One thing that always manages to piss me off is when I go onto FB and I see someone with a new rant. Rants are gay, and you're stupid for writing one. Hey! let's write out a few paragraph of literature using more advanced literary techniques and deeper vocabulary than I would ever use in a normal conversation or even hand in for schoolwork! but I'm stupid and my grammar sucks.. but not as bad as roommates that steal your food suck!
When you rant, you basically drag on and on, desperately clawing for your next point, and when you reach it, because it's never as great a point as one would require to properly demonstrate their position, you are forced again to reach for the next point. Each subsequent argument falls short of what constitutes a solid example.
A rant is also often a desperate attempt for more attention. Often offensive, politically incorrect, and virtually bursting with sad attempts at humour. Because all ranters are victims of incest are probably speak french, their opinions aren't worth considering. What annoys me most about rants is the sense of authority those dumbass rant writers feel they have on the subject they've decided to whine about. I know for a fact I am smarter than rant writers and am more capable of constructing rants (if I were to ever do so, which I would not) so it's no question I am over qualified to write about rants.
Title: Society’s eagerness for new technology, and its control over us
Topic: To what extent are engineers responsible for a perceived decline in our civilization (lack of control over our lives).
As engineers it is our purpose to improve society through the creation and improvement of technology. Without a doubt, technology today is controlling more and more of our lives, but at the same time, it is giving us freedom previously unheard of. It is my belief that this decline of society caused by technology is not entirely the responsibility of the engineer creating this technology, but instead society as a whole, and both its thirst for improvement and its ignorance on its long term effects.
As technology improves, so does virtually every aspect of our lives. With today’s technology it is possible to communicate with someone on the other side of the planet virtually instantly. The world is becoming smaller in that communications are made easier, which is allowing us to do more than ever. New research into genetically modified organisms is improving crops and more efficiently producing food, giving us the power to feed more people.
Since the industrial revolution, the efficiency of producing virtually anything has improved through the technologies of the assembly line, the steam engine, iron founding, and textiles, and it is still improving today. Business and science is becoming more efficient because of computers, and these efficiencies are accelerating further the development of technology.
At the same time, technology is becoming increasingly controlling on our lives. Society is furthered by technology and therefore built upon it, living in this society shapes and forces use to live in a certain way. Laws are made in the same way – heavily influenced by technology, and these laws in turn control us. A somewhat extreme example I will use may seem incredibly obvious, but it serves to reinforce my point – traffic laws. Traffic laws control how we can get around, and obviously exist due to the automobile (although before that, the use of horses was too governed by similar laws). These traffic laws prevent the effective use of transportation in other methods, either by making them increasingly difficult (riding a horse down Deerfoot Trail is both difficult and illegal), or by encouraging and allowing greater distance between locations.
In today’s society newer technologies, most notably computers, are everywhere, they’re used in nearly every aspect of our lives; from everyday actions such as driving to filing your taxes. While these technologies are designed to improve and simplify our lives, they are the same time controlling our lives by allowing us to grow a dependency on them. If we were to lose the use of computers, we’d be set back potentially hundreds of years. Cars would stop working, as well as phones, most medical devices, and pretty much everything we use daily. The improvement of these technologies as assisted by the computer has formed a very strong dependence on these computers to control them at the same time. The introduction of tiny computers into cars has improved how the car runs, improving mileage, safety, etc. but the car is now at the mercy of the computer – limiter chips prevent a car from accelerating beyond a certain speed, should the computer fail entirely, the vehicle improved through the use of a computer is now rendered useless.
The perceived decline of civilization due to technology’s controlling behaviour over our live is readily apparent. We’ve grown unappreciative and ignorant of how involved technology is with our day to day lives, but this is due to how technology is used and not the creation of it by the engineer. As engineers, we have a different view on the work we create, in the same way an artist may disagree on the interpretation of one of his paintings; engineers may disagree with the use of their technology. The point is that it is not the purpose of the engineer to fully understand how others may view or use what we create, but instead to create to the best of our ability.
