3 Interviews

The internet has many uses. I don’t think I could even name every use of the internet if I tried. Although I already had an intuition that different generations use the internet for different purposes, this assignment really categorized the attitude each generation has toward the internet. My findings were not astounding, but they have given me some insight as to how our culture has changed and how newer, better, and faster technology affects the comparative generations. I say that technology is better because I’m in the 18-35 category, if you know what I mean.

For this assignment I first interviewed my grandmother aka “Grams” who lives down the street. She has only been around computers since 10 years ago. Her first personal computer came at the age of 63, when my dad decided to buy her a Compaq desktop. I remember loving that computer when I would go over to Grandma’s house, and it seemed like my brothers and I used the computer to play games and get on the internet more often than she did. When I interviewed her a few days ago, she informed me that I was correct in thinking that she rarely used it. The only two clear motives she has for using her computer is to download pictures from her camera and to check her e-mail. Even so, she also has an AIM screen name. I frequent AIM, and I have NEVER seen her online.

The next person I interviewed was my mom, since she fits into the middle-aged category. We talked a lot about this class in our discussion about the internet. She thinks of the internet as a place where you can make or break your future. Her entire job depends on the internet, mainly through use of e-mail. She works as a network administrator at a local company which builds equipment for chemists, and it employs hundreds of people. All of these people have their own computer at work, and my mom’s job is to respond to technical problems dealing with their computers. The internet is an essential piece of her life, and also a big part of her personal life. At home, she uses the internet to look up sports scores, check the weather every 5 seconds (seriously!), e-mail, do research, and just plain surf the web. I don’t know if my mom could go longer than a few days without the internet. It has changed her life by letting her develop a certain degree of dependence on the easy convenience of the technology. She knows this and is fully aware of the consequences. Don’t moms know everything? We had a deep conversation about how many people ignore other people by allowing technology to take precedence over their personal relationships. It’s sad how our culture has been changed by CMC.

On pg 129, Wood and Smith cite that “Formerly sharp divisions between home and office-illustrated by the vast differences built between suburban ”bedroom communities” and urban corporate centers-are hard to differentiate as millions of Americans learn the art of telecommunicating.” It’s true. There are becoming less and less boundaries as to what is appropriate in the workplace, or even where the workplace is located. My dad used to telecommute, and he did performed his job just the way as he would in the office. However, I think he played more computer games when he lived at home and worked. I don’t even think his boss cared that he played computer games, as long as his productivity didn’t waver too much. I think that telecommuting isn’t fair to everyone else, and that it allows corruption and many people to take advantage of the company they work for. CMC has allowed us to work at home. Is it the best thing for society? I don’t think so…

For the third person to interview, I talked about this assignment with my boyfriend. His relationship with the internet is not unlike my own. The main purpose he has for getting online is to take care of the need-to-do errands. He checks his e-mail, pays bills online, checks his account balances, and on the fun side, watches youtube videos. He feels as though use of the internet in excess is bad news. He also brought up the point that when you attend college, it’s impossible to stay away from computers and the internet. I agree with him in that it feels like much of a college’s student’s time is taken up by being online. Whether it’s researching, socializing, or getting those need-to-do things done, the internet is at the center of today’s higher education curriculums. Our generation is much more dependent on the internet, and it has made its way into our culture. Social networking sites are everywhere, and the internet has transitioned into something with which you can fulfill your every need. My boyfriend Chris is very uncomfortable with communicating over the internet, because he can’t pick up on nonverbal signs well through its use. I remember when I used to talk to him though AIM and he would give me one word answers to my questions. It was because he couldn’t tell what emotion I was feeling, and didn’t want to say the wrong thing. He’s right, online communication definitely distorts lines of communication.