Humanities is the building-block to many different aspects of human life., It can be described as the study of the infinite number of ways in which people, from every period of history and from every corner of the globe, process and document the human experience. Humans have used philosophy, literature, history and language to understand and document the world. These accounts of human experience give us the prospect to feel a sense of connection to those who have come before us, as well as a link to those in our time. In its entirety, humanities provides insight to what it is to be human – helping us understand our world and bringing clarity to the future. It incorporates multiple fields which all share a common output – insights into this world, insights into human behavior. Nonetheless, this world is an ever-changing place. Some of the most drastic changes can be seen through technological advancements. The majority of these advancements occurred in the late 20th century which resulted in a new era, the digital age. This era can be categorized by the abundant publication, consumption and manipulation of information, especially by both computers and computer networks. It is important to note that the digital age has affected the subject of humanities in major ways. Through orality and the fluctuation of popular literacy, it possible to note just how much virtual space has altered the human kind as a whole – digital experience are no longer separate in this human world. In order to combat these continuous changes we must “... be aware of the cultural shift we are a part of, this is not simply a replacement of one mode by another but rather a relationship to each,” (Laroche).
We have explored philosophy, history and literature thr...
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... not simply staring at a computer screen, we are engaging our own thoughts and reflecting on both what it is to be human and analyzing what makes us unique individuals.
The digital age has altered not only humanities, but also life as we have known it. Realizing what is being done – that techniques, data and information from the digital realm is being infiltrated into every aspect of our lives - we can make sure that we stay connected to the rest of the world. Although popular literacy and orality are important aspects to keep humans from drifting from these fundamental elements, history and philosophy play an important role as well. Overall, humanities are a building-block to the past, a link to the present and a glimpse into the future. It provides a view into the digital cultural shift and helps society understand the world while bringing clarity to the future.
People all around agree that technology is changing how we think, but is it changing us for the better? Clive Thompson definitely thinks so and this book is his collection of why that is. As an avid fiction reader I wasn’t sure this book would captivate me, but the 352 pages seemingly flew past me. The book is a whirlwind of interesting ideas, captivating people, and fascinating thoughts on how technology is changing how we work and think.
The most important aspect of the article “Northrop Frye Talks About the Role of Humanities” is Frye’s assertion that the inability to articulate thoughts and ideas results in the impoverishment of the means of verbal communication. Verbal communication becomes impoverished because the ability to articulate is discouraged in society, articulating thoughts are inconvenient for humans, thus simplistic means of communications is preferred and verbal communication is hindered by ill and unfit words to convey one's thoughts. Verbal communication becomes impoverished because the ability to articulate is discouraged in society. Modern technological systems of communication have evolved in a way that prevents the ability to articulate one's thoughts.
The essay “Into the electronic millennium” is a cynical observation of an author named Sven Birkerts, towards the electronic era of 21st century. Author’s overall intent of the essay is to put forth an awareness with a pinch of bias on the electronic damage to the society. He makes many assertions to argue his points which are some what valid even today, some of them which capture quick attention are: “The electronic media are invisible in process, but omnipresent in product” (Birkerts), “the only way that we can understand what is happening- what has already happened- is by the way of serve and unnatural dissociation of sensibility” (Birkerts). With all these impressive protestations, author is trying to make his readers ponder about the topic, as he says, “ To get the grip on the dimensions of the change, you must force yourself to imagine -deeply and in non-televisual terms- what the world was like a hundred, even fifty, years ago” (Birkerts).
Bradbury attacks loss of literature in the society of Fahrenheit 451 to warn our current society about how literature is disappearing and the effects on the people are negative. While Montag is at Faber’s house, Faber explains why books are so important by saying, “Do you know why books such as this are so important? Because they have quality. And what does the word quality mean? To me it means texture. This book has pores” (79). Faber is trying to display the importance of books and how without them people lack quality information. In Electronics and the Decline of Books by Eli Noam it is predicted that “books will become secondary tools in academia, usurped by electronic media” and the only reason books will be purchased will be for leisure, but even that will diminish due to electronic readers. Books are significant because they are able to be passed down through generation. While online things are not concrete, you can not physically hold the words. Reading boost creativity and imagination and that could be lost by shifting to qui...
There are a lot of interesting events that happened in the remaining chapters of Landmarks in humanities, by Gloria K. Fiero. Putting together this timeline, only important or interested events are gathered together to form my timeline. There are many movements that I can relate to, some I really like and some that I was indifferent about. The major events, artwork, poetry, political views, etc. that happened in each of these era, are hindered by certain beliefs, the depersonalizing effects of western industrialization would generate a new movement. Some things that interested me the most would be the Rococo Style in The Enlightenment Era, artwork & political views of the Romanticism movement, and Famous artist Picasso in Modernism.
