Throughout the recent years of technology being introduced to society, there has been much debate on whether it benefits us or does the exact opposite to the brain. Technology, it is a key to instant access to everything, whether calling someone or receiving an email instantly, we see ourselves using phones, laptops, desktops, tablets and other sources to instantly obtain information on the news or your plans for the weekend. In the following essay I will discuss  with my own experience, the two individuals I interviewed, and all the research i’ve done why I believe technology can only benefit us, particularly the Internet web.

Technology surrounds us today, anywhere you may go technology is present. As i’m writing this essay i’m using a laptop to complete the assignment. As an individual who has been growing with this great asset of technology I have seen a positive outcome. I can use the Web for different reasons these include education and personal use. Ever since I could remember I have been using the web to obtain information for assignments. Whether it’s looking up a historical figure or researching a particular event, the web has been the key to access all the information. I also use the web for my personal use or in other words when I have nothing to do. I can search up music, play games, and buy anything I desire. Accoriding to gulfnews.com it can be used for entermainment purposes. Overall the internet has had a greater positive impact in me rather than a negative effect, I use it towards my advantage whether it is for a school assignment or just searching up song. The vast web has endless explorations that anyone can use for different reasons to better shape the brain.

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, the two people I interviewed were my little sister age 12 and my father age 43. Firstly I asked my sister how often does she see herself using the web, she replied, “when I come home I usually do homework first but then go use the computer to play games or watch Youtube videos”. Then I asked if she uses the Internet to search up anything regarding school, she said, “ yeah to search up a word I don’t know or when I have to type up a paper but while using the Internet I would open another page and go on Youtube to watch videos”. When she told me this I thought about Nicholas Carr ‘The Shallows’ and how the web can be a distraction to the brain and have an effect on the individual. So lastly I asked her do you the Internet being a good or bad thing, she said, “both I can use it to help me in homework but also see myself in the computer for a long time.” With that being said I can understand why my younger sister may feel this way towards the web. Secondly I interviewed my father, as a person who wasn’t used much of the technology we currently have let alone the Internet my dad tells me he is intrigued by what can be done within the web. I started off with the same question as my sister, how often do you see yourself using the web, he said, “ not much, but that’s because I don’t know how to use it much.” Then I asked him if he would learn how to run the web, he told me, he knows what things can be done in the Internet such as shopping, watching videos, and even paying bills. Overall the two individuals I interviewed had different answer and what I also realized was they had different agendas, my younger sister may use the web for searching up information for homework while on the other hand my dad may want to learn how to operate the computer to pay some bills much faster rather than mailing it. This opened my eyes how vast the web truly is and how everyone has different uses for it.

Society may see the Internet as a positive or negative thing, according to Gabriela González a writer, he wrote an intreseting article on Blogthinkbig.com regarding how the Internet is ‘good for you’. He brings different studies on different aspects on how the internet can benefit the individual or even society. It states, “ In one study it was demonstrated that people over 60 years old who spend most time online are more likely to be more mentally active and to suffer less depression. According to that study, social networks can enable people of any age to make decisions about their health, once they have gathered enough relevant information. In a survey, 42% said that they used social networks to find descriptions related to health services, 40% said that the information they got from social networks would help them to deal better with the effects of a chronic illness, while 45% said that depending on what they read on sites such as Facebook and Twitter, they might consider seeking a second opinion from another doctor”.  In other words it may help your health, you may find information where you probably wouldn’t have found if it was not for the Internet. Surprising Gabriela González also brings up how the internet can be good for the economy, “The internet creates jobs and for each job created in the technology industry, five more are created in other branches, jobs that are needed to support an entire company… The internet has made many things change, and in the search for a formula to reduce piracy, the “Netflix” effect has come about, something so simple whereby if people have a legal place where they can pay to watch movies, view series and listen to music, piracy will fall. According to one study, 40% of people download less pirate copies if they can use a service such as Netflix and similar sites”. In addition to what he says I can relate to the last thing he refers, on how less people use pirated copies because of a service such as Netflix. In essence the web can improve in numerous different aspects in the human life.

