Focusing on Good Things on the Net
The Internet is filled with evil things. As parents and future parents, we dread the day our offspring stumble upon this terrible content. Even with our efforts to filter content, restrict computer time, and put the computer in a “safe” location, we feel our children will one day be exposed. I look at this situation in the same way I look at drugs, sex and other undesirable activities for our kids. Kids should be taught what is wrong and inappropriate on the web. They should understand that great evils lurks just one URL or one search result away. However, kids should also be taught the wonderful things about the Internet. In fact, focusing on such things is more beneficial than focusing on the evil things. As a former teenager myself, I know that my focus was on interesting things. When people talked about things I shouldn’t do, I instantly became curious. It is like telling a 6 year old boy not to open a shiny box. Rather than just focusing on the shiny box, give the boy a train set. Unless he really hates trains, his mind will definitely not be focused on the box. Showing our kids fun activities, useful tools and other interesting aspects of the Internet can help them avoid the dangerous curiosity that leads so many to devastating destinations.
Progress Follows an Itch
Software development is fueled by personal itches. A developer’s specific problem or need causes him to write software that “scratches his itch.” This software, though intended for only a few individuals, eventually finds its way into the public domain–benefiting many others. An example is the Linux subversion software “Git.” Developed by Linus Torvalds, Git is an alternate to svn and cvs–allowing users to synchronize and archive versions of files locally and remotely. Torvalds expressed his dislike for available software, claiming none met his personal needs. Git has become widely used by software developers on Linux Systems. It’s easy to think that developing any substantial software to fix just one person’s problem is a dissipation of time; however, without such efforts the advancement of computing would reduce drastically.
Computer Experience is Crucial in the Workplace
Almost every job requires computer experience. Twenty years ago, knowledge about computers was an extremely rare resume booster. Ten years ago, the same knowledge divided job applicants. Today, this knowledge is expected on almost every job listing. Even the least most sought after jobs–working in fast food or janitorial jobs–require employees to interface with computers to take orders or record cleaning logs. Upper echelon jobs that never involved computers have become dependent on their implementation. Examples include hand-drawn architecture being replaced with computer-aided systems, and the switch from physical banking to completely online banks. This job evolution has become both a blessing and a burden. While many jobs that are now automated by computers have disappeared, thousands of new computer-related jobs have emerged. In some cases, such as the military or medicine, the efficiency and accuracy of computers can help save lives. Problems arise when people refuse to “get caught up” in the digital age by failing to gain computer experience. Such people have difficulties finding work or advancing in their employment. Perhaps the most useful advice for unemployed people is to achieve as much computer experience as possible. This knowledge might not ensure employment, but it will certainly qualify individuals for a vast array of jobs.
Sometimes it Takes Disaster
Disasters can save lives. The devastating earthquakes in Haiti have caused safety officials to perform extensive research to ensure history does not repeat itself. Despite the inability to control nature, they realize that buildings, not earthquakes, kill people. Earthquake-resilient buildings mean less human loss. Such buildings exist. The technology to build structures that can withstand major earthquakes is used in almost every construction project in the United States and other more prosperous countries. Haiti suffered simply because of its economic standing. Now, however, following recent tragic events, many are concerned with Haiti’s future, and many are working to rebuild Haiti with much higher safety standards. The true test of a society’s ability to learn and develop can be measured in the moments after a disaster: safer airports and planes after 9/11, more advanced anti-malware software after a major digital attack, and better emergency protocols after ruthless school shootings. As history becomes a teacher, rather than an unspoken bad dream, society, with the help of technology, can ensure a safer future.
The Deaf Software Engineer
Ken Harrenstein is a software developer for Google. He is also deaf. His passion for developing software and Internet technology have been greatly influenced by the ability to communicate through written words, rather than verbal interaction. However, the recent surge in Internet videos has created an aspect unreachable to those who are deaf. Developments such as this have been the motivating force behind many of Ken’s software breakthroughs. Ken is currently working on a speech recognition system that would provide closed captioning for online videos. While there has been several who criticize the efficiency of a speech-recognition based closed caption system, Ken’s desire to improve the world through computer science is the remarkable element of the story. Ken is not just creating software that will benefit himself; he knows that several thousand others will be affected by his work. His own deafness has been a means to provide an awareness of the problems people encounter. I believe we all have limitations and challenges that are not unique to us. When possible, developing solutions to these problems could in turn benefit many others. When we take a personal challenge head on, rather than merely exclaiming injustice, we have the power to help many others overcome their own similar problems.
A Need for Greater Awareness
The world we live in is filled with new inventions, new technology and new resources that continually make our lives more rewarding. Along with the many benefits attributed to these new discoveries comes greater risks. Whenever we simplify our lives by making an online purchase, we are at risk of giving an “e-criminal” stealing our credit card number. When we provide our children access to the net to supplement their learning, we also give them access to a plethora of inappropriate content. What is the answer to the ever-increasing dangers that accompany new technology? Should these devices and services be banned? Should developers be required meet stricter standards before releasing their products? I think the answer is us. “With great power comes great responsibility.” Peter Parker’s uncle used this statement to accurately describe the world in which we live. It is our responsibility to ensure our family’s safety. We must acquire knowledge and be competent in order to be safe. We must move forward with every technological advancement possessing a greater sense caution. There is not one single solution that will remove all dangers, but the collective awareness of users will reduce the inevitable risks.
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Computing for a Good Cause
Within the last 40 years, advancements in computer technology have quickly worked their way into the lives are nearly every American. The vast majority of people have allowed these developments to change their lives for the better—whether computers make their lives more simple, allow them to perform tasks they were previously incapable of doing, or providing them with a means of helping others. Many, however, argue that the benefits of using computers are not worth the accompanying risks. I have spoken with people who believe it is the computer, not the user, who is evil by nature. When asked the question, “is it the shooter or the gun that takes a persons life?” They respond, “without a gun, the life would have never been taken.” This statement disregards the fact that each individual can make their own choices. The gun is simply a tool. Removing the gun does not ensure the life will not be lost. The decision to use the tool for good or bad originates not in the tool itself, but in the person controlling the tool. Computers are also tools. Computers possess the same capacity to help and uplift as they do to cause harm. The same is true with a number of other tools: cars, planes, chainsaws, etc. With any tool comes a heightened level of responsibility. Rather than fighting against the new technology that floods our society daily, let us learn to use it responsibly and bless our lives.
Girls Make Great Programmers
For the first time in my college career I am in a class without any female students. Typically one or two girls are present in each of my computer science classes. This interesting characteristic of our society perplexes me; girls possess several qualities that enable them to be successful in computer science fields. Creativity is the first attribute that comes to mind when I think of the contributions girls make to software design. Creativity is essential not only to the front-end graphical design of software, but to the back-end algorithms and methods that drive programs. Planning is another important skill that computer scientists must possess. From my own personal experience, girls are excellent planners. I’m not implying from this post that men are not creative or that they lack the ability to plan, however these are characteristics many women exhibit in abundance. If more girls were introduced to computer science as a field requiring creativity, and not simply a professional only men can participate in, I believe more women would become computer scientists. This shift would greatly benefit advancements in computer software.
