Smallish Post

For the Strength of Youth is a powerful set of guidelines for teenagers of the LDS faith.  It's teachings are simple enough that they can be followed, while at the same time being complex enough to require faith and trust.  I believe it truly captures the ideas behind being a parent, where there are guidelines given that can't always be explained are understood, yet the importance is there nonetheless.  While this pamphlet was written specifically for those of the LDS faith, I believe that the precepts offered within it could be positively applied to any teenager.  The reason for this is that the book helps teenagers to embrace their current opportunities in life and to not rush into the future.  This is done by counseling dating ages, appropriate swimwear, and movies ratings to be avoided.  For the Strength of Youth can empower our teenagers to do that which is right.

Role Playing Games Smallish Post

We look at athletes who have spent thousands of hours perfecting their art and pay them millions of dollars.  We share a national and societal pride in these men and women who have developed and fine-tuned their skills to a professional level.  I believe that excelling in an MMORPG should be viewed as an equivalent achievement.  Not everyone is born with the height to excel in basketball, or the potential weight to excel in sumo-wrestling, and not everyone is born with the cognitive ability to master a MMORPG.  However, as a society, we often ridicule these "gamer" professionals while we are willing to pay great sums of money to watch their Michael Jordan counterparts play different "games".  I believe that society as a whole has trouble understanding the reality required to master the virtual world.  If a line for excessive gaming must be drawn, we may need to remember that sports are simply games as well.  When is too much MMO gaming?  When is too much basketball?

Position Vlog

Here Comes Everybody

      Social media is shaping society in a way that has never been seen before.  It allows amateurs to enter the same arena as professionals, and allows all biased views of every story to be told.  Social media turns the pauper into a prince, and the prince into a meme.  The pauper, or the "regular joe", can now have his voice heard as though he were a prince giving a royal decree.  The prince, or anyone of superhuman status, such as an athlete, or a politician, or genuine royalty, are popularized further through memes and jokes.  I don't believe there has ever been a time of such blatant and complete mockery of those in a high status positions.  While kings, presidents, and stars have always been ridiculed to an extent, the general public has never had an opportunity as they do with social media to join the attack.  Social media has formed a new mold for society to fall into, and it is different than anything ever experienced before.
     In addition to social media turning the tides on how we view our fellow man, it has allowed for certain social interactions that were never available beforehand.  Social media has allowed the outcast to find a home, and the friendless to find support.  Via the abundance of social groups on sites such as Facebook, and Twitter, those people who may have lived an isolated life can now find support.  There are social groups for teenagers addicted to gaming, for struggling homosexuals, as well as for all other groups who have suffered in isolation in the past.  Social media allows a sense of brotherhood and camaraderie among those people.  It allows those who would have suffered in isolation to revel in support and comfort instead, realizing that they are not alone in the world.  Social media connects the world, and allows necessary support connections that have never been available before.

   

The Women

I have written, and re-written this blog entry trying to find my opinion on women in technical fields.  What I have found is that I don't really have an opinion on women in the technical fields.  I don't know whether it is an abundance of ignorance, or if I am just overly apathetic, but I have not seen this as a problem in my experiences.  Thus far, I have not spent too much time thinking about women in these fields.  I do acknowledge that there are typically more men in these fields than women, but the reason behind that alludes me.  I believe that people should do whatever they are interested in, whether it be women in computer science, or men filling the role as homemakers.  Maybe we will see a higher number of women in these, and maybe not, but I personally do not see a problem either way.

Smallish Post: OSS

The idea of open source software (OSS) seems to scare many computer users.  When considering these user fears, the mantra "you get what you pay for" comes to mind.  It is understandable that people are wary of the quality of a product without a price tag.  This fear, however, is not well grounded.  OSS often provides developers and users a unique opportunity to aid in the growth and development of very desirable software.  When the creator allows the users to add and improve on an initial product, the synergistic outcome often outperforms initial expectations.  This can include, but is not limited to, less "buggy" software, better user experience, faster and more efficient software, special customization that goes beyond the vision of the creator, and much more. In addition to creating better software, OSS invokes a sense of camaraderie and community among developers who's voices may otherwise be unheard.  OSS allows the hobbyist programmer to develop alongside the professional to create brilliance.  OSS, or freeware, may seem scary, but the reality is that it is powerful, lasting, and happens to be free!

Smallish Post

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has eagerly adopted technology.  The church has integrated computer capabilities into many facets of their business, from keeping records, to finances, to modern social networking.  Both young and old members have been encouraged to hop on the "tech" bandwagon, and to learn of the possibilities of modern technology, including how to use it safely and efficiently.  While there are dangers with increasing technology, the church has not shied away from the positive possibilities.  It is remarkable how accepting religions have become since the Puritanical days of burning at the stake for being a witch.  It has been inspiring to watch a religious organization have such vigor towards "magic", and the good that modern day witches (programmers) can conjure.