Thursday, January 31, 2008

Technology and the LDS Church

Since the beginning of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, its leaders have taught that improvements in medicine, transportation, communication, and other facets of our lives are blessings from God that help to advance His work. Particularly of note is the use of the computer and the internet to spread the gospel message and disperse information at an incredible rate. Others include television and satellite used to broadcast conferences and other meetings of the Church to every corner of the earth. The printing press has made scriptures and other texts of the Church available to all of its members. I agree with the leaders of the Church that all of these technological advancements are direct blessings from God and that we should use them to forward his work.

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

It is Worse to Be Wrong than to Be Irresolute

William Strunk Jr. "felt it was worse to be irresolute than to be wrong." While it is important to be bold and firm in one's beliefs, it is far more important to be correct. Resolution just magnifies the error. In general people are greatly influenced by rhetoric but should be more concerned with what is said rather than how it is said. I do not hold this view because I cannot express myself very well in writing or speech, but because I truely believe to be right is better than to be able to sway people with fancy rhetoric and be wrong.

Thursday, January 24, 2008

Software Theft

In an article from last year (http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/23/technology/23oracle.html?_r=1&oref=slogin) software company Oracle claimed that its main competitor SAP had stolen copyrighted software and confidential information by hacking into their computer systems. Breaking into computers that you have no right accessing, or hacking, is a very serious crime. As millions of dollars worth of information or even currency may be stolen, it should be treated no less severely than any grand theft. Since the invention of computers and networks hacking has always been a problem. Everything from advancements in computer security to punishments carried out by law should be done to prevent hacking in the future.

Thursday, January 17, 2008

Technology and Change

Advances in technology that allow faster and more convenient transfer of information is, for the most part, a good thing. Of course, as with any invention, those whose intentions are evil will find ways to abuse those technological tools. However, I disagree with many of the things that Neil Postman spoke about in Denver, Colorado on March 27, 1998 regarding the negativity of the advancement of technology. While it is true that there are those who misuse it, that does not mean that the technology is a bad thing in and of itself, but rather it makes apparent a problem that has always existed in the world. In general, the advantages of progress in knowledge and technology far outweight any minor disadvantages that may occur and mankind should always seek to learn and do more.