An engineer designs new technology or improves on old technology for the purpose of completing a goal, or improving the ease at which that goal can be completed. Although a responsible engineer will not produce a technology that they deem to be problematic for society, it is to be understood that this ‘decline’ in society (of technology controlling its users) could not be accurately predicted. Furthermore, it is arguable that this decline in control comes with enough benefits to warrant them.
98.2% of Americans in 2002 had a colour television, up from 94.7% in 1992 (Trumbull, 2005). In 1997 34.6% of households had a computer, up from 15.2% in 1990, and you can imagine the number now is a lot higher (Labor, 1999). We are now afforded luxuries previously unheard of, and even the poor are more comfortable.
One may argue that the access to technology does not signify happiness, but the percentage of Americans below the poverty line that have enough food, can visit a doctor when needed, and have enough money for rent is increasing. Technology may not be the reason for this, but it does show that despite the stranglehold technology has on us is not ruining our lives.
Claiming engineers bear absolutely no responsibility for this decline in society, however, is ignorant. Although we as engineers are guided by morals, the driving force behind what we do is based on economic trends such as the voracious appetite for technology and because of that, consumerism shapes the demand for technology and through that, what gets produced in the end. Because of the costs associated with the development of technology funding is important and is often the tool required to push ideas into reality. No corporation will fund the development of something unless it is economical, but on the other hand, technology that may not benefit society may be created for economic reasons.
Despite signs of this decline, technology continues to be advanced at an incredible rate. Technologies such as satellite imaging, GPS, security cameras, and traffic cameras invade our privacy in ways previously unimaginable. One can open a web browser and type in someone’s address, and seconds later be presented with a satellite image of their home. By having these means to find information on anyone easily, our privacy is threatened, and we are therefore controlled in what we can and cannot do.
Overall, the decline in our civilization is due to our society’s thirst for technology, and the economist’s willingness to satisfy this thirst. The way and the abundance in which technology is used is the primary reason for its control over us. Our over-eagerness to accept and use technology without questioning it, and from that our reliance on it is responsible for this decline in civilization more than it is the responsibility of the engineer who created it. As long as it is economically viable to continue the push for new technology, and as long as there is a mentality that invention is god, there will always be demand for new technology, and there will always be the engineer who creates it.
Bibliography
Labor, U. D. (1999, March). Computer Ownership Up Sharply in the 1990s. Retrieved April 12, 2008, from Bureau of Labor Statistic: http://www.bls.gov/opub/ils/pdf/opbils31.pdf
Mode, C. (2000). Understanding the Industrial Revolution. London: Routledge.
Postman, N. (1992). Technopoly. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, Inc.
Trumbull, M. (2005). Poverty now comes with a color TV. Retrieved April 13, 2008, from MSN Money (Christian Science Monitor): http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/Extra/PovertyNowComesWithAColorTV.aspx
Wright, R. (2004). A Short History on Progress. Toronto: House of Anansi Press Inc.
WRITTEN BY A WOMAN
1. Assuming he can get a raging hard on when it suits you. Contrary to popular belief, men can't just flip a switch and get it up because you decided to stop being a frigid bitch. Getting it hard is your job. I suggest you figure it out.
2. Thinking that kissing needs to be this sweet romantic thing all the time. Sometimes pressing your lips against your partners mouth while you get off is the hot. It depends on the situation.
3. Leaving him responsible for your orgasm. You know what gets you off. Tell him. If you don't, it's your own fault when he's snoozing and you're all wound up.
4. Expecting him to cuddle. Men and women are wired differently. Sex makes most women want to talk and bond and all that shit. It makes men pass out. It's a biological thing. Stop fighting it, and stop holding it over his head, it's not his fault.
5. Expecting him to fall asleep with you in his arms. That shit is uncomfortable after awhile. A little snuggling isn't unreasonable, but when it's time to actually sleep? An arm draped over you should suffice.
6. Expecting him to always lay on the charm and romance. Sometimes, that's nice. Sometimes. But expecting him to be all roses and candles all the time is like expecting you to act like a pornstar all the time. If you're not willing to do that, don't expect him to switch for you.
7. Being selfish in bed. Regardless of the shit that Cosmo forces down our throats, sex is NOT just about us. Get over it.
