Assignment 5

Throughout David E. Nye’s book, Technology Matters, he sites several sources that help him to better explain the points in which he was referring to. For example, in chapter 10, he refers to a writer by the name of Debra Galant, who wrote the article called “Driven to Distraction,” the source quoted by Nye states, “Many drivers have trouble keeping their eyes on the road as they drink their coffee, eat, and talk on the phone, sometimes steering with their knees. A few drivers try to work on their personal computers or personal digital assistants”(186). In this section of the book Nye starts by explaining the positive side, so to say of multi-tasking. For example when parents “praise” their children on their ability to listen to music, do their homework, and surf the internet all at the same time. However, when it starts to consume our lives, and multi-tasking becomes a part of everything we do, is it such a good thing? Of course it’s nice when all of our favorite restaurants, now have drive thrus, but that’s just another thing to add to our busy, hectic days. All of these everyday tasks tend to just form into being a normal routine for everyone, increasing everyday and if said from Nye’s point of view is because “people seem almost compulsive about keeping up with information flows”(186).

Another source that Nye refers to in his text, is taken from a book called Digital Being, written by Nicholas Negroponte. While explaining how much of the world today, think technology is a type of leisure item, rather than a necessity, Nye goes against the opinion of Negroponte when he states that: “digital technology can be a natural force drawing people into greater world harmony”(19). As Nye’s response to that is this: “This is nonsense. No technology is, has been, or will be a “natural force.” Nor will any technology by itself break down cultural barriers and bring world peace”(19), he obviously strongly disagrees that technology such as the television can have such a great effect, or too, a positive affect on society. He also argues that they can in no way be a “natural” force in the sense that technology in and of itself are inventions, not something that’s always existed. This opinion seems rather fair, seeing as how you can’t give something the credit of being “real” when it’s taking the place or making something easier, after the original product has always existed, just maybe not been as convenient as new discoveries.

All throughout Nye’s text are many strong, well reasonable arguments. The ones I chose to explain are just two of the hundreds of sources Nye uses throughout his entire book. While explaining an interesting topic, he uses either sources that agree with his opinions, or ones that argue against them, making it easier to express his point of view.

Although Nye doesn’t agree with all the uses of technology, he doesn’t necessarily “bash” any of them either. Using several examples of ways that can improve society, along with the ways it doesn’t, help people to realize the changes America really goes through everyday. Today, do any of us really realize just how much the world around us changes everyday? Do we realize how far we’ve come from 50 years ago, or even just 10 years ago? When we go out and buy the newest ipod, do you realize it was only just a couple months ago that we just bought the newest one then? I think these are the kinds of questions Nye is trying to raise. Ones that are so simple, yet everybody is completely oblivious to.