A personality that I follow online is UVic Anthropology as a friend on Facebook and a follower on Twitter. UVic Anthropology posts links to interesting articles, blogs, events and news all pertaining to anthropology and archaeology, locally and globally. The online presence of UVic Anthropology provides insight to the current trending topics and news in the industry, as well as insight as to the local talks and social events that are happening. By following UVic’s Anthropology Department, I am becoming more engaged with the people, staff and organizations in my local field as well as becoming more inspired to dive into my research interests.

The UVic Anthropology Department is worth following online because all of their posts are extremely relevant and most importantly, useful. They always post reminders about social events with all of the details (time, location, cost, etc) and encourage socializing as well as academic research within the field. Having a presence on both Facebook and Twitter has given the department a lot more attention in recent times. The articles they post online are the item of small talk between faculty and students, on a daily basis, and receive a lot of shares and reposts on social media sources. UVic’s Anthropology Department is also being extremely effective in using social media, as they are able to “get with the times” and create more of a fetching bond and rapport with the faculty’s students. I would include UVic’s Anthropology Department as a source for my Personal Learning Network as a source of inspiration and insight because they are a strong example of the positive impact that technology can have in academia. Taking a students university experience to the next level by engaging with their peers and subject of study outside of the classroom.

UVic Anthropology Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uvic.anthropology?fref=ts

UVic Anthropology Twitter: https://twitter.com/UVicAnthro

What better way to reflect on the technology of the future than through the classic Men In Black? I must admit, the movie is one of my all time favourites. i am not sure why that is the case, but I have loved it since I was first allowed to watch it! (Which would have been at least a couple years after it’s release, due to my strict parents… So maybe 2000?) The movies great humor, continous action and plot set aside, the theme of technology and society is prevalent throughout the film. While the film does focus on a future where aliens are integrated into western society, it also demonstrates future technology for data tracking, education and many other essential needs. The producer’s did a great job of convincing the audience of a very futuristic setting through the use of white furniture, simplistic modern design, and of course, the unfathomable and awe inspiring gadgets and gizmos. All of these small details are facts that our group has been discussing for our final project , while they seem like minute details, they do provide a wealth of information.

Watching this movie after taking this class has made me consider different details of the film. The small sizes of the technology that yield massive impacts, the sleek design of objects and the open spaces that prevail in infrastructure design. An alternate example that prods at larger themes; the famous neurolyzer (as seen below). Is it a remark on the state of society in the future? Poking at the point that humans don’t have the capacity to accept, let alone believe, that there are other human life forms out in the universe? And rather, not only in the universe, but possibly in your office or in your plain sight. Therefore, in order for humans to deal with the fact that there are other life forms on the planet we all live on, neurolyzers have to be used to wipe the short term memory humans as if nothing ever happened.

In her book The Virtual Self, Nora Young discusses the perception of self that is developed with technology in the digital era. Through extensive conversation on the concept of self-tracking, Young highlights the various qualities that can be deduced from chosen data set as well as the notion of data mapping. Within different chapters, the advantages of tracking technologies are outlined, which cannot be deliberated without acknowledging the ideas of privacy, confidentiality and ethics that are imbedded in technological cultures. As Young states, “the danger” of using social media “is that we lose touch with the subtleties of the embodied presence of those we care for”(63). To expand, I would argue that an individual’s intense roles with technology might be creating a stronger sense of self-discovery yet in combination with the “continual partial attention” (Stone), pushes the boundaries of relationships with others. Such new technologies are showing, as Young says, “that we may undervalue the role of on going physical presence of others in our self-discovery” (63).

A lot of applications that are now on the market are positive ones, which target different modes of tracking in order to further the self. The motivations of all of these apps are to promote and produce the best that you can be; to eliminate your uncertainties and to focus on the positive things. Such themes for these popular applications are fitness apps and anti-distraction apps. Fitness apps can provide a motivational means of attaining your goal, constantly reminding you of your daily requirements all while breaking down your big goal into attainable bite-sized tasks. Another big industry for the app realm is anti-distraction apps. Task management apps, such as Carrot, help you efficiently complete for to-do lists. Other apps under this category include ones, as Young recalls using, that monitor your computer usage, which supply you with distinct data of how you use your time on the computer. At first this might seem useless, but when you break down the time spent, or wasted, on certain tasks the results might be both disgust and stimulate you to change your habits. Both of these app examples are evidence that self-tracking technology is a great tool for further developing and enhancing the self.

