[nabs-l] Interesting topic for discussion: Is Technology Turning into Our Enemy?

[Kirt Manwaring]

Jorge,
  Here's why I'm not so sure I agree with the wellfare system working
the way I described.  Or, at least, these are my reservations about
it.
  1.  Should children have to starve because their parents are out of
work and not looking for jobs?  I know a blind couple in their late
twenties who get SSI, and lots of help from their wealthy parents.
They have a child.  Is it fair to that child for the family not to be
financially supported?
2.  Lots of blind people (and, I would submit, people in general, but
especially blind people) are depressed and feel inadequett.  I know
blind people who feel that they don't have, and could never have the
skills to work, especially with the job market the way it is.  I spent
some time working at an employment center a couple summers back,
calling clients on a massive and impossibly long list and asking them
how their job searches were going.  More often than not, the responses
I got were shame and appathy, with the occasional person scraping by
and working like crazy on temporary jobs until something long-lasting
could come.  Now I'm fully aware that social security is definitely a
contributing factor to that appathy- why bother looking for a job if
you can survive on unemployment checks every month?  But should we let
those people who stopped looking for work starve?  Especially when
they have families?  It's a hard question, and it definitely goes
beyond the scope of just blind people being hindered by technology.
But I'll say this- I definitely think there is a correlation between
the number of blind people on social security and the number of blind
people not seeking work.  And when you throw in moddern technology,
which can easily distract you for hours or even days at a time (I
would know), it's really a devistating combination for a lot of
people.
  Best,
Kirt

On 4/8/11, Desiree Oudinot <turtlepower17 at gmail.com> wrote:
> Hi Ashley,
> I'm glad to see I'm not alone in my thoughts!
> The point about kids being overstimulated is a good one. I would also
> venture to say that, when we were young and we learned Braille, we
> probably became more disciplined and are better at spelling and
> grammar as a result. Of course, the other side of the coin, the fact
> that plenty of sighted kids who learned handwriting often have trouble
> in those same areas, is a valid one, but I do think that blind
> children who learn primarily through audio, whether it be with a
> screen reader or digital/books on cassette, are at a serious
> disadvantage in those areas. I've seen enough of it in action to know.
> I have a couple of friends who took that route and are now suffering
> for it. They come to me and ask me to proofread their college work
> because they know my strengths in those areas. By the same token, I
> feel disadvantaged that I didn't get to know a system like the Opticon
> because i struggle with handwriting. I've been totally blind all my
> life, and though I have been dilligently practicing recently to write
> my signature under the guidance of someone reliable, I know there's a
> lot of room for improvement. I feel that if blind people have a
> concept of print letters because they had to look at them, they are
> able to write neatly, which is a plus.
> Another analogy that comes to mind as I'm writing this is video games.
> When the Atari system came out, people were stoked because it was the
> first of its kind. Never mind the fact that the graphics were as basic
> as they possibly could be. Now, if someone pulled one of those out of
> storage, blew the dust off it and invited their friends to play, they
> would be laughed at. Why is this? I personally think it's ridiculous.
> Things do work, no matter how old they are. Newer is not always
> better.
>
> On 4/8/11, bookwormahb at earthlink.net <bookwormahb at earthlink.net> wrote:
>> Desiree,
>> I'm in my 20s and I actually agree with much of what you say!
>> I am a fan of old technology too. I respect it.
>> Gee I thought I was the only one who had a colleection of records!
>> I like older technology for several reasons. First, its simple; second its
>> durable as you say; third, its
>> is sometimes quicker and lastly it gets the job done.
>> I have a notetaker for taking notes. Like you, I just use my cell phone
>> for
>> making phone calls!  Not the bells and whistles that most use.
>> I'm with you; I'm not getting the IPhone.
>>
>> I still use cassettes to play and record notes and lectures.  An advantage
>> I
>> see is the ability to tone index sections.
>> I still have an old fashioned brailler from my school days and use it.
>> I also use CDS which are becoming out of date too.
>> Problem is if old technology breaks, now a days no one can fix it or its
>> pretty expensive.
>> They just want you to buy the new technology. So I take good care of my
>> old
>> walkman, stero system with cassette player/CD player and brailler.
>> I think society is too dependent on new complex technology.
