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

Sat Apr 9 02:09:18 UTC 2011

I actually totally agree with you!  I certainly use AIM and Facebook when
convenient, but I know way too many people, many blind, who spend all day on
either of those technologies and that's all they do!  I try not to fit in
this image of blind people of my age group.  Regarding the Iphone, I simply
can't picture myself going online on my phone or using all those
applications, either.  I'm thinking of getting a cell that's accessible for
texting, but I'm not sure if I'll use texting to socialize or simply for
times when people can't answer their phones to speak, but could see a text,
E.G. lawyer in court, but could return text ASAP, once he/she sees it's
important.

Serena

-----Original Message-----
From: nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of 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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