I had a lot of fun with this blog because I got to interview 3 people that are very close to me and see how different they’re opinions were on the internet. I started out with my Aunt Lindy who is 37 years old, and busy mom of two. I began my interview with the basic question of “what do you even use the internet for?” As a mom and her being kind of old I didn’t think she would even know how to use the internet. I was wrong! First off I didn’t even know that she was getting her Masters and was taking graduate school online, which she said is the main time she spends on the internet turning in assignments and reading papers and emails from professors and fellow students. This directly correlates with what Wood and Smith talk about in chapter seven and their idea of diffusion of innovation. It talks about how we get more ideas when we put our minds together with a number of different people all from different backgrounds. Being able to stay connected with her classmates online helps my aunt come up with the best solutions to her school work.
My aunt also admitted to having a facebook account and expressed how much she enjoyed being able to stay in touch with both old and new friends. The last reasons she said she used the internet was for her kids, and all the fun websites they have that help her kids learn basic education and help them with their reading skills. With her busy life that takes place online she said she has become very comfortable using the internet, and talked about she knows a lot more then some of her girl friends her age, and gives credit to her online schooling.
The next person I interviewed was a fellow team mate, Talisa Rhea who is 19 years old. Seeing as she is only a year younger then I am I was anticipating her answers to be very similar my feelings on the internet; that it is amazing! She said that her favorite use for the internet was all the communication systems including both Myspace and Facebook. Another reason she uses the internet is for schooling purposes, which she said is nice to be able to stay connected with professors while traveling on the road for basketball. Having her classes at the click of a mouse has changed her life, it allows her to stay on track for school while playing the sport she loves. Without it she doesn’t know what she would do, and couldn’t stop saying how “Amazing” she thinks the internet is.
The last person I interviewed was my 70 year old Grandma. I was surprised to hear that she loves the internet, however she thinks it is confusing to figure out. She told me that there are only a few sites she visits on a regular basis, and besides that she really doesn’t know how to “surf” the web. Her favorite past times include listening to my basketball games online, and playing in an online bridge tournament with people from all over the world. The last question I asked her was “what do you think of the internet?” She then began to express her feelings on the internet saying it can be very annoying, and time consuming. She doesn’t understand how kids can just sit online and do nothing all day, and thinks it takes away from building face to face relationships especially with families.
After finishing up my three interviews I was able to see the difference in generations and their feelings of the internet. The internet is something the keeps advancing with time so I was not surprised that my grandma was not a huge fan, because she was use to a life without online services. However I was surprised at how similar my aunt and my friends answers were, they both seemed very comfortable using is and admitted to being online all the time. I am interested to see how far the internet will go in the next few years, the possibilities are endless!
That is great that your aunt is able to do that with her busy life. I am surprised sometimes with the amount of people older than us that have such a grasp on the internet. Thirty plus year olds having Facebook used to seem funny and ridiculous, but is quickly becoming all too common. Not that I think it’s a bad thing, it just would be if my mom ever became a member. I am happy to hear your grandma can follow you on the internet.
that is awesome that your grandma uses the internet–i hope i am up with tech at that age….
yeah it seems like everyone, even our aunts and mothers, are signing up for facebook. i think this is fine, but it get a little weird when your mum adds you. the reason being is that some of my friends can be quite vulgar on my wall and i think she may be a little snoopy. i don’t know if you feel the same with relatives and family adding you on facebook??
I love that your grandmother plays in an online bridge tournament! That’s so endearing!
I can completely relate to your surprise in learning your aunt uses the internet with such frequency. My boss/mentor, who is 36, surprises me every time I mention ANYTHING from this class- she knows/uses it all. Imagine my shock when I, as the younger, supposedly more avid internet user, expressed my wariness of our blogging assignments, discussion groups/communities, Twitter, etc..and she responded with, “Oh! If you have any questions just ask! I’ve had a [blog/facebook/etc] for years!
It’s very interesting to see that people we view as older and less adept, are actually quite comfortable with the internet!
I’ve noticed that others, and especially myself, find the internet most ‘amazing’ for the provided ability to constantly communicate…but what I wonder is how their perspectives would change after the exposure to varying elements of the internet that we are exposed to in this class…..Hmmnnn