Module 13

                What I have learned from this class.  First of all, I learned that there was a lot more to know about the emergence of the computer and exactly what they are capable of than I thought possible.  I knew that computers had come a long way since their inception, but to what extent was where I was lacking in knowledge.  I remember pretty clearly when our family bought our first computer.  It was the greatest invention since the electronic typewriter.  I remember sitting down and reading the owner’s manual and teaching myself how to use it.  I remember everything that was typed had to be saved onto a floppy disc.  I thought it was the neatest thing in the world.  I was now able to type up my homework and review it before I printed it out.  No more correction tape or fluid.  I never knew the computer’s true capabilities and just how powerful they really were until enrolling in this class. 

            I learned the real reason for out-sourcing and just why businesses were using this resource.  I never truly understood why it was being used.  I just knew that I was angry because work was being sent outside of the United States instead of being completed by Americans.  I thought that this type of business was hurting Americans and how dare businesses do this to their own people.  I learned that out-sourcing does hurt Americans in that it is no longer business as usual.  Americans now need to think outside the box and rethink career choices.  New skills need to be learned, but it is not hopeless situation.  I understand why businesses out-source and why this is such a valuable resource. 

            I learned that computers have made us very dependent upon them.  The fast growing technology of computers keeps the human race wanting more and those requests are being answered.  There is so much technology out there that is constantly changing on a daily basis.  There are so many “computer geeks” avidly seeking new challenges and developing new computer programs.  The possibilities are seemingly endless.  Programs are being updated or changed almost daily to work faster than the previous program.   Processors have become so fast that it is just mind blowing.  In comparing my laptop that I bought about five years ago to the new laptop I bought just months ago I am truly amazed at its capabilities.  The new computer is so much faster than my old computer.  Just when I was thinking that there is no way they can increase the speed of a laptop, a new computer comes out with a processor that will leave you wondering how I was able to get anything done on that dinosaur.  There are so many tech savvy people playing around with new ideas for new programs and how to improve upon what is currently out there.  I am truly amazed and stand in awe of them. 

            I found The World is Flat by Thomas L. Friedman to be a very interesting read.  At first I was unsure if I agreed with him about the world being flattened by computers, but little did I know to what extent the computer and internet have changed our way of life.  At first, I was not sure if the title was a proper title for this book.  After completing each reading assignment I began to understand exactly what he was trying to say and the title started to grow on me.  I found the information that he has in the book to be fascinating and informative.  I think that more people should read this book and maybe they will understand the true power of the computer in the internet.  The book explained away many of the fears that I had about where computers were going and why businesses were out-sourcing work to other countries.  I found that this was an easy read and I was able to follow along with his ideas and just how he came up with what he wrote. 

            I really enjoyed this class and learning more about the capabilities of the computer and what the possibilities are with computers.  I am amazed at the creativity of programmers and what they are able to do with a computer and some ingenuity.  The changes happening with the computer are astounding and what businesses are able to accomplish because of those changes.  Businesses are able to prosper because of the computer and the internet and getting information out of potential customers.  We live in an incredible time with endless possibilities that each of us should take advantage of.

Module Twelve

            The twenty-first century technologies are genetics, nanotechnology and robotics, GNR.  Genetic engineering alters the genetic make-up of plants, animals, bacteria, viruses.  Scientists are increasing the plants abilities to produce fruits and vegetables without the use of pesticides.   They are also discovering cures for many diseases, trying to find ways to increase our life span and cloning.  Genetic engineering has been able to provide many useful resources as well as some that are questionable to the human race such as cloning.  There are many ethical issues with art of cloning.  Joy’s major concern with genetic engineering is that it gives the power to create a White Plague.

