2014's new technology



By: Brad Tripp

Little Jimmy runs to his mother. While running, phone in hand, he trips over a small stump in the yard. The dinosaur of a phone flies from Jimmy’s hand, then lands in the salt water pond. Jimmy is devastated to have his phone destroyed, but lucky enough he is due for a free upgrade with his phone provider. Later that day Jimmy arrives at the electronics store where he can purchase a new phone. He looks around to see shelves and posters displaying amazing new phones, televisions and more. The digital age is no longer part of our imaginations. The digital age is here and growing every single day. Here are some innovations we can look forward to in 2014:

This year, there will be many phones introduced and upgraded, such as the new Samsung Galaxy S5. According to Whistleout.com, the Samsung Galaxy S5 will be introduced around April and have iris detection technology and a different phone style. Like the iPhone 5s, the Galaxy S5 will come in two models, one being a cheaper model. The iPhone 6 is expected to be released around October or November this year, but specs and features are currently unknown.

What else will be unveiled this year in the electronics department? Macrumors.com says a new IOS is supposed to be released this year. Apple’s operating system is now in the fourth beta stage (testing and compromising for issues). According to Bloomberg.org, Apple is also working on a sixty five inch Apple Television, featuring ultra hi definition and device sync for Apple devices. On the other half of the competitive side, Samsung is working on a bendable television screen to be released by the end of the year.

What’s new for computers and gaming? The Gaurdian.com states the Valve Steam Machine computer is set to be released soon. This gaming computer is said to beat almost all other game consoles and gaming computers, with more than 3000 downloadable games and more than fifty million users.

 In console gaming, according to CNN.com, the Ps4 sold 4.2 million consoles the day it was launched and Xbox One sold 1.2 million. Latinpost.com (a forum on gaming) says that sometime this spring Xbox One will be launching a new update to fix issues with the online parties and Microsoft will also be releasing the Xbox One in white. Many electronics and updates are to be released this year. What will you choose?

Too much TV violence?





By: Brad Tripp

 

The television has been around since the 1920s. It wasn’t until the thirties and forties that it became popular within our society. As time has gone on, money and popular television shows have become part of a growing industry that feeds the public’s desire for entertainment.

The television industry in the United States made over $35 billion last year, and that number continues to rise. With money also comes greed, which typically includes the desire to make more money.  This cycle created the desire to produce anything to make a quick buck. What will make that fast money? It’s not always quality and/or wholesome television.

According to the American Psychology Association (APA), a 1985 mandate required television shows to inform (warn) people of the potential violence in televised programs. The information provided was that the violence caused children to become less sensitive to pain and others, along with making them act more fearful and aggressive to the world around them.  Children who watch a lot of aggressive movies or shows tend to act out or recreate the scenes of that said program, according to the APA.

A study by Dr. George Gerbner shows that an average television show today contains about 20 violent acts each hour and that children who watch a lot more of it tend to feel the world around them is more dangerous than it actually is.  In that same study, 100 preschool children were observed after watching television with violent cartoons in them and some without.  The study showed those children who watched the violent cartoons were more likely to act or lash out and other students. 

According to thinkquest.org, in 73% of all crimes committed, from theft to murder, the person who committed them was subjected to violence through cartoons and programs on television. As of last year (2012), it was recorded that in 43% of all cartoons a person committed a crime.

Not all television is evil or violent.  There are good programs that can help and keep children and adults entertained. Mainly, it’s all about paying attention and viewing programs that are good to your everyday life and preventing bad things from happening. All in all, television violence is a part of what we’re entertained by, just use with caution.