Thursday, December 4, 2014
TWIF Flattener #10 - The Steroids
Use one of the current events sources linked at http://svhs-hwc-spring2015.blogspot.com/2014/12/approved-sources-for-twif-current.html to find a recent news article that relates to, supports, or refutes Friedman's assertion that the steroids were "flatteners." Your comment should include the title of the news article, a link to the article, and a summary of the article including an explanation of how the article relates to this point. Don't forget to check your rubric for evaluation criteria!
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"Drone Technology: Winging it"
ReplyDeleteFriedman's last flattener refers to technological advances that he calls "steroids." Friedman writes, "as a result of these steroids, engines can now talk to computers, people can talk to people, computers can talk to computers and people can talk to computers farther, faster, more cheaply and more easily than ever before." Amazon and Google made progress on a prototype drone with the ability to deliver small packages. These drones possess the potential for a monumental impact on society. They could be used to transport medicine and food during natural disasters and war. Because people can communicate with these drones and use them almost as carrier pigeons, this article addresses friedman's point. Through the updated technology, people and machines can communicate to make one machine do the work of countless humans.
"Time for a Pause"
ReplyDeletehttp://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/07/opinion/thomas-friedman-time-for-a-pause.html?_r=0
Friedman states that "Steroids" are things of wireless and easy file sharing. These events could be done anytime by anyone. The iCloud is a perfect representation of this. The iCloud is a place where file sharing can be used between your own devices. However as it says in this article, people may be able to get to another person's files through this. "In late August 2014, nude photos believed to have been stored by celebrities on Apple’s iCloud were spilled onto the sidewalk.". This statement shows that another human from a totally different place can go into another person iCloud and take another person's personal things. This "steroid" is that data can just be put up into thin air where if someone really wanted to get to them they could. The iCloud is a easy file sharing host that is a "steroid" in today's society, it may seem safe but it may also not be. This means that Friedman's thoughts about steroids are still being tested in some spots because, a thing like the cloud is a great place to share files but it can be corrupted.
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ReplyDelete"Timeline: 50 Years of Hard Drives"
ReplyDeletehttp://www.pcworld.com/article/127105/article.html
In the final flattener, which Friedman calls “The Steroids”, he discusses digital, mobile, personal, and virtual advances in technology. Friedman states, “inputting and outputting data have leaped ahead at a staggering rate. At the speeds that disk drives operated back in the early days of 286 and 386 chips, it would have taken about a minute to download a single photo.” Over the past fifty years, however, these advancements in hard drives and other storage devices have changed at an extraordinary rate. In 1956, the first hard drive could only hold up to 5 megabytes of data and the hard drive itself was as large as two refrigerators. Then five decades later, companies are able to develop one inch hard drives that are capable of holding 12 gigabytes of data. These hard drives in modern days can download content at unbelievable rates compared to when they were being developed for the first time.
"Hot Spots, Big City"
ReplyDeletehttp://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/10/opinion/linknyc-should-provide-wi-fi-to-all-corners-of-the-city.html?_r=0
The last flattener that Friedman talks about is called "The Steroids," where the steroids are different parts of one large part that will ultimately connect the world like it never was before. These steroids will also benefit and increase the efficiency of the other flatteners that he mentions. In a part of this flattener, Friedman talks about how in Japan, his colleague, can access the internet from any place, even on a bullet train traveling 150 mph. This article talks about the possibility of New York City, New York receiving the same kind of upgrade that Japan had while Friedman was there writing this book. The mayor in NYC is considering a 200 million dollar project where every single street in NYC will be connected to fast and free internet. This idea being so that everyone can easily connect to one another, in a manner that everyone will use. They plan to use advertising in order to generate enough money to payback the project, considering this kind of upgrade will definitely flatten NYC, and the world along with it.
“Getting the most out of Apple iOS 8” http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/monkey-cage/wp/2014/11/25/tweeting-ferguson-how-social-media-can-and-can-not-facilitate-protest/
ReplyDeleteThe tenth flattener that Friedman explains is described as “steroids.” These steroids are referring to mobile, digital, and digital technology and how it has began to flourish. While holding a cell phone, one is holding more power in their hands than any computer invented 15 years ago. With the use of cellphones and computers, data can be connected and shared all throughout the world. In recent modern years, the invention of the smartphone has grown and expanded the opportunities and power of users. This article explains the new software for the Apple iPhone, the iOS 8. With just the touch of a finger, one can identify any song as it is playing on the radio. Also, using the app Safari, one has the ability to scan their credit card and pay for anything desired. This expands the power of technology and communication of the world.
"SKYPE QIK" http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/revamped-skype-qik-app-puts-fun-little-quirks-on-video-messaging/2014/10/15/66b310d0-5321-11e4-892e-602188e70e9c_story.html
ReplyDeleteThe tenth Flattener, Friedman talks anout is called "the Steriod". He talks mainly about how these "steriods" are technologies that are strengthening other flatteners. These Steriods have made communications and collaborations faster as easier. I looked up an article about how Skype Qik has been a big contributor to video conference. Skype Qik now offers video messaging too. Chasing competes, such as snap chat and Facebook that lets users share short video clips. Skype Qik now let's you add multiple people in a video chat. Also, you can pre-record short canned responses.
http://www.csmonitor.com/The-Culture/Family/2015/0121/Fatal-stabbing-after-Snapchat-message-How-to-respond-to-online-abusers-and-bullies
ReplyDeleteThe tenth flattener Friedman addresses he describes as “steroids”. In this flattener Friedman describes how technology is growing and becoming new everyday. He also mentions how people can hold something more powerful on their hands than anything created 15 years ago. With great power comes great responsibility, such as what is said over social media. In the article I read a 17 year old boy was stabbed over a message sent on snapchat a popular media site. The article said and I quote “the application’s main selling point is what some says makes it the perfect playground for cyber-bullies to dominate.” I think this shows how careless people are on big media sites.
