Fun With Technology

Today I want to talk about how technology affects one of my hobbies in a very positive way. Surfing, one of the most low-tech activities around, is still very much changed by technology. One bit of new age technology that augments the sport is the GoPro camera. This camera is capable of capturing 11 megapixel video and photos, that is super HD! The GoPro is also very small (about 3in. by 2in. by 1in.) the small size of the camera allows it to be attached almost anywhere. Some places I like to put my GoPro are on a head strap and on the nose of my board. These attributes of the camera are directly linked to advancement in technology but the thing about GoPro that affects me personally the most is indirectly related to tech advancement, cost. Advancement in manufacturing technologies and automated machines allow the GoPro to be relatively affordable.
Another type of technology that makes surfing better is the invention of internet apps. From the palm of my hand, I can look into the future up to a week and half to see when and where the swell is going to be the best. This is all thanks to a little app called magic seaweed.

Here are a few clips of my friends and myself messing around with the GoPro on a small day at our local spot.

Research: 9-12-13

Over the past few days I have noticed an area that technology has changed people with the invention and availability of Global Positioning Systems. The GPS is everywhere now, if its not in your car on a tomtom or garmin, its for sure on your smart phone in your pocket. This availability of information and direction has enabled much more efficient travel to unfamiliar places. Yesterday I was navigating through Beaumont, TX like I'd lived there my entire life because Siri was just telling me where to go. Not only has GPS allowed millions of people to travel without getting lost, Parents are literally lo-jacking their children using the GPS capabilities of the kids' phones. Check out this link, its obviously pretty biased toward GPS but the site brings up some valid points.          http://rachelgreenberg.tripod.com/id12.html

Pre-research Attitudes and Ideas

           My attitude toward technology has always slightly negative but my opinion on the net affect of technological advancement on the human race is yet to be determined. From global warming and rampant use of pornography to life saving pediatric transplants and ease of world-wide communication, technology has unquestionably changed the way humans behave.

            The way I plan to investigate this issue for my bog is to carry on daily life with a heightened sense of how and why advancements in technology has changed the lives of humans in particular the college experience. Once an observation on a particular issue is made, I will investigate it on the Internet and get some facts and statistics. Hopefully by the end of this blogging assignment I will have a fairly convincing argument on weather technology is furthering the betterment of society or driving us to our doom.