Perhaps this experience has happened to you:
You get the simple text: "Hey, what's up?" Now, you obviously respond: "nm, whats up?" but you really want to say: "Thanks for wasting a text."
Then they respond: "I have a qusetion for you"
OK, two texts in, and still you don't have any information.
Then they ask the question, you respond, and then they have a follow up, so you respond again. Then they thank you.
They have sent you five, you have sent four back and you are now 9 text messages shorter than you were before.
I think that this happens because of IM technology. People become use to the ease of sending a gazillion messages a second on a computer and they translate those tendencies into phone texts. The fact that they have unlimited text messages doesn't help either.
Still, there is a much more efficient way. If you want a conversation, just call. If you can't call, then don't have a conversation. Ask the question and use all 160 characters, get the response and then be merry. If you need a follow up then that is OK. But 4 is much better than 10.
Since text messages are still new, the etiquette for their use is still under construction. Hopefully, by the end of the decade, we will have figured it out.
What other technological ettiquette are we still constructing?
Think about it!
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Monday, January 25, 2010
The Poke
Ever think about the Facebook Poke? From an objective standpoint, what is the point? It is alike a perpetual ping pong game. It loses its meaning and the poke continues just for the sake of pride and continuation.
At first the poke is a little fun gesture. but it never ends. And then people are poking for a month and it is habitual. And then over the years you lose touch with the other person and you are still poking them.
WHY?
At first the poke is a little fun gesture. but it never ends. And then people are poking for a month and it is habitual. And then over the years you lose touch with the other person and you are still poking them.
WHY?
Monday, January 11, 2010
Computers From the Past
Think about all the components of the computer that have lost their significance and meaning over time.
The Keyboard
- Think about the Escape key. Escape. Now that is a word that makes you feel stuck in a program and you need to close the program. Today however, we use that key to do very little. Besides ESCAPING from a full screen video, I never use that key.
- What about the function keys. F4 and F5 I used often, but the other 10? Nope never never.
- The insert Key. Please. When do I ever type and want insert on. Whereas the escape key can sit there and not cause problems, the insert key is a pain all around. When that key is accidentally pressed, your essay or blog post will never be the same as it used to be...
-Scroll Lock?!?!
The Mouse
- Now that the mouse has scroll wheels, why include scroll bar buttons on the sides of windows? OK, so some people might not have them, and sometimes the wheels arn't accurate, but it still makes you think how redundant some features of computers are.
Other Things
- Why is the save icon a floppy disc. I bet there are people who don't even know what those are. At least printers still look like printers.
- Do you have any other thoughts?
The Keyboard
- Think about the Escape key. Escape. Now that is a word that makes you feel stuck in a program and you need to close the program. Today however, we use that key to do very little. Besides ESCAPING from a full screen video, I never use that key.
- What about the function keys. F4 and F5 I used often, but the other 10? Nope never never.
- The insert Key. Please. When do I ever type and want insert on. Whereas the escape key can sit there and not cause problems, the insert key is a pain all around. When that key is accidentally pressed, your essay or blog post will never be the same as it used to be...
-Scroll Lock?!?!
The Mouse
- Now that the mouse has scroll wheels, why include scroll bar buttons on the sides of windows? OK, so some people might not have them, and sometimes the wheels arn't accurate, but it still makes you think how redundant some features of computers are.
Other Things
- Why is the save icon a floppy disc. I bet there are people who don't even know what those are. At least printers still look like printers.
- Do you have any other thoughts?
Sunday, October 25, 2009
The Apeal of Riddles
While I know riddles aren't for everyone, what is it about riddles that is appealing to the rest of us?
Self Competition
Is it that we challenge ourselves to solve the puzzle part of us thinking we can't and another part thinking we can? Perhaps our egos are large enough, or positive enough, to think that we can do it even if that means it will take a long while?
Satisfaction
Maybe its that we want to be able to pat ourselves on the back for a job well done. There was no obvious easy solution and after hard work, our thinking paid off. Similar to doing jigsaw puzzles: the only objective is to make sense of a lot of chaos and in the end you can step back and be glad that its over and that you saw yourself through the thick of things.
Know it All
I suppose some people like to just know the answer to everything. If there is a way to know something, some people will go out of their way to get that knowledge. Perhaps some part of us riddle lovers is that the answer is right around the corner, we just have to go and get it.
Future Reference
What good is a riddle if you can't gloat about solving it. Not only to the person who told you the riddle, but also the next person you plan to tell it to. A riddle is more fun when you remember it and can gloat about having solved it when you tell it to someone else. The thrill of solving a riddle is not over when it is solved, but exists when others try to solve it.
Something up your Sleeve?
Maybe riddles are fun when you know a bunch of them, and are able to tell them to others. Part of a party trick perhaps. You can keep people busy at a boring dinner, or entertained at an airport. Perhaps the fun in riddles is that it is better than thinking about nothing.
Self Proof
I think people also like to solve riddles because it proves to themselves that they can solve problems. Knowing that there is a logical answer to the problem, people want to demonstrate independence and show that they are able to figure things out correctly on their own.
What is it about riddles that keeps some of us so entertained? Conversely, why do people not like riddles?
Think about it.
----------------
P.S. : What are the next three letters in this pattern: o-t-t-f-f-s-s-e-n-t-e-t-t?
