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Technology is an order of nature. As long as human-kind exists, new technologies will continue to be discovered. This is because, in the beginning, technology was necessary for survival. New technology helped with hunting or harvesting food, providing shelter, or for defense. For example:

As time went on, the purpose of technology changed from mere survival to making life’s tasks easier and faster. As an example, let’s look at some images that represent the evolution of cooking methods.


Above: These tools/methods for cooking were not extremly efficient, but they got the job done.




As these methods of cooking evolve, they get much quicker and much easier. Instead of starting a fire in a wood burning stove, all one has to do is turn on the oven and wait. The microwave is even faster than the oven at heating up food. Finally, the George Foreman grill is not only quick and easy, but it is small and portable.
Now that technology is about more than just survival, it has become almost addicting. People always want the newest technological gadgets and toys. Many of these technologies are created for leisure. Things such as big-screen televisions, computers, and gaming systems are examples of new “leisurely� technology. In my opinion, it is this type of technology that causes the biggest problems and has led to technopolies.

In Neil Postman’s article Technopoly: The Surrender of Culture to Technology, Postman tells the story of Thamus and Theuth. In the story, Thamus believes that Theuth’s idea of the written word would ruin education and negatively affect the learning styles of mankind. Despite Thamus’ opinion, the written word is the most respected form of education today. But now, a new technology is taking over; one that competes with the written word: television. If Thamus thought that the written word would ruin education, it was nothing compared to television. Television has reached the point where it has become a technopoly, especially in America. Nearly every American household possesses at least one television. Before television, reading was viewed as a leisurely activity. Although it still is for some, many people, especially students, view reading as a chore. Why should one read when they can probably rent Hollywood’s version of the story in a motion picture? In my opinion, even educational television programs can never be as educational or as personal as reading is.
An excellent book...

...but will kids read it when they can watch it all on the big screen?

I’m not suggesting that technology is always bad. Many new technologies have impacted our world in great ways. One example is the computer; can you imagine life before the computer? Today’s computers can be used for socializing, shopping, researching, and much more. They make almost everything more convenient. So what’s the problem? What if computers do what the written word did so many years ago: take over classrooms. Would this take away from the teamwork and group activities that today’s schools stress?

Nobody wants their child to live and learn in such an impersonal atmosphere. But can it be prevented? With all of the good things that computers have done for us, the desire for more and more technologically advanced computers continues to grow. As computer technology continues to increase, we can’t expect it to stay away from education. At this rate, it is likely that in the future, classrooms will have a computer for each student and learning will take place over the computer. This would completely devastate every part of education that we value today.

Is this what we want for the future?

Posted by Carly Peterson at 1:25 AM | Permalink

Whether you are a 10-year-old boy or a fifty-year-old woman, you probably have a favorite superhero. I think it takes a lot of work to design a successful superhero, and mathematics is definitely related to superhero design. When looking at different superheroes, I noted that superhero design is very much geometric. Here are some examples:

Spiderman is a great representation of geometry. His costume is made up of a series of shapes: triangles, rectangles, and trapezoids, all mathematically arranged to make the appearance of a spider web.

Batman is a revenge-seeking, angry hero. Mathematics is used in the design of his costume through angles. Right angles are used in his face and mask to give him defined features that make him appear angry.

Superman’s geometry is made up of ellipses. Ellipses give his figure a strong and invincible appearance; yet still make him look approachable and kind to the public eye.

This portion of text doesn’t relate to mathematics, but I thought it would be appropriate to mention that my personal favorite superhero is Wolverine, from X-men. (Especially when he is portrayed by Hugh Jackman)

Posted by Carly Peterson at 3:37 AM | Permalink

As I have always lived in Northern Minnesota, I have been exposed to a lot of snow. I love snow! I think it is beautiful and meaningful. It makes me think of Christmas and reminds me of my home. I would never want to live in an area where it doesn’t snow.

Even though I love snow so much, I am the first to admit that snow is an opposition. Snow causes problems in many different areas, the first of which is transportation. Whether you walk, drive, or fly, snowy weather makes traveling difficult. However, there are a number of resolutions for the oppositions snow creates on travel.

ADEQUATE RESPONSES: Though traveling by foot in snow is difficult, there have been a number of inventions that can help “get you by.� One example is the snowshoe. The snowshoe was invented thousands of years ago, and can be compared to the way many animals, such as the hare with its large feet, walk on snow. Another example of an adequate response is the ski. Skiing allows for fast travel over snow.

Snowshoes

Skier

ELIMINATE THE OPPOSITION: A second way in which snow is dealt with is to eliminate it. Snow plows eliminate snow from roads and highways to make traveling by vehicle easier. Shovels and snow blowers eliminate snow from sidewalks for walkers.

Another way in which snow causes opposition is in outdoor activity. In the summer, people spend hours outdoors. They play sports, go to the park, have a barbeque, swim at the beach, the list goes on. Snow and cold take away from these activities. The way in which this opposition has been resolved is by

ENVELOPING THE OPPOSITION: Many games and sports have been created that require snow. Some of these activities include ice skating, sliding, snowboarding, and skiing. The snow itself can also become an activity. For example, snow is used to build snowmen, have snowball fights, and make snow forts. Even though snow takes away a lot of activities that are enjoyed in the summer, it creates activities that are just as fun.

A final opposition that snow creates is in construction. Snow and cold can cause damaged roofs, frozen pipes, and heat loss.

PROBABLISTIC RESPONSES: When roofs are built, they are designed not only to hold up the structure, but to hold up additional loads that weather might provide. In areas where snow is heavier, roof structures must be built to carry heavier loads.

A man shoveling his roof

ELIMINATE THE OPPOSITION: To prevent pipes from freezing, they can be covered with electric heat wrap. To keep cold air out, use good insulation. Also, sealants such as caulk or putty can be used to seal up cracks in walls or foundations to prevent heat loss.

CONCLUSION: Although snow causes many oppositions, there are also many resolutions. If we can continue to resolve the problems caused by snow, then I have but one more thing to say:

LET IT SNOW! LET IT SNOW! LET IT SNOW!

Posted by Carly Peterson at 8:17 PM | Permalink