Online Shopping and the Environment

In an effort to save the environment, many people resort to online shopping for their retail needs. Online shopping is beneficial for the environment in many ways. One example is how it saves gas and lessens pollution from motor vehicles. Although the amount of gas you use roundtrip to drive to the store is less than what a delivery truck uses to bring you the item you purchase, the delivery truck is also using that same amount of gas to bring packages to many other people. Online shopping is more environmentally friendly than in-store shopping because the gas required for one hundred people to drive to the store and back is far greater than the amount of gas that a delivery truck will use to bring those packages to the homes of those one hundred consumers. Additionally, the energy that is put into running a store is lessened when those purchases are made online. There’s no electricity or gas bill for online shopping.

Contrary to popular belief, online shopping can actually be detrimental to the environment when compared to in-store shopping under certain circumstances. For example, purchases that come in the mail have far more packaging than in-store purchases do because of the boxes and such they use to deliver the purchases in. Additionally, you can’t buy locally over the internet; that has to be done at your local store. Buying locally definitely helps the environment by saving in gas for transportation of goods. Lastly, if you are a consumer who uses public transportation, bikes, walks, or uses any other mode of green transportation, going to the store has less of an impact of the environment than online shopping because you use little or no gas in the venture.

In the end, the effect of online shopping on the environment compared to in-store shopping depends on the consumer’s habits. If you drive a long distance to the store and you don’t tend to buy locally, then online shopping is the way to go to help the environment. Contrastingly, if you live near the store, use public transportation, and/or buy locally, then in-store shopping is better for the environment.

*I used an article on treehugger.com to aid in my discussion of this topic.

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Shift to Low-Tech games Bad

With ultra-realistic video games like Call of Duty: Black Ops and Crysis being developed by major video game companies it is surprising to see the strong pull for two dimensional flash games offered by smart phones. The popularity of these games has been a source of concern for video game producers as reported by Joshua Brustein of New York Times.

The emergence of smart phones in the video game market has disturbed the progressing video game experience. With every year, video games become more challenging and more realistic however the recent pull for the games on smart phones has pushed back this development significantly. Video game producers who are creating games based on the progressing video game experience are suffering because of the abnormal trend that hit the video game market due to smart phones.

The smart phone market is forcing video game producers to delegate resources within their company to cater to recent pull to lower quality games. Nintendo, creator of the notorious Super Mario Series and interactive Wii system, told game developers that “smart phones were driving a trend towards lower quality, and economically unsustainable, video games.” These lower quality games are not economical because resources put into creating these game end up losing their appeal relatively quickly whereas a quality game lasts for a longer time.

As a gamer I tend to agree with the Nintendo. Games on smart phones last for a couple weeks before they lose their appeal. I appreciate challenging and realistic games like StarCraft 2 and Call of Duty over overly elementary/repetitive games like Angry Birds. Games like StarCraft 2, ten years from now, will continued to be played which goes back to what Satoru Iwata, Nintendo’s chief, says regarding video game development, “Maintaining high value games are top priority.”

The Internet: Combating Monolingualism Everywhere

Click on the following paragraph!

Yo pienso que el internet es un recurso fantástico para aprender otras idiomas. También, el internet ayuda communicación entre culturas y países, porque podemos traduzcar cualquier cosa que queremos con un clic. Este hace que la información está más disponible. Antes, cuando no podíamos usar traductores en línea, tuvimos que esperar que una person bilingue pasó mucho tiempo traduzcando cada página en nuestro idioma. Ahora, cada persona tiene el mismo nivel de aceso a información.

As you can see, the grammar of the translator is not perfect, as languages are incredible complex and nuanced. However, could you understand what I wrote? You can see that, although you may not speak Spanish, with the internet, you don't need to have studied a language for years to be able to understand foreign text. ¡Qué fantástico!