There are those who argue that it the Internet impacts of lives in a negative way, that it is a distraction to the brain and that is a problem. Huffingtonpost.com, a blogging site wrote an article called ‘ This Is How The Internet Is Rewiring Your Brain’, in which they discuss how the internet is a negative thing for the human brain. They refer to many different readings to back up their thesis, for instance they refer to Dr. Anthony Wagner, an associate professor of psychology at Stanford, she said, “When they’re in situations where there are multiple sources of information coming from the external world or emerging out of memory, they’re not able to filter out what’s not relevant to their current goal,” or in other words due to the brain multitasking in the web and being distracted it becomes difficult to obtain and store the information being received. The article also refers to an author I have learned about,  Nicholas Carr and his book ‘The Shallows’ they quote him saying, “The Internet is an interruption system. It seizes our attention only to scramble it”.  Just how Nicholas Carr wants society to be aware of how the internet is affecting the brain’s function on doing activities. Although many may argue that the internet may affect the human brain in a negative way it should not overshadow how great of an asset the internet can be.

The Internet, instant access on your finger tips, a great distraction or even a better asset. I believe it can only help the individual when searching up a word or an event that needs more research. While many may argue how it is too much of a distraction, the outcome is much more positive than negative. With that being said technology will continue to shape our brains in the future with many things to keep on changing.

Works cited

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/30/shocking-ways-internet-rewires-brain_n_4136942.html

http://gulfnews.com/culture/people/10-good-things-about-the-internet-1.24548http://gulfnews.com/culture/people/10-good-things-about-the-internet-1.24548

Jonathan Valverde   

English

Professor Jason Ellis

Hello, my name is Jonathan Valverde and i’m eighteen years old, I am currently attending New York City College Of Technology and I’m majoring in Constructions Management. Growing up I often got asked what I wanted to be when I grew up and to those who asked I would always reply with “I don’t know”, I really had no idea on what I wanted to pursue and become when I was older. It wasn’t until my senior year in high school that I discovered ‘Construction Management’ and the opportunities that came along with it, that is when I decided to pursue a career in Construction Management. In the following essay I will discuss the what the major is in depth, the reasons for selecting this specific major, and finally what I plan on achieving to get to the career I have selected.

The official name for Construction Management is ‘Associate in Applied Science in CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT TECHNOLOGY’ (New York City College Of Technology Catalog 2015.234). I am going for my Associate degree due to the fact that City Tech does not offer the Bachelor’s degree for Construction Management, Im still in debate on whether I will go on to transfer to another college to receive my Bachelor’s degree or will go straight to the field from there. The City Tech Catalog states, “ The associate in applied science in Construction Management Technology program is the only one of its kind in the CUNY system. It prepares students for careers as managers and technicians in the field of construction. All facets of the construction process are studied including construction materials, methods, management and mechanical systems as well as all elements of design. Both the public and private sectors

are studied from the time the project is conceptualized until it is turned over to an owner. The program combines an emphasis on construction management with components of engineering technology”, in other words I will be taking classes that will only be benefitting me on achieving my goals in my career. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, ‘Construction managers oversee specialized contractors and other personnel. They schedule and coordinate all construction processes so that projects meet design specifications. They ensure that projects are completed on time and within budget. Some managers may be responsible for several projects at once—for example, the construction of multiple apartment buildings.” in other words it is the duty of the Construction Manager to be on the job site and watch that everything is running smoothly. Just like it states, “Construction managers need to coordinate activities on large projects.” It goes on to say for one to be hired they not only need a degree in the field but as well as experience, the more experience the better for the employee. As a Construction Manager I plan on being in charge on the project site and cooperating with others to achieve what is needed to be done. It is my job to follow the building code, a book with what I’m able to do and not do in different situations. Overall ‘Construction Management’ is a big responsibility and is not for everyone, it is a career for those who are intending to give it their all in their careers.

