Final Blog Entry 1

Deciding on which of the two topics to write my final on was fairly simple.  I am going to choose the first topic which is about if modern day colleges campuses are technolpolies.  The main reason for this decision is that I am scared if I pick the second topic I am going to get off topic.  Since the professor warned in the description not to get too opinionated about the green movement in general, this makes this topic a hard one.  Since I believe the green movement is extremely profit influenced, only focusing on aspects of conserving that still make people money, my argument would be simple and not generate many topics to write about.  My argument would be something along the lines of even though the green movement is based on conservation in ways it still is contributing to our disposable society.

Another reason why the first topic would be better to write about is because for most of my blog entries I have referred back to Postman's writing.  This tells me that I have an understanding and I will be able to reference this book more easily then Slade's.  Reading Postman's Technopoly I definitely felt more opinionated when compared to reading the other books because I agreed with certain parts and during others just felt like he was making ridiculous connections in others.  This will help make a more interesting paper, since it will not be in completely agreeing or go against Postman.

At first glance of this topic a few key ideas come to my mind.  Colleges pride themselves as being more relevant and accepting when it comes to new ideas when compared to high schools and earlier education.  They also pride themselves as being long standing institutions that know what values need to be upheld.  My choice for the paper needs to be what choice colleges are making in what seems to be conflicting roles. Another talking point is how the students use of technology effects the choices the University makes.  Effects of Universities becoming run more like businesses in order to attract more students and how that changes the schools view on new technology.  In the end I would probably say that campuses are technopolies.  This last paragraph may seem like I was just regurgitating arguments that will be in my paper (which the professor said not to do) but this was a was a way for me to get these ideas written down so I do not forget them later.