Answering Other's Questions

Questions from http://atls2000-hannahtuell.blogspot.com/

Resisting Technology: Regaining a personal ecology - Ravi Agarwal 2003

1.) What would be this author's definition of technology?
I think in this article, the author defines technology as any tool that we humans use that does thinking or work for us. I think the author finds humans intelligent and capable of doing many things on our own that technology takes away from us. He believes that we as a race are becoming too dependent on technology and machines that are substituting for using our own brain power.

Architectures of Participation - John Hopkins 2007

2.) In the seventh paragraph, are we being told that through the personal pursuit of intentional isolation, the spirit triumphs?

I think that we are being told that intentional isolation is never the answer. He believes that is it essential to always be communicating and interacting with people so that your body and soul can be fulfilled. Without communication and the presence of others who provoke intriguing and stimulating thoughts, we can never be fully satisfied with our existence. 

Some Tentative Axioms of Communication - Watzlawick, Beavin, Jackson 1967

3.) Was this piece written with a differing view of schizophrenia than what is commonly accepted now? As far as I know and as far as those with schizophrenia whom I know, the disorder simply eliminates a persons consistent ability to communicate effectively. The disorder does not eliminate a schizophrenics participation in the realm of communication as a human being. 

I fully agree with this point. I was also very confused as to what the author was talking about with schizophrenics. I think it is not fair to stereotype a group of mentally ill people and say that they can never effectively communicate. Although they cannot necessarily communicate as easily as most people, that doesn't make them incompetent. That would mean that anyone with a learning disorder or speech impediment is incapable of communication, which is false. I even know as someone without a disorder that at times it is extremely hard to get your point across effectively. This is not because I am an ineffective communicator or am speaking to ineffective listeners, it could be because of our differing languages, experiences  backgrounds or whatnot on the cause of communication.