Tuesday, April 21, 2009

The first Technological Revolution

This was a very interesting reading. If all that Peter Drucker is saying is true everything could have evolved in our world today as the irrigation civilization being the starting point. I really agree with what he says that technology needs to serve humans ends. I think that technology shouldn't only help aid us to be lazy but to help us bring that evolution to the next generation in a way that serves us as humans, positively, not just for fun.

This piece was so interesting how he talks about how the irrigation civilization sparked the start of the first government, and even seeing people as a citizen not in tribes and not individuals. That is huge, because if this never happened then we couldn't have moved on to such a democratic way of life at all.
His essay was also eye opening that because of the abundence of water and wealth there became theieves and dishonest people thus the creation of an army and the first war horse.

Then it seemed to just trickle down to creating social classes for purpose of work, then artistry such as poets and pottery makers, and then professionals. Interesting that the flow of such creations seems so obvious but I never saw it that way before.
Even the trading of goods from the surplus helped to create an economic system.
I see what he meant by saying that he suggests the irrigation civilization was "modern", the creation of all these different entities is the basis for our everyday life so I would definelty say they were very modern.
I agree with his opinion that one must not get ahead of themselves as far as technology goes. And that the innovations should be directly related as technology is presented. Unnecesary inventions that make us lazy or do not still challenge us to grow socially.

This was a great read it got me thinking about how difficult it would have been to create such a world we live in now, back then they knew nothing and still came up with such complex ideas. And although as Mr Drucker says it wasn't without imperfection, it gave us a base to grow and improve upon. I guess we could learn a lot from this type of society that created inventions to improve the soical and political way of life, not only to make lives easier and without any real responsibility or hard work.

Monday, April 6, 2009

America at Leisure and Disneyland Blog

Wow technology has come a long way! First the Disneyland video was so interesting, it is amazing how somethings look exactally the same. The experience of the tourists was absoulte fun, they were laughing and smiling most the time. I saw children dancing, there seemed to be a lot of tourist involvement in the street activity. The simularities I noticed were space mountain, The Princess castle, The Mark Twain ride is identical as today, some of the Pirates of the Caribiean, the park was well manicured as well and the large crowds. Some differences were the way people were dressed, the submarine ride (which I remember) has changed, way more characters were walking around and interacting with the tourists even riding rides with them, you don't see that now. The shows were different, older characters, and of course there is no California Park. I think there is more landscape than before and a lot more balloons for sale now. From the looks on the faces of the children and adults the fun is still the same as it is when I go, that will never change.

In watching the other shows on America at leisure I chose to look at the Clarmont Theatre in NY. I think the big simularity that we share with those of 1915 is the activity of going to a show for entertainment, and or to spend family time together. Social classes are mixed in and all ages both then and now attend. Going to the movies is fun for all ages and a great way to spend time together as a family, making memories. The obvious differences were the clothing, it seems that going in public in 1915 you dressed as though you were going to a wedding or church, nice hats included. It seems that the movies in that day also included seeing live shows, that is something you don't see now unless you pay more money to go to a play. I also saw a restaurant close by I assume that families would go there after, a common thing in this day and age.

I also choose to watch the College football game. First thing I noticed was a full stadium, much like you would see today. The game appeared to be played the same. Many differences here, uniforms, I couldn't see any helmets which surprised me. The barracades to the field were little to nothing, no security like now. No numbers on the field that shouts the yardage to fans. Again the clothing of the fans was top notch, including nice hats. No cheerleaders either. It was hard to make out the leisure meaning behind since you really couldn't see the fans all that well, I assume at a college game there were many college students much like there would be today.