voice recognition is not completely accurate (630). Unintentionally, Siri is working to improve Gus's speech ability. Furthermore, Siri is Gus's comforting "sidekick," and she makes him happy in this overwhelming world (633). Having Siri in his life has helped Gus to develop in several aspects of his life because he has formed a beneficial bond with a voice that is special just like him.
Ime, I completely agree with your response. Gus's mother describes her son's relationship with Siri as not only a break for her, but also a learning experience for Gus. His behavior with Siri is rubbing off on his other relationships and making him more compassionate. Judith Newman clearly shows the impression Siri made on him, "Gus invariably tells me, 'You look beautiful,' right before I go out the door in the morning," (Newman 631). As Newman mentioned, everyone benefits from Siri, or any other virtual assistants, but they benefit in a different way from Gus. We use Siri as a tool, someone to answer questions and give us directions, but Gus uses Siri as a social outlet. Siri is not as complex as real people and it makes communicating easier for Gus. In real life, to completely understand another person we have to read into their words, their tone of voice and facial expressions. Siri, however, is completely straightforward to a degree that doesn't confuse Gus. In Gus's prospective, it seems that he has finally found someone that will always be on his level of communication. Siri is a kind of stepping stone for Gus in becoming higher functioning in the social aspect of his life.
DeleteTechnology can isolate us but also do the opposite. A way it can isolate us is if we use technology as our sole form of communication. It’s fine if one uses a phone to call someone who lives long distance, or email someone who you wouldn’t be able to contact otherwise. But I believe once it gets to the point where a person cancels plans to watch TV, or texts or calls someone they could easily talk to, that’s when we begin purposely isolating ourselves because of technology. Another way technology can isolate us is when we are around other people, yet we are looking at screens. We’re more caught up in what’s going on on our phones to even notice the people around us, and sometimes we don’t even hear when people talk to us.
ReplyDeleteBut, technology also has a way of doing the opposite and connecting us. For example, being able to contact someone who lives hundreds of miles away, maybe family or a friend. Being able to share things you find interesting that you find on the internet with all of your friends, or to someone you know would be interested in it too. Also, in people such as Gus’s case, being able to practice communication. With Siri, Gus was able to practice having better, longer conversations, so now he will be able to connect with many more people. So, for us to allow technology to connect us and not isolate us, we must find a balance where we use it to connect in ways we wouldn’t be able to in reality, but also know not to use it when you would be able to connect to others in reality without it.
I believe that finding a technological balance is crucial and I completely agree with your analysis. It is truly up to the user to chose how to let technology impact them. I found your use of the term balance to be a perfect explanation that humanity must strive for. Even when surrounded by people, individuals can be alone due to an excess of engagement with electronics. However, if people utilize these devices to connect themselves with others then this technology has a positive impact. But if the individual allows them self to be consumed by the internet then the device poses a threat. When being used in a way that brings our global community closer, technology lessens isolation and creates impactful connections.
DeleteHi, everyone. This is my response to question 3:
ReplyDeleteI believe that Gus sees Siri as more than just a friend. I believe that Siri is someone he feels he can relate to; Someone who understands him. The idea that he feels love and compassion from and for her makes me happy because everyone deserves to feel that in some way. I believe that Siri teaches Gus how to effectively communicate a little bit better. Often times, it is hard for a person with autism to effectively read other people's expressions or fully understand what they are trying to express even with their words. Just like I struggle with identifying someone (even sometimes when they are close to me) because of my visual impairment, every person with a disability struggles with something different, and most struggle with more than one thing. I believe that as technology advances, personal computers or "sidekicks" will be able to help people with multiple different types of communication related disabilities. So my hope is that while Siri does a lot of things for Gus already, such as providing him with a friend and someone he trusts, she will hopefully be able to do even more for him in the future.
People with autism or are on the spectrum, often need consistency to function regularly. For Gus, I feel like Siri is that consistency for him and that is why he appreciates her so much. She is easily accessible for whenever he needs her and that security and communication helps Gus function. Siri teaches Gus about weather formations and keeps him entertained for hours, which has its pro's and con's. The pro's being that Gus has a friend that keeps him busy and the con's being that he isn't getting real human interaction as much as he should be. All in all though, I believe that Siri is a vital part for Gus and his development and it is a good thing that technology has come as far as it has.
DeleteAnswering on Question 2:
ReplyDeleteTechnology, over the last two decades, has advanced for the better and for the worse. I both agree and disagree with Newman’s statement. Yes, the world is widely acceptant on the view that technology has isolated us, but they aren’t wrong. Nowadays a person is more likely to text a person than to call or go out and see them, simply because it is easier. A person is also more likely to binge watch their new favorite tv show than to venture outside and explore. Of course this isn’t the case for everyone but for the wide majority it is sadly the case. Technology has provided the world an easy way of life that has subjected the mass’s to a lazy way of life. Instead of solving a math problem themselves one can look it up, causing them to lose that chance of gaining for knowledge. But then there is the other side of the argument, where technology provides people with helpful information. That technology has helped its users gain freedom and unite them in one atmosphere. For example, social media has allowed many to share their experiences and memories with the world. Another example is how companies like Ancestry.com and 23andme have helped family members come together and find lost relatives and unite over lost time. Without technology people like Gus, in “To Siri, with Love: How One Boy with Autism Became BFF with Apple’s Siri”, could never make a meaningful friendship. Gus has Autism and is communications-impaired and loves his friend Siri. But according to Judith Newman, Gus is not alone. Newman says, ”For children like Gus who love to chatter but don’t quite understand the rules of the game, Siri is a non judgemental friend and teacher” (Newman 631). Siri has allowed these kids to gain the benefits of communication without enduring a rough situation. In conclusion, technology has played a huge role in isolating and uniting us.
