Web 2.0

I think the video raised some very good questions and concerns about our changing technology, and our communication and thinking as a result. As a society we are growing more and more dependent upon technology, and more specifically, the web. It has become our source of communication, reference, and advertisement. We have become so dependent upon signing into an account and relying on that for functioning in our daily lives. Facebook, e-mail, Blackboard and Wikipedia are all we feel like we need these days. In an instant we can send a mass message to any and every one who we need to get in touch with. There is an endless supply of information for research or simply for our own curiosity.

The title mentions that we are the machine. This is true in every aspect. We use the resource, post and add to websites, and ultimately expand the dependency upon the web every time we use it. Without hesitation or a second thought the majority of the time we would rather send an email than make a personal visit or even a phone call. It is a source of convenience for us. We post blogs and 'status updates' for anyone to see into our lives. This raises a great concern for safety. The web provides numerous tools for people to find anything about us that they really want to know. I saw a newscast recently about a new GPS-type website that would virtually drive you through a town. Instead of simply printing Mapquest directions listed in steps, it would also show a video from Point A to Point B. While this is an amazing step in technology and can help people, it also is a wonderful tool for those would are potentially dangerous. All a person needs is an ending address and he or she can see the entire route to the potential victim's home.

We have to determine whether the benefits of the web outweigh the potential dangers and losses. Communication has become fairly informal, and only continues to grow in that direction as we feed the internet. Will we eventually lose paper all together? Will people depend on video-chat in placement of visiting family and friends? Is getting an email from a significant other just as meaningful as a hand-written and mailed letter? These are all issues that are being dealt with and as of now, it depends on the person using the web. But I think we are moving towards a unified web-dependent society. As long as there are people using the internet, we will continue to feed it, and potentially lose once valued communication skills.

Introduction

I'm Sarah, and I'm a junior with a management major and advertising minor. I'm a member of the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority and am also involved in Clemson Dancers and FCA. I love to travel and was lucky enough to have the opportunity to study abroad in Europe this summer. I hope to find a temporary job in a big city after I graduate, but would like to return to my hometown, Greenville, for a more permanent career.

I have been dancing since I was four, and love to learn new styles while improving on the old. It's sort of my escape from reality. There are few things more rewarding than working on a routine for months and performing it, knowing that the hard work has paid off. I swam from 3rd grade until my senior year of high school, and still enjoy it. I most recently took up running, and finished my first half marathon in the Spring. I have plans to run another one this October. I have always been very involved in Youth Group, and hope to intern as a Youth adviser/leader at my church this coming summer.

I'm looking forward to working with a client to gain some hands-on experience with 'business writing.' Helping Hands is a part my sorority's philanthropy, and I would really enjoy getting to work even more behind the scenes in addition to visiting the children's home.