The primary thesis of the “Computer Graphics: Effects of Origins” by Beverly Jones is that technology overtime improves which helps to aid in cultural maintenance and change. Technology however is a very broad topic but Jones chose to focus on computer graphics. Jones (1990) explains that art and humanity theorist should help technicians, scientist, and engineers to direct the development of new technology products in order to reach cultural goal instead of technological goals (p. 22). In the article Evolution of Technology, there is a quote that states, “Technology involves manipulation of the environment to meet human needs such as food, shelter, communication, and health” (2014). This statement agrees with Jones (1990) when she states that, “This would entail emphasizing potential effects on the quality of human life, especially in aesthetics and ethics” (p. 22).

In the reading, Jones provides historical examples to help support her thesis. One of these examples starts off with, “At the Second West Coast Computer Faire held in 1978, several projections were made” (Jones 1990). Because of application software programs small computer systems, rather than the larger systems, could be used to create fabrics, prints, and furniture. This application software allowed people to have a choice in technology usage and help in mass production. This historical example helped to show that advances in technology have ways in helping cultural maintenance and change. Application software allowed for smaller systems to have multiple uses, which allowed people to have one computer system instead of multiple to do a multitude of tasks. Also, with mass production products can be made faster in proportion to the growing population demand. The world population is growing exponentially every day and new technology needs to keep advancing in order to keep up because there is a demand that needs to be met.

In the article Evolution of Technology, there is a quote that states, “The development of various technologies within the last 10,000 years of human history has been affected by and has affected the environment, human societies, and science” (2014). It is now 2014, and technology has come a long way since it first came about. In the reading, Jones (1990) states that, “Now daily life is affected by computing” (p. 26). This statement is so true because in today’s culture technology is everywhere and used everyday. Take a look around, I bet you could spot at least 10 people using some type of technology. Right now I am currently sitting in LLC’s Dux Bistro and everyone has either their cellphone or laptop out but that could be just because I am on campus at a college. Our society/culture lives in a time where almost anything could be done through a computer or some sort of technology. I mean, think about it we are currently taking a college course completely online. I remember when I was little and surfing the web was so difficult because there was only dial-up Internet. Now days I could load and look at over 20 different websites in the time it took to load and look at one website while using dial-up. Overtime, all products of technology has been tested, used, criticized, and re-vamped into what it is today. With that, could you imagine living in today’s society but still having to use dial-up Internet? Life and keeping up with anything would just be impossible. The development of technology obviously does help with culture maintenance and change, like Jones explains in the reading.

Reference

Evolution of Technology Module. (n.d.). Evolution of Technology: Overview. Retrieved May 20, 2014, from http://voyagesthroughtime.org/technology/index.html

Jones, B. J. (1990). Computer Graphics: Effects of Origins. LEONARDO: Digital Image – Digital Cinema Supplemental Issue, pp. 21-30.

In this unit’s assigned reading, Jones talks about the development of technology. She explains that technology aids in the maintenance and change of culture. There is one excerpt that I want to talk about that Jones states in the reading:  

“As time passes the original users develop familiarity and facility. New users bring additional assumptions and considerations of form, content, material, technique, meaning and purpose. However, some traces of the origins and practices remain in these forms, which consequently contribute to both cultural maintenance and change. Cultural patterns are affected in proportion to the spread in the use of these forms.” (1990)

This excerpt really caught my eye because even though Jones is talking about technology, this could be applied to other ideas such as fashion, food, and art. Culture itself includes all of these ideas and more. I believe that in general as time goes on, everything evolves into better counterparts of its original self. Also in time as these products develop and change they gain more users. The original and new users criticism intertwine to help create better versions of the product. The development of all products helps to maintain and change the culture that we live in. When looking back at the past, everything, not only technology, has come such a long way. Technology however has developed the most, we are now surrounded by technology in our everyday lives whereas in the past technology was hard to come by.