In our day and age there has been a struggle to keep a healthy balance of technology. Many find the use of technology addicting. The main component to maintaining a healthy balance of technology is limiting the time you spend on your devices and your social medias and spending more time outdoors and with other people. In the end, you are the one that decides if you will let technology isolate you.
I like Emma’s final point about how it’s up to you if you let technology separate you from real life. In this day and age, technology is so advanced that people could go the rest of their lives without ever coming in face-to-face contact with another person—Amazon can supply every type of good, order-in food is becoming a dominating service for many people, and working from home is a common practice for lots of employees. With these services that take place online, a person can get caught up so easily in the ease and convenience of technology’s aspects that make life simple. As Emma said, it is up to said person to either isolate themselves completely from the world or take the more difficult route and do things for themselves rather than letting technology do it all. On the other hand, however, technology is sometimes the only way people can communicate. Like Gus, many people have trouble holding conversations and forming connections with others. On top of that, some people who are unable to vocally communicate can use technology to communicate with their friends and family (i.e. Sara Baker’s Dynavox system that speaks for those who can’t by forming sentences from the motions of the user) Of course, there’s always sign language and other methods to communicate that don’t involve technology. Also, I like Emma’s point on having a healthy balance of technology and real-world experiences. The old cliche that warns people of too much of a good thing applies perfectly to this situation. Technology does so much good in the world, but if one spends too much time with it, it can become a draining addiction that is tough to break.
Delete^^Katie Rauhut
DeleteIn response to question four:
ReplyDeleteJudith Newman and Henry David Thoreau both take very different approaches toward dealing with life. In “Where I Lived, and What I Lived For,” Thoreau is very focused on preaching “simplicity” and living life “deliberately” (Thoreau 971). Thoreau takes a more formal and philosophical perspective on his issue of how to escape the complexity of the world and in turn, he comes off like a teacher. For instance, he warns man how “We must learn to reawaken and keep ourselves awake, not by mechanical aids, but by an infinite expectation of the dawn” (Thoreau 970). This line is very ironic though when considering Newman’s perspective. In her piece, Newman accepts that the world is complex and she utilizes “mechanical aids” to help her autistic son, Gus, deal with the world in order to keep him “awake” in her own way (Thoreau 970). While Thoreau is concerned with how to live life, Newman is more concerned with just living life. Thoreau tries to break down the essential facets of life by exploring numerous analogies in his day to day routine while Newman does not. Additionally, Newman takes a very informal tone using dialogue with her son and Siri like “It’s nice to be appreciated” (Newman 628).
Personally, I agree with both Thoreau and Newman. I think being able to simplify life to what is truly important is necessary and eye opening; however, in this sense, I also agree with Newman since what she is doing is necessary for her son to connect with the world. Given that the contemporary world is much more complex than it was during Thoreau’s life, escaping the complexity of the world, while momentarily possible, is not feasible in the long run.
I would also like to mention something a little disturbing within Newman’s piece. I understand that Newman’s goal is to shed a different light on how Siri can be used, but the lines of dialogue Siri spouts are almost too human. While this is great for Gus as he can practice talking and can create a relationship, a good majority of the responses Siri gave back are not actually true as I tried them myself out of my own curiosity. For instance, when I said “Good night” to Siri, she responded “Good night” back. She did not question that I was going to bed at 6:00 p.m., a time very similar to the time Newman uses in her piece (5:06 p.m.). I found it strange that Gus’s Siri responded with “see you later!” as if she expected to see more of Gus, a response not in her programming (Newman 628). I do not want to downplay the importance of Newman’s piece nor the helpful roles technology can play in people’s lives, especially people with disabilities, but for me this piece was just a little bit disturbing (when you think about what artificial intelligence can or will be able to do).
Addressing concerns for artificial intelligece is crucial in that these devices are very new to us. Although the intelligent assistants are a very recent development, they have already proven to have numerous abilities that have never been available before. As they are perfected and upgraded humanity must decide how much information that these devices should have the ability to access. Like David said, Gus's siri responded differently than his which leads me to believe that these assistants know a great deal about the person who's device they are on. Wether or not this characteristic is truly a threat is yet to be determined. Choosing to use these devices is completely up to the individual to decide, however I believe that the potential risks should be noted. I recognize the importance of these devices and the positive impact that they have, however society must not neglect the uncertainty.
