The Interface!

Manovich talks about how technology has impacted both work and leisure activities of the information society. The socialist within me couldn't resist thinking of how this contributes to class divisions. What do people who can't afford computers do? Most public libraries allow anyone with a library card to use a computer for free, but there are limitations to this. For example, I wouldn't want to look at porn or do my online banking on a public computer. Also, the library in my area only allows people to use a computer for 30 minutes at a time (if there's a line). Furthermore, so many activities I do on the computer involve reading. It would be difficult to use a search engine without being able to spell (although google does have a built-in spell check...).

So, my first question is this: Does technology help to separate rich people from poor people? In other words, are rich people getting richer and poor people getting poorer, because of the internet (and other technology)? Or, has this division always been there... because even before computers, poorer people didn't have access to the same kinds of entertainment as richer people.

My second question is this: Is the internet still "a filter for all culture" for people who don't own a computer? I mean, technology does impact advertising (and anyone can see a billboard)... but how does the interface affect society in the real world (meatspace?)?

wow. long post. sorry about that.

2 questions about The Interface

I had a lot more questions concerning how the interface relates to the world but I came down to these two but there's a lot of follow up questions that I'll not bore you with.

1. If "all culture, past and present, came to be filtered through a computer", is it merely the relationship or the interface between the user and the computer that filters it or is it literally the computer the "medium" that ultimately filters it like languages/words argued by Whorf and Derrida?

2. The paper argues that "the interface imposes its own logic on media"; however, can't we say that the people such as computer programmers and artist who makes the logic and makes operations as the 'cut and paste' operation is imposing their own logics and 'models of the world' to the user?

I thought some of the arguments and debate Manovich talked about relates a lot with just art in general such as the subject of concept-interface and concept-form he talked about. Interesting paper.

em's links, finally!

My dad started black white read, which is a business that creates neighborhood newspapers. It's very new and only has one running right now. It started with our neighborhood, Lakewood, and is expanding in Dallas.

I did it. Yes!
My dad probably appreciates this.

I am experiencing oral fixation anxiety, does anyone in the class have gum?

leet.

This is the George foreman grill, Jeremy found it n the internet. the internet is where Jeremy likes to go for happiness and laughing. The internet is where Jeremy also views some of his favorite things, like awesomeness, the spider king, and Ralphie goes to hell.

i did the links on my first post wrong...

Sometimes, I read the news
People can send their secrets to this website.
I spend way too much time on facebook.

b dons first post

www.facebook.com
www.google.com
www.addictinggames.com