1. Task 4: Manuscript
Response to Carlo’s post on Manual Scripts
Hi Carlo! Thank you for your reflection. Your preference of handwriting over typing is very insightful to me, as I myself have not thought of some of the points you mentioned, and I personally prefer typing. You’ve captured the essence of how handwriting can make certain tasks feel more personal and connected. Your enjoyment of the sensation of lead on paper highlights the unique satisfaction that comes from writing by hand. It’s fascinating how the physicality of writing can influence your deliberation with word choices and overall structure.
Your personal anecdotes, such as using a pencil you’ve had for over eight years and the meaningfulness of writing your daughter’s name, add depth and authenticity to your reflection. I write so little by hand now a days, most often probably a cheque. But now that I think of it, I do handwrite all the birthday cards, writing it slowly by hand, thinking it through before I write it down, do bring more meaning to what I put in the cards.
While you acknowledge the practical benefits of typing, your emphasis on the personal touch and careful consideration required in handwriting is compelling. Thank you for sharing!
Reflection
As one who prefers typing and texting, I found Carlo’s experience surprising and interesting. Carlo’s preference for handwriting over typing reminded me of the deeply personal connection one can have with writing by hand. In our fast-paced, technology-driven world, where typing has become the norm due to its speed and convenience, the art of handwriting is increasingly seen as a relic of the past. However, Carlo’s reflection highlights the irreplaceable value of handwriting, especially in how it makes tasks feel more personal and connected.
The mechanization of writing, through the advent of typewriters and now digital keyboards, has revolutionized the way we communicate. It has made writing faster, more efficient, and more editable. Yet, with more efficiency, we may lose the deliberate thoughtfulness of handwriting. While it was obviously much easier to edit our documents while typing, handwriting offers a visible string of our thought process and ideas. This can lead to a greater sense of authenticity, as each word on paper represents a deliberate choice.
Through Carlo’s insights, I am reminded of the small yet significant moments where handwriting adds a layer of meaning to our communications. Whether it’s the care taken in crafting a birthday message or the personal touch in signing a cheque, these actions carry a weight that typing lacks. Carlo’s reflection reminded me to not lose the human connection in our mechanized world. Thank you for sharing this perspective, Carlo. It has certainly given me a new appreciation for the art of handwriting.
2. Task 6: An emoji story
Response to Shannon’s post on An emoji story
Hi Shannon, first of all, thank you acknowledging this is a challenging task! I found this seemingly easy task super difficult as well. Honestly, I could not figure out which show this episode belongs to. I even tried to google a few things I thought relevant based on your emojis, but I could not find anything. Your focus on key ideas rather than details was a smart approach given the limitations of emojis. The range of emojis, while broad for everyday use, does fall short in capturing specific character traits and intricate details of scenes, as you mentioned.
I also found balancing literal and symbolic meanings using emojis can be tricky. Your reference to Bolter’s (2001) argument is spot on – the richness of each emoji’s meaning can both enhance and complicate communication. Context and cultural differences of both the writer and reader can influence interpretation.
Your comment on using emoji in professional settings is interesting. It’s indeed curious why emojis haven’t become more accepted despite their potential to enhance communication. Actually, I use emojis a lot in my Zoom chats with my colleagues at work. I am grateful for it, as it portrays my tone better and enhances our relationship at work. This is particularly useful to me as I work remotely full-time. Perhaps the perception of professionalism needs to evolve to embrace these modern forms of expression. After all, if they can improve clarity and engagement, there’s a strong case for their inclusion in professional communication.
Thanks for sharing your experience! It’s given me a lot to think about regarding the role and potential of emojis in our communication.
Reflection
It is evident that the task at hand, which seemed straightforward initially, proved to be unexpectedly challenging for both Shannon and me. The difficulty in identifying the show from the emojis underscores the limitations of using such symbols for detailed and nuanced communication. While emojis can enrich communication, their multifaceted meanings can also lead to misunderstandings. This dual nature of emojis highlights the importance of context and cultural nuances in their interpretation.
Shannon’s point on using emoji in professional workplace surprised me. It is strange to think even though we use emojis to communicate with friends and family everyday, it is considered very unprofessional in workplace communications. One would think that there was a reason why emojis were invented, and why it has gone on to take over the world in digital communication. If it serves the purpose to enhance communication when two cannot speak face to face, why not do so even at workplaces?
3. Task 8: Mode-bending
Response to Steve’s post on mode-bending
Hi Steve, it is nice to see you in this class too!
I think your redesign is thoughtful and very interesting. I had not considered the perspective of a geographical location of each item and its relation with the individual. The geographical journey angle provides an interesting narrative twist. Instead of a simply describing each item, the association of objects to their origins and the path they’ve been on tells a more personal story of the individual.
If I think about multiliteracy, it is really a way to expand from traditional reading and learning. Instead, it is to make learning more comprehensive, and more inclusive to diverse ways of learning. By making the image and text into a verbal story, associating the bag to the individual with a more personal touch, it not only adds layers to the story but also highlights the value of looking at familiar things from different perspectives. Thank you for sharing, Steve!
Reflection
The New London Group (1996) emphasizes the importance of multiple modes of representation in learning, including linguistic, visual, spatial, gestural, and multimodal. By changing the mode from a static image to a dynamic narrative, Steve tapped into different modes of literacy. The geographical story added a spatial and temporal dimension to the visual and textual representation of the items. The multiliteracy approach stresses the importance of context in understanding meaning. Steve’s narrative is inherently more engaging than simple descriptions because they provide context, evoke emotions, and create a connection between the audience and the content. the content becomes accessible to a wider range of learners. This was a very interesting perspective for me.
