Author: vedsell

The human history is overflowing with words. It seems as though anyone can throw together a few simple sentence, and appear as a factual mastermind. With the birth of modernity, words have in some ways lost there validity. Many people are saying, but few are doing. Now what does that mean? Natalia Cecire wrote a brilliant article describing the development and current standing of Digital Humanities. In it she illuminates profound questions that we, as a discipline, must ask ourselves. How has the epistemological understandings of our species changed, and what can we do to fix it? These changes must be tied back to our evolution, our development, our integration of technology. These complex words, used as a tool of translation, must be built upon, I mean anyone can Google search a topic and suddenly appear to have omnipresent knowledge, or shall I say wikiwisdom of a topic. This is when the nice digital humanists steps in and show the world there is more ways to translate our thoughts;  there are tools out that can implement data, and produce a translated knowledge that is pertinent to a range of terrains and minds. As Cecire puts it, we must make sense our of what is happening to our world. We must be the translators, builders, or miners of this new way of obtaining knowledge, through technological processes and advancements.

This article inspired my thought process over the past few days. it stirred ideas, and new ways of communication and education kept running through my mind. Our thoughts and dreams can be turned into actions, I believe it. The education system in this country, and elsewhere, is flawed. It does not account for the thinkers that process differently, such as auditory, visual, and kinesthetic learners, and children are left behind. What if there was system that could process the learning patterns of a child, and distinguish the ways in which the child will best be taught. We have lost the arts, the passion, and creativity in learning. We have lost our communication route. The world is moving forward yet the children are held back by these enormous books filled will beautiful knowledge but is honestly a drag. It sounds terrible right, but it is so completely true. Technology is our new tool is translating knowledge, and it needs to be incorporated on a larger scale. We have the tools, we have the knowledge, we have the passion, but I think it is our job, DH101, to translate and effect change into the lives of those to come, in hope of making this world a more understanding, peaceful place. I can tell you this, there is nothing more rewarding that seeing the eyes of a child light up, and what if it was knowledge, thoughts, creativity,  that created those sparks. This is the discipline I wish to work in, a discipline of dreamers and imagineers.

Have you ever thought about the importance of computer interaction? Because of its recursive nature, these magnificant interacting tools are often seen as a prioty or necessity, rather than a precondition found in todays computing experience. Matthew Kirschenbaum wrote in , “So the Colors Cover the Wires’: Interface, Aesthetics, and Usability”; his chapter he discusses how the much stake is rest in the interface communications. He brought about a few examples when humans fell due to the failures of machines, for example in the case of Therac-25, many people passed because of radiation overdose when machine began administering higher doeses due to interface failure. He also brought up other examples of interface defects which resulted in a planes machine failure, causing it to crash.  You may ask, what is an interface? He describes it as a surface or boundary where two or more systems, devices come into contact and interact. The point of interfaces is to have no interfaces; a well thought through interface will allow the user to ignore the seperation grap found in these disconnected systems, and instead left as the machines little “secret.” Interfaces allow us to believe in a computer realm where almost any humans can connection and intermingle with others. This article presented excellent examples from an aray of fields, he even mentioned Frankenstein! I appreciated the stress placed on beauty, as he states that aesthetics may be the most crucial part of the computing experience. There is a distinct divide in the computer life between human and machine. But because of the beauty in interactive experience, the hidden nature of interfaces, and the easy essence of these machines, we disconnect from hardware which produces these experiences, and instead use it as an extention of the mind.

