April 30, 2008

Lecture: Conclusion

Textbook: 1984 -- appendix

Read the APPENDIX of Orwell, George. 1984.

Announcement: The Extra Credit Blog Post is Due before the Final Exam Starts

Assignment: BLOG POST: Dangerous Technology?

George Orwell in 1984 presents a dystopian portrait of society where people are controlled by the state to serve its own purpose. In many popular films, television shows, and books specific technologies (like nuclear weapons, chemical toxins, genetic manipulation, and surveillance satellites) have been repeatedly linked to dystopia, oppression, and terror. In this blog assignment, please consider: Are there communication technologies that are essentially dystopian or dangerous? Or communication technologies that have some inherently negative consequences?

For Part I of this assignment, choose a communication technology that currently exists. You might consider an example from earlier in the course (e.g., from the communication infrastructure treasure hunt). For instance:

• RFID microchips
• Peer-to-peer file-sharing (Limewire, etc.)
• Social networking sites (facebook, myspace, etc.)
• Facial recognition technology
• Surveillance satellites
• Digital encryption techniques
• Text messaging
• Internet radio stations (Pandora, LastFM)
• Internet-based applications (Gmail)

Explain the possible negative or dystopian consequences of the technology. Creative or unexpected choices of a communication technology (or a possible negative consequence) are especially encouraged!

Part II. Relate your technology to a technology discussed in 1984. For instance, you could analyze a passage, a scene, a chapter, a character, or a sub-plot that relates to your particular technology. In what ways is the dystopian usage of the technology you chose similar to (or different from) the way technology is used by the state in 1984?

To receive full credit for this assignment, you must demonstrate that you have read the text. Citing a short passage from the first few pages or discussing only plot details listed on the back cover of the book (or in the Spark Notes) will not count as "in depth."

Part III. Finally, using your examples, answer the question: Are there communication technologies that are essentially dystopian or dangerous? (Or: communication technologies that have some inherently negative consequences?) Use your examples or other evidence to justify your answer.

To improve your answer, please reflect on the material covered this semester. For instance, the chapter on progress in the Culture & Technology book relates very well to this topic.

Post an answer of at least 300 words to your blog. DEADLINE: your blog post should be online at 11 a.m. -- one hour before class begins.