            Nanotechnology manipulates matter on an atomic and molecular level and has the possibilities to create things in abundance at a much cheaper cost and be able to cure diseases or physical problems and nanoscale molecular electronics.  Joy’s fear of the nanotechnology is that it is easier to create destructive uses for nantotechnology than constructive ones.  Joy states that nanotechonology has clear military and terrorist uses and massively destructive devices that can be built to be selectively destructive, affecting only a certain geographical area or group of people who are genetically distinct.  Nanotechnology has the ability to destroy the biosphere which all life depends upon.

            Joy states that there are two dreams that come with robotic technology, first that robots will be doing all of the work for us so that we can spend our leisure time as we desire.  The second dream is that robotic technology will replace humans, becoming almost immortal.  Humans desire to have the work done for them so that they can enjoy the finer things in life.  The advancement of robotic technologies can lead to the extinction of the human race.  Humans want to look and feel younger without thought of what theirs desires could lead to.  In the quest to become perfect in every way, replacing a body part with a working robotic part becomes quite appealing.  Robotic technologies are advancing quickly and it is possible for intelligent robots to be fully developed and having the capabilities to evolve and duplicate oneself.  

            The advancements that have been made in GNR technologies are simply amazing.  When I think about what is actually possible now days as far as genetics, nanotechnologies and robotics and what the future holds and I am truly afraid.  There is so much power behind the technologies and what they are capable of.  I would compare it to the reactions of the bombing of Hiroshima and the massive destruction the atom bomb was capable of doing.  Humans have the ability to create life; however, it is quite apparent that humans can destroy life in a matter of seconds as well.  The highly destructive forces behind GNR technologies is frightening at best.  I would hate to think or what could happen if these technologies got into the wrong hands.  There would potential for mass destruction of life.  I fear for my children’s future and what they will be faced with.  It is frightening to think that by the year 2030, a mere 18 years from now, GNR technology will be advanced enough that our species can be replaced my machines.  Technology is great, but how far are we willing to go and at what risk?  Have we gotten so lazy as a society that we would not think twice about owning a robot to complete our daily tasks so that we can have more time for fun?  Granted, I have wished that I could clone so that I can get everything done that needs to be done so that I can have more time to enjoy the simple pleasures of life, but I am not sure that I would actually want one.

I agree with Joy and the fears that he voices regarding GNR technologies.  I believe that his fears are justified.  I feel we will be faced with the possibility that robots will take over the human race.  If scientists are able to devise a way to take what is currently in our brains and transfer that knowledge into a machine and have that machine learn and grow, then I fear it is possible for the unthinkable to happen, the end of the human race as we know it.  I couldn’t even imagine a world where the robots are actually in charge.  I find it hard to believe that a piece of metal could actually have compassion for a human life.  Humans would become expendable and targets for destruction.  Our bodies are much more fragile than theirs.  Maybe I watch too many of the movies made regarding this subject, but we must ask ourselves, what if?  What would the world be like if this actually occurred?  Should we allow our intelligence to rule over our common sense?

I think that we should be afraid of what is possible with GNR technologies.  We should be actively involved in what is being developed and what these technologies are capable of.   We should be afraid of what is being developed.  I think if that we need to stand up for ourselves and ask the important questions such as how will this affect in the long term?

           

Module Eleven

            Minority Report is story based on a computer system that is attached to three psychic beings that are a part of a crime prevention unit called Precrime.  Precrime arrests people for crimes which they are about to commit not committed.  Precrime uses computers that are connected to the psychics to unravel the events of the crime that is going to be committed.  The captain of Precrime, John Anderton, uses gloves with special devices in them to control the computer program to go to certain scenes of the crime to uncover clues.  He can enlarge the picture and stop the scene to look at different areas of the scene.  He then gives these clues and instructions to his teammates to search the internet for answers to lead them to where the potential criminal is.  Once the location of the potential criminal is located the team is then deployed to arrest the person.  The whole system is working fine until Captain John Anderton uncovers the fact that he will be charged with the precrime or murder.  Now he is on a quest to clear his name and figure out why he would commit this crime. 