>> Its causing kids not to write with a pencil much anymore.
>> Its causing kids to be overstimulated and lots of other consequences.
>>
>> Ashley
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Desiree Oudinot
>> Sent: Friday, April 08, 2011 5:50 PM
>> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Interesting topic for discussion: Is Technology
>> Turning into Our Enemy?
>>
>> Hi,
>> This is a very interesting topic indeed, and I have a few thoughts on
>> not only the issues raised in this message, but also the direction of
>> technology in general.
>> As a society, we are becoming more and more dependent on various forms
>> of technology, from those that are helpful to our advancement to those
>> that are just plain ridiculous. I am 21 years old, which might come as
>> a shock because of what I'm about to say, but here it goes anyway:
>> simplicity goes a long way. In other words, I don't mind having a cell
>> phone that just makes calls. I don't mind having a laptop for going on
>> the Internet and a note-taker for doing just that, taking notes. I
>> don't even mind using a slate and stylus on occasion when I need to
>> make labels or write down an address or phone numbers. I collect vinyl
>> records because I honestly believe their sound quality is superior to
>> that of today's digital overproductions. I don't maintain this
>> collection for its value but for the place it holds in my heart. I
>> don't need an IPhone for its supposed "convenience"--if people thought
>> laptops were portable when there was nothing else, they still are. The
>> thing that I think a lot of young people, both blind and sighted, take
>> for granted is that there wasn't always one device at your fingertips
>> that you can virtually do anything with. Though, regrettably, I wasn't
>> alive to see it, there was a time when carrying a Braille writer to
>> class was the norm, and using an Opticon was a privilege. I have a
>> deep respect and appreciation for older technology because if people
>> made it work before, there is absolutely no reason why things must be
>> so convenient. When a 13-year-old girl cries because her IPhone broke
>> (and let's face it, today's technology is made cheaper than the older
>> stuff was, making the parts oh-so-complicated but all the while less
>> durable, so that you keep shelling out all your cash to fix it), she
>> thinks it's the end of the world... but why? Is it really necessary to
>> have hundreds of thousands of aps available at your fingertips?
>> I know I'm probably going to start a riot here with that last
>> statement. I've been told by several other blind people that it's
>> people like me who are trying to halt the advancement of technology.
>> However, it's not that I won't try to use an IPhone if a day ever
>> comes that that's the only option available, but for now I'm going to
>> stick with what makes me comfortable. Is that really such a crime?
>> People have said I'm an old soul, and think I'm strange, for the views
>> that I hold, and there's probably a lot of truth to those accusations.
>> However, I see no rhyme or reason to change, nor do I really want to.
>> I've been down that road, thinking I was a misfit, and trying to deny
>> my roots, but the truth is I can't. I love my laptop and my Braille
>> Note as much as the next person. I keep them updated and running
>> smoothly. So truthfully I'm not that far behind the times. My cell
>> phone may be a simple older-model Nokia, but it does what I want it to
>> do, and more importantly, it does what a phone was made to do: make
>> calls, though I have nothing against texting, as even I must give into
>> the pulling tides of some of today's innovations.
>> Now, about the fact that people's comfort with this fast-paced,
>> too-convenient technology is making them more lazy... I believe there
>> is some truth to these claims. Things like podcasting, Skype and
>> blogging allow a person to feel empowered and noticed in a way that
>> was previously unavailable. When a person gets so many hits on
>> downloads of a podcast, it might allow them to feel they're making a
>> difference, and in some ways they are. The thing is, both the
>> listeners and the creators need to realize that there's something more
>> in life than the small world of their "accomplishment." The Internet
>> may seem vast, but can quickly become a busy, cluttered little world
>> indeed if you let it. It's just as easy to get lost in the seemingly
>> endless maze of websites as it is to get a big head because people are
>> hearing your voice.
>> I hope I haven't been too offensive with this, but it is a subject I'm
>> very passionate about and have a lot of opinions on that most people
>> don't want to hear, so I'll understand if you guys don't either. I do
>> hope, however, that I've provided at least a little food for thought,
>> and haven't induced anyone's "cyber-rage" to unbearable levels.
