Author: dhl

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So, when it comes to engaging with educational materials, there are two main ways to do it – recording and preserving. And let me tell you, with the rise in technology, we can process text in ways we never even thought possible before. In this post, I’ll share my own experiences with data encryption, transcribing, and preserving physical books. I’ve had some successes and failures along the way.

Transcribed Documents vs. Digital Documents

I can’t even remember when I first stumbled upon digital documents – whether it was a book, a novel, or a textbook. All I know is that I’ve become an expert in handling digital stuff. I can’t think of a time when I didn’t have a book to read or a document to sign that wasn’t accessible digitally. If you ask me which one’s better, I’d go with digital every single time. It has made my educational life so much easier, and even signing electronic documents is a piece of cake now. The best part? I know those files will be safe somewhere on my computer or laptop, even if I can’t always remember where exactly I saved them. But hey, at least they’re somewhere accessible, right?

The Future is Now

I had this assignment that required me to watch this long video, like an hour or two long. And I am always trying to find the easiest, most efficient way to get my homework done. So, I did some research and I discovered a trick. Turns out, you can convert videos into written transcripts! My brilliant idea was to use the search function within the transcript to help me answer the quizzes that went along with the videos. It was a total game-changer.

Anyway, there are some other cool things about digital documents. First off, they’re way more accessible. And let me tell you, as someone who’s visually impaired, being able to magnify parts of books, texts, and even web pages can be a godsend. Sure, I could just buy a physical magnifying glass, but don’t we all have enough things to keep track of already?

This site article describes the various ways that transcription has helped other college students and in contrast, this site discusses the ease in which data can be collected through a digitized process. 

Here’s the downside, Sometimes transcribing videos takes longer than just watching them. There is also potential for error. That Ctrl + F function doesn’t always do what you need it to and in the heat of the moment during a quiz, it can leave you worse off than when you started. 

Some other technological barriers include accessibility. For example, let’s say I have a textbook assignment that’s only available on my laptop or cellphone, but I don’t have either one? Because of this very real issue, those with limited technological resources might face some challenges in fully engaging with certain materials.

Preserving the Past 

Okay, so let’s say I have this one book that’s my absolute favorite. It’s so good that I would love to own more than one copy, but it’s so darn expensive that I can only afford one. To make things worse, they stopped making it years ago. It’s also signed by the original author! So, you can imagine how irreplaceable it is to me.

One of the great things about owning a physical copy of a book is the feel of it. There’s just something special about holding a book in your hands and flipping through its pages. It’s like you’re really part of the experience of indulging in the material contained within its covers. Plus, it’s an authentic piece of property that could even be a conversation starter.

I don’t believe all books, texts, and writing should be transcribed and some students prefer to have a physical and visual version of the assignment text. Personally, I prefer marking up texts physically, jotting notes in margins, and highlighting important passages.

But let’s be real – archiving books takes up space. It requires time and money to maintain. If we turned all of the libraries in the world into online/digital ones, the world would be a sad place. There’s just something about being surrounded by rows and rows of books that makes you feel like you’re in a magical place. 

The best of Both Worlds…

So, I think it’s important to have a good balance between the two – physical and digital documentation. We need to preserve our past in all kinds of writing and documenting. I’m a big fan of physical archival documentation because you engage with it differently than you would through a computer. But let’s be real, the options for ease of access are endless with text data.

A research study by Evers, Jeanine C. called “From the Past into the Future. How Technological Developments Change Our Ways of Data Collection, Transcription and Analysis”  talks about the advancements in text data analysis and where it’s headed in the future. 

The Zeitgeist Employees of the 1800s

Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein” explores themes of obsession and desire, and consequences of scientific and social conquests. In this analysis, I will explore the use of the word “employment” in two critical moments within the novel and its impact on the narrative and characters. These moments reveal the complicated relationship between intent and ethical principles, as well as the human desire for companionship.

How To Employ the Employment of Employees (Frankenstein Edition)

The Oxford Dictionary provides insights into the word “employment,” showcasing its evolving meanings and usages from 1616 to 2011. During the time when “Frankenstein” was written, “employment” meant the action or practice of engaging or utilizing an individual to execute a task. Later, it specifically referred to hiring someone for paid work, often under an employment contract.

In the first scene, the word “employment” is used to describe Victor Frankenstein’s obsession to uncover scientific mysteries. Victor is aware of responsibilities at home, but his focus is on his “employment,” which he finds “loathsome.” Here, “employment” represents Victor’s dedication to science and education, particularly his project of creating the monster. It signifies his obsession and self-absorption.

Victor’s employment reflects his single-minded focus on scientific discovery, causing him to neglect his family duties and view them as distractions. The term “loathsome” highlights Victor’s awareness of the moral and ethical implications of his actions. .