Precrime also employs the use of retina scanners to allow employees into certain areas of their department based on the retinal scan.  Retina scanners are also used identify people throughout the city, monitoring their every move.  When a person walks into a store they are immediately identified and greeted.  They are then asked a question about their last visit and the items bought preciously.  I believe this part of the story could actually one day be enacted as a ploy of the government to control the people.  The use of the retina scanner, in my opinion, is a horrendous invasion of our privacy and can expose the human race to unfair and undue treatment. 

            The use of computers is quite extensive in this movie.  It is petrifying to think that computers can and are that much a part of our lives.  A good portion of what is depicted about the role computers can have in our lived is either true at this point or will be in the foreseeable future.  I think the only part that may be in question, in my mind, would be the psychics in water and being hooked up to the computer and telling people’s future behaviors through the computers.  I guess that it could be possible to hook a human up to a computer in convey what is going on in their mind through the computer.  I know they can record brain waves, but to actually have what they see in their minds portrayed on a computer screen, I am not sure that is realistic at this point.  It may be possible in the future.  At the rate that technology is growing and expanding, I would not be surprised if someday that it could actually happen. 

            There are some very concerning issues that can come from these advancements that would have a huge impact on society and the freedoms that we enjoy now.  By requiring people to be subjected to a retinal scan for identification, can result in a loss of freedom and invasion of privacy.  People are easily identified, tracked in their daily lives, such as where they shop and what they buy.  All of their personal information becomes public knowledge.  This, in my opinion, would be extremely dangerous to society.  People would no longer belong to themselves.  People would be under the watchful eye of business owners and government. 

            The other concerning aspect is the thought of arresting a person for a crime for which they have not yet committed.  It is merely the predictions of a psychic saying that an individual is going to commit a crime.  A person no longer has their constitutional right of innocent until proven guilty.  They are being arrested and convicted of a crime that they have not yet committed.  Where is the justice in that?  Just because a person has a possible thought that they would like to take someone’s life does not actually mean that they would really commit such a crime.  The impact of a person being convicted of a crime they have not yet committed can destroy society as we know it.  It may be a positive thought at first to rid the world of crime and violence, but to what end.  Convicting a person of a crime that they have not committed is a travesty of justice and a violation of the constitutional rights we were given. 

            Minority Report was an interesting movie based on the use of computers and psychics to a crime before it happened.  I found the use of computers in this movie to be very interesting.  With the advances in technology, much of what was depicted in the movie is possible either now or in the foreseeable future.  The impact that the computer advancements would and/or could have on society is was is truly terrifying.   In my opinion, the human race would lose freedoms and the right to a fair trial - innocent until proven guilty. 

Module Ten

            The short story, A Logic Named Joe, was a difficult read for me.  I had to read the story twice in order to really grasp what the author was trying to say.  I am not sure if it was because of the grammatical text that was written as if the character was from a different region of the world and had an accent or if I was trying to make too much of the story.  I did, however, find it very interesting especially since it was written in 1946.  The author’s visions of what the computer would be or is capable of was astounding and his foresight was amazing.  He was able to accurately predict what the computer would be capable of in several instances and I found it quite intriguing.  If a person did not know which year this short story was written in, it is possible that it could have been written in the present day. 

            I found the authors choice words in which to name the computer confusing at first, but after analyzing what the author was saying it began to fit in place.  The personal computer’s name was “logic” and what I know to be the tower of a computer was called the “tank.”  The tower is the vessel in which information is stored and shared by the user of the computer system.  A person would ask “logic” a question and information would be relayed back to them just as it does today on the web.  In my opinion Google.com would fit as the information web site this portion of the story is referring to and the amount of data that is able to be accessed on a particular subject.  The possibilities are endless now days as far as the information that is available on the internet and this is referenced in his story.