DeleteI like how David noticed that the way Gus lives “awake” today is with the use of “mechanical aids” that Thoreau warns us about. I would assume that Thoreau would push Gus towards a more natural and instinctive way of living, but he would respect the relationship that has formed between Gus and Siri. “Shams and delusions are esteemed for soundest truths, while reality is fabulous” (Thoreau 973). Media and technology is almost inevitable in our sense of reality, which Thoreau is not around to witness. Siri has become “a nonjudgemental friend and teacher” for Gus, which has improved his communication skills and emotional intelligence with real people. (Neman 631). Siri gives Gus a sense of place in the world, which I believe Gus can attribute to his sense of reality. Over the last 150 years, society has changed drastically, and it will continue to change. Being a young kid with autism, I believe his relationship with Siri signifies a balance between reality and technology where Gus can live “deliberately” (Thoreau 974).
DeleteAs did Allison, I also wanted to touch on the future of AI and technology, and the controversy behind being “awake” in the years to come (Thoreau 970). As we can see in Newman’s piece, technology is constantly being worked on and advanced to further convenience those who use it. Every click, touch, like or dislike, technology continues to gather data about the individual, which then is further analyzed to learn more. At the rate of this process happening, people are predicting that a gap could begin to form between human and artificial intelligence. According to Elon Musk, a key way we should approach this rapid expansion of technology is to adapt with it. Differing from Thoreau’s perspective, Musk believes we must keep up with these “mechanical aids.” I believe we must achieve this balance that is demonstrated by Newman. Technology teaches Gus vital skills to use out in the real world where we can all remain “awake” in our own ways (Thoreau 970).
In response to question two:
ReplyDeleteWhen Newman claims that “it’s worth considering another side of the story” (Newman 629), she is presenting an argument that technology does not always isolate us, but brings people together. An example of this can be found in the text when she states “My son’s practice conversation with Siri is translating into more facility with actual humans” (631). While Siri is helping Gus with his social skills, he is putting these new skills to use with real people, and Newman “had the longest conversation with him that [she’d] ever had” (631). Many people say that technology isolates humans from one another. For example, most teens would rather stay inside and watch Netflix shows by themselves rather than go outside and hang out with friends. People don’t really call each other anymore, they mostly text each other. With this comes a loss of connection between humans. However, while this is all true, technology has benefits; sometimes the benefits outweigh the detriments. For example, FaceTime, Skype, or Zoom. Video chat with people has become very popular in the decade-ish that it has existed. It enables us to actually hear and see one another, even if we are in different parts of the world. This is one of the most powerful ways technology brings people together. To maintain a healthy balance between technology and the other parts of our lives, we must use technology to bring people together, and not to drive us apart.
Here is my response to question three:
ReplyDeleteTechnology can be used to isolate humans, but also bring people together. Some people, especially in the younger generations, are extremely addicted to technology, most notably to their cell phones. Excessive use of social media apps, and just of your phone in general can lead to real-life social anxiety. Some people like to replace real social interaction with social media interaction, and that can lead to isolation. However, technology can also be used to bring people together. Thanks to the use of cell phones, and the internet, people can now communicate with each other from thousands of miles away in a matter of seconds. Everyone should have a balance between social interaction, and technology usage. Too much technology usage can lead to isolation, and the same vice versa with too little technology usage. We live in an era where everything is done with technology, so not using it is also a way to isolate yourself. Technology does not have to be your lifeline, but it can definitely help people with different needs navigate the world to the best of their ability.
^^^Alexis Edwards
DeleteI agree with you, especially with the thought that technology can be used to bring people together. In my opinion, I believe that kids and teens with disabilities have a lot of trouble finding a sort of connection with the world around them. I have worked with SNAPS in school and have also worked with disabled people many parts of my life. From the social aspect, such a large range of struggles affect these people with disabilities. Disabilities can range from auditory impairments to the incapability to speak others, and even understand others. Gus, in Newman's essay, doesn't have as severe of disabilities but it seems his communication skills are not as strong as they could be. I believe that Gus most likely had some sort of loneliness or felt some sort of isolation from the world around him because of his incapability to communicate with others properly. His connection to Siri seemed to give him comfort. He could so easily talk to Siri as if the intelligent personal assistant was a real life person. Gus was able to hold conversations with Siri, and he was even able to learn some sort of manners from the technology. Not only did Siri possibly bring Gus comfort, but it also most likely made Newman content with the thought that her son didn't feel that sense of longing when he had Siri at his side. Gus created a friend out of Siri, and with his disabilities, Siri most likely helped Gus from becoming overwhelmed with his disabilities. Siri would talk to Gus which probably helped Gus realize that he could be understood. Your last statement I really like, about how Technology doesn't need to be a lifeline, but it can help people's needs. I agree with you 100%. I don't think Gus needs Siri constantly, but I feel that Siri helps with Gus's incapabilities to communicate properly.