The implications of this ability are huge. This means that if a kid in China stumbles across our blog and wants to know what the post below me says, all he has to do is copy it into a translator, and bingo! If I need to decipher a scholarly article in Tagalog on the merits of hydroponic lettuce production for my PLS2 research paper, it's not a problem! This has a huge effect on the world, because people have infinitely more access to information and other cultures than they did before. This completely eradicates the language barriers that our species has faced for the entirety of its existence.

As far as real-life language barriers go, the internet helps in a few ways. What happens if I am speaking to a native Spanish speaker or reading a book in Spanish, and even though I have a good grasp of the language, I don't know the meaning of a word that is critical to understanding the meaning of a sentence? I can pull out my iPhone and type that word into my iTranslate app, and presto. No problemo.

All these abilities, however, still don't invalidate the importance of learning a language. Speaking another language gives you insight into points of views, cultures, and ways of thinking that are unavailable to you in your first language. When traveling or communicating face-to-face with foreigners around you, you have to have at least a basic understanding of their language. Luckily, the internet can help in this regard as well!

The internet has helped me in my endeavor to become bilingual by providing an incredible amount of access to language-learning resources. I can watch YouTube videos of subtitled animes in Spanish to improve my listening skills, or look up an article about why they sometimes use "the" in situations where we don't in English. I have instant access to multiple explanations by native speakers of complex grammar points, and different ways to say a complex phrase. I have also had the pleasure of making friends online with a girl in Mexico City who is studying English, which has been an invaluable resource for me. This gave me the ability to carry on a conversation with a native speaker who is happy to give me feedback on my grammar: something that otherwise is only available by visiting a country or conveniently having a friend in real life who speaks the language you're learning.

The effect of the internet on language barriers is huge. Don't shy away from communicating with people that speak other language, or using resources that aren't written in your native tongue. You might gain access to an interesting point of view that nobody from your corner of the world could have come up with.

All Things Should Be Free

I’m not sure if this qualifies as an actual Blog post, or if it should be a comment somewhere, but I wanted to share this thought. I also realize that parts of it are terribly confusing and the grammar is not ideal. I’ve tried to be as clear as possible.

Researching for this class has made me realize something. Facebook and Google are worth billions. Their employees and CEO’s make unbelievable amounts of money. Yet, what exactly do they sell?

This gives me a completely ridiculous idea.

All things should be free. All companies, services and products should pay for themselves by advertising for other things (the way Google and Facebook do). ‘Name brands’ would be invaluable because only the things widely advertised would be consumed reliably. Other companies would then want to advertise themselves on the name brand items.

Eliminating cost would eliminate one of the main indicators of worth and value. People would have to turn to how well something was advertised and how much others wanted to advertise on that something in order to ascertain what it was worth. If someone wanted a car, they’d still want a good, reliable car, preferably the best. How would they tell? Yes, it should be shiny and look cool. But then they all would, wouldn’t they? How would one avoid buying a cheap knock-off that could be dangerous? One would have to look to the advertisements. Car companies would want to advertise on a Jaguar because it has a reputation. Car companies would want to advertise on a Honda because they’re everywhere and reliable. We would be left with the best cars, for free. The car companies would essentially vote for which other companies survived. These surviving companies would still strive for excellence, for once a company lost repute it would lose its advertising and thus its revenue.

I understand how implausible all this is. But wouldn’t it be cool? In a way, it would be like returning to Caveman days. There would no money, just someone’s word. It makes me think of potential jobs like wearing advertisements all day. It also would change the political landscape. One would only trust a politician who was visibly endorsed by trustworthy people/companies and who advertised on other worthy people and companies.

Thanks for listening to my silliness.

Stick it to the Man

When deciding on a restaurant on a given Saturday night there are a few things I like to consider: cuisine, location, atmosphere, and quality. As a starving college student it is imperative I find a meal that is worth my time and money. Menus are confusing and biased and it is hard to say whether a lone critic has good taste or not; however, today I don’t even consider these sources. Before making decisions about local businesses I always turn to some user reviewed site such as Davis Wiki or Urban Spoon for assistance.