This weeks reading made me think about the personal computer and these smart phones that are in the hands of oh so many humans. What is  life with these technologies like, how is it that we have developed such a deep relationship with these devices? I think it is because of the hidden nature of interface communications and the real-time experience of the Internet. These devices are the key into this virtual world, where everyone gathers, shares, experiences, and so much more. There are moments where I feel like these technologies have disconnected us our reality, and into this indirect sphere of constructed identity. But at the same time, I see the beauty in the communciation, and the love that can be shared in these friend circles. Yet I am afraid of the underlining power and dependence that will only continue grow over years, I mean what will they think of next…

Our constucted world is a replica of our natural biology. Everything needs structure, systems, connections, matter, or data, to make a cohesive unit.   Alan McConchie and Beth Schechter point out in there insanely creative webpages that the body and web maps share interatcing components that are often found intertwining. Such as the central nervous system and mapping units like styles, tiles, and servers. We are very privileged to live in a world where almost everything can be accessed with a simple search. I barely remember a world without web mapping, like mapquest and google maps, even though it was not until 2005 that these technologies began to be mastered. This monitoring systems can do alot more than give directions.  People have implement these technologies as a way to better our understanding of the world; these maps can be found in argiculture managment, precision farming, climate change, methane leaks, sea level, pinterest, instagram, and so much more. My mother actually pointed to me to many of these maps, due to her current job placement at ESRI. She inspired to me to think about all the different ways maps can interact with anthropogical work. Although one example in my researching had me intrigued to learn more.

Californias love their wine, and the wonderful Salinas Valley offers an excellent placement for own our vineyards. In 1998, one vineyard implimented GIS, which would look at the irrigation systems and as well as indicate the frost zones. These technologies only developed and cultivated a precision farming operation. They now could look at the soil moisture levels, the company of harmful bugs, prospective placements, and even harvesting tactics. The entire vineyard was now under the operation of GIS. It no longer was about simply knowing your land and plants, but instead hyperfocusing this view into the soil and every aspect of the happenings of the vineyard.

 It is so fasinating seeing how different people interact with technology. We are monitoring everything down to our daily movement.  These maps give us so much power, but what are we to do with it. I hope that these maps will help the minds and actions of those desperate for change. They are a resource of growth and a proven help in prosperity. I can’t wait to learn how to develop and interact with our own maps and data! GIS day here we come!

Resource:  http://www.esri.com/esri-news/arcnews/fall13articles/world-class-vineyard-uses-gis-to-finetune-all-its-operations

Oh whats in a network? Our concept of networks are continually changing as new ways of connecting are developed. Scott Weingart describes network as “a complex interlocking system” filled with stuff and plenty of relationships( 2011).  But what can this tell us about human interactions and connections? Our world is filled with data, but most of this knowledge is open for interpretation; nothing be simply defined, and every translation is malleable.  The humanities have a much different approach to data then say a scientist. We firmly believe in the power of perception and the complexities that exist when attempting to display something as concrete.  There is always ambiguity and uncertainty in every systems, and with this varied nature many models will seem as though they are incomplete. Humanist follow the pattern of diversity and variation, rather than similarity and connections. I believe that connections can always be made, but discovering something special and unique is truly profound. But how can this information be constructed into a system which thrives off of narrow categories? I personally find this to be an issue when researching. Weingart discusses the importance of nods, which are concrete points, for example it is one thing or another, there is very little variation. I understand this concept, and the actual reality of a nod, such as in a communication network. There is a physicalness to nods; you can think of it more as a tangible display or transfer of stuff. I sit here and think about how I can translate this information into a real life display, and the first thing that comes to mind is the majestic Facebook.

Facebook has to be one of the largest social communication networks to date. Of course it is apart of a the larger Internet community, the fact of that one site has obtained over 1.3 billion users is not just astounding, its mind-boggling. Think of the assortment and diversity just within the user population. Facebook is a complex realm of real-time interactions, where agents from all over the globe can meet and interconnect. To understand Facebook, is to understand networks. The site is the system in which every nod is connected too. The people and profiles are concrete, and although their are an assortment users, each user has a separate homepage and account. This is a multimodal system that works by having people organize themselves into different categories or organizations. Although their still are uncertainties within the Facebook network, it shows how data can be separated and grouped together, through relationships and collaboration. Not every network will be as easy to differentiate and assort, even Facebook has its complexities. We all appropriate information in order to fit within individual limitations with data, but what is important to recognize is there is always more than what meets the eye!

