Wednesday, October 25, 2017

Modeling Reality with Virtual Worlds

Virtual worlds can model reality, especially for those with disabilities. For example, if someone has a disability that prevents them from going places, virtual classrooms can provide them an education that they would not have been able to get otherwise. Furthermore, virtual worlds like Second Life can provide an escape for people with disabilities, letting them live a life that's different than their own. However, it's a model of reality and not actual reality, which could probably result in some depression. In the future, I expect virtual worlds to evolve. Perhaps advanced camera or virtual reality software can allow people to feel like they truly are in another world.

Sources:
https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=sites&srcid=ZGVmYXVsdGRvbWFpbnxiYXJ1Y2huZXdtZWRpYXxneDo2ZTg5MGFiMmRkMzA4NjZm

http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/conditions/03/28/sl.autism.irpt/index.html#cnnSTCText

Tuesday, October 10, 2017

Social Networking

Social networking can be used in a variety of ways, but the main ways are to keep in touch with family and friends on a personal level, to spread the news, or to promote a business or company. Mostly, I believe that social networking is beneficial to society. It helps people communicate in new, easier ways than before. Anyone you need to talk to is a few clicks or taps away.

Furthermore, social networking websites such as Linkedin help promote financial and job success. As shown in the article, Social Networking Technology Boosts Job Recruiting, Linkedin makes it easy for recruiters to type a few key terms into a search engine and find an entire pool of potential employees, and for job hunters to promote themselves and their abilities. Without social media, this wouldn't be possible.

However, some people think social networking is having a negative effect on society. In the article, Antisocial Networking?, the author describes how people are continuously worried about children losing interpersonal communication skills due to the rise of texting or other forms of technological communication. Others also seem to be worried about cyberbullying and how it affects children and teens.

The future of social networking seems to be rapidly changing everyday. There are so many different websites and ways to communicate online, and I imagine new technologies will never stop emerging.