Scott Uria
Professor Warren
ENC 1102
February 19, 2013
Digital
Nation
Login, password, enter, and I am in! I have now entered a
world used by so many, and I’m the prey of many more. The film, Digital Nation,
brings to light the different ways technology is used today and the positive
and negative aspects to go along with it. I feel that technology is beneficial
to an extent, and on the other side, I am more of a traditionalist. This film
mentioned companies using virtual meetings, military recruiting tactics,
military operations, and effects of gaming. And the most negative aspect was
the addiction of the gaming world. My views are close on some, and quite a
distance away on others. Now it’s time to explain.
One part of running a successful business is to know your
personal, their strengths, and weaknesses. There are meetings with staff, and
contracted affiliates, to keep the business running effectively and
successfully. When the business is located at different locations, it’s not
uncommon to have a conference call on a specific date and time. During this
time of advanced technology, Digital Nation shared a growing trend of virtual
meetings, vice personal and conference call meetings. Although similar to a
conference call, I see these virtual conferences nothing more than adults
enjoying the gaming world, minus the score keeping and violence. The segment on
Digital Nation showed a virtual meeting where one associate was more focused on
the shirt that another put on his virtual character. In my opinion, situations
like this can become more of a distraction than focusing on success. I know
that many businesses may not have in their budget to travel to a certain
locations, but a simple conference call would suffice without the gimmicks of
the virtual world.
The United States military has changed the way it
operates in certain fields and tactics. Digital Nation pointed out a couple of
different areas in which technology has modified the standard operating
procedure, whether good or bad. There is an Army Recruiting Station in
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that took recruiting to a new level, which I totally
disagree with. The Army built a large arcade like facility to attract you
people. Once the young kids are in and actively involved with the different simulators
and games, the recruiters will pounce of them while their mind is captured by
the excitement of the moment. As a prior Navy Recruiter, I am not surprise that
the Army has stooped to this level. As a recruiter, my job was to make sure an
applicant is qualified mentally, physically, and morally. If an applicant gets
past that stage of initial blueprinting, it’s time to find out what the
applicant is interested in, the goals desire, and how the Navy can help get
them there. After that portion of the interview, it is important to set up an
appointment with the parents, because parents can sway decisions either way.
Believe it or not, parents can respect the character of the recruiter if the
interest of their child is priority. I was a very successful recruiter because
I wasn’t concerned with a monthly quota, but sincere with helping their child
lay out a road map to meet their needs, and bonding close with family members
during the process. I honestly don’t feel that an arcade recruiting building,
with all the games and simulator, can establish a bond with a future service
member. It has been ten years since I left recruiting, and to this day, I still
keep up with many of the young people, and their families. Not sure a recruiter
can actually know the complete background of a young person if they met them in
a recruiting trap.
Concerning the military and technology, there is one area
that I totally agree with. The United States Air Force is utilizing a remote
operated air craft, called Drones. With the war in Afghanistan, lasting over
ten years, there have been a lot of unfortunate casualties. The Drone is used
for surveillance, and destruction of targets if needed. The Drone is not
operated by an onboard pilot, but a remote control operator on ground. This
technology is very effective, and reduces casualties of war.
Unfortunately, the world of gaming has taken our youth
from exercise, studying, and social skills at home. Obesity in the United
States is at an all-time high. Some is a result of a poor diet, but most is the
lack of excising activities. Many gamers will stay up all night, sleep all day,
and have little to say during family meals. University of Wisconsin
Psychologist, C. Shawn Green expressed, “Video games change your brain.” I
definitely agree, but is this change for the better, or worse? Is this the activity we want for young
Americans? I would have to say so, because online games, consoles, and disc
games, are at an all-time high. There needs to be some type of regulation,
restrictions, increased pricing, to help bring this lifestyle under control. If
those areas were addressed, we may win our children back, for a happier and healthier
life. On a positive note, there appears to be many relationships that have
blossomed from the gaming world.
Digital Nation shed some light on how advanced our world
has become, and the uses to help advance business, and the pros and cons of
gaming. Yes, our world has become much smaller with technology, but on a
different aspect, it has caused our loved ones to be further away.