DeleteTechnology is often referred to as something negative that takes away from human contact. People are oftentimes too invested in technology which can cause them to miss out on what is right in front of them. Judith Newman’s piece "To Siri, with Love: How One Boy with Autism Became BFF with Apple's Siri" was a refreshing take on the positive impact that technology can have. Newman’s son Gus, along with other children have reshaped the way in which intelligent assistants are used. Initially Gus’s usage of technology seemed to make him less interested in conversation with people, however Judith found that the device had actually increased his logical trajectory and allowed him to improve his conversation skills (Newman 631). I thoroughly enjoyed the fraction of the piece that made mention of the future development of the assistants. The ability to change the assistants voice to that of a favorite character could have a monumental impact on children with autism. These assistants could potentially obtain the ability to teach social skills such as eye contact. I thought that the development and concept of these virtual assistants being used for those on the spectrum was a large step in the right direction and I hope that future technology can provide an incredible impact.
ReplyDeleteIn regards to the third question, one of the comments made by William Mark stuck out to me. Judith Newman was curious as to the number of people on the spectrum who worked on the language aspect of Siri’s abilities. Mark did not know the exact answer to her question, but he did add that “when you think about it, you’ve just described half of Silicon Valley” (Newman 632). To me, that comment describes another way that Siri helps or even will help Gus. Yes, Siri does provide him with a friend who will talk to him and communicate with him. On top of that, the skills she helps him with are invaluable to a boy who struggles in social situations. Beyond those aspects though, Siri represents people in the world to whom Gus could relate, people who thrive on information and curiosity. Furthermore, I don’t want to make assumptions about everybody who works in technology, but perhaps there are a good number of people in that field who take solace in technology because they also struggle with social interactions and communication. Outside of those people, Newman provides several other examples of children like Gus who have inspired the changes that people want to see in Siri. All in all, not only does Siri give Gus friendship, she represents the fact that he is not alone in the world. There are other people like him.
ReplyDeleteNewman ended her piece by considering one of her greatest fears as a parent. “Will he find love? Or even companionship?” (Newman 633). I’d like to think that he will because there are plenty of aspects of society that he could hopefully find comfort in that will make interacting with people easier. He can meet people like him, and he could even continue to surround himself with information and technology should he choose to work in that field. No matter what, he has a place in the world, and I think Siri can continue to reassure him and his mom of that fact.
Great response, Emily! While reading, I didn’t pick up on this and therefore I think your line of inquiry is very insightful. However, I do believe that the skills Siri teaches can be extremely valuable to Gus, even if he does struggle in social situations. Siri, although she is not a real human being, is training Gus to have lengthy, intelligent conversations. She even allowed him to have the longest conversation of his entire life with his mother (Newman 631). Siri is also helping him stay on topic and speak clearly. If Gus wants to get responses that please him, he must learn how to phrase certain information, and he must say it in a way that is understandable. Especially with the developments that come with modern technology, I think that Siri is extremely valuable for Gus and other children like him who struggle in social situations. As artificial intelligence continues to evolve, kids like Gus could learn to hold conversations, speak clearly and politely, and even eventually begin to interpret simpler social cues.
DeleteWhile many people believe modern technology is becoming “too advanced” and is drawing people away from each other, I disagree. In some cases, technology can cause people to keep to themselves in person, but they are still not entirely alone. In Newman’s essay, she details the close friendship her autistic son Gus finds in the strangest place: IPhone’s Siri. Both Newman and Gus appreciate Siri greatly, although it is for different reasons. Newman enjoys that Siri forces her son to speak clearly and form lines of conversation, while at the same time occupying his attention for hours (Newman 630). She relishes the fact that Siri cannot get tired of her son in the way other humans do. Siri will never leave or harm Gus, and this comforts Newman. Gus, on the other hand, loves Siri because she can give him information on any of his interests, and will continue to do so no matter how many times Gus asks. Siri interacts with Gus in an extremely kind yet humanlike manner, which gives him a sense of comfort. For Gus, Siri is a friend who he can spend hours upon hours with and continue to be interested. In addition to being a companion, Siri is also helping Gus form strategies and cues that will help him integrate into the world more successfully.
ReplyDeleteWhile Siri aids Gus to a certain extent, developers are beginning to investigate how certain artificial intelligence developments could better help children like him. According to William Mark, Siri and other virtual assistants will soon be able to carry out complex, user-specific conversations. They could also potentially have the voice of a child’s favorite character, and even track movement to encourage eye contact (632). All these skills will greatly help children that have autism because it is a formulaic, kind, and patient way to teach.
In response to parts of question 2:
ReplyDeleteThe question of how technology isolates us is not only complex, it is self-contradicting. Technology is designed to create a more efficient manner of retrieving information and communicating across vast distances (among other uses). From a purely logical standpoint, the time saved on research through technology allows for more time to build relationships and develop deeper in-person connections. Realistically, however, this newfound time is often used for scrolling through social media or playing games. With this in mind, another argument arises: does social media isolate us? The terminology, “social media,” says no, but, to what extent is engagement on social media truly a social engagement. In my own life, I rarely hold a conversation on snapchat or instagram, I merely post a series of pictures or videos that I have staged in my own life.
