Archives for the Month of September 2005 on Lauren Georgeson's Insight
What is going on?
(Sounding of an alarm)
What in the world is going on? Is that the fire alarm?
It all started last Wednesday around 8:30pm. You see, I live with five other people in House 6 of The Village at 115, and it tends to get a little crazy in there sometimes. Two of my roommates, Vicky and Courtney, decided to go to the o-chem SI, but I decided to stay in the comfort of my bedroom and study in there with the door closed, since SI's don't really seem to help me.
I was minding my own business when I heard a loud scream. I ignored it at first because it's not unusual for our apartment, and I recognized that scream right away as Sonia's, one of my roommates. I thought nothing of it because she is usually a loud girl. Then, I heard all this chaos and people opening and closing doors, and I heard people pounding on the doors saying, "Get out!"
I was getting a little worried by now and listened a little closer and heard some kind of alarm that seemed to be talking. As I opened the door, it became super loud, and our fire alarm was flashing bright lights. A woman's voice was coming out of the alarm saying, "A fire has been detected in the building. Please exit using the nearest staircase. Do not, I repeat, DO NOT use the elevators." The alarm sounded then the woman's little speech then it sounded again, and I began to think it was not just a drill. Usually, they warn us when there is to be a fire drill, so we are not alarmed, but this time they didn't.
I realized my one roommate Sarah was in the shower, and I walked back and forth in the hallway between her bathroom and my bedroom pondering what to do. I didn't know whether I should get her out, and if it was real, should I grab my purse and some valuable belongings? I was so confused.
Finally, I decided to open the door to the apartment and look out into the hallway. There were two Case security guards saying, "Go outside." I told them, "I have a roommate who is in the shower." He said, "Get her out right now!" I ran to the bathroom and pounded on the door saying, "Sarah, you need to get out and go outside QUICK!" I grabbed my keys and went outside with her. I was only wearing a t-shirt, and she was in a towel! Well, there happened to be a boy's soccer game going on, and she was real embarrassed. I was laughing so hard. Everyone was looking at her like "What is going on?"
I guess the fire drill was only for House 6 at the most awkward time. Who has a fire drill that late when people, especially at Case, are already sleeping? I understand that a fire could happen at any time of the day, but usually drills are during the day. Not to mention the fact that I could barely hear the alarm, since the new apartments are sound proof for the most part.
When Vicky and Courtney came home, we told they had missed all the excitement. We told them how strange it was that the fire alarm spoke to you. It was kind of neat in a way.
This story is just a little taste of what our group project is going to discuss. We will address all of the newest technology they have installed at The Village at 115.
Henry Louis Gates, Jr.'s Speech
Needless to say, I was not looking forward to attending a lecture at Severance Hall, especially when I found out that it was going to be from 11:30am-1:00pm. That is my definition of BORING! Every time I receive e-mails about lectures, I must confess that I don't even read them; I just click the delete button right away. I'm not real big on sitting still for an hour and a half and listening to someone talk about something that I'm probably not even interested in, but this one was different...
Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. has to be the most motivating speaker I have ever heard. Everything that came out of his mouth had such excitement in it. Dr. Gates was extremely interesting to listen to. He obviously had much experience in engaging his audience (as one could tell, his speech seemed to be extremely rehearsed, even his laugh was mechanical). Despite this evident reality, Dr. Gates' speech was absolutely amazing.
My first thought when he started to speak of the Encyclopedia Africana was that this speech was going to be directed at the colored audience, which most of it seemed to be, but his words still managed to be educational and inspirational to everyone. His tireless effort to get the Encyclopedia Africana published is incomparable. Dr. Gates reminded me a little of myself in his determination to finish whatever he starts. Regardless of many financial difficulties, Dr. Gates managed to get the project funded by Microsoft and Perseus Books. I find it intriguing how he keeps the stack of about 25 publisher's letters who had rejected his proposal for money.
Not only did Dr. Gates face monetary issues, but he also faced time constraints. He was given just 18 months to finish a 2 million word encyclopedia. Dr. Gates quickly gathered over four hundred scholars from all over the world and finished 2.25 billion words during the time frame given! He went above and beyond the expectation.
Dr. Gates is truly an remarkable person and deserves much respect. He is living proof that one can do anything as long as that individual puts their mind to it.
Frustration & Weiser's Article
Here I go... Hopefully, this works, since I have not been able to post a blog yet!
I am beginning to realize how difficult it is to live without a computer. I do not know how anyone does it. My laptop decided not to turn on the Saturday before school started... Go Figure!! It is about two years old, but thankfully, it is still under warranty through Best Buy. I took my computer to the store the next day (Sunday) to see if the Geek Squad could fix the problem. Of course, they do not have any idea what is wrong. Therefore, they decided to send it out to the manufacturer. I was informed it would be about two weeks until I would know if they could even fix it or not. How do they expect a college student supposed to get by without a computer for two whole weeks!?!?! I guess it is one of those technologies that blended into the background!
Anyway, the articles assigned for this week brought up some very interested concepts including the one mentioned above. Mr. Weiser's article for example emphasized the point: "The most profound technologies are those that disappear." This is very true in today's world. These techologies became part of people's everyday life until they do not even recognize life without them.
The example Mr. Weiser gave was writing. In looking for a way to communicate, people subconsciously put their thoughts down in writing. We see writing everywhere we turn; without even realizing it, we read.
Another very good example discussed was an electric motor. I do not think anyone with the exception of a mechanic really thinks about what he/she is doing when they stick the key in the ignition and start an automobile. This is a major invention I believe is taken for granted. One just expects that turning the key is going to start their car. God forbid, it does not work!
After reading this article, I became more aware of technology in my everyday life. Living in the world today, it is easy to take advantage of technologies. It is the way we were raised, especially at such a young age. I have been exposed to all of these inventions ever since I can remember. It is good to be reminded every once and awhile how lucky we are to have everything we take for granted.