Purpose Paragraphs
- Al Gore’s “Remarks to
the International Telecommunications Union” is the first of the three I’m
commenting on. In his speech, Vice President Gore discusses -- and strongly
encourages -- the strengthening of worldwide communications through the use
of computers. In his comments, Gore pays much attention to the world of
technology, and how much it has advanced in the past few decades. His
enthusiastic support of new methods of telecommunications is backed by many
sound reasons as to why such technology is becoming vital. One of the main
points he makes is how much economies can expand and grow through an increase
in global communications technology. It can be used, he states, for medical
technology, economic growth possible reduction of poverty and crime, and other
such improvements. Especially the poorer, less-developed countries need
advancement, he says, and reminds the people that as far back as 1851 people
were cognizant of the possibility for greater technology.
- Judith Hooper’s “To Fax
or Not to Fax” is an essay with an interesting perspective: because of so
much technology in our lives, we have become so caught up in the world of
computers that we are forgetting that we’re human. Could it be? Is it possible
that we have become so tangled in this virtual world of computer chips that we
are beginning to forget the real world? One of the points that Ms. Hooper
makes is that, in large corporate buildings, people are unveiling new
technological wonders to big-cheese executives, and investing so much money
the newest creation that the public is pretty much forced to accept whatever
comes out, lest the company and investors lose money. And she ends on a
chilling note: Will we become so caught up in the false world of virtual
reality that it will encompass our entire lives?
- Bruce Watson’s “When
Your Toast Starts Talking to You, the Info Age Has Hit Home” employs a
sly, subtle, somewhat sarcastic tactic. His offbeat humor is exactly how
he attempts to persuade us to his side. Watson launches a full-scale assault
on the technological world, and he comes at us with a barrage of strange
imagery and situations. In other words, he takes the possibilities to the
extreme, trying to show us exactly what direction we’re headed in. Not unlike
Lewis Carroll’s two “Wonderland” books, in fact. Alice finds a world wracked
with chaos, which Carroll uses to show the madness that would come from
irrational, illogical thinking. Nothing makes sense. Similarly, Watson shows
us that technology has helped us, but we have become so dependent on it (and
quite frankly, utterly overwhelmed) that we’re going to reach “breaking
point.” He warns us that things may become so complicated that, like
Wonderland, our world can become chaotic.