A Gift of Fire

Privacy:
Computers are not necessarily for the invasion of privacy. Privacy will be discussed at great length later. Just because computers have made new threats possible, by no means these threats have not always existed. Medical, financial, details of purchases, evidence of romantic affairs can all be found in someone's garbage.

So computers are not necessary for the invasion of privacy they have made a profound impact on the information that can be gathered (sometimes without out permission or knowledge), who has access to it, how is it being used, and how often. Besides: surveillance, privacy is probably the "computer issue" that drawls the most attention.

There are three aspects of privacy:
* freedom from intrusion
* control of information about oneself
* freedom from surveillance (being followed, watched, and eavesdropped upon)

To be continued ..........

The Sacrifice for Technology

The sacrifice made by most humans for technology is astonishingly high. We don't realize it, but I estimate the number of computers (anything with a microprocessor/processor) to be between 30 - 50 (In America). Our lives are completely surrounded by this wonderful yet possibly extremely dangerous technology.
In college I was required to take a course on computer ethics. I gave an hour long speech on the subject of "The Effect of Computer Technology in Society".

Yes without a doubt computers have made life easier more convenient. Ex. No need to get up 10 minutes earlier to fix the coffee pot, when you can program it to come on at a given time. With this technology and its constant evolving in our day to day comes a great deal of accountability for its usage. There is no perfect solution to this often overly looked epidemic, partly because it effects almost every aspect of our lives: from personal, government, even religion.

With that stated I'd like to point out a few examples of what technology has brought us, along with what it has taken away:
1. Its enabled us to stay in touch with friends and family without time or space restrictions through the use of satellite communications.
2. Saved countless lives through medical advancements which only 20-30 years ago would have been impossible.
3. Made the human worker more productive using PC's and machines to aid in business and production.
Negative:
1. Continuously taken away our ability to communicate effectively through the use of social networking sites. In a sense relieving ourselves of accountability and responsibility for how we treat one another on these virtual sites.
2. Turned the theoretical idea of splitting the atom into reality therefore making weapons of mass destruction an achievable goal.
3. Eliminated hundreds of thousands of jobs, by essentially replacing them machines that can work all day all night, have minimum downtime, no need for benefits, retirement funds etc. etc.

This is Part 1 of many. Coming from an individual with BS in Computer Science it may sound hypocritical. But I think this is just the tip of an iceberg already beginning to collapse.

Discipline, The Beginning of a Long Road

Well folks, just got done reading some interesting studies sent by my wife. The little one is only off the 1 year mark by a month. So I think its time we give the pros (experts etc.) opinion a shot. Tomorrow I am going to see if my little girl will help bring me her toys. Hopefully teaching her not only good motor skills, but cognitive reasoning, and listening skill .... not to mention maybe help her begin to understand that "Ok you can throw your food, toys whatever all over the floor but you have to pick up after yourself". I don't expect an immediate response, I do however hope to lay the ground work for the future.

Maybe I'm living in a fantasy world .... maybe not ...... or for all we really know about the way an infants mind works a crap shut.

Do Things Change or Really Remain the Same

So another year has gone by, as I reflect and think back on the changes that have occurred my lips start to shag, cheeks start to droop, stare at the mirror and think to myself I can't tell. Shortly thereafter my wonderful wife points to my grey, my little girl pulls it out, then see their is a new profession a "Youthologist". What the hell is a youthologist? Someone who helps keep you young. I thought a strong family, good sex, and cold beer did all that..... oh and football.

Getting back to my point. The past year I have become a father, started to mature (attempted at least), realized bodily functions really aren't gross, and had revetting highly intellectual conversations with someone who speaks solely in vowels.

Well I think I'll leave on this note said best by Mr. Louis Armstrong
I hear babies cry ...... I watch them grow
They'll learn much more ...... then I'll ever know
And I think to myself ....... what a wonderful world