Katrina Hayes   

Professor Warren

February 23, 2014

ENC 1102

                                                                       “A Digital World”

“Soon the digital divide will not be between the haves and the haves not. It will be between the know-hows and the non-know hows.”- Howard Rheingold

                As I reflect on the film A Digital Nation, I realize more and more every day that the digital world is quickly taking over many peoples’ lives. While some people may be in denial about digital world taking over, I have witnessed otherwise; I have family and friends who are caught up in the hype. There are pros and cons about the digital experience; some abuse it while other just use it. 

             In today’s society the digital world has an effect on people of all ages. It’s so bad that people are actually losing their jobs and families over it. “Concerning family problems caused by Internet addiction, family relationships are seriously disrupted by Internet addicts due to the decrease in time spending with family, reluctance of performing family duties such as doing household chores, and increase of conflicts with family in the negotiation for time spent on the Internet. “( Shek D., Sun R., Yu L.: Internet Addiction)  I have to admit I did get caught up in the fiasco; I had to get it under control quick. Often times I would find myself always on the phone. Either I was texting, on Facebook and more recently, Instagram. I would spend hours on phone not paying attention at work or school. I remember growing up we did not have all the devices we have access to now such as IPad, IPod, Laptops and IPhone. This generation is so spoiled and don’t even realize it. 

            Children today have everything at their fingertips, all we had growing up were each other and playing outside.  I have a friend whose daughter is only seven years old and he has a cellphone not just any phone but an IPhone. I was shocked when I saw her with that device, I could not believe she actually purchased that expensive kind of phone. I have noticed that more preteen children have cellphones
today, I understand the reason why some parents purchase them but are they using them with good intentions.  I did not get my first cellphone until I was nineteen years  old . My parents were old school
and they were not familiar with the upcoming digital era.  Concern about kids' use of technology is
nothing new; concern over my own child's use of technology is. (Rebecca Jackson CEO of Good
Parent, Inc., psychometrist, author of The Learning Habit (Aug. 2014).  

           While watching the documentary, I saw how some people were addicted to online games.  One lady stated that she quit her job because she wanted to play her game instead of work and that’s sad.  Video games are a common problem to this generation both online and actual video game boxes. I did not receive my first Nintendo system until my senior year of high school, while all my peers had video games I had the great outdoors, my bicycle and my toys. Unlike some parents today my parents made sure I had the experience of being a normal kid and trying to keep me grounded on the important things that life had to offer. I took piano lessons, learned how to play the clarinet where I was the section leader in the band, and playing outside instead of being in house playing video games was the life to me. I had to do those things while living under my parents’ roof and I am grateful for the disciple growing up. It was said during the documentary that, ”Constantly playing video games shrink your brain to think.”  Children should "feel the grass under their feet" rather than play addictive computer games which can  
harm their mental development, a scientist said. (The Telegraph By Nick Collins, Science
Correspondent) I have a teenage nephew who is constantly on his phone or laptop playing video games almost every day for several hours it’s like he is in a zone while playing it. I would call him for hours and he does not answer it’s like his mind is gone. I would ask him to do something and it’s like I never said anything at all. When I saw the fifteen year old kid who dropped from the top part of his class to the bottom within a year, that reminded me of my nephew and I knew it was time to reach out to him about his habit. I knew he was struggling with school because there have been times where my brother had to take his phone and laptop away for a while. He claims he has stopped playing the games as much and he is more focused on his studies. Only time will tell.

        Some will admit that devices have made us lazy. This may be true because it’s more convenient. There are so many apps now, you can even fill out job applications online. There is even Skype, video chat and face time there is no need to talk face to face, just connect to the internet and chat; it’s all at our finger tips. Within fifty years technology has changed and I honestly believe within the next fifty years it will change again. Being a part of the Digital World is not all bad, there is some good in as well. Some people have reconnected with love ones, found love ones and found true love social media sites. Some may think otherwise you just have to be mindful of what you are doing when it comes to the Digital World. One this for sure is the New Age Technology is about to completely take over and I am most definitely ready for the ride.

 

Katrina Hayes

Journal #3

02/14/2014

 

 

 

                It never really crossed my mind how much the cyber world as taken over some people lives, until I watched the documentary Digital Nation. It really opened my eyes about some things that are going on in today’s society. I have to admit I have become a victim of the digital nation fiasco, often times I find myself texting instead of calling. Often times I am always on Facebook, Instagram , Twitter and internet all from my phone it has become a bad habit, I used to judge my friends for always being in the social media sites now I am just as bad as they are on those sites. I grew up in the 80’s-90’s era the only fun we had was outdoors and limited video games, internet was not as popular and accessible as it is now. Growing up my parents made sure I stayed active in other activities such as band, piano and chorus I did not have an option to stay indoors and play video games for hours. I did not receive my first video game until I was in High School all my friends had them much younger my parents were strict and made sure I knew what it was like to be a kid. It seems like every other month there is a new device out and some people stand in lines for hours sometimes even days to keep up with the times of the world. It  is all  about keeping up with the times, and the way the world is moving forward,  I personally don’t have a problem with the digital nation it has its pros and cons some people may use it for good and others for bad I just refuse to get caught up in all the hype and completely lose myself.