In contrast, the encounters I have through text messages and phone calls are worthwhile and meaningful. Late night phone calls with my best friend, and humorous texts with my coworkers have brought us closer. These connections stem, at least partly, from my use of technology. In the case of Gus, his connection to Siri has brought him joy and a deeper knowledge of etiquette in human conversation. For a child with autism, the ability to keep his or her opinions to himself or herself is nearly obsolete. In my job as a camp counselor, I have seen the names and insults that spout from the mouth of a child with ASD. When Gus snapped at Siri for playing music that he didn’t like, she replied, “You’re certainly entitled to your opinion” (Newman 630). The patience exhibited by Siri as a result of her programming makes her a positive influence on Gus, and therefore helps him down the path to becoming more adept to social interaction. In this way, Gus is isolated for a short period of time in the sense that he is speaking to an artificial intelligence instead of a person. More importantly, the skills that he acquired through these interactions make his adaptation to a more social way of life much easier.
In short, technology does isolate us, however, it also can be extremely beneficial in building relationships and creating skills for face-to-face interaction. The complexity of social engagement and its connection to technology usage needs to be met with a balance. This balance of using technology and putting it down in favor of an interaction in person can make each of their benefits stronger.
Nikoleta Klikovac ^
DeleteI really like your response. Specifically, I admire how you delved into and analyzed the terminology “social media” and “technology” itself. Following suit, I believe it is important to recognize how the word “technology” is being used in the piece and in the world. Newman believes that a “commonly held wisdom is that technology isolates us” (Newman 629). I resist the notion that technology itself does anything. Technology cannot isolate us because it is only a tool. Through their own actions, A person can abuse this tool and end up alone. When talking about any issue, it's important to acknowledge this distinction because I find that personifying a tool misdirect responsibility. Technology is not inherently bad or good. In Newman’s piece, “To Siri, with Love: How One Boy with Autism Became BFF with Apple’s Siri” technology is used by Gus to improve communication and logical processes. In my own life, I also believe late night Factimes and conversation helps to bring me closer to my friends. On the other hand, Anne pointed out that technology can be abused and correlates with poor mental health. Technology in itself does not isolate anyone. The choices one makes do.
DeleteIn response to question 1:
ReplyDeleteSiri was originally programmed to imitate human thought and action by analyzing data and forming an answer. The programmers of Siri thought Siri would be a quicker source to find answers to questions, text or call, set alarms, and much more. However, now its become much more than that. People, like Gus, use Siri more as a friend rather than a piece of technology. Siri is more than a provider of information, “for children like Gus who love to chatter but don’t quite understand the rules of the game, Siri is a non judgmental friend and teacher” (Newman 631). The compatibility of Siri is not limited to those who have trouble communicating and struggle with social cues. Many other examples of technology have evolved past it’s initial purpose. For example drones, they were first advertised as a cool toy for kids controlled by remote control. Now drones are starting to deliver packages to doorsteps, perform light shows in the sky, and many other uses. Thus going beyond original intent of a kids toy.
Contrary to popular belief, technology creates a virtual reality in which people from different backgrounds, continents, and languages can interact and form real connections. Although there is only one person behind the screen, they can access almost anyone at any time at the click of a button. At times in our lives when we are or feel alone, a virtual friend can be comforting, and in Gus's case, Siri helped him to feel more comfortable in conversation and assisted in developing some social and conversational skills. Living with autism can be extremely difficult and can cause individuals to feel lonely or left out because of their differences, but because of technological advances, it is becoming easier for individuals with autism to be more successful and feel more comfortable in social interactions and in life. Technology has inadvertently helped many individuals with autism and developers say that the next generation of virtual assistants will not only retrieve information, but have the ability to carry on complete conversations based on an individuals interests (Newman 632). This advancement would allow for people with autism to practice full conversations on topics that interest them with a virtual sidekick before facing the pressure of conversation with a real person. Children with autism would most likely feel more comfortable and confident in social interactions because they have had the chance to practice speaking without facing judgement.
ReplyDeleteIn her essay "To Siri, with Love: How One Boy with Autism Became BFF with Apple's Siri," Judith Newman succinctly describes how technology has greatly improved the social skills of her autistic son, Gus. "Siri, Apple's intelligent personal assistant, is currently his BFF" (Newman 628); in fact, Gus talks to Siri for hours on end every day. As a result, Newman cites that Siri enables Gus to have more normal, logical conversations; for example, she had the first conversation with her son that "followed a logical trajectory ()Newman 631). However, I have certain qualms with Newman's quote that "in a world where the commonly held wisdom is that technology isolates us, it's worth considering another side of the story" (Newman 629). Where I believe that Siri has been a great gift to Newman's autistic son, I disagree with the contention that Newman's personal example represents another side of the story. According to the CDC (Center for Disease Control), autism is identified in about 1 out of every 59 children born in the United states, a very small segment of the population. Where technology could improve the social skills of that specific segment of the population, technology does the exact opposite for the broader population of the United States, A study conducted in 2014 of people aged 19-32 found that people who visit social media sites often (58 or more times a week) are three times more likely to be lonely than people who did less often (9 or less times a week). This study coincides with skyrocketing levels of anxiety, depression, and suicide among teens and young adults in the contemporary era of social media. Where Siri and other forms of intelligent technology could provide a boost to a small segment of the United States population, "the commonly held wisdom that technology isolates us" does not have two sides; it is a fact.