When it comes to the definition of technology in their articles, both Carr and Cascio have similarities and differences. Both authors are debating about the use of technology in today’s society. Both of their articles touch base on the ideals of “what technology is” in their perspectives. Carr believes that technology is making us want the quick path to information or common knowledge and says the Internet is “a machine designed for the efficient and automated collection, transmission, and manipulation of information”. Cascio also believes th...
Many people in the world get into an almost unbreakable routine, shielding themselves from the real world. We wake up, brush our teeth, go to school with the same people, go home, and do it all over again. Once there is a roadblock in the way, it forces us to step outside our shell and look at others views for a change. American mythologist, writer, and lecturer,Joseph Campbell once said,”We must let go of the life we have planned, so as to accept the one that is waiting for us.” It is the act of noticing others words and actions that will reshape our lives for the better. In “Secret Samantha” and “Sol Painting, Inc.” the authors suggest that observing someone else’s perspective and taking the time to understand others can be mankind's greatest
There have been many great books that have been based on the growing relationship of technology and human beings. Today, technology is continuously changing and evolving along with the way people adapt to these technological advances. Technology has completely changed our way of living, it has entwined with our humanity, by being able to replace limbs and organs that we once thought could not be replaced. One of the most crucial things that technology has changed is the way people in society interact with one another. A story written by William Gibson titled “Burning Chrome”, portrays that very idea. In his text, Gibson presents that the reader lives within a world where there is no boundaries or limitations between technology and humans. They become a part of each other and have evolved side by side into a society where a person can turn their conscious mind into data and upload it to non-physical, virtual world. In this research paper I will discuss how our society’s culture and interaction with one another has changed and adapted with the advancements of technology over the years.
As time progresses technology increases and improves. However, this progression could pose as a serious problem for generations to come, and New York University department chair of communication arts Neil Postman expresses this concern in his 1992 book, Technopoly: The Surrender of Culture to Technology. In the opening of Postman’s book he expresses that technology is indeed our friend because technology provides our society with fast and easy convenience and accessibility. As with most other things, there are always two sides to everything and Postman notes, that “of course, there is a dark side to this friend” referring to technology (Postman, 1992). Many people do not address the negative sides to technology and just turn a blind eye to them so it is refreshing to have someone point them out and discuss the issues technology possess on our society.
humanities ever advancing knowledge of our world, it can save lives, make us healthier and is
... to assimilate the concept, argue and this widens our horizons and we try to broom rationalistic and humanistic in nature. When we go on reading books like that we come to know various situations which we may not be experiencing now, but later we can utilize this to handle the situation in a matured way when we actually face it. In today’s fast- paced world, reading has taken aback as modern gadgets and gizmos have made their grand foray in our life. The importance of literature has been overshadowed by media influence. Books are replaced by digital gadgets. But the importance of reading should not be abandoned. Reading novels, magazines and literary work give us a broader prospective of viewing things, improves skills, instills knowledge and makes us aware of various different facets of life. It lays a foundation of an enriched life and adds ‘life’ to the living.
Throughout the Renaissance, the Reformation, the Enlightenment, and the Industrial Revolution, technology has changed the world, conforming it into the techno-savvy world of modern times. While technology can cause slight problems, like in the example about the Next Generation identification, the possibilities of technology are continuously changing for the better. The everyday items of modern society were simply fiction several decades ago. While technology is used to complete tasks in fractions of the time, heal epidemics, and open doors of possibilities never dreamed achievable, this technology is only a beneficial resource to society if used with true intentions.
R. Howard Bloch once stated, “The humanities are an incredible source of practical information about the world around us”. The study of humanities has affected the life of every individual to walk the earth at some point in time; It seems sort of outrageous but it’s true. From art and literature to architecture and music, the humanities is present in our everyday lives. Its importance is often underestimated but in reality, it is extremely important to our existence. In fact, before entering my first humanities class I didn’t realize how important or interesting humanities was. After learning about how art, specifically, has changed over time, I find myself eager to learn more. The benefits of studying humanities includes: aiding individuals
Technology is changing how we think and act at younger ages. The term “technology” doesn’t only mean manufacturing processes and equipment necessary for production, it also defines a social space and could be a social problem which makes a real impact on social reality. Different types of social software affect a variety of aspects and have both positive and negative impacts. It's important to be aware of how a digitally-driven life is changing our education, sense of self, relationships, social interaction, consumerism, and ways of doing business around the world.
Rosen, senior editor if New Atlantis, on her essay published in Wilson Quarterly in autumn 2009 “In the Beginning Was the Word,” points out how digital technology, especially in communication and entertainment, affects negatively on our lives socially and cognitively. She believes that although technology might appear as sign of our progress as humans, it is withdrawing us from the core literature. Rosen explains th...