Mid Term Rushkoff

Review of Rushkoff

            When it comes to Rushkoff and his readings, I did agree with most of his points of view and his evaluation of media. I feel that he made some evident and clear points especially with the power and benefit of digital technology. As Rushkoff states, “The processes we used to use for finding a doctor or a friend, mapping a route, or choosing a restaurant are being replaced by machines that may, in fact, do it better. What we lose in the bargain, however, is not just the ability to remember certain facts, but to call upon certain skills” (Rushkoff, 33).  This is certainly a viewpoint that I find myself agreeing with and not only that but one I think my generation struggles with in terms of communication and relations with others. It is points like these that Rushkoff is great at proving points and opening up topics of discussion by allowing readers to divulge into deeper conversation and upon the root of a modern day issue. The documentary we watched in class touched a lot on the subject of how media has overtaken people and their daily lives, and even so, with children growing up in this generation. Video games, social networking and being glued to our cell phones has taken away from the daily activities of interacting with others on a personal level, face-to-face, and also has disengaged children from such things as outdoor activities and healthy habits. Rushkoff says, "We can choose to whom or what we want to be available, and when. And we can even choose people for whom we want to be always on. Being open to a call from a family member 24/7 doesnt require being open to everyone" (31). 

      Rushkoff touches on how we have learned new technologies, but not yet learned how exactly they work and how they work on us humans. "This means they have access to the capabilites given to them by others, but not the power to determine the value-creating capabilites of these technologies for themselves" (Rushkoff, 13). By not knowing how these technologies work, Rushkoff believes that we then are atually being a step behind the capability that is given to us. Rushkoff delves into deeper meaning behind what it means to have technology and the affect that it has on us but also why it is important to understand how its programming works on us as well. Relationships and the convience of talking to others via online and the relationships we develop from using technology. "A mediaspace that used to make us feel utterly alone now connects us to anyone, anywhere" (Rushkoff, 41). However, just like in the documentary we watched, it is important that we do not spend too much time on the computer with our relationships, but rather in person on a more personal level because ultimately there is no comparison to human connection that is face-to-face. There is a different interaction because it is real and human. Overall, Rushkoff talked about topics with technology that I agreed upon a majority of the time and really opened up my mind into thinking thru a different lense with a different perspective.