RBNY to Use RFID at the Turnstiles
ReplyDeletehttp://goal.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/02/22/rbny-to-use-rfid-at-the-turnstiles/
In The World Is Flat, RFID’s were described as one of the “Steroids” that enable to people to “talk to people, computers can talk to computers, and people can talk to computers farther, faster, more cheaply, and more easily than ever before.” as described by Thomas Friedman. RFID stands for “radio-frequency-identification”. The “Red Bulls”, are a soccer team that will open a new stadium in New Jersey next year. They want to use RFID cards for transactions and tickets. They can load the RFID chips with dollar values and with ticket information that will allow you to pass through turnstiles with the wave of a card and buy items inside the stadium. They will be sending out these cards to the season ticket holders. It will allow the team to see what their fans enjoy and use the most. The team will use that information to optimize their experience. Several teams in Europe have already used this platform. RFID’s have been extremely useful in logistics and now they are making their way into individuals’ lives to make them easier. In the stadium, RFID’s are being used enabling people to “talk to people, computers can talk to computers, and people can talk to computers farther, faster, more cheaply, and more easily than ever before.”.
"Technology is Ruining our Memory, Here's why that doesn't Mattter."
ReplyDeletehttp://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2014/12/08/technology-is-ruining-our-memory-heres-why-it-doesnt-matter/
In the final Flattener Friedman describes the use of technology as "steroids." To continue this thought, the article called "Technology is ruining our memory. Here's why that Doesn't Matter." outlines the way technology has begun to replace every piece of our life. For example, in the article it discusses how the phones that we have today, can remember for us. Specifically, the phones can even collaborate with other phones now and keep current with the events going on in someone's life. Therefore, this article talks about how people's memories are slowly retrogressing, because the need to remember something is not a prominent as it used to be. Like Friedman, the article outlines how people are far too reliant on technology and use it as a scapegoat for the reality of the world. This is described as a steroid because people can put memories in digitally and then the phones can communicate with each other for free. Making it an easy and accessible way to become legitimately forgetful and addicted to technology.
Small Screen, Big Stories: NPR Comes To Google Glass
ReplyDeletehttp://www.npr.org/blogs/thisisnpr/2013/07/18/203014226/small-screen-big-stories-npr-comes-to-google-glass
The tenth flattener Friedman talks about is "The Steroids", these are advances in computing, file sharing, internet calls, videoconferencing, graphics, and wireless technology. The article I found talks about Google glass and the many different things it can do for only being a pair of glasses. Google glass can connect to the internet, has many apps, and a camera for video and pictures. Google glass allows you to go on the internet and have it look as good as it does on your phone. Instead of speakers Google glass uses a bone conduction method that makes the audio around your ear and not in it so that you can still be connected too the real world. This article just shows how far these "Steroids" have come in the past years, so far that even technology is made that we can wear. Friedman's argument that "The Steroids" are a flattener and that they amplify all of the other flatteners is supported by this article.
"Advanced Tornado Technology Could Reduce Deaths"
ReplyDeletehttp://www.npr.org/2011/06/17/137199914/advanced-tornado-technology-could-reduce-deaths
Friedman states that the last flattener is called "The Steroids," which he is referring to technological advances in the world. Technology is so advanced now that humans are able to create devices that save thousands of lives. In this article, it says that new, advanced tornado technology is able to detect upcoming tornados sooner. This technology is also able to predict how big the tornado is and what direction it will be heading. The new tornado technology saves many lives because the scientists are able to warn the area before the tornado hits, so they can all evacuate to a safe area. Of course, not all advanced technology has to do with life saving devices. Nonetheless, "The Steroids" is definitely a flattener because it allows for the expansion of more advanced technology around the world that can be very helpful to all.
The Steroids , what Friedman describes as the steroids implies to the idea that technology is advancing and is becoming a new sight of wonder to see not once in awhile but everyday. He discusses how technology is not only becoming a tool to help the living but can also bring back to life a deceased for one last night of fun. The article " Holograms brought Tupac back now they want to take Washington" sheds light on the mystery surrounding holograms. Recently they scientist have resurrected a hologram of Tupac for a live concert as well as Michael Jackson in this years Billboard Music Awards. But this relates to the article because now that they can successfully create a working hologram that moves and dances like a person they want to be able to apply this to Washington , allowing campaign runners to be able to give a speech without them actually being there. This shows the advances in the technology as it is ever expanding.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2014/07/28/holograms-brought-back-tupac-now-they-want-to-take-washington/
ReplyDelete"Study: Cities with super fast Internet speeds are more productive" Author:Brian Fung
ReplyDeletehttp://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-switch/wp/2014/09/18/study-cities-with-super-fast-internet-speeds-are-more-productive/
This article shows explains that a study was done to prove that cities with faster internet are more productive. This relates to Friedman's idea of internet speed being a steroid. As the speed increases so will business and that will only push companies to compete. It will give smaller companies the chance to be fast like the big ones.