There are many reasons why I selected Construction Management as my major. Before I even start to say anything regarding Construction, my family has a background in Demolition. Demolition is the exact opposite of Construction, instead of building buildings demolition firms demolish buildings or just may be destroy the interior of buildings. My father is foreman, in other words he is a demolition manager which I find amusing that I decided to follow the opposite and go to construction. Currently I am working for a private demolition company called ‘Titan Contracting Group’ where my dad has been working for the past 20 years. A reason why I selected this specific career is because  I can see myself doing this and most importantly enjoying it without regrets. When I was choosing colleges and different majors I was telling myself do I see myself doing this, such as a dentist hygienist. However it was different with Construction Management, I saw myself with a hard hat giving out instruction and cooperating with other managers to get the job done just how I have seen with my own eyes my own father do in the demolish business. Another reason why I picked this career is because the statistics, according to the bureau of labor statistics the job will only increase from here by sixteen percent. Moneywise on average ones salary is $82,800 dollars a year which translates to $39.80 per hour. Which is great but I plan on becoming an exceptional Construction manager and getting paid over $100,000 dollars. I plan on providing the individual I marry and my future children the best I can possibly give them as a family.  A third reason is because of my parents, as the first generation of Valverde in the United States I want to make both my parents proud of who I will become in my career, they unknowingly motivate me to keep on pursuing my goals. As an individual I have been blessed with great parents and what they have given me is priceless, as my father once told me, “With hard work and respect, it can get you far in life”.  Construction Management comes with great rewards as i’ve been told from those who followed the career and I plan on accomplishing this career myself.

Being a Construction Manager is a career I have selected to pursue and become one soon enough. At New York City College of Technology I will take the necessary steps and requirements to achieve my degree. Ones I accomplish this task I will go on to the field and not only be a construction manager but be a very high sought out one as soon as possible with great experience and firms. I will provide for my future family and give them the best possible future I am able to give them. In human nature it is always one’s dream to become successful in life not earning a salary but enjoying what they do in life and this is my goal as well to be successful in what I will do in the future. I have many to thank and many more that I surely will be thanking in the future. ‘Associate in Applied Science in CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT TECHNOLOGY’ or known as Construction Management this is the career I will follow and give it my all.

Works Cited

New York City College of Technology- College Catalog 2015-2016(234-235)

United States. Department of Labor. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Construction Management Technology. “Occupational Handbook Outlook” Washington: Bureau of Labor Statistics.

My name is Jonathan Valverde i’m eighteen years old and i’m attending New York City College of Technology as a freshmen, the major I selected was Construction Management. As an individual I have various different things that interest me, such as my favorite sport soccer, where I play the role of center attacking midfield and it’s my job to assist the attackers of the team.  The history channel, for the shows that I can watch for hours and lose track of time but yet learn more about various different events and beliefs.  Lastly video games, a childhood hobby that will remain a staple for the years to come. In addition to some of these hobbies one thing that stands out and astonishes me the most is Greek Mythology. The fascinating stories of the gods and heros, such as the God of Gods Zeus, the terrifying Medusa, and the heroic adventure of Hercules. It all intrigues me and each story has its own significant meaning to me as an individual.

Even if you were not familiar with Greek Mythology you have most likely heard of the name Zeus. According to the Greeks and their ancient stories Zeus, known as ‘The king of the Gods’ was an immortal god and commander in chief. However Zeus does not start out as being the king of gods, he escapes the wrath of his father Cronus and years later battles him alongside his siblings the olympians. This was known as the battle between the Olympians vs Titans, he acquires the power of lighting which ultimately results as being the deciding factor of victory and the God of Mount Olympus. Later Zeus’s own siblings the Olympians betray him even after saving them, they were going to overthrow him but he survives the encounter and punishes all of them in different ways. At the end a raging Zeus drowns the world killing everyone except two surviving humans who built an ark. This is one of the better known stories of the ancient greeks for obvious reason, this was a way the greeks explained what was occurring in the real world when science did not yet exist. The significance of this particular story is the idea of betrayal, how the people you once helped could turn their back on you without any regret. In a personal level I once was betrayed by a particular group of people, who I saugh out to help but then rather than when I needed help they insist on carrying on without helping me. In another level being a Catholic, there is an eerie parallel between the greek story and the old testament. The nine days and nights of rain and how all mortals die except for two by devising a ark. All in all the story of Zeus is fascinating and I see myself always going back to read it once in awhile.

