<p>nocousin - you asked us to explain why we NEED technology. We NEED technology because it simplifies and expedites mundane and useless tasks, provides hoards of information to anyone with access to a computer (instead of access to fantastic libraries), and connects society in unforeseen ways. </p>
<p>Technology simplifies tedious and many times worthless tasks. Since we’re talking about academia, let’s use it as our example. This summer I’ve been working on research on Latin American political history, which involves extensive review of microfilm reels not available in my university’s (big 10, mind you) library. With technology I was able to search WorldCat, a database that claims to have compiled information on accessing all resources worldwide, to find the exact microfilm reels I needed (when I’m done I’m sure I’ll have reviewed more than 200). Had such technology not been available, I or a reference librarian would have had to call all the major research libraries in the world, crossing my (our) fingers, hoping that the right library was on the line. Unless there’s an old fashioned method of which I’m unaware, there would have been no way for me to even have gotten remotely close to finishing this project this summer. Furthermore, the benefit I would have received from such, as you say, valuable, research methods, where I, instead of a search engine, would have been doing the work seems nonexistent. </p>
<p>Technology makes information more available than ever before. People living in areas without adequate library services are now able to research facts and ideas to which they would have never otherwise had access. And with news reaching us faster than ever, we are all able to stay more informed about the world around us. To remind myself of a calculus theorem, I can do a quick search of Wikipedia, and soon (hopefully), Google’s Knol service, where academics like you would be the authors of such information. This, mind you, comes in place of driving to the library and checking, something I probably would not have done. Finally, as the ivy covered gates seem to shut out even more people, both students and, in general, American society, the internet delivers scholarly journal articles to people who would never have come across such writing. </p>
<p>Finally, the technology connects us more cohesively than the telephone ever could. With more people joining social networking sites like Facebook every day, Americans are building for themselves support networks, which help them endure problems that may arise (broken faucet, engagement troubles, etc), according to a 2006 Pew Study (which I can link if you’re interested). Finally, as an academic like yourself should appreciate, technology makes collaboration infinitely easier by facilitating partnerships between people either across campus or around the world, resulting in better ideas. </p>
<p>We don’t become better students by finding books using the card system, nor do we absorb less by having instantaneous access to information. The thorough reading that was lost in the proliferation of technology does not demonstrate a lower standard of study among students; it demonstrates that since information took longer and was harder to find before the internet, students made sure their time looking for whatever resource was well spent by thoroughly reading their new-found book, knowing new material would be just as hard to find. Today students can drop useless sources without qualm, knowing a new one is no more than a click away. In an age where students can find nearly identical pieces of information in their school libraries and on the internet, reading something word-for-word, doesn’t quite make sense when there are so many resources available. Accordingly, we can see that the research students complete today is better than that of students before the technology boom because they find research more materials more quickly and efficiently, can fill in slight gaps in their knowledge of a research topic more easily with quick Google/Wikipedia searches, and collaborate with their peers more often.</p>
<p>[Generalizations based on skills of students within top 10ish percent.]</p>
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<p>In terms of these summer programs, they seem to be a mere manifestation of capitalism and its sociological effects. Attaining success has always been on the minds of Americans, and now that foreign competition for jobs is rising, Americans want to do their best to ensure the best lifestyle possible for their children. It may not be desirable, but I can’t see when it’s going to change.</p>