References
The New London Group. (1996). A pedagogy of multiliteracies: Designing social futures. (Links to an external site.) Harvard Educational Review 66(1), 60-92
4. Task 10: Attention Economy
Response to Joti’s post on Attention Economy
Hi Joti, thank you for sharing your experience and your reflection! Similar to you, I found the experience extremely frustrating. I think it highlights the intentional confusion and manipulation of User Inyerface, but like you said, our evoked feelings highlight the broader concern about tech companies’ exploitation on human psychology. It was alarming to see just one simple website out of our “normal” usage of internet could push us to make these hasty decisions. I think it emphasizes further the need for ethical considerations in technology and its design. Although I am not sure how they will be able to do that when their main goal is to maximize profit. What do you think?
I think your reflection also reminded me of the psychology tricks embedded in our everyday use of the internet. I grew up without the internet as a child. I cannot begin to imagine how younger generations are shaped by the online experience. But I think we will adapt, as we always have as humans. I think the experience of User Inyerface makes it quite clear we need to push for tech to respect and support its users rather than exploiting them. Thank you again!
Reflection
Joti’s insights closely resonated with my experience of this task. The frustration we felt using User Inyerface underscores the deliberate manipulation and confusion in its design, reflecting a broader trend in technology. Tristan Harris (2017) and Zeynep Tufekci (2017) both argue that tech companies often exploit human psychology to maximize engagement and profit. Harris highlights how tech design can manipulate users’ attention, creating stress and urgency to keep them hooked. This is evident in the misleading prompts and ticking timers of User Inyerface. Tufekci emphasizes the ethical implications, warning that such manipulation can invade privacy and undermine democratic processes.
The hasty decisions we were pushed to make on just one website reflect the potential for broader exploitation in our everyday internet use. While humans are adaptable, we must advocate for ethical tech design that respects and supports users rather than exploiting them. The experience with User Inyerface is a powerful reminder of the need for tech companies to prioritize user well-being over profit.
References
Harris, T. (2017). How a handful of tech companies control billions of minds every dayLinks to an external site. [Video]. TED.
Tufekci, Z. (2017). We’re building a dystopia just to make people click on adsLinks to an external site. [Video]. TED.
5. Task 11: Detain/Release or Text-to-Image
Response to Katy’s post on Detain/Release
Hi Katy, thank you for sharing your experience and reflection! I think you raised crucial points about the challenges and implications of relying on AI algorithms for decision-making, particularly in high-stakes areas like the criminal justice system.
When I was completing the activity, I found myself lose focus and initial goal when it became repetitive as well. I was focused on balancing jail space and fear amongst the public, that I was becoming more and more desensitized. This can cause human oversight, and create dependency on algorithms. As you mentioned, now that we don’t really even understand how algorithms work (or how far it can go), this poses complexity in assessing risk of future criminal activity and behaviour. I think all of this highlight the need for enhanced regulation and safety measures in all industries where AI is used to make sure the systems are managed responsibly and ethically. Thank you for sharing again!
Reflection
I found it impossible not to rely on the algorithm’s recommendations while completing this task. It was interesting to see how it was affecting my initial impressions of the cases. It was helpful sometimes, but I am not exactly sure how it came to be. While algorithms provide valuable quantitative insights, they must be balanced with qualitative considerations (ie: humans). Ethical decision-making requires integrating data-driven recommendations with human values, empathy, and contextual understanding. This balance ensures that AI systems enhance rather than replace judgment required in high-stakes areas like the criminal justice system.
I think ethical use of data and algorithms is a complex challenge that requires a careful consideration, transparency, accountability, and human oversight. By addressing these ethical considerations, we can ensure that AI systems are used responsibly and justly, ultimately serving the best interests of society. Enhanced regulation, continuous monitoring, and a commitment to ethical principles are crucial in achieving this goal.
6. Task 12: Speculative Futures
Response to Tina’s post on Speculative Futures. I actually cannot comment on her post as I think she disabled comments. Therefore I will comment here, as I found her task very interesting.
Hi Tina, your post taps into one of the most contentious and urgent debates of our time—gender identity, rights, and the implications of technological intervention in these deeply personal domains. The scenario of an AI-driven gender eligibility test for access to female-only zones at concerts is not just speculative; it touches on very real fears, anxieties, and controversies surrounding gender in today’s world. Advocates for transgender and non-binary rights might see such AI systems as a dangerous overreach, one that could invalidate personal experiences of gender and reduce them to data points. Conversely, those concerned about safety and fairness might argue that without such measures, female-only spaces could be compromised. The fear that AI could misjudge intentions or misclassify identities adds another layer of complexity, highlighting the inadequacy of technology to navigate the nuanced and deeply human aspects of gender. Is data always accurate? Can we trust it to make a decision for us when we are conflicted as humans?
Reflection
Her post touches on an important point: the use of AI in these contexts risks entrenching existing biases and reinforcing rigid definitions of gender. As society grapples with evolving understandings of gender, the deployment of such technology could either exacerbate divisions or force a reevaluation of how we think about gendered spaces and rights.
In essence, her imaginary scenario (not so imaginary given what happened at the Paris Olympic!) raises vital questions about the future of personal identity and issues in a world increasingly mediated by technology. It challenges us to consider how far we are willing to go in the name of safety and whether the tools we create to solve these issues might, in fact, create new forms of exclusion and harm. The current gender debate is not just about who gets to enter a space, but about who gets to define what it means to belong.