The impact of the word “employment” in this scene stretches into the narrative and character development. It highlights Victor’s ambition and obsession, revealing his willingness to sacrifice ethics and personal relationships for science. His employment motivates the creation of the monster, thus a series of events are set off to highlight the outcomes of loose ambition.

In the second scene, “employment” takes on a different meaning, referring to the monster’s desire for companionship, a female companion in particular. Here, “employment” highlights the emotional and social aspects, suggesting that the monster has a profound need for social connection.

The monster’s employment is not about traditional work but centers on emotional and social needs. His desire for a companion reflects his longing to relieve the pain associated with isolation and loneliness. This use of “employment” underlines the theme of isolation and the basic human need for connection, suggesting that social employment is as crucial for well-being as traditional work.

The word “employment” in this scene spotlights the emotional and social aspects, illustrating the monster’s intense yearning for understanding and connection. It sheds light on the human need for companionship and the possible repercussions of rejection and isolation.

A comparison between these two scenes reveals that “employment” is used to underscore the characters’ unbreakable dedication and focus. Victor is devoted to his scientific pursuits, while the monster is determined to find companionship. 

In both cases, the characters are absorbed by their individual employment, highlighting their distractions. Victor’s obsession reflects the monster’s yearning for companionship, showcasing their single-mindedness.

The use of “employment” in both scenes emphasizes the ethical dilemmas faced by the characters. Victor struggles with the moral involvement of his scientific work, while the monster yearns for social acceptance despite his disfigurement.

However, there are significant differences between these scenes. The nature of employment differs, with the first focusing on scientific experiments and the second on emotional and social aspects of companionship.

Employing The Summary Phase

In summary, the use of the word “employment” in these scenes underscores the characters’ dedication, ethical dilemmas, and the fundamental human need for connection. It contains the complex themes explored in Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein,” including the consequences of unchecked ambition, clouded moral limits, and the profound impact of isolation and loneliness. “Employment” connects these scenes, shedding light on the characters’ pursuits and the overall themes of the novel.

…a plea from the organizationally impaired.

I grew up with a computer in my house. Files could only be kept in two places, the hard drive or floppy disks which became hard disks eventually evolving into CDs. In my household we never went without a computer. I tinkered with the functionality of various operating systems. I never really explored the file system. I had no organizational process. I never needed one. That is, until I purchased my first digital SLR camera.

I instantly began shooting. school assignments, personal use, experimentation, and discovery. I blew through hard drives so fast. The largest external hard drive I could afford at the time was 500gb. I kept everything on there. The thought of losing a catalog of content that was deeply valued as a nostalgic celebration of my youth makes my stomach drop. I regret to inform you; I did not back up my back up. And it is gone.

Experts Predict A Global Technological Climate Crisis with Floods of Files No Real Human Can Manage

Fast forward to today, my files are saved anywhere that has storage. I keep two (now half full) external hard drives, Google Drive, my laptop hard drive, my iPhone, and Google Photos with auto sync backup so I don’t ever have to worry, that is until the entire internet server infrastructure collapses, but for now it’s the most reliable. I had not realized file management had become an issue for so many people. Even students of prestigious schools lack the skill.  Monica Chin, author of the article File Not Found” explores the lack of file management in schools. Joshua Drossman, a senior at Princeton says, “I try to be organized, but there’s a certain point where there are so many files that it kind of just became a hot mess.” You’re preaching to the choir, Drossman.

File saving is the most important part of photography. A professional photographer describes the process they use in this article Photography Workflow, which is also adopted by other dedicated photographers. Experts in the field refer to it as a workflow. The process begins with the memory card containing photos that were taken. The moment the card is inserted, and the images loaded they should immediately be transferred to a storage device, preferably an external hard drive. In a perfect world there would be a file for every situation, but it’s not, so one is created. The final part of the transfer process is to wipe the card.

I took note of one professor’s workflow process. He took it very seriously and chastised any student that did not have a file saving method. Myself included. I have been asked to send my images to other people and submit assignments a few times now. Sometimes urgently.

Standing at his desk bent hovering over my laptop erratically searching for a photo a professor requested. Embarrassed from my mess of files, I regretfully did not heed his warning and felt his scolding in the warm blush of cheeks and sweat at my temples. The next time I went to him I made sure I had things in proper folders.

Accountability and Acceptance Are The First Steps Towards Recovering From File Fatigue

I will admit my online backup storage has spoiled me.  I don’t have to think about what happens after the picture is taken, with Google photos. I am now organizationally disabled because of it. occasionally I get a “storage almost full” alert from Google and am forced to make a decision, delete files to free up space or upgrade to larger storage, and storage always costs money. I rely only on googles suggested deletes because the idea of organizing and purging my files feels like an enormous undertaking, practically a whole day affair. One day my laziness will catch up to me and bite me in the ass. But for now…WEEEE!