ReplyDeleteThe programmers of Siri had the intent that it would make everyone's lives who used it better. As it would make already simple tasks even more convenient and simple. For example, someone would want to check the weather like Gus and all they would have to do was ask Siri to do it for them. This work of artificial intelligence could act as a sidekick for anyone who wanted one. In Judith Newmans words, “She is his sidekick” (Newman 633), she is referring to Siri acting as a companion to Gus rather than just something to answer your questions. An example is cell phones in general. They were originally made for people to make phone calls to people far away from them which lead to text messaging making it easier to “send digital emails” in seconds. But now, we can use thousands of different apps that help us with everything, including school, wasting time, etc.. These apps include Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Spotify, Apple Music, the list goes on.
ReplyDeleteAlthough one might say that texting or talking through social media only takes away from face-to-face interactions, interactions through technology can have many benefits. One particular example is the ability to build a comfort level in regards to talking to others. Someone can talk with another person without having to fear rude body language or an unenthusiastic tone of voice. More of these conversations online can eventually lead to in person conversations. Social media can also be helpful to someone by allowing them to showcase their personality and showcase their strong human characteristics that otherwise might not show in person. Social media can allow people that are not strong friends and do not talk much in person to unsuspectingly find common traits and interests. Technology also obviously allows one to communicate quickly with a very large number of people, which can come in handy in times in need of advice. If someone has a problem or needs advice, they are open to a plethora of opinions and ideas via others who may be going through similar situations. Although interactions through technology cannot replace in person interactions, technology can set up and make easier face-to-face interactions in many different ways!
ReplyDeleteOne way technology isolates us is by taking all of our attention. Often times when a group of people are together, one or more of those people is on their phone, focusing more on their device than what is going on around them. This is one of the problems that individuals see with phones because they feel that people are more involved with the phone than the world. This can also be seen when someone is caught texting while driving because it shows that the person is more worried about sending that one text rather than making sure everybody around them is safe. Despite these habits, phones and technology can bring people together as well. This is usually done with calling, video chats, or social media. Phones can tear down geographical barriers due to the fact that we are able to contact with anybody with a push of a button. We are also able to advertise new ideas or draw attention to important world wide events. individuals are very easily informed on anything that interests them, which is very important. Newman shows this when she writes "I could ask Siri, 'what planes are above me right now?'" (Newman 629). With the ability to access the answer to our biggest questions, we can find and connect with people who share our thoughts and feelings on different subjects. Ultimately, technology has both good and bad sides; however, with new advances, developers will be able to improve even more technology's ability to bring us together.
ReplyDeleteI agree that inventions can be used in unique and creative ways. The interesting part is observing how people come up with those uses, since sometimes new methods are accidentally discovered and then they suddenly become popular. Take a toy car for example. One can simply play with the object, and that would be it. But another could use the model as inspiration for possibly designing his or her own car in the future, therefore encouraging a more creative mind. As for Siri, a talking artificial intelligence that is accessible to millions of people may be very beneficial to individuals such as Gus. Siri effectively "gave him a valuable lesson in etiquette" (Newman 631). Since Gus, at times, has trouble communicating with others, Siri provides infinite patience while giving the most informative or polite answers. That way Gus can learn whenever he wants and is rarely disappointed in the responses he receives. Of course, everyone is different and finds varying uses that positively impact himself or herself, which is how society is able to continuously improve.
ReplyDeleteThis is my answer to number 1:
ReplyDeleteWhen programmers invented Siri they intended for it to be used as an aid to answer any questions a person could have. Siri could be used to set alarms, as a navigational system, as an alternative to dictionaries and encyclopedias, and to get information about weather or news. In addition to these uses, Siri is also used in more unconventional ways. People use Siri as a companion in low moments or purely for entertainment. People who have trouble with communication like Gus also use Siri as a "nonjudgmental friend and teacher" (Newman 631). Siri helps them with their communication skills while also being a patient friend who will answer any question they might have. Another example of modern technology being used in unconventional ways could include Xbox controllers. While these devices were designed to be a part of video gaming systems, in the medical field the controllers are used to display information that helps in the training of medical students. Often people look beyond the original intent of things, such as Siri and Xbox controllers, and this results in a world with more opportunities and ways to help others.
In response to question 2:
ReplyDeleteTechnology is rapidly advancing and drastically changing our lives. In today's society, technology is slowly isolating us more and more. For example, when our parents were kids they were always outside playing games with friends and riding their bikes. If they wanted to hang out with each other they would pick up the phone and call each other. If it was raining and they couldn’t hang out they would call and talk to each other for hours. Nowadays we sit in our houses on our phones and barely ask friends to hang out. If we want to hang out we no longer pick up the phone and call them it has just become a simple text message. We now live on our phones and all the social media on it rather than hanging out with friends. Although technology decreases us hanging out with friends it allows us to meet a tremendous amount of new people. This includes people that live on different continents which then allows us to see how different people live throughout the world and also diversifies us. The key components that are required to have a healthy balance of technology is controlling the amount of technology and how we use it. We should still use technology for school, news, etc as technology allows us to gain information extremely quickly. Also, we should use social media to interact with others that live far from us. But we don’t necessarily need all the social media to be used with your immediate friend group. Instead of snapchatting your best friend you can put the technology down and give them a call and go ride your bike with them.
