How reliable are computer models?

We live in a time with so much technological services to our expense that we don't know what to do with it all. There are new advances in technology every day, and I think that we have gotten to the point that we take it for granted. Even computers themselves are completely amazing. We have a little box that can do so many things that would be unimaginable otherwise. The fact that the internet exists is extraordinary - we can communicate in a many to many fashion, and there is a link between people all over the world! But still, we complain that our internet is too slow, the video quality is too poor, and all sorts of other things that we would not be even within the realm of possibility a few years previous. I think comedian Louis C.K. sums it up pretty well in the viral YouTube clip:

So, things such as computer models which are currently used to predict trends such as stock market prices, weather forecasts, earth plate shifts, these are all made possible by such technological advances previously mentioned. While they are not completely accurate, we have no right to complain about their efficacy, because the mere fact that they exist is a blessing, and by depending on these services 100% just shows our own dependence on technology.We should learn to appreciate these services and understand their limitations, rather then become angered that they are not "good enough." We must consider the fact that these computer models are able to predict certain trends to a certain precision and realize that even if they are not perfect, they are better then nothing - which is what we had before!

Violence in Video Games?

A topic that is often discussed in this class is the "side effects" of new technology. While our technologies are developed to serve a purpose, there are often other ramifications that were not previously anticipated. Video games were created for entertainment purposes. While they were originally oriented towards children, now a days video games serve many purposes and are catered to all groups of people. There are learning games for children, there are simulation games for professional trainees, and of course, there are multiple genres for entertainment purposes. However, within each of these categories there are games which are oriented to different demographics. For example, within educational games, there may be games to help children learn how to count, but for older people there are also games to aid in learning a new language, and at high levels of learning, there are games made to simulate real life experiences such as flight simulation.


A topic that was raised during class was that children are playing violent video games, such as Grand Theft Auto, and are being influenced by these video games to behave belligerent. Also, the fact that video game graphics are becoming more realistic and graphic may be serving to desensitize children to such violence. However, are these concerns warranted? While these video games DO portray violence and the graphics are more and more realistic, we must realize who these games are catered to. The game makers label their games as violent, or graphic, or "Mature Content" because these games are not made for children. Children are easily impressioned, and may indeed be influenced by the depiction of violence, however in healthy adults, by playing video games with such content may serve as a safe outlet of such behaviour and rather then being influenced by it, they are getting rid of their violent tendencies through an electronic game. The fact that children are playing these games do no show flaws in the games themselves, but rather the distribution of the games. We need to have safer ways of selling videogames, and denying access to children under the age of 18 to access these games. The law is not very firm in these respects, and if it is such a concern to the general public, then we need to make these changes rather then changing the content of videogames themselves.