8. Using random magazines as a sex bible. I dont know who comes up with half that shit, but I'm pretty sure they need counseling.
9. Whining when he pushes your head down on his cock instead of stroking your hair. Know why he's pushing, skippy? Because you aren't doing it right, and have apparently ignored the other clues he's given you. Pay attention to the signals that he's sending you.
10. Not moving at all. Missionary is not an excuse to do nothing.
11. Expecting him to undress himself with any amount of grace. He's about to get some pussy. Be glad he bothered to take his pants all the way off. If it concerns you so much, undress him yourself.
12. Not shaving your legs. Im pretty bad at this myself. But if you want your guy stubble free, you better get out the razor.
13. Allowing your crotch to resemble the amazon. Yes, waxing hurts. Yes, some people don't want to go bare. Thats fine. If you like bush, great. If you have sensitive skin and can't shave, I feel for you. But for the love of Christ, trim that shit if you want him to spend any time down there.
14. Assuming that sex means a relationship. The only relationship you have is that he has now stuck his hoo hoo dilly in your cha cha. That's as far as it goes unless otherwise noted.
15. Withholding oral sex just because you're ragging. He didn't do it. Unless you want him to withhold oral sex because he's hormonal, I suggest you get some kneepads.
16. Expecting him to figure out what you like by what noise you make. Use your words. Have you ever actually heard what you sound like while you're having sex? If you heard yourself on tape, and someone asked you to explain what was causing you to make that noise, 67% of women would respond with answers like "I stubbed my toe" "I ran up the steps" or "I was putting up drywall".
17. Leaving condoms up to him. If you're sexually active and insist that he uses a condom, I suggest buying a box and keeping it by your bed. Not all men keep them on them, and it's just as much your responsibility as it is his. If you think that makes you a slut, you shouldn't be having sex anyway. Go back to Jr High.
18. Getting your undies in a bunch when he talks dirty. A little fantasy can be fun. If he treats you with respect all the time, you shouldn't be offended when he calls you his dirty little slut. When he calls you a whore and tells you to come, its his way of showing that he cares if you get off. Stop being a sissy.
19. Refusing to be spontaneous. I know this is shocking, but sometimes sex OUTSIDE of the bedroom is fun.
20. Dissing quickies because it's not some slow sensual ordeal. Sex is a dynamic thing. Theres an awesome raw energy when you only have 20 minutes but having to have someone so bad that you do it half clothed against the wall. Readjust your thinking.
21. Being too much of a pussy to tell him what is or isn't acceptable before you start bumping uglies. Be honest. If he asks if he can poke you in the butt, and you giggle and say no like it's an invitation, don't look surprised when he "accidentally" sticks his cock in your butt.
22. Expecting him to undress you. I put a bra on almost every day. I know for a fact that getting them off isn't always easy. Help a brother out.
23. Undressing in the dark. If youre shy, dim the lights, but give the man something to see. No ripping off the clothes and diving under the covers, either.
24. Refusing to get on top. Theres no reason men should have to do all the work.
25. Getting that bored look on your face. Men are more visual than women. Give him something to look at. Get on top and arch your back a little bit. Move. Do something to indicate that you 1) are not dead and 2) didn't suffer a minor stroke rendering you unable to move.
26. Expecting him to do all the touching when you're riding him. It's your body, you're used to it. Play with your tits, rub your clit, do something to make his job easier.
27. Being too afraid to guide your partner's hand when hes touching you. Don't like the way he's doing it? Gently take his hand and show him how you like it.
28. Getting into bed, getting naked, fooling around and then deciding that you just want to cuddle, then getting offended when he doesn't. Its your choice to stop, but don't look all fucking surprised when he's confused. You got him naked in your bed, what else did you think was going to happen?
29. Refusing to let him take control. So your a feminist. Big fucking deal. Letting him call the shots doesn't make you any less of one.
30. Refusing to take control. Its ok to crawl across a bed to him on all fours, push him down and crawl on top. It's not his responsibility to start things all the time.
31. Forgetting that he has a body that likes to be touched, too. Men have things like backs and shoulders and stomachs and other parts that are fun to kiss and touch. You miss a lot of good places by concentrating solely on his penis.