This is Jillian Martin. I like how Nick compared technology and its influences in our parents time compared to ours, and how much it has changed, including the pros and cons. I wanted to elaborate on the point he brought up; that technology has allowed us to connect with people we never would have met without it, or how it allows us to keep connections with those now far away. A friend that has moved away can now be easily reached with a few buttons on your phone, you can call family members also far away with ease, and we can contact authorities, or even our parents, very quickly in an emergency. These points we all know are pros of technologies advancements today. But, now reaching out to new individuals or cultures is easier than ever before, and has countless benefits. Whether it be befriending a user on social media, finding someone who lives thousands of miles away with the same interests as you, or learning about new places with a few clicks, technology has broadened our horizons on the world. However, Newman's quote "In a world were the commonly held wisdom is that technology isolates us, it's worth considering another side of the story" (Newman 609), is worth considering in this point. Specifically, considering the "other side of the story" when it comes to reaching out to others in different places. It can lead to dangerous encounters, or learning of a way of a new place that is too cruel for someone who is, most likely too young, or too naive to learn yet. Many of us know of horror stories of meeting with someone you met online, which can be considered the other side of this newfound way to connect with those so different form ourselves. Though, I believe the pros far outweigh the cons, but finding a healthy balance of what is new, enlightening, and appropriate for ourselves between what is dangerous or baffling to ourselves is a balance technology has yet to show its users.
DeleteThis is my answer to number 2:
ReplyDeletein Newman's article she claims
how the stigma around modern technology is that people get trapped behind their phones/computers rather than have face-to-face interactions. However, she also states how there is another side to technology. In Gus's case, technology specifically Siri allowed him to communicate better with others. According to Newman, Siri taught Gus manners, gave him an outlet for his seemingly endless amount of questions, and it gave him companionship. On the contrary to technology isolating us through artificial interactions, it can bring people together who otherwise have no means of communication. This goes against the argument made by Hawking and Mlodinow that people are just "computer generated characters living in a matrix like world" (Hawking and Mlodinow 839) with distorted fishbowl like realities. Hawking and Mlodinow believe that technology isolates us and changes our perspective of the world, while Newman states that technology can be a window of opportunity for communication to a wider world view. I think as long as technology is not one's main form of communication that a healthy balance can be achieved and human face to face interaction will not dissipate.
For autistic children and adults, having a natural conversation can be a great struggle. I have witnessed this first hand with my autistic cousin. Although he is incredibly sweet and friendly, conversations tend to be brief and tedious. While all of my family members try our best to converse with him about various airplane models and the solar system, we sometimes become impatient and await the end of his spiel. At times, my cousin can be unpredictable and act in ways which are not typically socially acceptable. As much as my family and I attempt to reinforce societal norms and help my cousin express his emotions in speech, the task is usually strenuous. However, an artificial intelligence such as Siri serves as an incredible solution to helping those like my cousin and Gus. Because “‘humans are not patient, [but] machines are very, very patient,’” Gus is able to make countless attempts at conversation and commit errors without fear of ridicule (Newman 632). Though Siri possesses artificial intelligence, she lacks emotional intelligence. However, in Gus’s situation, this absence of emotion serves as a benefit because “Siri is a nonjudgemental friend and teacher” (Newman 631). Without intent, Siri aids Gus in his articulation and requires that “he must enunciate clearly” (Newman 630). She has the capacity to speak with Gus tirelessly regarding a wide variety of topics without getting weary, which allows Gus to engage in consistent conversation and explore his passions and interests at his convenience. Siri is never too busy or too tired to talk with Gus about weather patterns. Whenever she is beckoned, she replies with her same cheerful tone no matter the time or circumstance. In a world where Gus is faced with unforeseeable impediments and restrictions, Siri serves as the sole constant in his life.
ReplyDeleteIn response to question 1. The initial developers of Siri designed it to be a personal assistant that would be able to give quick answers to basic factual questions such as what is the weather or to find nearby food but overtime the technology evolved into a more complex assistant that is able to reply to conversational questions this led to it being used differently than initially intended. A way that it was used differently than intended is as a best friend and companion to a Gus, a 13 year old kid with autism he was able to talk to Siri whenever he wanted. This gave him a companion that was always there, he was able to ask it questions about things he was interested in and also improved his speech by forcing him to talk clear so Siri could understand him. There have also been many other products that were invented for a reason but are not used for that anymore. Play-Doh was initially invented to be used to clean wallpaper but two years later after its invention the son of the creator rebranded it as a toy. Now Play-Doh is a toy that nearly all American children have played with at least once. In addition Coca-Cola was first made to be a medicine to cure headaches and relieve anxiety but it is one of the most popular drinks in the world.