            The author knew that one day parental controls would have to be incorporated into the system to protect children from having access to risky material.  This also has come to fruition.  There are so many sites that are on the internet that do pose a serious risk to our children and parental controls have been a huge tool in preventing accidental harm.  There are also references to web sites telling a person how to murder their wife or how to sober a person up after a night of binging on alcohol.  These sites currently exist and many more information sites that provide assistance to individuals seeking help in avoiding consequences of risky behavior such as testing dirty on a urinalysis test.  The information available for many subjects on the web is seemingly endless.  You can get almost any question answered that you are in need of. 

            The other fact I found interesting and has come to light is that all of our personal information is readily available for anyone to view.  Our lives are on the web and an inquiring person can locate whatever they would like to about a particular person.  This is the part of the computer that is frightening to me.  So much of our lives are no longer private and something that we can hide from other individuals.  Computers have opened a door that has allowed everyone access to the personal lives everyone around us.    

            The part of the story that has not come to fruition, in my opinion, is that of people being able to connect to another person by video conferencing at a request of a user.  I do, however, believe that this is possible in the near future.  Most computers are equipped with a video camera or one is readily available for purchase to attach to your computer.  This allows a person with the properly equipped computer to contact another person with the same capabilities using the program called Skype.  This is a video conferencing program that allows individuals to contact others via their computer and actually see them on their computer screen.  It is the next best thing to actually being there with the person. 

            The author’s reference to a single computer developing the abilities to connect to other computers and updating its knowledge and developing ideas that the human race has not thought of is still not possible.  The author spoke of removing that one offending computer and hiding it in a basement to prevent it from taking over is still a fantasy.  There may be a time that this may happen, but to date computers are not capable of bypassing their own programming and making cognitive decisions.  The idea that one day the world will be taken over by rogue robots that have the capability to learn and grow have been depicted in many movies and in my opinion this still may be possible. 

            The author also referenced that if computers were removed from the world that we could no longer function as a society.  I believe that this fact is very true.  The world has become reliant upon computers and their programs to run our daily lives.  The advancements that have been made using computers is simply amazing.  We are able to communicate world-wide with various individuals to conduct business in a way that was never possible.  Having recently experienced a system crash with the computers at work, I experienced the reliance on computers first-hand.  I was not capable to completing my daily tasks without the computer.  Most of what I do in a day’s work is on the computer and a large portion of what is done is stored on the computer.  I found it very frustrating not to be able to have my computer to complete my required work.  I do believe that the human race would be lost without computers.  They have become our life line and a source for completing daily tasks.  I believe that the human race is addicted to the internet and the freedoms that it allows in our daily lives.

            The short story was a difficult read, but the foresight of the author and the computer’s capabilities is truly amazing.  The author was one that thought outside the box and could see the possibilities associated with the computer.  The human race has become extremely reliant upon computers for their programming capabilities and the use of the internet for information at our finger tips.

Module Nine

 

            The building of a Dell laptop is quite an amazing process.  The customer calls into Dell’s call center and speaks with a representative about what they are looking for in a laptop.  The customer informs the representative of what they would like to computer to have as far as software based upon their needs and how they would like the computer to operate.  They inform the representative of the special features that they require for the computer.  The representative then processes the customer’s payment and sends the customer’s order to the Dell production team in Malaysia by email.

 In Malaysia the required parts for the computer are then ordered from the Supplier Logistic Centers near Pengang.  The suppliers get a signal that tells them what components are needed and immediately pull the parts for delivery.  The parts are delivered to the production team within ninety minutes.  The Supplier Logistic Center will make shipments to the Dell factory in Pengang every two hours.  The parts are received at the factory and are unloaded, bar coded, registered and placed in bins for assembly. 