The blogs, tweets, and online review sites are helping consumers like me every day. The power of being constantly connected has given authority to the costumer to write about his or her personal experience. Users have the ability to log in to these sites and write critical reviews on any product or business and what is written will be heard; essentially, a more effective comment card.

The review forums have sparked a new form of blogging: the mother blogger. A New York Times article discussed the online community that has formed from mom bloggers across the country. Moms have the ability to speak out and help each other. They offer up suggestions from what products to use on stains to eco-friendly decorating tips.

Online communities have brought all types of consumers together. A few online reviews can make or break a business. Thanks to these sites, we can express our opinions and anyone can hear it. So thank you Davis Wiki, and all of its supporters; my dining decisions just got a lot simpler.

My Confession

College isn’t easy. I know I’m stating the obvious; classes, midterms, and papers have consumed every one of our lives at one point or another. Coming into finals week we reflect upon the days we missed class or the hours we could have been studying. If we weren’t studying, what were we doing? Sports and clubs do take time chunks out of our day but personally that’s not where the majority of my free time is spent. I think our problem lies in Facebook.

Facebook has become an additional limb for many of my peers. Taking a walk through the library, I would estimate one out of every three computers has Facebook open. Facebook isn’t the sole problem in our procrastination; there is YouTube, Like a Little, and StumbleUpon but Facebook links them all together. The social network has become a one stop shop as a source of news and activities. A few nights ago, my roommates and I sat on the couch, five laptops open to Facebook and a show playing on the TV. We are completely over stimulated and I don’t think I could struggle through another round of finals living like this. So, I have turned my Facebook off this week. It wasn’t enough to make a personal commitment; I had my best friend change the passoword to my account. There will be no procrastination for me this week, no status updates, pictures to comment on, or online chatting. It’s going to be a tough week but I think it would be more difficult with my Facebook newsfeed open.

Robots Are Taking Over!

Movies where robots and artificial intelligence take over the world, such as “I, Robot” and “The Matrix Trilogy”, are becoming more prevalent in today’s culture. This is probably because robots ARE taking over the world. With new self-checkout systems, electronic nurses, and commercial production machinery, humans are being displaced from possible jobs. As a result, the human connection created at the checkout counter or with a nurse is being replaced by technology.

Montefiore Medical Center’s Home Health Agency now uses a new electronic nurse of sorts in the homes of patients who have heart problems. This “nurse” monitors vital signs, questions the patient concerning their health, and takes care of the patient without the need for a human nurse. So far, this technology seems to work, but is it more effective at provided medical care than an actual nurse? The nurse is able to see the patient and evaluate their health status better, especially if the patient answers the electronic nurse’s questions incorrectly. Also, the nurse can physically save the patient if they need CPR or any other sort of emergency medical care, while the machine cannot. However, the electronic nurse is less expense in the long run and can provide medical care for the patient 24/7. This new electronic nurse might be able to put up a fight for nursing positions and beat humans out.

Self-checkout systems are also becoming more common in grocery and retail stores. These machines are quick and easy to operate once you learn how to, but they may prove difficult to learn for the older generations. As a consumer, you are able to check out more quickly and avoid the long lines and the normal checkout counters. Conversely, fewer jobs are available in stores who convert to this technology. Checkout clerks will be less common, and fewer jobs will be available.

With any technologies like the aforementioned ones, there is a loss of human connection. When we stop interacting with each other, our ability to interact in society is hindered. Society needs these human connections to remain a society. As quick and efficient as these new technologies may be, we lose both jobs and human connection as a result. Robots will effectively take over the world at this rate.

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YouTube-Good or Bad?

I have a confession to make: I spend a lot of time on YouTube watching other people’s video blogs. Pretty ridiculous right? Something about watching someone else talk into a camera doesn’t seem entertaining or substantive, but you will be surprised how addicted some people are to these videos. Video bloggers like Ryan Higa and UC Davis’ very own Kevin Wu are followed so religiously that they make money off their five minute video. CBS Sacramento reports that Kevin Wu, who started his video blogging endeavor in high school, has made enough money to pay for college and to donate to monthly charities.