Self Competition
Is it that we challenge ourselves to solve the puzzle part of us thinking we can't and another part thinking we can? Perhaps our egos are large enough, or positive enough, to think that we can do it even if that means it will take a long while?
Satisfaction
Maybe its that we want to be able to pat ourselves on the back for a job well done. There was no obvious easy solution and after hard work, our thinking paid off. Similar to doing jigsaw puzzles: the only objective is to make sense of a lot of chaos and in the end you can step back and be glad that its over and that you saw yourself through the thick of things.
Know it All
I suppose some people like to just know the answer to everything. If there is a way to know something, some people will go out of their way to get that knowledge. Perhaps some part of us riddle lovers is that the answer is right around the corner, we just have to go and get it.
Future Reference
What good is a riddle if you can't gloat about solving it. Not only to the person who told you the riddle, but also the next person you plan to tell it to. A riddle is more fun when you remember it and can gloat about having solved it when you tell it to someone else. The thrill of solving a riddle is not over when it is solved, but exists when others try to solve it.
Something up your Sleeve?
Maybe riddles are fun when you know a bunch of them, and are able to tell them to others. Part of a party trick perhaps. You can keep people busy at a boring dinner, or entertained at an airport. Perhaps the fun in riddles is that it is better than thinking about nothing.
Self Proof
I think people also like to solve riddles because it proves to themselves that they can solve problems. Knowing that there is a logical answer to the problem, people want to demonstrate independence and show that they are able to figure things out correctly on their own.
What is it about riddles that keeps some of us so entertained? Conversely, why do people not like riddles?
Think about it.
----------------
P.S. : What are the next three letters in this pattern: o-t-t-f-f-s-s-e-n-t-e-t-t?
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Measurements
Why are some measurements standard and others vary?
Time: 24 hours in a day(thank the Egyptians and Greeks), 60 minutes in an hour, 60 seconds in a minute. Is that standard? do other cultures hold different things.
Distance: Obvious mile vs. kilometers. English vs. Metric system. Why do these vary and not time? or does time vary also.
Money: Are there any monetary systems that are not base 10? (Other than those based on teeth...Speaking of which, do those actually exist?)
Enlighten me!
Time: 24 hours in a day(thank the Egyptians and Greeks), 60 minutes in an hour, 60 seconds in a minute. Is that standard? do other cultures hold different things.
Distance: Obvious mile vs. kilometers. English vs. Metric system. Why do these vary and not time? or does time vary also.
Money: Are there any monetary systems that are not base 10? (Other than those based on teeth...Speaking of which, do those actually exist?)
Enlighten me!
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Riddles
Why do some people like riddles, and others don't?
Is it something about the nature of the riddles? or is it something inherent in those who don't like riddles?
You see, I have started making my facebook statuses riddles. Right now, nothing to fancy, but what I have been trying to say, has been a couple steps removed from what is there. But some people have figured out the riddles, and other people don't want to waste their time on them.
But I find riddles fun and entertaining. What causes the discrepancy?
Is it something about the nature of the riddles? or is it something inherent in those who don't like riddles?
You see, I have started making my facebook statuses riddles. Right now, nothing to fancy, but what I have been trying to say, has been a couple steps removed from what is there. But some people have figured out the riddles, and other people don't want to waste their time on them.
But I find riddles fun and entertaining. What causes the discrepancy?
Monday, May 18, 2009
Mental Problems with Time Machines
Time Travel - Going back in time.
Review: The age old paradox -- What happens if a person invents a time machine and goes back in time to prevent himself from being born?
The Logic: He was never born, so he could never create a time machine, so therefore he can't go back in time to stop his birth.
-------------------OK-----------------
Suppose technology evolves to allow time travel. Specific to this case, suppose the man is allowed to travel in time. Fine, no problem.
But if the person ever wants to alter events that will ultimately change the future, then his time machine will not work, because it will never have been invented.
----------------Time out-------------
Consider the butterfly effect. Man breaths a little breath which ultimately changes things on microscopic levels and ultimately macro levels. Therefore - the mere act of existing in a prior point in time may have serious consequences.
------------And we're back------------
It follows then, that the person who invents the time machine must only choose a place in the past that will not alter events. Otherwise, his time machine won't work in the first place. His science might be right, but without the correct intentions and mental choices, his time machine won't work.
-----------------------------------------------
Think about it.
Review: The age old paradox -- What happens if a person invents a time machine and goes back in time to prevent himself from being born?
The Logic: He was never born, so he could never create a time machine, so therefore he can't go back in time to stop his birth.
-------------------OK-----------------
Suppose technology evolves to allow time travel. Specific to this case, suppose the man is allowed to travel in time. Fine, no problem.
But if the person ever wants to alter events that will ultimately change the future, then his time machine will not work, because it will never have been invented.
----------------Time out-------------
Consider the butterfly effect. Man breaths a little breath which ultimately changes things on microscopic levels and ultimately macro levels. Therefore - the mere act of existing in a prior point in time may have serious consequences.
------------And we're back------------
It follows then, that the person who invents the time machine must only choose a place in the past that will not alter events. Otherwise, his time machine won't work in the first place. His science might be right, but without the correct intentions and mental choices, his time machine won't work.
-----------------------------------------------
Think about it.
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