A Dell team member in Pengang receives the order once all the parts for the particular computer.  The parts are pulled and placed in a special carrying tote designed to protect the parts.  A team member will then assemble the computer by hand and properly label each computer. The computer is then sent down the line for the software ordered by the customer to be loaded onto the computer.  Once the software is downloaded the computer is then sent down the line for boxing and labeling.   Once the computer is properly packaged it is then put on a plane for shipment to the customer.  The entire process from beginning to end takes only approximately thirteen days.  This is an amazing process that definitely encompasses the idea of the self-directed consumer.  Each computer is specifically designed for the every customer.  These computers are not like those that you can purchase in various electronic stores or warehouse conglomerates.  They are designed by the customer for the customer. 

I am of the firm belief that al-Qaeda doe have a supply chain.  As distorted and corrupt as it may be, there is obviously a supply chain at work.  They are able to recruit members world-wide and solicit funds for their cause by using the internet and satellite television.  Al-Qaeda is able to broadcast their ideas world-wide through the internet reaching every possible sympathizer. They are able to obtain funding for their madness and recruit willing victims for their suicide bomber tactics.   New suicide bombers are recruited and sent to Beirut for training as soon as one is sent out.

Friedman stated that instead of producing products and profit al-Qaeda is producing mayhem and murder.  Most supply chains are based upon the business of producing products and profit not causing the destruction of people as in the case of al-Qaeda.  Friedman further states that al-Qaeda uses the tools of collaboration uploading to raise money, recruit followers and stimulate and disseminate ideas; out sourcing to train recruits and supply-chaining to distribute the tools and suicide bombers to undertake operations.  Through their supply-chaining, al-Qaeda is able to spread their ideas and convince people to carry out bombings in various places around the world.  The flattening of the world has not only benefited the ambitious business person, but the underhandedness of al-Qaeda. 

The curse of oil is the monarchs and dictators run the oil states are getting rich by drilling natural resources so that they can stay in power forever.  These supposed leaders use the oil money to dominate all power in their state.  They control every aspect of the state such as the army, police and intelligence.  They have to be able to maintain control of the oil tap to remain in power.   They never have to tax their people; therefore, there is no representation for the people.  The dictators and monarch do not have to listen to the people or inform them of how those monies are being spent as the monies are obtained through taxes.  They remain in control.  The development of their country falls to the way side and the people are left behind.  The rich remain rich and the poor remain poor.  The states without oil have the most development and growth.  They are developing the skills of their people, developing freedoms for their people and relations for importing and exporting.  The states being held by the monarchs and dictators are being left behind and those that are not are developing and growing at fast pace.  They are taking advantage of the business of imports and exports.   

The flattening of the world through the internet has done amazing things for people around the world both good and bad.  The self-directed consumer is able to have a computer specifically designed for them and shipped right to their door step.  Whereas the ugliness of terrorism is also benefiting from the flattening of the world. 

Module 8

            My first semester in college after being out of school for twenty-six years was an eye-opening experience.  I took an anthropology class as one of my first classes.  Once I started reading the material that was required, I found it to be very intriguing.  What I also discovered was that there was so much information and terminology in the required text book that I did not understand.  There were topics that were not clear to me.  I pondered as to how to go about researching the information so that I could make sense of what I was reading.  I was thinking about the possibility of going to the library, the old school way of research, but then remembered that I had the internet readily available.  That is when I went to my laptop, opened the internet browser and began to research the topics that I needed clarification on.  Within seconds information on the subject matter came up, giving me many web sites to choose from.  I was able to review several web sites and clear up the questions that I had.

            Thinking back to when I was in school as a teenager and what our source for preparing our papers were.  Our medium was pen and paper or, if you were lucky, a typewriter.  I am amazed every time I think about it and how my school papers are prepared now.  There is so much information at our fingertips today.  Not having to go to the library to research the topic for the paper is a big time savings.  The resources on the internet are also larger and easier to research than going to the local library.  The library, depending on its funding, may not have particular books on their shelves that you need to complete your research.  Using the internet gives the person the ability to search many different sources in a short period of time.  I enjoy the ease of searching for information on the internet as it has drastically changed the way I researched the information for my papers.