>> Thanks,
>> Desiree
>>
>> On 4/8/11, Bridgit Pollpeter <bpollpeter at hotmail.com> wrote:
>>> Hello NABSTERS,
>>>
>>> This was posted on another list.  It is a topic I find interesting, and
>>> one we should consider and discuss.  I am curious to hear student
>>> opinions, and what your experience has been regarding technology.  Is
>>> there a balance in how we use this technology?
>>>
>>> One of the things I like in your note was your observation that "We now
>>> have the opportunity to explore a future of our own making.  Jobs,
>>> school and families are not dreams we long for, but are realities within
>>> our reach."
>>>
>>> One of the questions I've been struggling with is how to start a
>>> dialogue, probably in the Braille Monitor, about whether these are still
>>> the widely-shared dreams of blind people. I read the statistics about
>>> our unemployment, and in my job searches have certainly encountered
>>> discrimination, but I can't tell you of very many Missourians who are
>>> actively out looking for work. Neither can I tell you about many who are
>>> employed.
>>>
>>> In my younger days there were blind people who were smart and articulate
>>> who simply would not tackle the challenge of going to get a job. Some of
>>> them were amateur radio operators and spent their days doing good by
>>> taking Western Union style messages and sending them free of charge
>>> across the country and the world. The message might be as simple as
>>> happy birthday or as complicated as "I'm going in for surgery tomorrow.
>>> I will let you know how it goes. I will appreciate your prayers." Still
>>> other amateur radio operators would connect their telephone and radio
>>> and help people talk to loved ones. This, of course, was before the days
>>> of free long distance.
>>>
>>> The thing I want to focus on here was that the folks who spent most of
>>> their time doing this substituted these volunteer tasks for employment.
>>> They were not seeking jobs. They were getting fulfillment but from a
>>> very different source because our society, whether through SSI, SSDI I,
>>> the Missouri blind pension, or some other program, was perfectly willing
>>> to give them at least a minimal level of support and didn't challenge
>>> them with the tough question "Why aren't you employed?"
>>>
>>> Today I think I see our young blind folks substituting the Internet for
>>> ham radio. Maybe they are all about building websites to communicate
>>> something special they believe they know about blindness. Some do their
>>> own radio shows. Some make podcasts. The shows and topics seem to be all
>>> over the place. On one podcast I follow, which is usually technical in
>>> nature, one person put up a recording demonstrating how to change a
>>> diaper, while another produced a podcast of his dog guide popping the
>>> bubbles that are found in shrink wrap. Both were similar--lots of
>>> rustling plastic but not a lot of information. I do not object to what
>>> anyone wants to do for entertainment, but my concern is that these
>>> playtime activities are being substituted for what I see as a major life
>>> activity and responsibility, that being to earn a living and do these
>>> other things as time allows.
>>>
>>> I think the question I would like to explore is whether the work ethic
>>> which burned in so many folks of my generation still is prevalently
>>> found today. If not, who put out the fire and how do we rekindle it? Is
>>> our safety net frequently being used as a means of permanent support,
>>> and, if it is, is there something we can and should do about it?
>>>
>>> Some folks I know claim they had to do upwards of a hundred interviews
>>> to get their first job. Is this still true today? If so, I'm not hearing
>>> about it. My fear is that, with all of the civil rights protections and
>>> advances in technology, we still have a significant number of
>>> intelligent blind people who aren't taking advantage of a world which is
>>> more receptive today than ever it has been in the past to getting us
>>> employed and accepting us as capable human beings in society.
>>>
>>> I think the dream we share is worth dreaming and that what we dream of
>>> is attainable. Are there more effective ways for us to sell this dream?
>>> If so, how can our newsletters and our Braille Monitor help?  As I look
>>> at the most recent issue of the students late, it is perfectly obvious
>>> to me that some still buy the dream. The question really is how many,
>>> and are there better ways for us to sell the dream of equality so that
>>> more young folks act on it?
>>>
>>> I see technology being the downfall for society in general, but this
>>> post presents a very serious issue.  We know far too many blind people
>>> still refuse to believe in complete independence, but how is this
>>> reliance on technology affecting the situation?
>>>
>>> What are student thoughts?  Do you see this trend, and if so, what can
>>> be done to tackle it?  What areas do you think need work, and can you
>>> propose any ideas to change a larger population of blind peoples
>>> mindsets?
>>>
>>> Bridgit
>>>
>>>
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