Use of digital technology - Essay Example

Use of Digital Technology Rushkoff’s Program takes an equation of balancing the effects of technology for humanity. The program examines why it is necessary to view both ends of either programming technology or the effects of the technology itself. Rushkoff maintains that despite the fact that a lot has been commented on the effects of internet, whether bad or good, the society already has the internet to deal with its effects. Notably, the effects of technology can be either positive or negative depending on the application under consideration. Additionally, Rushkoff poses two critical concerns that are focused on whether to direct the technology or live under the direction of the technology (Engdahl 110). Shteyngart in his dystopia replicates the concerns evinced in the Rushkoff’s Program. The extremely sad true love story is a complete dystopia that recognizes the existence of digital technology. Therefore, this essay tends to analyze the effects of the internet or digital technology on social life in relation to this love story. Just like in the Rushkoff’s contributions, there are correlative results on any option one chooses in dealing with the rising of the digital technology. Internet is just as essential as the effects it may have on its users (Fraser and Soumitra 57). A complete control of how it is digested in its consumptions is a point of concern since the implications targeted may turn out to have propagated more harm than salubrious. It may involve the development of a system that both literary works espouse. The development of a system entails a number of processes. These include investigation. This is the establishment of an existing problem and the rationale of finding solutions. It results in the creation of an opportunity statement or business project. Moreover, the program’s system analysis identifies the ability of the system to solve specific problems (Engdahl 42). An explicit analysis of the existing systems of the same nature is done to establish the possible weaknesses and strengths. Through the analysis, priorities and essential materials needed have been established. System design involves technical system’s properties that describe the system and how it functions towards obtaining the required solution to a problem. It also entails the modification, in which an existing system is improved in terms of its inputs and the interfaces (Fraser and Soumitra 89). Its software, hardware, procedure components, databases, telecommunications, and personnel are in the system design. The design also helps to understand the relationship that exists among these components. The next stage in the cycle is the implementation of the system. This is the most crucial stage in the system development cycle since it is here that the system plan is accomplished. All the preceding processes are meant to ensure that the implementation is effective. The components of the system are created in this stage in accordance to the design developed prior to this stage and put into operation where users undergo training on how to use the system (Engdahl 71). The result is a functional system that efficiently accomplishes the main roles that were intended. Program or system Maintenance is a regular process that aims at keeping the system at par with its roles. Both the hard ware and software are maintained to keep their efficiency. Out of the mainstream, either Rushkoff or Sheytngart’s contribution to the understating the effects can help a lot in the social networking since a part of the concerns dealt through the net. The dynamism of online social networking can be considered as part of a human’s life. First, one gets to familiarize to the social networking issues. This ideal brings individuals together in groups with distinct or specific purpose in the community, and this contributes to what may be termed as social networking (Engdahl 126). They may include people of different diversities who share a common interest that they would love to espouse in their networking. Online social networking is not far from this understanding, except in two ways: it involves the use of the internet where several networking websites are developed to bring people together. Additionally, it might not be necessarily a requirement that those who come together have a common or peculiar interest but can accommodate people with diverse interests, hobbies, and dispositions (Fraser and Soumitra 95). They can be used to create professional alliances, development of friendship, employment search avenues, or information sharing. Numerous online social networks have been applicable since the advent of social networking technology. These networks include Classmates 360, and Orkut (Shih 146). In the words of James B. Twitchell, socialization and publicity were achieved through propaganda. In the ancient time, propaganda was a powerful tool for publicity; however, all have changed and currently people have adopted the use of technology in publicizing different ideas and ideals (Twitchell 47). The current modes of advertisement are too powerful that the buyers’ thinking are manipulated to believe that what is being advertised is a need but not a want. These types of necessity have cropped in the society, and numerous social networks are adverting all over the website interphase. Numerous companies and businesses have developed the modern technology, and all the internet users are targeted. However, Gladwell is concern on manipulating the customer’s perception and buying habit not using technology or advertisement but through proper and creative arrangements of products especially in the store (Gladwell 75). Gladwell advocate for businesspersons to be more direct with their business deals to the customers. The internet technology has actually adopted Gladwell’s perception, most of the social networks website interphases places their adverts attractively so that users can be captivated and pay more interest towards the advert. Steven Johnson while writing about “It's all about us” he concentrates on the effects of W2 and W3 as well as the W1 website. Johnson emphases that the websites are organized to concentrate around people. Different websites are made to concentrate around different social setting. For instance, W2 is designed for the ordinary person including diarists, hobbyists, and armchair pundits among other people who uses website as a conversation means through which they can voice their ideas (Johnson 153). Through these sites, users post different articles, blogs, and MySpace among others. Jonson warns that these are personal ideas whose credibility cannot be ascertained; therefore, the users of such information should do so with care. The use of online social networks has sequences that can turn out to be dangerous and life costing. In the websites, blogs, or profile, people often post their pictures and information. Some individuals may want to tarnish others’ image thereby endangering the reputation of the involved parties. For instance, the photos and individual’s profile information may be ridiculed publicly; thus, embarrassing the Victim (Engdahl 218). Such cases have been witnessed causing employees lose their jobs after their employers stumble on their profile information. Others have also been convicted since the prosecutors use such information as a burden of proof (Fraser and Soumitra 68-70). Through these sites, people who pretend to be friends may turn out to be criminals who create accessories or software that automatically installs in one’s computer without permission when they access such sites. Therefore, the social internet has dire effects on society, especially when it is used with wrong intensions. Works Cited Engdahl, Sylvia. Online Social Networking. Farmington Hills, MI: Greenhaven Press, 2007. 100-189. Print. Fraser, Matthew, and Soumitra Dutta. Throwing Sheep in the Boardroom: How Online Social Networking Will Transform Your Life, Work and World. Chichester, England: Wiley, 2008. 50-91. Print. Gladwell, Malcolm, "The Science of Shopping," The New Yorker. (November 4, 1996), pp. 66-75. Johnson, Steven. Everything Bad Is Good for You: How Popular Culture Is Making Us Smarter. London: Penguin, 2006. Internet resource. Koehn, Nancy F. Brand New: How Entrepreneurs Earned Consumers' Trust from Wedgwood to Dell. Boston, Mass: Harvard Business School Press, 2001. Print. Shih, Clara C. The Facebook Era: Tapping Online Social Networks to Build Better Products, Reach New Audiences, and Sell More Stuff. Boston, MA: Prentice Hall, 2009. 146-230. Print. Twitchell, James B. 20 Ads That Shook the World: The Century's Most Groundbreaking Advertising and How It Changed Us All. New York, NY [u.a.: Crown Publ, 2000. Print. Read More