            The computer has also changed the way the papers are prepared.  Preparation of school papers has gone from being hand-written and turned in to the teacher/professor to being typed on the computer using software programs such as Microsoft Word and emailed directly to the teacher/professor.  Preparing the papers using the computer has also cut down the time it takes to prepare the paper.  I have developed typing skills and I can type twice as fast as I can write.  By using the computer for preparation of these documents an electronic copy of the paper can be kept instead of storing the actual paper. 

            The computer has been a positive and welcome change to the way that my school papers are prepared.  Researching information with the internet has made the process of preparing the papers much easier.  There is so much information at our fingertips that the research can be completed in a more expeditious manner.  The use of computer software to prepare the papers has also increased the speed with which I am able to prepare my school papers.  The advances that have been made with computers are mind boggling to me.  A computer that I bought five years ago is obsolete and slow compared to what is being produced today.  The ability to surf the internet and gather information from the comfort of your own home is also a luxury that I quite enjoy.

Module Seven

            Comparative advantage is having the ability to produce an item at a much lower cost than anyone else.  The country/region that have well educated workforce, laborers with strong work ethics, lower taxes and offer incentives to potential customers are the most successful.  It is not just about the cheap labor anymore.  It is more about the quality and price.  The consumer is demanding a higher quality product for a much lower cost.  In order for a country/region to be able to provide this, it needs to take a close look at its way of conducting business.  According to Friedman, the country/region, its people and government need to engage in brutally honest introspection.  They need to determine to what extent they are taking advantage of the flat world in order to become more competitive. 

Successful businesses need to engage not only in wholesale reform but retail reform.  Friedman states that a country needs to focus on four basic things to develop, which are having the right infrastructure such as cheap internet, mobile phones, airports and roads.  The right educational system to get their people innovating and collaborating.  The right governance – a quality bureaucracy to channel, govern, and enhance the creative energies of a country.  The right environment – preserving the green spaces to attract the knowledge workers.  They need to adopt more market-friendly macroeconomic policies according to Friedman.  A country also needs to address retail reform as well.  The country needs to make it simple for a company to conduct business in order for them to be competitive in a flat world. 

Self-directed consumers, according to Friedman, are those that serve themselves in their own way, at their own pace, in their own time, according to their own tastes.  Consumers have learned that they can now control how they purchase items, from whom they purchase those items and the cost of those items.  The consumer has essentially now become the employee of the company they are seeking to purchase an item from and is paying that company for their products.  Businesses are having to change the way they do business in that they need to act like a small business and let the consumer believe that their product is being tailored from their needs and giving the consumer more options.  The consumer is now looking for the one-stop shopping experience.  They are looking for web sites that offer more than just one services. 

Being in control of how you are purchasing an item and at what price is a very addictive feeling.  The empowerment that you feel is very gratifying.  I have not fully grasp the idea of the self-directed consumer as of yet.  I am slow on the take-off, but I am getting there.  I have learned that I can have my bank pay my bills for me when I tell them to and I don’t have to worry about them.  This is an amazing discovery for me being a single mom who doesn’t have time to sit and write out checks for all the bills that I need to pay.  I love to sit down at my computer enter the bill to be paid and what date it is to be paid on  and leave it up to the bank to take care of sending it off.  The advancements in customer care and/or customer control are fantastic and give the consumer a feeling that they are in control of some aspect of their lives.

As globalization continues to grow, the perception that globalization is Americanization will diminish.  There are currently American made or produced items across the world such as McDonalds in Japan or being able to buy Coca-Cola products in many areas of the world.  This could lead to the misconception that globalization is Americanization.  I agree with Friedman in that there will come a day where the influence of other countries will be just as strong world-wide as America.  America had the advantage in that we were able to get a quick start, but as the other countries continue to develop and embrace globalization their cultures, songs, opinions, etc. will be known world-wide.