32. Ignoring his balls. Seriously, they are there. Kiss them, lick them, suck on them, make a relationship with them, just don't ignore them.
33. Leaving him to his own devices. Nothing is worse than a girl who gets you most of the way off and then bolts because she doesn't want to deal with the mess.
34. Launching into some speech about not being an object for sex when he tries to titty fuck you. Jesus Christ, just push them together and enjoy yourself. You get a great view.
35. Expecting him to handle you like a porcelain doll. I'd hate to be the bearer of bad news, but you're not going to break, sister. So doing it against the wall gives you a bruise on your shoulder. Look at it later and giggle at the memory.
36. Refusing to try things in the name of "making love". You're not making anything. You are naked. With another person. Making strange faces and weird noises. Stop romanticizing it.
37. Taking things way too seriously. Sex is funny. Actually it's hilarious. Somewhere along the line, someone is going to fall off of a bed, hit their head on a lighting fixture, accidentally kick a midget or trip over a goat. It's how you deal with it that really matters.
38. Throwing a bitch fit when he asks for a 3 some. Its the American dream. (I know my ex is reading this right now, so a quick interjection. One request for a 3 some is ok. Every 5 minutes, not so much. Know the difference).
39. Continuing a blow job knowing that you have god awful cotton mouth. Really. Grab a bottle of water.
40. Nails. Its one thing tracing them up and down your partners back. Its another when you snag the goods with a claw.
41. Bitching when you get jizz on you. You're having sex. That will happen. Thats the entire point of sex. Establish where he can and cant jizz and be done with it. Remember, it tightens the pores.
42. Not making any noises at all. Moan. Scream his name. Something so he knows he's the best you've had, even if he isn't.
43. Faking orgasms. Just. Don't. By faking (IF he believes you) he thinks he's doing everything right. And if he doesn't know its not working, he's not going to change it. Starting a vicious cycle of unfulfilling sex which will eventually be very damaging to his ego.
44. Not washing before sex. I know that sex is spontaneous, this is more of a general statement. If you haven't showered that day, and things smell a little...fishy...perhaps demanding oral sex is a little ridiculous of you.
45. Anything that involves inserting anything into his body that he has not specifically approved before hand. I don't care what Cosmo says, some things are simply not pleasant surprises.
46. Refusing to use oils/whipped cream/other messy but fun things because you have 541510630 count Egyptian cotton sheets that were made by hand by the only person alive capable of sewing that pattern. They'll wash.
47. Doing all of your before bed things before sex. Yes, sleeping with makeup on is bad. Now is not the time to remove it, you can do that later. And really fucking you with your hair in a ratty scrunchie with acne cream on your nose is not all its cracked up to be.
48. Cleaning up after sex. Wiping the splooge off is one thing. But changing the sheets immediately so you can get the other ones in the washer and then sanitizing everything your naked body might have possibly passed by is not the way to do it.
49. Making a big deal out of it if he loses his hard on. This is not an interrogation, or 20 questions. It happens, he's probably mortified and you are NOT helping. Refrain from using phrases like "it happens to every guy". Just move to other activities until it gets hard again, and if it doesn't, get off another way with him. He's still capable of getting you off. Mumbling "Forget it" and rolling over are not ok.
50. Asking questions right afterwards. The woman equivalent of "was it good for you?". Now is not a good time to ask "What this means". Right now, it means he probably needs to take a drink, a leak and a nap, perhaps not in that order.
"What are you doing?"
"We're printing porn and putting it everywhere, what the fuck are you doing?"
ilu.
[talking about homemade gnocchi]
Carmelo: Ya i actually like when it's a bit harder
Nonno: Oh, you like it more when it's-a-harder?
Carmelo: Ya
Nonno: That's-a no good.
