Please see attached for instructions and Stage 2 interview report for assistance.
Stage 3 – Comparison Paper
In stage 3, you will write a 1000-1250 word reflective paper to compare your autobiographical story of technology to the biographical information about technology you learned from the person you interviewed.
Be sure to include the following in your paper:
1. An introduction the describes the generational and demographical differences between you and the person you interviewed.
2. Select one of your experiences with technology and one of your interviewees experiences that resemble the experiences in the assigned chapters from The Inner Life of Devices for week 8, or any of the other chapters in that book. Identify which chapter from the book you are using and describe similarities and differences between your experience and your interviewee’s.
3. Select one of your experiences with technology and one of your interviewees experiences that resemble the experiences in the assigned chapters from From Curlers to Chainsaws for week 8, or any chapters from that book. Identify which chapter from the book you are using and compare how technology informed your and your interviewee’s generational (Gen X, Gen Z, Boomer etc.), regional, gender, racial, religious, ethnic, familial, class or cultural identity.
4. In your comparisons for #1 and #2, be sure to identify a specific technology and cover any positive or negative impacts of the technology.
5. Note: The experiences you choose for this paper do not necessarily have to appear in your work from stage 1 and stage 2.
6. Conclude your paper with a paragraph about about 5-7 sentences that conveying your general thoughts about how technology and human experiences can shape each other.
7. Make sure to cite your interview and any other resources you have used, including course learning materials, in MLA format at the end of your paper.
(sample interview citation) McCarthy, Robert. Interview. Conducted by Iashira Cortez, 20 July 2019. |
Format
Submit this as a Word document. Your completed paper should be 4-5 pages (1000-1250 words) in length and be based on the work you did for stages 1-2. The text of the essay should be typed, double-spaced, and use a common 12 pt. font like Times New Roman or Calibri.
1
Interview and Field Report (Stage 2)
On February 27, 2023, I interviewed Emily, a 36-year-old female from Los Angeles, California. Emily was born in 1987 and grew up in Los Angeles in the Midwest. She works as a marketing manager with a tech company, requiring her to use digital technologies daily. Emily is a passionate traveler and enjoys photography in her part-time. Emily is a married mother of two, aged 4 and 7. She spends her leisure time with her family, exploring new places, and trying to cook new recipes. Despite growing up in a household where technology was not a major part of daily life, Emily became interested in technology during her college years when she was exposed to digital tools and platforms. Emily has embraced technology and sees it as an important part of her personal and professional life. Emily is passionate about the advantages of technology to society and believes that it can be used to improve education and access to resources. Also, Emily is aware of the potential negative effects of technology, and she is committed to using it responsibly and ethically.
Lessons about Emily
Emily association with her first digital Camera was a significant event in her life. Emily received a digital camera from her parents as a high school graduation gift. This Camera transformed how she captured and shared memories before her digital Camera. She used disposable cameras to take pictures, which were expensive to develop and had limited shots she could take. With a digital camera, Emily could take hundreds of photos and quickly share them with friends and relatives. She expresses her love for photography and her passion for capturing and preserving memories with her first digital Camera.
Emily’s job as a marketing manager for a tech company has transformed her relationship with technology. Emily constantly uses digital technologies to communicate with colleagues, clients, and customers. She explained how her job required her to adapt to changing technologies quickly and stay up to date with the upcoming trends. Emily also stated how her career has made her more aware of the impact of technology on society and how it is used to connect people or divide them. Virtual meeting platforms have made it possible and easy for her to work with colleagues and clients across the country. She pointed out that platforms like Zoom and Google Meet have allowed her to host productive meetings and build strong working relationships with people worldwide. Emily believes technology is a powerful tool for good when used responsibly and ethically.
Emily has a mixed relationship with social media; she loves and hates some of its impacts. She uses social media to stay connected with friends and family but finds it overwhelming and exhausting. She described how social media could cause anxiety and stress according to how it is used, especially when she compares herself to others. Emily has experimented with different ways of using social media by limiting her time on certain platforms and leaving accounts that make her feel bad about herself. She believes social media is a powerful tool for connection and self-expression but acknowledges its potential negative effects on mental health if not used responsibly. Emily describes a smartphone as a game-change that allows her to stay connected with friends and family, manage her schedule, and access information and resources. Emily would have difficulty living without her smartphone because it has become an important part of her daily routine.
Emily’s interaction with technology is complex and complicated. She has experienced both the positive and negative impacts of various technologies and social media. Emily’s first digital Camera helped her capture and share memories. At the same time, her marketing job required her to adapt to new technologies on time and be mindful of their impact on society. Emily’s relationship with social media is positive and negative, as she values its ability to connect people but also recognizes its potential negative effects on mental health. Emily sees technology as a tool that has enhanced her life in many ways. She believes the benefits outweigh the disadvantages and is committed to using technology responsibly and ethically. Generally, Emily’s interview depicts the important role that technology has played in shaping our experiences and identities and the need for responsible and ethical use of technology in our personal and career lives.