Spring 2011 -- CMN 280, Prof. Christian Sandvig
 

(*) The Misguided Archaeologists

The item I choose for The Misguided Archaeologists blog post is my Digital Camera. In Culture & Technology, a technology is defined as, "... artifacts, instruments, tools, machines, structures and constructions; They are detached and different from living bodies and from other things. In this sense they are discrete, isolatable objects, correlates of a natural objects, but not natural." An example of a technology would be cameras, cd players, computers etc. I would consider a digital camera a communication technology because a picture can express more than one thousands words.

Dear Diary,

Today I stubbled over this object. It was like nothing I have ever seen before. It was square and bright red. Being the daughter of an explorer, I've learned to examine and utilize all discoveries. So I studied this object all day and I think I know what it could be.

On the front side of it, it had a screen. Automatically, I believed the item to be a mini traveling television however the back of the object confused me. It had a round circular silver thing. On the right side of the screen there are buttons and arrows pointed North, South, East and West. After discovering this, I assumed this to be an advanced compass. At the top of the item, there was an on and off button and a sign that read "CoolPix S203". After I tried to turn the CoolPix is on, nothing happened. At the bottom of the object there was an open door. I figured a piece from the CoolPix was missing. So i searched and searched until I found the "Nikon".

After I put the Nikon inside of the CoolPix, the screen lit up. And the round silver thing on the back of the CoolPix extended. I was amazed! It was a telescope! Without putting my eye up to the CoolPix, I could see exactly what was ahead of me and I soon discovered that at the top of the CoolPix was a zoom button. (Which means I can move closer and make the item appear bigger hence a TELESCOPE).

I was and still am very thrilled about my discovery. In the morning, I plan to show my dad. I bet He'd be proud. Until Next time. xoxo

-Denae

The "CoolPIx" also known as a Compass/Telescope can be used for explorers like me and my dad. Due to the fact, that we are also in predicaments where we have no idea where we are, this invention is not only wanted but vital to our lifestyles. According to Berkun (Myth: People Love New Ideas), Relative Advantage asks, "What value does the new thing has compared to the old?" when I apply this concept to my discovery, it is quite simple. Instead of having to use two different objects (the telescope and compass), I can use one object. This offers convenience as well as less expenses. He also described Compatibility and it asks, " How much effort is required to transition from the current thing to the innovation?" as I stated before, the transition would be rather easy because this new item is very convenient to our lifestyles!

Go to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign homepage. Go to the top of this page.
Send comments on this Web site to csandvig@illinois.edu.