Johanna Drucker wrote an amazing article on interpretations of graphical representations, which honestly enlightened my perception of knowledge and experience in the fields of social science. It made me reconsider what my first interpretations of these expressions, and furthered my intuitions, by asking questions like “what is” or could something actually be as one simple “real”. Things like database visualizations can easily create a space where you no longer feel the need to critic or analysis, but rather enjoy and experience. When reading or processing data, you examine more clearly, personally I think because of the depth it takes to analyze words into individual local knowledge and vocabulary found in your brain. But with these data visualizations it is so easy to persuade the audience. With a couple neat colors and transitions, the audience can experience a visual presentation with little thought involved. For example, college campuses like UCLA use a pie chart to breakdown their budget and spending, but these categories exist because of the ambiguity in their titles. How do truly know what is spent where? Here we are as students spending $12,000 individually on tuition alone to attend this school, I mean multiple that to the number of students attending, and or attended in the past 95 years; where has that money gone? There is so much ambiguity that exists and truly allow ourselves to suspend our beliefs. But I mean in the world we live in, it could be seen as something almost necessary. Did you know that our minds process around 36GB a day? (Prezi Fact) We need some sort of break anytime we can get. It is much easier to grasp a concept with a visual, then to break down and process words. Although I do not appreciate feeling as though every time I look at data visualizations I might be getting punked. Naturally I am a very trusting, but seeing how easily things can be twist and manipulated to create a story and stir up emotions, make me want to look on everynewscast and see what, and how they are attempting to portray the world to their users.

This article makes me what to ask more questions, is the information I am given enough, and what are they tryign to make me think? The author uses the saying “claims of certainty” with this visual “facts”, when really all we have is perception. We make attempts to display knowledge on an obtainable level, but even basic concepts are interpreted expressions. Whether it is something as simple as language, for example the understandings between Lou and Restroom, or the thought of gender as binary category.

As I click on the tab to open David M. Kroenke’s book Database Concepts, I began to digest the concepts he is creating and lying down for his audience. He uses phases like the key component and the heart of organization operations, to describe this concept we know as databases. This is one of “those” words which is commonly used but when trying to establish a definition comes across as quite difficult, but for the most part it can be looked at as a type of program which is uniquely and strategically designed to interact with users organization needs, or a personal filling system. Naturally my next step is to find ways I use this tool in my everyday life, which unfortunately in my case I use on a daily bases. I say unfortunate not because of the product but just the thought of how much data I personally am responsible for up keeping.

At this very moment, I am sitting in front of my computer with all of my data up on the scene, and with all honesty don’t know how I would be able to upkeep my responsibilities without all of my electronics keeping these data in a very approachable way. But with that, the fact that my life is this way because of these staple pieces and their uses. Now this is the point in my thoughts were I fight my internal struggle with technology, and I sit and ponder about all of the possibilities I now have at my finger tips, but out of laziness I choose to search though Pinterest, which is too a database all of its own! It really is funny how it all works like that.

My current occupation is a student, but what that entails is completely self-determining. I currently work as a Student Supervisor at an on-campus restaurant called Feast. Many of you may know of it for our all you can eat pho and sushi, but because of my job I know more than I will ever what to again care about food and hourly wages. And this is point were my job begins a.k.a the databaser. Every person that steps into the restaurant, counts as 1 patron, every plate counts as 1 serving, and each food item is measured out for portions per plate. The service runs for 3 hours as each headchef keeps a record of product and plates taken, and at the end of the shift provides me with a the number of portions served at each station. With new information, I divide the product taken to the amount of patrons who visited, to come up with a take rate per dish. This number is then recorded in a database, which will tell us a ton of information about what we can do for the next shift, such as cost and preparation, and  while also keeping record of what items the students do and don’t like. Now this is only the beginning tasks of my job and only one of the ways a database is used in our restaurant and in my life as its user. And if you were curious, one of our most popular item is California Rolls, and once I calculated had a take rate of 232%, now that is 3,480 sushi plates given in one 3 hour shift! Our lives currently go back to these technological programs, which is one reason why it is so awesome to find small these connections between technology and its creators.