Katrina Hayes   

Journal 2

02/08/2014

 

 

                On my birthday October 15, 1980;  There was an article published title “Child Wounded on Sniping on a City Bus in  Dallas”.  Elisia Williams was only 8 years old she was and shot in the back of the head two others were injured. This was a result of a strike by drivers and mechanics against the Dallas Transit System. I can only image how the child’s mother felt on that day, the same day my mother was giving birth to her little girl somewhere else another mother is faced with the possibility of losing her daughter. On the same day in Atlanta, the Mayor of Atlanta was trying to assure the city black’s that feared an explosion that occurred the day before in a low income neighborhood that it was an accident. There were four black children and one adult killed during that explosion, because of this explosion there was a feeling of frustration and a feeling of isolation in the community. It was later discovered that the explosion may have been in result of a faulty heat control valve. This is another situation where parents lost their babies around the same time my parents were   preparing to bring me in the world. I am quite sure those parents will never forget that day even to this day they may be affected by that tragic day. Also on this day there was an article about raising a daughter with a credit card the writer was reflecting on her childhood and how she wasn’t taught the traditional way of becoming a woman. She reflects about not being taught how to cook, clean or even iron clothes. She was pretty much taught how to be a girly girl as she stated “a rich man’s plaything”. While out shopping in Bloomingdale’s with her daughter and friends she realized she was headed down path of raising her daughter to “a rich man’s plaything” and not being an independent woman. She did eventually teach her how to cook and clean also how to be a classy lady as well.  Although the first two

articles the mothers did not get a chance to raise their daughters and to teach them how to act like a lady, in the last article she was able to get it right.

 

Around the nation. (1980, Oct 15). New York Times (1923-Current File). Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/121091281?accountid=45782

 

 

By CAROL, E. R. (1980, Oct 15). Raising a daughter with a credit card. New York Times (1923-Current File). Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/121075396?accountid=45782

 

               

 

Gallery Essay

 “Photography is an act of observation. It has little to do with the things you see and everything to  do with the way you see them.”- Elliot Emitt

 

   On January 21, 2014 I had the opportunity to experience The Art Gallery exhibit at Kent Campus for the first time. I was very excited when I heard the Professor announce to the class that we would attend the event. As I approached the entrance of the gallery; I knew that it would be a night I would

never forget.  The submissions were very creative and unique and the talent displayed were remarkable. I left the exhibit happy and very grateful for the experience.

   As I walked around looking at the art work, there were four submissions that caught my attention. The first piece I saw and liked was Priceless Moment by Kim Beaulieu, it was a picture of an older couple walking along the beach holding hands with their dog in tow. I felt the calmness, and peacefulness and the love shared between them. At that moment I realized that I want to have a husband that I can grow old with, and share moments together with just the two of us calm and peaceful at our age. Also, he would hold my hand and walk with me so that I won’t walk alone.

  The second piece I noticed was Daddy’s Little Girl by Savannah Dobbs. It was a picture of a father holding his baby daughter in the palm of his hands. The innocence of the baby captured my eye; it was very sweet. It showed protection and the love from a father, and how he will always be there for her. I am a Daddy’s girl and he protects me, he is always there for me through good and bad times. He definitely has me in the palm of his hands at age 33. In addition, I know I can count on him; I will always be his little girl.

    The third piece About That Life by Kenny Keane showed a student walking down the hallway. That represents progression in education; a journey to achieve academic success. I am that student in the hall working to achieve my goal to become a Nurse, I took a ten year break to figure some things out but, now I am most definitely about that life.

  The fourth piece was my overall favorite, The Mask by Savannah Dobbs. The piece showed  darkness and a person hiding behind a mask. In today’s society so many people hide in the dark behind a  mask. They hide who they really are and most times it is to cover something up or pretend to be something they are not. In my years of adulthood I have met a number of people who try to cover up their past or present hurt and or fears, sometimes you have to remove the mask and be the real you. I have a favorite saying, “What’s done in the dark will come to the light.” I tell people that all the time when I know they are behind that mask.

    Overall, I enjoyed my first visit to an Art Gallery exhibit where my fellow peers were able to display their talents for other to see. In addition to I wish there were more submissions to view. It was a very exhibit, as I left I was happy that I had the chance to attend. Now I have a different view of Art and I will never forget that night.