Unit 08

In Beverly Jones’ article, “Computer Graphics: The Effects of Origins, the author talks about technology and its changing role. She states, “It is the premise of this paper that old cultural patterns do not die. They may fade or become more evident; that is, they may be deemphasized or emphasized. Only as part of the general ‘nonexpert’ culture can such patterns contribute significantly to maintenance and/or change [4]” (Jones 21). Throughout the article, Jones provides examples of predictions about technology that turned out to be entirely incorrect citing such examples as, “…early market predictions of the Mercedes Benz Corporation, which limited the number of potential automobile sales to the very low number of trained chauffeurs then available” (Jones 21). Computers were initially viewed as something entirely separate from art, however the combination has existed since the 1940s and today; computers are used in many types of art as well as being responsible for entirely new art forms. Jones discusses how, “Computer graphics in advertising and entertainment rely heavily on the appeal of technical special effects made possible by earlier scientific/technical developments” (Jones 27).

Within modern society, technology has become a part of daily life and generations of young people know often have difficulty fathoming a world where computers did not come into play on a daily basis. One example of this is the creation of the mobile phone. While it was originally a tool of convenience, the technology has evolved over the years and turned it from a functional item to an aesthetic and artistic expression. An article from the Washington Post gave a timeline for the evolution of mobile phone technology beginning with its earliest versions.

By 1997, mobile phones had evolved into a tool for accessing email and continued to change with consumer demand. According to the article, “Combining the features of a cellphone, pocket computer and multimedia player, the iPhone changed the nature of how users related to their pocket devices” (“The History of the Mobile Phone,” 2014). Mobile phones now have the capability of being personalized to reflect the individual artistic expression and personality. Users can change backgrounds, cases and buttons on the screens in order to showcase their individuality in a seamless marriage of art and technology. The technology also continues to evolve as Jones’ article had demonstrated. Every year, a new and “improved” version of Apple’s popular mobile phone is released featuring new features and the latest in technology. The release of the Apple Watch this year further demonstrates the evolution of technology and art as well as the perspective of the consumer, which has evolved drastically since the introduction of computer technology.

Works Cited:

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

The History of the Mobile Phone. (2014, September 19). Retrieved May 23, 2015, from http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-switch/wp/2014/09/09/the-history-of-the-mobile-phone/

Game designer Jane McGonigal’s TED talk presented a view on technology and the gaming industry that I had never heard before. Having never been a particularly avid gamer, I was interested to see someone with charisma and social skills that was a game designer and spokesperson. I always had the stereotype of the middle-aged man with no social skills and living in his mother’s basement as being the game designer or avid gamer type. McGonigal argues, “games are essential to the future survival of the human species.” This struck me as odd because, not being a gamer myself, I always saw them as a luxury for those who had much more spare time than I do and an escape from reality for those who have nothing else going on. Thinking of games as an essential part of humanity was new to me, but after hearing McGonigal’s lecture, I recognize that it is much like Ellen Dissanayake’s argument for the necessity of art in the human experience. Problem solving is a skill that is vital for all of us, and something that we all use in our daily lives, regardless of culture or any other factor. Until watching McGonigal’s presentation at TED, I had never considered the possibility that games could be more than mindless entertainment. Although I doubt I’ll be suddenly turning into a gamer, I have to say that McGonigal’s talk gave me a new perspective on an industry I knew little about and a new respect for those who consider themselves gamers.