Their rise to celebrity status on YouTube has caused countless people to create their own video blogs in hopes of making it big like Kevin Wu. People make videos on all sorts of things ranging from rants to “How to” videos. The issue that arises with the wide range of made videos is that people would make controversial videos in hopes of making a popular video. The recent video rant by the UCLA student is evidence of this. Not only were students comments offensive it prompted an equal number of video responses that were equally derogatory.

Even though YouTube has lots of controversial content, it has its fair share of substantive content. Aspiring film makers and musicians turn to YouTube to be seen and heard. Wong Fu Productions, a startup film making company started by three UC San Diego students, have turned to YouTube to share their thought provoking films.

As an avid viewer of YouTube videos, I find myself pleasantly surprised every time I watch an inspiring short film or talented musician and also disgusted whenever I watch offensive videos. I encourage viewers of videos on YouTube to consider the content you watch because whenever you view the video you are supporting their negative content.

Cancer From...Phones?

Today, everything seems to be labeled as carcinogenic because researchers haven’t found any conclusive evidence on the source of cancer in humans. Cell phones now fall in the category of questionable carcinogens. Additionally, studies have shown that brain activity changes with the frequent use of cell phones. Is this a rational fear, or should we just not worry about the possible adverse health effects of cell phones because of how uncertain they are and how dependent society is on cell phones today?

An article on aolnews.com discusses some of the adverse effects of cell phones and whether it is cause for concern, using multiple studies as a basis. There was a recently-published study done over 10 years in 13 different countries, called the “Interphone Study”, which evaluated the relationship between cell phones and brain tumors. The study found no correlation between cell phone use and brain tumors. Another study was published last month that called “Effects of Cell Phone Radiofrequency Signal Exposure on Brain Glucose Metabolism”. This study evaluated the effects of cell phone signals on brain processes. The study found an increase in brain glucose metabolism as a result of cell phone use, but scientists are unsure of the clinical significance of this discovery. This study is further discussed in an article in the health section of cnn.com, as well as other inconclusive studies related to this topic.

Since so many studies have inconclusive results regarding the relationship between cell phone use and brain-related health problems, what is the answer? Are cell phones harmful to our health? We may never know, but you have to decide this: since there are correlations between cell phone use and some brain functions, do you think that the possible unhealthy outcomes outweigh the benefits of using cell phones? I don’t believe that society as a whole can decide to stop using cell phones because we are so dependent on them now. Many researchers believe that using an earpiece solves the problem; maybe that is the answer.

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Debate over E-Books in Libraries

With the technology boom reaching nearly every aspect of our lives it is not surprising to see digitalized books known as e-books in Libraries. Over the years libraries has provided readers like you and me with shelves of books which we could borrow at our own leisure. Now these shelves will be replaced with a database where avid readers could download full novels for free. Despite the conveniences that e-books in libraries would bring, it has been the source of new debate in the publishing world.

Traditionally, libraries would reach an agreement with publishers where once the e-book is purchased the library is free to distribute an unlimited number of times. Recently, publishers have been feeling uneasy regarding this policy and HarperCollins Publishers proposes to enforce stricter enforcements which would require books be checked out only 26 times before they expire. This proposal has been the source of much uproar within the library community. Anne Silvers Lee, chief of materials management division of the Free Library of Philadelphia states, “We want e-books in our collection, our customers are telling us they want e-books, so I want to be able to get e-books from all the publishers. I also need to do it in a way that is not going to be exorbitantly expensive.”

As an avid borrower of library books I cannot help but side with the library in this situation. Libraries receive minimal funding despite being a great resource of people of all ages. This new policy on e-books enacted on publishers will do little to help the situation libraries go through with trying to keep afloat for their communities.