Material World

One can't help but think that a kid who spends most of his time online playing video games is wasting his life. Hence, when an adult married man spends his time playing online games, one must question his ability to sustain his marriage. According to Hall, Second Life is a game that allow a person to escape the harsh reality of the real world and live a more friendly and controllable virtual life. The notion of living a in a virtual world is mentally and physically unhealthy. It is agreeable that it is healthy to escape the real world into one's own fantasy world sometimes. However, living in that fantasy world for 30 hours a week is absurd. That is almost as much time as the average adult spends working a week. Thus, if an adult spends 40+ hours a week working and 30 hours a week in an online game, he or she has little time for rest, a social life, and most importantly his/her family. When an individual allow a game to deprive them of sleep, he/she is dwindling his or her mental and physical capacity.
Haas makes a good point when she states that computers' transformation of communication means a transformation, or a revolutionizing, of culture. Technology has, indeed, revolutionized culture, especially when it comes to writing. Phones allow people to text message one another rather than speaking verbally. Text messaging can be used as a way to enhance one's writing skills. However, since texting is more popular in the younger generation rather than the old, writing and speaking have been revolutionized into a bevy of abbreviations, acronyms, and code words. It is safe to agree with Haas's philosophy that writing is technology. Technology can be defined as tools used by humans that aid them in ameliorating life. Hence, even ancient civilizations created or used tools to communicate and write, whether carving sculptures, drawing or writing in the sand with a stick or using rocks to make symbols.
Raschke is correct about technology enhancing knowledge. However, technology plays a huge role in reducing some of the American society's decline of knowledge. Technology presents so much entertainment that all kids want to do is watch television or play games rather than read a book or do homework. As demonstrated in Halls piece, even a married adult can't help but fall for the entertainments and amusements offered by technology.
Our use of computers in ENC 1101 has enhanced my learning rather than hindering. With the ability to view images and videos on the spot, the class is not left to wander what the professor intends when she speaks of a particular piece. Additionally, when critically analyzing an image, every student is able to pull the image from his or her own computer, which prevents commotions and setbacks. With the use of computers, I can research any concept in which I am skeptical immediately rather than going through a series of books or word of mouth. The use of technology will continue to enhance knowledge, as long as individuals have enough poise to use it for learning rather than games and amusement all the time.