If you go out for dinner at a restaurant tonight, you would be bombarded with people of all ages at tables and rather than engaging in conversation with the person next to them, each person at the table will have their heads buried in their smart phone or tablet. Depending on the people that you are surrounded with, this constant involvement with technology with either maintain neutrality possibly slightly strength your relationship, or the incessant attachment to technology will damage and threaten your relationship with said person. This trend of technological involvement is one that I have observed numerous times in various spaces and places. Call me old-fashioned, but the more attached that an individual is to their technology, the more disengaged I feel with the person and the more repelled I then become, leading me to feel uncomfortable and dissatisfied, no longer wanting to spend my time with said person. This example demonstrates that the determination of just how virtual the self is, will have a great impact the values that are represented in daily lives, hence will be visible in their relationships.

In the world of recreational books, Young’s novel does a great job of highlighting the new scope of technology, including the possibilities of self-tracking, data management and our personal futures with such technologies. Although, reading this book from an academic point of view, I have to say that the book felt very unfinished, as if it were a prequel to a bigger volume. As far as material covered in this novel, nothing that she talks about was new or exciting. All of the “new” technology she discusses is no longer in the forefront of up and coming media, as I have already been exposed to it and discussed it in several other classes. Contrary to my opinion of the novel’s content, for the average Joe who doesn’t engage with the news or academia, this book might just be revolutionary.

Works Cited

Young, Nora. The virtual self: how our digital lives are altering the world around us. Toronto, Ont.: McClelland & Stewart, 2012.

Created by Kubat, Linder and Saw, LuminAR is a new form of technology that fully embraces Augmented Reality while creating a multi-functional and practical tool. In the form of a desk lamp, as described on their website, this object is a “compact and kinetic project augmented reality interface.” The features of this allow the operator to use the device as if it was a regular computer, except for the fact that the “screen” is projected onto whatever surface you choose (a desk for example), and use tactile technologies to navigate the system. The LuminAR is essentially a wireless computer, scanner, camera and projector all in one compact unit with limitless opportunities.

LuminAR is a great example of the possibilities for technology in the future. The practical use of Augmented Reality provides a simple collaborative and interactive interface that opens up a whole new realm of potential. The use of technology such as LuminAR within education would have colossal impacts and be extremely beneficial. The interactive nature of such technologies allow for a more “hands on” approach for students with the class material, which can apply to students of all ages. This new discourse is a blend of benefits to students, as it would help visual learners as well as create a new way for students to engage with the material to both comprehend and remember it better. The only drawbacks I can currently think of when considering the integration of such technology into the classroom is the initial price of such technology and the possibly renovations of classrooms/work spaces to accompany the technology.

In terms of using augmented reality tools in our daily lives, I think the potential is overwhelmingly positive. Sure there are some potential drawbacks for the situation but are ones that we are already aware of currently with new technology. One drawback is the concern of privacy. Could such devices be contaminating your files and/or making them public? It is quite possible, which is something that would be discussed at length before any technology such as this would actually be integrated into our daily lives. Another draw back of using augmented reality technology in our daily lives is the overall shift to predominant technology use, which makes other resources obsolete. The use of books, teachers and maybe even the classroom setting might become obsolete and a thing of the past in years to come.

Take the test to find out where you stand!

http://www.gamerdna.com/quizzes/

Hola! My name is Jess and I am a 4^th year Anthropology major. As for technology, I am really interested in augmented reality, with its interactive nature and it’s use of mapping. I am in currently in the process of applying for my master’s degree and definitely want to incorporate aspects of augmented reality into my master’s project.

I think something that is worth focusing on is the technology that will be used within academia in the future. When I think of campus in 20 years, my first thought is about how differently the classroom set up would be and how students would take tests. Would there be any written exams anymore? Or would every student write his or her exam through a class app? The introduction of more technology makes the concept of sitting through lecture in the classroom or writing exams on paper seem obsolete!