Download Chapter 7

A Gift of Fire
Third edition
Sara Baase
Chapter 7: Evaluating and
Controlling Technology
Slides prepared by Cyndi Chie and Sarah Frye
What We Will Cover
•
•
•
•
Information, Knowledge, and Judgment
Computers and Community
The ‘Digital Divide’
Evaluations of the Impact of Computer
Technology
• Making Decisions About Technology
Information, Knowledge,
and Judgment
Evaluating Information on the Web:
• Wikipedia:
– Written by volunteers, some posts are
biased and not accurate
– Although anyone can write, most people do
not
– Those that do typically are educated and
experts
Information, Knowledge,
and Judgment (cont.)
Evaluating Information on the Web (cont.):
• Manipulation of images:
– Movies and videos use special effects to add
creativity and enjoyment of entertainment
– People can use technology for deception and
fraud
– Ease with which we can modify digital images and
video
• Should news agencies modify images and videos?
• Faking photos is not a new phenomenon; more
people can do it now because it’s easy
Computers and Community
• The Internet brings people together from all
over the world
• E-mail and the Internet provide convenient
and cheap ways for families and friends to
stay in contact
• New trends include social-networking sites
such as MySpace and virtual environments
such as Second Life
The "Digital Divide"
Trends in Computer Access:
• New technologies only available to the wealthy
• The time it takes for new technology to make its way
into common use is decreasing
• Cost is not the only factor; ease of use plays a role
• Entrepreneurs provide low cost options for people
who cannot otherwise afford something
• Government funds technology in schools
• As technology becomes more prevalent, the issues
shift from the haves and have-nots to level of service
The "Digital Divide" (cont.)
The Global Divide and the Next Billion Users:
• Approximately one billion people worldwide have
access to the Web; approximately five billion do not
• Bringing new technology to poor countries is not just
a matter of money to buy equipment; PCs and
laptops must work in extreme environments
• Some people actively working to shrink the digital
divide emphasize the need to provide access in ways
appropriate to the local culture
Making Decisions About
Technology
Accomplishments of Technology:
• Prices of food are down and raw materials
are abundant
• Real buying power is up
• Food supplies and GDP are growing faster
than the population
• Dramatic impact on life expectancy
• Assistive technologies benefit those with
disabilities
Making Decisions About
Technology (cont.)
Intelligent Machines and Super-intelligent
Humans - Or the End of the Human
Race?
Making Decisions About
Technology
Discussion Questions
• The topic of ‘Digital Divide’
• Does Cyber War scare you?