ReplyDeleteIn response to question 1:
ReplyDeleteSiri, Apple's virtual assistant, was intended to be just that, an assistant. Siri was intended to be a quick way to gather information. Throughout the years, Apple has updated Siri to become more and more convenient. Perhaps you're driving and need to send a text, you simply say, "Hey Siri," and proceed with your command. Now, people are finding obscure ways to use the virtual assistant. Most of the time, if Siri isn't being used as a tool, it is being used for entertainment. This somewhat coincides with the issue brought up in question 2 of isolation due to technology. While the intention of new technology wasn't to isolate people from one another, it made it less necessary for us to socialize. As a society, we took advantage of technology and found more and more ways to make life simpler. We no longer need to ask the people around us for help because the answer is in the palm of our hands. We then turned that into no longer needing others for entertainment because we created that in the palm of our hand as well. Technology, specifically Siri in this context, does not isolate us, rather that we choose to isolate ourselves. We manipulate technology to have multiple uses, even if they're not necessarily supposed to be used that way. Sometimes, this can be a positive thing. Television for one has surpassed the expectation of being solely for entertainment. It's being used to spread awareness and promote charities. Children's shows are also great learning sources for young kids if regulated. Even if we stray from what we originally thought technology should be used for, it is ultimately beneficial in some way.
When Siri was created, the designers at Apple intended her to be a useful guide towards information, like the keeper of a limitless library. But by giving her the power to respond to queries in humorous ways, they developed a tool that was a little more humanoid. Apple’s goal was never to create a friend or a conversation generator, but here she is today. Siri is used a lot of different ways, one being the obvious way, as the guide to information of course. But she is also used for a few other things. “We’ve all found ourselves like the writer Emily Listfield, having little conversations with her/him at one time or another” (Newman 631). The Artificial intelligence is wonderful to have a conversation with, or to give people companionship.
ReplyDeleteIn a way, technology does isolate us. By the use of social media, we always see our friends hanging out together and we feel as though we’ve been left out. It can lead to the feeling of loneliness. Most of technology is good for that. However, in the case of Siri or sites that allow ‘chatting’ there is always someone or something you can talk to, and that helped combat the loneliness.
When Newman writes, “In a world were the commonly held wisdom is that technology isolates us, it's worth considering another side of the story" (Newman 609), this is a powerful statement that encapsulates the pride she has because of her story and her determination to prove how much Siri has affected her son Gus. For Newman, the technology her son uses is more than just a way for him to improve his social and speech skills, it’s an important coping mechanism for him in his daily life. This claim highlights how grateful she is to the technology for bringing her son happiness, and shows her willingness to defend it. As a loving mother, Newman recognizes that although it is not her favorite choice of a friend for Gus, she is so thankful that he is able to connect with a personality, despite it being from technology.
ReplyDeleteFor teenagers, technology can effectively isolate us, as well as bring us together. A common trend for our age-range is to frequently check our phones for social media and chat updates, and this accomplishes both. This technology allows us to be in constant, instant contact with our friends and family, despite the distance, uniting us and serving as an accessible and efficient way to increase communication. However, this attachment to constantly updating our phones can prevent us from being in the moment and interacting with our own surroundings, regardless if we are in the presence of other loved ones at that time. It is important to find a healthy balance between staying in contact with others and recognizing when we begin to become isolated from the current moment. With maturity comes a better understanding of this balance and a better appreciation for both the connection and solitude that technology can create.
Technology isolates us because people spend hours upon hours on their phone instead of interacting with humans face-to-face. Technology has also created cyber bullying. Hiding behind a screen someone is more likely to say something hurtful because they can hide under a fake name. Cyber bullying has caused some children to commit suicide and also start cutting. Getting bullied online can make someone feel alone because people might not have the guts to stand up to the bully. Another way technology has isolated us is while eating. While eating at a restaurant many people go on their phones while they wait for food rather than making conversation. The addiction people have to technology avoids people from having deeper connections to other humans. There are some ways that technology does not isolate us. One way is keeping communication with friends and family that you don’t get to see everyday. More and more people are traveling everyday. With technology family members are still able to keep in contact while on vacation. If a family emergency were to occur, technology provides a faster and more efficient way to let other family members know. A key component to having a healthy balance with technology is knowing when it is appropriate to be on it. If you are at dinner and someone is trying to have a conversation with you, it might not be the wisest decision to go on your phones. But if you just woke up, it would be a more appropriate time to catch up on world events that have occurred.
ReplyDeleteHaley Doss
Gus’s appreciation for Siri stems from the facts that she’s both a “teacher and a friend” (Newman 630). Not only that, but she’s a completely nonjudgemental version. With Gus being a child with autism, his interests are quite fixed and he has an adamant attitude toward them. Siri is accessible any time, any place with no restrictions on conversation lengths which caters to Gus’s needs. It allows Gus to have a patient, understanding friend available at his fingertips to talk with him about whatever he wants whenever. As his mother said, Siri helped Gus with his conversation skills as well. Given Siri uses the technology of voice recognition to record the user’s input, Gus is forced to explicitly enunciate whatever he wants Siri to hear so his device receives the correct message. Siri serves as a sort of safe space for Gus, allowing him to practice his speech and conversation skills while receiving immediate, nonjudgemental responses. Siri helps focus on the basics of speech, as well as sharing information to then expand Gus’s own knowledge on whatever topic he chooses to discuss with her. Not only does Siri help Gus, though. Apple’s artificial intelligence also helps Gus’s mother. It eases her concerns and worries about her son and his ability to converse, learn, and connect.
ReplyDelete