GIST

Notes for 2.23 follow, but you have to click to read them.

After we talked about gender categories in class, I found myself thinking about this interesting speculation on the nature of computer programs used to store information about marriages.

Our discussion in class on Wednesday displayed a general discomfort with gender & sexual binaries, yet there was no single, effective plan of action presented. To be honest I don't think there is one way to solve the problems presented by these binaries. It is impossible to encourage every member of our society to be on board with a new ways of thinking about gender and sexuality. Even if one found a way to do it, there would still be many people who refused to embrace this new world of blurred boundaries. However, I do believe that education is vital. Perhaps humans require labels to make sense of the world, perhaps labels are evil and only serve to divide us; either way I think it is too radical to attempt to eradicate them altogether.

 One of my favorite family stories happened last Easter, when my Mom was taking pictures of me and all my cousins outside. My youngest cousin, about two and walking but barely speaking at the time, kept breaking away from the group between shots and hanging on my mom's arms. No one could figure out what she wanted until my mom put the camera down for a minute and my little cousin immediately started looking at the pictures. My mom couldn't stop marveling about the idea that someone so young already understood this technology, having only mastered digital photography very recently herself.

 Clark describes “scaffolding” as the support system offered by technology to people. Interestingly, when Clark speaks to a colleague about his research, he learns about cognitive scaffolding. Here, technology acts as a memory support which debilitates our memories. For instance, a cell phone now has the ability to keep one’s schedule and to even remind them before the event occurs. This “scaffold” has enabled people to keep their appointments and be on time however, if their technology fails, their world comes crashing down. Clark tells us to forget the fear of a world where technology takes over by using the phrase post human.

 Hi, my name is Tapashi and I am a sophomore at Bryn Mawr. I am a math major but I have a ton of other interests as well which I'm trying to incorporate during my time at Bryn Mawr. I love chocolate. I tend to be random at times.

 Part of our discussion this week centered on the nature versus nurture debate, and whether humans are, as Clark claims, “primed to seek … nonbiological [sic] resources” (6). I agree that we are easily able to adopt and adapt to new technologies and survival aids; in other words, “primed” to use tools that suit our needs. As our needs change and grow more complex, so do our tools. However, I take issue with Clark's claim because it reflects only one part of human nature (however one decides to define “human”).

Hello everyone! I'm Sadie. I'm a sophomore Biology major. I think the most significant relationship I have with technology is the one I have with my computer. Because of my computer, I have been able to discover new areas of interest, study more efficiently, and (perhaps most importantly) explore my creativity. Because I can type much faster than I can write by hand, I often prefer to use my computer to quickly write down my ideas and work on my writing projects. I also find it easier to use a computer for longer writing projects.