i am finding it quite difficult to express my feelings regarding the recent killings at virginia tech, but i find it necessary to discuss how this event has impacted my understanding of and faith in technology. around 1pm yesterday, i heard about the shootings and visited the university's website, where a podcast from the university's president was the only source of information. as news was relayed, i was astounded at how much of an impact technology has played in connecting people about his tragedy. according to reports, students were not only informed via email but many kept up-to-date on the story through blogs, social networking sites, and text messaging. since the occurence, many podcasts have been broadcast from the university and the police to discuss what has happened. many social networking sites have had memorials created for victims and numerous pages have sprung up on the internet in memory of the victims. in the face of such a horrific event, technology has allowed many people to reach out and connect with a global human family who is overtly reaching out to support and console fellow people in this difficult time.
visiting the university's site at this time, the single podcast has changed to a plethora of resources for students, parents, alumni, and other people in light of this event. more than commnicating ideas and facilitating the spread of information, technology allows people to connect with people on a level not before possible. the april 16th memorial website illustrates a outpouting of condolences, thoughts, and prayers. podcasts and other multimedia are available at the tragedy at virginia tech page that contain excerpts from the days convocation and conferences. a series of bloglike updates convey important messages for the community regarding the tragedy. words from the university's community reach out not only to that community but the world...
"We are sad today, and we will be sad for quite a while. We are not moving on. We are embracing our mourning. We are Virginia Tech ... "
-- Nikki Giovanni, University Distinguished Professor, poet, activist
...the rest is silence....
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2 comments:
What a terrible day for so many people.
We have to find value in terrible events, and I think this one is going to teach us alot about the positive and negative aspects of recent technologies, as well as their use by 'digital natives'.
Text messages were important immediately as students self-organized warned each other about the shooter. Social networking sites like facebook are helping everyone organize into groups, and blogs are helping people to reflect on the tragedy and inform others about what went on Monday.
On a negative side, I'm sure the shooter did plenty of research online to plan.
What great points you make. Technology can be used for good (sometimes it is easy to forget). The opportunities students had to share information with others was crutial, and may have saved lives. The opportunity to keep up to date on this, and many other things, on the Internet has become a way of life for students, teachers, and the world. It is amazing how far we have come, and yet, to think of all the things we still have left to accomplish...
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