Chapter 1: Unwrapping the Gift

Name: Robert Feind                                                                                                      Class time: 11am

KEEP THIS TO 1-3 – PAGES LONG (excluding reference page)

Author: Sara Baase

Date of Publication: 2008

Book: A Gift of Fire

Sections read: Chapter 1: UNWRAPPING THE GIFT 
 1.1 The Ubiquity of Computers and the Rapid Pace of Change (p.2-3)
1.2 New Developments and Dramatic Impacts (p.4-5)

1.3 An Introduction to Some Issues and Themes (p.21-27)
1.4 Ethics (p.28-34)

1.       (Knowledge)Tell three interesting elements of this chapter:

a.       It is interesting how it is told how rapidly technology has changed; for example, the 1991 space shuttle had a 1 megahertz computer on it, whereas in 2006 a 500 gigahertz processor was made for common PCs by IBM and Georgia Tech (pg 3).

b.        There are many standards of ethics, therefore it’s very hard to call someone unethical just because they don’t follow the same standards one would expect; as an example,  Deontological theories say the ethical thing is to always follow the rules whereas Utilitarianism says it’s to make your fellow man happy even at the expense of breaking some rules sometimes (pg 31-32).

c.        The law must change just as rapidly as technology does or there may be some major discrepancies; a privacy law in Pennsylvania had not been updated to include camera phones, therefore a man taking pictures up a woman’s skirt did not get a conviction any worse than disorderly conduct (pg 25).  

2.       (Comprehension) Summarize what is being discussed within this chapter?

Chapter 1 (Unwrapping the Gift) provides a basic introduction to what the book will be about. It explains how rapidly technology is accelerating and that even from 10 years from now technology could even be beyond our comprehension (pg 2-4). It also makes things much more accomplishable, such as the commission of a new bridge (pg 4). However, there is a trade-off we must acknowledge. For every advantage technology gives us there is a disadvantage that comes along with it. For example, with the invention of the ATM made money transactions quick and easy, though there’s the possible issues of identity theft, unemployment of actual tellers and clear alienation that comes along with it (pg 21-22). Technology, while growing quickly, is something we must also keep up with, meaning laws must be adjusted and privacy issues must be addressed (pg 25). The subject of ethics also comes into play, informing us that we must view the ethics of certain companies and establishments wisely, as these ethics affect the new technology that may be put into place (pg 34). An example of this is the issue of the Ford Pinto, a car made in the 60’s with obvious defects that were never fixed due to cost-effectiveness – more can be read of that here. In conclusion, technology is a mixed blessing, one that makes much easier for us, but can also raise some serious concerns.

3.       (Application)Name a specific example or NEW solution for this type of problem/similar situation in  society or that you have experienced – be specific and explain?

One example of this I have seen is a scandal involving the  Sony Playstation 3 that happened a couple of months back. The Playstation Network (PSN) has made it very easy for users to go online and purchase a game right onto their console without even having to leave the house. However a hacker had entered into the PSN and effectively stole a large amount of peoples’ accounts (which included many credit cards on file, not to mention personal information).  While Sony fixed the problem and reimbursed those affected, the effect remains the same.

4.       (Analysis)Address ANY that apply. How can you compare one of the situations in this chapter  to something that does not relate to computers, technology, or the Internet? Be sure to reference the chapter and your solution. What ideas NEW can you add to the issue that is being presented within the reading? Try to connect what you have by reading this article and how it applies to the stages in Bloom's taxonomy in 2 full sentences. 

One thing in the book compares technology and its ups and downs with something as simple as fire. Much like computers, there are trade-offs to fire – it can cook our food, heat our homes and even light the way to a dark area, however at the same time it can burn down buildings, destroy property and even kill (Baase, 2). Technology can easily be related back to Bloom’s Taxonomy, as it follows all the steps encompassed in it (knowledge, comprehension, application, analysis, synthesis and evaluation). If one is faced with a problem involving making something work better they will try to create something to do so, go through many steps of trail-and-error to see how well it solves the problem, they will turn it into a habitual action/improvement if proven to work correctly, they will learn the technology to make it even easier to use, and then evaluate how well it works, making possible revisions and improvements for future endeavors.

5.       (Synthesis) Address all that apply. Do you agree with what is being said within the article (Why/Why not? Back up with FACTS)?  What new conclusions can you draw about this (or other topics) after reading this material?

I agree with what the article states, as while technology is a great gift, it comes with many things to consider. For example, the ATM example stating how easy it is to use – though at the same time how easy it is for others to steal your card information and identity – is a prime example (Baase, 22). Also, while the internet is a great way for everyone to connect, it also includes all the vices of modern society, including but not limited to crime, copyright infringement and gambling (Baase, 25). From this I can draw the conclusion that everything must be looked at carefully; even if something seems like a really great thing, it will always come with some bad things to consider following it, and vice versa. This chapter has given the reader clear reason why they should always be careful of what they’re doing, whether on cyberspace or not.

6.       (Evaluation) Address all that apply. Judge whether or not this topic is relevant in today’s society? Evaluate why you are viewing the topic in this manner based on your experiences. What ethical evaluations (see Chap1-1.4 for exp of Ethics) or decisions were made/can be assumed from this chapter?  What new ideas will you make after reading this chapter?

This topic is extremely relevant for today’s society, as technology continues to grow at an exponential rate, so what we know now may pale in comparison to what comes into play decades from now. After reading this chapter I will be more skeptical of technology and everything that encompasses it. As with everything, there are some things you should know before delving too far into technology.

References

The Engineer. "Ford Pinto ENGINEERING.com." ENGINEERING.com | The Engineer's Ultimate Resource Tool. The Engineer. Web. 20 Sept. 2011. <http://www.engineering.com/Library/ArticlesPage/tabid/85/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/166/Ford-Pinto.aspx>.

Baase, Sara. "Chapter 1: Unwrapping the Gift." A Gift of Fire: Social, Legal, and Ethical Issues in Computing. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 2008. 2-34. Print