[talking about people who prey on old ladies to steal their jewelery]
Sarah: When I-a-hear somering ringa ringa ringa door i call the police nove nove nove! (999)
[[mo]] "Our Ice cream sidewalk sign theft has went down 100% since you went back to London". -alimo's pizza says (9:27 PM):
muslim easter is the best
[[mo]] "Our Ice cream sidewalk sign theft has went down 100% since you went back to London". -alimo's pizza says (9:27 PM):
the day after easter we wait infront of stores at 5 am then buy all the discount chocolate we can find
1. When she asks how she looks shrug and say "could be better" this will keep her on her toes and girls love that.
2. Never hold her hand. This can be interpreted as a sign of weakness. (Or if she grabs your hand squeeze hers really really hard until she cries. This will impress her by showing her what a strong man you are.)
3. Once a month sneak up on her from behind and knock her over. Girls are like dogs. They love to be roughed up.
4. Call her in the middle of the night to ask if she's sleeping. If she is, say you better be. Repeat this 4 or 5 times until morning. This will show her you care.
5. When she is upset about something, suggest to her that it might be her fault. This will pave the way for her own personal improvement and every girl needs some improvement.
6. Recognize the small things . . . they usually mean the most. Then when she's sleeping, steal all her small things and break them, because jewelry is for pussies and Asian ladies.
7. If you're talking to another girl, make sure shes looking. When she is, stare into her eyes mouth the words "fuck you" and grab the other girls ass. Girls love competition.
8. Introduce her to your friends as "some chick". Women love those special nicknames.
9. Warm her up when shes cold...and not by giving her your jacket... Then you might get cold. Rather, look her in the eye and say "if you don't stop bitching about the cold right now you're going to be bitching about a black eye." The best way to get warm is with fear.
10. Take her to a party. When you get there shell have to go to the bathroom (they always do). Leave immediately. Come back right when the party's dying and yell at her the whole way home for ditching you at the party.
11. Make her laugh. A good way to do this is if she has a small pet. Kick the pet. I always find stuff like that funny. Why shouldn't girls?
12. If you care about her never ever tell her. This will only give her self confidence. Then you can never turn her into the object she deep down desires to be.
13. Every time you're in her house steal one of the following: shoes, earrings, or anything else that comes in pairs. Only take one of the pair. This way shell go crazy.
14. Give her one of your t-shirts......and make sure it has your smell on it. but not a sexy cologne smell. A bad smell. You know what I'm talking about.
15. Titty twisters and plenty of them.
16. If you're listening to music, and she asks to hear it, tell her no. This way she'll think you're mysterious.
17. Remember her birthday but don't get her something. Teach her material objects aren't important. The only thing thats important is that she keeps you happy. And your happiness is the greatest present she can ever get.
18. When she gives you a present on your birthday, Christmas, or just when ever, take it and tell her you love it. Then next time you know she's coming over on a trash day leave the trash can open and have the present visibly sticking out of the can. Girls actually don't like this one that much but I think it's funny.
19. If shes mad at you for not calling her when you say you will promise her that you will call her at a certain time of the day. This will make sure that she waits by the phone. Tell her when you call you're going to tell her a special surprise. Now shell be really excited. Now don't call.
20. Next time you are having sex, make sure you get off before she does, then get off her and leave. Girls love that.
shaylea lynn says:
im now reading yours on girls hahaha
shaylea lynn says:
and this is why we're together. you're right, all these things do work.
You.
Can.
Only.
Type.
One.
Word.
Not as easy as you might think...
Your boyfriend/girlfriend?
hot
Your hair?
long
Your mother?
psycho
Your Father?
lazy
Your Favorite Item?
laptop?
Your dream last night?
forget
Your Favorite drink?
changes
Your Dream Car?
ferrari
The room you are in
bedroom
Your Ex
lol
Your fears
many
What do you want to be in 10 years?
rich
Who did you hang out with last night?
robert
What You're Not?
relaxed
Muffins?
monday
One of Your Wish List Items?
car
Age:
18
The Last Thing You Did
music
What You Are Wearing
jeans
Your Favorite Book:
many
The last thing you ate
pork
Your Life
ok
Your Mood
ok
Your Friends
great
What are you thinking about right now
school
Your car
nonexistant
What are you doing at the moment?
procrastinating
Your summer
working
Your relationship status?
stolen
What is on your tv
dunno
When is the last time you laughed
today
Last time you cried?
2001
