After watching the document Digital Nation, my thoughts about technologies and culture I don't want to say have changed but more that it was a reality check. I realized how much our culture now has become so dependent and immersed in the digital media. There were questions asked, is there a catch to digital media? Or is it because we need instant gratification? And I would say yes to both those questions, there is always going to be a digital distraction around us. It seems like every person over the age 60 would say all these technologies are a problem, but like the video said this is not a new issue. There were people in the 1960s saying the world is moving too fast and is becoming a problem. But we as humans learn to adapt to the culture and should be open minded for exploration.
I already know I need to work on my media skills because I know I will be needed to know the use of them once I start looking for a job. I will need to know the different skills that come along with every new media. It was said in the document that the writing and reading skills are deteriorating of teenagers, which I see to be true but the thought that maybe the multitasking of our generation has increased.
What I felt most interesting about this documentary was all the discussion about “gaming”. It was being said teenagers are becoming addicted to video games. 90% of Korean children use video game. There are even camps to help kids with such addictions. It is crazy to think that a game can give people and immersive world to be in. it was asked in the video is gaming a real disease or just a phenomenon? And I feel that is a good question to ask, in the video during the War of the Warcraft convention they say that 1/3 of the girls who play the game end up being romantically involved with another “gamer”. Is this what I need to do to find a guy? Ha on the more serious note in these virtual worlds you are never “alone” but really no one is with you physically. Is that what people want out of their lives to not have that physical face to face interaction with people? I can’t imagine meeting my husband or best friend through a game, how does one communicate about real life? It is scary to think about how dependent we are on these multi medias but I feel greater comfort knowing I’m not the only one feeling this way J
