Forum Replies Created
-
Posts
-
I would trust Rheingold due to his pedigree working at the Institute of Noetic Sciences, which is a non-profit research institute that researches topics such as meditation, consciousness, psychic abilities etc., and Xerox PARC, which is now just known as the Palo Alto Research Center, which is known for developments such as laser printing, Ethernet, GUI and object oriented programming (Wikipedia_Howard_Rheingold biography). When utilizing his theory of Crap Detection, it is sound logically and I have already used some of the sites he mentions such as FactCheckedED.org in other courses.
The style of writing is engaging and not too technical, which is unusual for a book that covers a topic that is technical in nature. Over the years of reading technical manuals from various software companies such as Adobe, and Lino-Type Hell, texts that cover technical information tend to be very dry and hardly readable. Howard Rheingold has the ability to translate obtuse information into a format that is readable and enjoyable.
My experience and engagement historically allows me to read technical materials and find them interesting and informative without losing my ability to absorb the material presented. I feel that depending on the subject matter and the relevance of the material directly relates to the amount of time I would fact check the author, source and facts. If it is a topic of importance to me personally or for a class, I would delve further into a topic rather than just accept it as fact, especially when it is found online.
Even when coming from so-called trusted sources like major media outlets, you can see many times that in a news topic that is dynamic, like 911 or Virginia Tech, the media overplays their reporting without gathering all the facts before releasing them as “News”.
This is why I will delve into a topic to see if it is just a repeat from a single source that is bouncing around the web, if it is important enough to me to research. If I were to research everything as Rheingold seems to suggest, that would become a full time job for anyone. Therefore, I think we should consider his suggestions and advice and apply the techniques as needed.
-
I’ll discuss Koan 3: There is Want in the Midst of Plenty. As discussed in the text, search engines have become the first place that people look for information, which appears to date this textbook which was written in 2008.
As the author states (p. 8), “In the process, appearing prominently in search results has become a matter of life and death for businesses.”
This statement is very true due to how the big players, such as Google, has monetized SEO (Search Engine Optimization). If you don’t pay, you can help your rankings through proper SEO techniques, but you are pretty much guaranteed higher placement when you pay Google a monthly fee.
When surveying my customers, I’ve found that people don’t go beyond the second page of listings anymore. If you don’t appear in the first 1-4 spots, the chances of anyone clicking on your website is slim and the further down in the listings, the less chance of a click-through.
At some point I see rankings in search engines becoming an auction format. The more you’re willing to pay, you’ll be able to buy your placement versus actual content being of value to the potential customer.
In another statement from the author (p. 9), “If it can’t be found-and found quickly – it’s just as though it doesn’t exist at all.”
I must agree that the paradox exists in that the more information there is, the less there is. The amount of data on the web has seriously hurt the publishing industry as a whole. Many newspapers have cut jobs and production or have switched to solely online versions due to lack of readership. And in the true nature of a koan, more can indeed mean less. Online articles seem to be limited in a space that should encourage in-depth coverage of a topic and instead seems to be structured in the TV media length segments. This is only true with national media giants such as CNN.com and others. Bloggers can delve into a topic for pages and provide details that aren’t covered by media giants.
The Koan does make a person evaluate how more can be less. As the web continues to grow, it seems like there is less information- such as data and research information than unlimited sites trying to sell you something related to your search. Academics,in my experience, seem to despise Wikipedia, which many times has newer data on a topic with more branches than the WVU library sources. I feel that both are useful and everything from everywhere MUST be fact checked in the digital age. -
I found the exercise to clear your mind and focus on breathing a valuable tool to try out. It makes sense that once a person learns to practice Zen meditation, that focus will improve overall (Rheingold pg. 72). This is a critical skill for me to learn, especially when studying.
As with Jen, I am self-employed and in order to concentrate on work/reading, I have to turn off my email and the TV. It is very easy struggle with overload due to media interruptions.
Although I’m not a fan of much of the social networking that is available,my daughter is capable of studying, listening to music and texting all at the same time. This amazes me in her ability to multitask and retain all the different stimuli.
-
This reply was modified 9 years, 4 months ago by
mike sopranik.
-
This reply was modified 9 years, 4 months ago by
-
I’m Mike Sopranik. I’m in my senior year in the RBA program and as a business owner, I look to discover new ways of communicating with my clients and advertising my business through this course.
-
Hi all. I’m Mike Sopranik, enrolled in the RBA program. I operate two businesses- a computer consulting firm (Mac-based) and a Private Investigation firm.
I’m interested in what I can gain from this course to enhance my business options. -
Ashley,
You covered the topic very well in my opinion. As you said about good enough to settle a bar bet vs. evidence… I agree that it is critical to dig deeper into the source, facts and impartiality of anything that is on the internet. If the topic is important enough to research, then it is important enough to fact check. -
jsears3,
As computer software continues to develop, especially AI, Artificial Intelligence, computers will eventually become self aware and that can truly have dire consequences such as the Terminator movies were based upon. A Department of Defense contractor is currently developing a terminator type of warrior that is a robot that can operate with minor command structure.
Although a tool, computers are developing at an exponential rate, unheard of since the Industrial Revolution began. They are becoming smarter, with machines learning to repair themselves and even build new machines.
The problem that I can see us encountering eventually is that logic and reason are totally separate entities. It may be illogical to have billions of people on the planet using finite resources, while it is reasonable to allow everyone to have the right to exist, even in the face of dwindling resources.
In this scenario, it could likely that while logic is inherent in computer computations, reason isn’t something that can be programmed into a software program. -
JenM,
I too have struggled with distractions while working at home. It can be too quiet and then that distracts me, which is still better than having my email up and running or the TV on.
It is too easy to for me to get distracted from a source of media that is always competing for my attention-which I have too little of to begin with.I’ve started practicing the mind clearing exercise that is mentioned in Reingold’s book. I’ll have to see how it works over time.
-
Hi Julie,
I spend a lot of time in Circuit Court, just in KY. Sounds like you have a full plate all the time, as I do. Good luck this semester!