Greek mythology some of the best stories ever told. Next is the story of the terrifying Medusa, once a beautiful woman which had her fate become a horrifying monster. In the beginning Medusa a young beautiful individual is to worship Goddess of war Athena a virgin. She is then raped by Poseidon god of sea and she alone is punished for losing her virginity. She is transformed to a hideous beast without warning and her world is changed forever, and given the power to turn anyone who looks at her to stone and vanished to a garden to be isolated. Eventually a demigod by the name of Perseus goes on an adventure to challenge Masuda for the fate of his mother. He is given assistance by his father the one and only Zeus, he is given the famous winged sandals, a magic bag for Medusa’s head, and a reflective shield. In the end the battle between Perseus and Medusa we are told with one slice to the head Perseus cleaning removes Medusa head from her body. This story can be related to many people including me, being a victim of something whether big or small than being punished for doing nothing at all and the one who actually did do something receives no punishment at all. In my lifetime there has been different occasion in which this has occurred to me in different levels. From being blamed for breaking something I had nothing to do with at home to being punished in class for throwing a paper ball across the room just because it came from my direction. Overall the Medusa story is a great story the greeks told on the power of the gods of humans.

Lastly is the great adventure of Hercules, the greatest warrior of greek mythology. It tale starts of with Hercules the son of Zeus and a mortal woman, and the enviness towards Hercules by Zeus’s wife Hera. Hera sends madness to him in his sleep and thinks his own wife and two children are his enemy and kills them. He soon awakes from this madness to find himself with his family blood and stains on him and the guilt he has. From here his adventure unfolds for him to purify himself he must go on a quest and perform a series of twelve labors each becoming of greater difficulty . The idea of nature is evident throughout the labors, they range from fighting a massive lion to fighting a beastly snake. His last labor we see Hercules travel to to the underworld to Hades and battle Cerberus a three headed dog with only his bear hands. But it has even a greater idea, that humans can go to the underworld and come back. Finally we see Hercules commit his final act, Hercules own undoing is burning on a funeral fire and Zeus then makes his son a God. I always see myself going back and reading this story, from reading each individual story to watching a film on it. The concept of redeeming yourself from something negative is big in the real world to many individuals. There are times where I want to redeem myself from something bad I have done to satisfy my own mind, for instance in a soccer match I may have given up the ball and the other team scored because of me, due it being my fault I wanted to take penalty later in the game so i can redeem myself to the team but more importantly my own guilt i had throughout the match. The significance and idea of people envying you will always exist but you as an individual are able to control the outcome.

Greek mythology some of the most astonishing stories ever told by the greeks to make sense of what nature did when science did not yet exist. Zeus the God of Gods the one who controlled the other gods and mortals kind of Mount Olympus, helped his siblings the olympians to later be betrayed by them. The terrifying Medusa who once was a beautiful incnet woman to have her innocence taken away from her and being the one is gets punished for it while the accused is not punished demonstrating the power the gods. Hercules and his twelve labors, the enviness of his mother committed him to murder his own loving family and is set to challenge twelve labors each increasing in difficulty, ultimately to have him commit his own undoing and ascending into the Mount Olympus. All three stories I am able to connect to and see the other side of the story, whether fighting for your life or having your innocence taken away. In short Greek mythology has been an intriguing subject that I will keep on continuing to read various different stories.