Te6ti'H6 ogy

How has technology affected the way people Become more aware of the effects of technology
interact with each other? on social interaction
How can people best engage in meaningful Be'able to discuss arid debate issues associated
relationships without technology getting in the with technology and social interaction.
way?

ischnology has changed the way we interact with other people. Much of your social life probably
Word bank takes place online. Most likely you use apps, sites and devices to keep in touch with friends,
technology make appointments, exchange ideas or find out the latest news.With all of these technological
devices possibilities, it is worth asking:Are our devices changing the ways we communicate? Or are they
changing who we are? Winston Churchill once
millennials said: 'We shape our buildings, thereafter they
shape us.' Is the same true about our digital devices
internet such as phones, tablets and laptops?
This unit explotes this question through a study of several
tweeting texts.You will:

narcissism watch a video about how younger generations (Millennials) act and interact with colleagues
and technology at work
'hat
read an opinion piece about how the iPod once
:ollaboration changed the social landscape of NewYork
read the introduction to a book titled'Redaiming
:impathy Conversatiort: The Power of'alk in a
Digital TiT/Eirld'
:onversation read about someone who lived offline for a year
icreens explore, at a igher level, the the effect that Google is having on our mental capacities.
:onnected study a literary text taken from a humorous memoir about the role of television in the
:ihubbing family life.

:reative

ladget
ioredom

iistracted driving

urfing

nteiligent

2.1 After reading the title of this unit and the brief introduction above, predict which words you
will hear and read in the unit by creating a spider diagram. In the mi&lle of your spider diagram,
write the title 'Technology and human interaction' and add branches to it. Share your mind maps
with your classmates.Then look at the wordbank for this unit.Which words appear in your
spider diagram?

32
 Unit 3.1 Future humans

leave him alone. There was

But Ender knew, even as he thought it, that Peter wouldn't
and whenever Ender saw
something in Peter's eyes, when he was in his mad mood,
would not do was leave him
that look, that glint, he knew that the one thing Peter
tum the pages for me. Oh, is the monitor boy
alone. I'm practising piano, Ender. Come
Is he too smart? Got to go kill some buggers, astronaut?
too busy to help his brother?
you little
No, no,Idon't want your help. I can do it on my own, you little bastard,
Third.

'This won't take long, Andrew,' said the doctor.

Ender nodded.
infection, without damage. But there'll be some
'It's designed to be removed. Without
people say they have a feeling of something missing. You'll keep
tickling, and some
it,
looking around for something. Something you were looking for, but you can't find
what it was. So I'll tell you. It's the monitor you're looking
and you can't remember
pass.'
for, and it isn't there. In a few days that feeling will

The doctor was twisting something at the back of Ender's head. Suddenly a pain
stabbed through him like a needle from his neck to his groin. Ender felt his back
spasm, and his body arched violently backward; his head struck the bed. He could
clenching each other, wringing each other
feel his legs thrashing, and his hands were
so tightly that they ached.
Extract from EndeYs Game by Orson Scott Card

tried to answer them as a class,

1.32 After you have readText 3.4, written your questions and
is a good option for this
do an online search to find and read a synopsis of the novel.Wikipedia
1.31 now?
exercise. Can you answer your questions from Adivity

REFLECT
in science and human life.
In this unit you have explored topics about advances
questions as a class:
Discuss your answers to the following

a What ideas from this unit did you find most interesting?

government organisations should put limitations on the

b Do you think that
Are there some developments, such as the cloning of
progress of science?
humans, that should be forbidden?

Based on the developments of recent years,

c What is the future for humans?
predict what the future will be like.

131
 Unit 3.2 Technology and human interaction

2.2 In order to understand the changes that technology has brought us, think about how people
have changed the ways they've done things since the arrival of the internet. Make a copy
table below. For of the
each of the situations, comment on how these developments
way have changed the
people interact.

2.3 Share your findings fi:omActivity 2.2 with your classmates and hold a group discussion on
the following question:

How has the arrival of the internet changed people's behaviours, attitudes and personalities?

Watch and listen 0 @

2.4 You are going to watch an interview with Simon Sinek on Inside Quest, in which he
answers the questions below. Before you listen to his answers to these questions, ask yourself
youwouldanswerthem. how
'!
a Who are Mfflennials and how would you describe the character traits of this generation?
b What do younger generations look for in an ideal job these days?
c Why might younger people find it ffifficult to work for an employer, after they've experienced
years of bad parenting?

d Would you say that mobile phones have an addictive quality, rather like alcohol? Explain
your answer.

e Are people more impatient today than they were before the arrival of the internet? Explain
your answer.

f What kinds of tings in life can technology not help yoci with?
g Do companies have a responsibility to help younger employees find more fulfflh'nent in work
and in life? Explain.

133
 Human ingenuity

3 2. 5
Millennial
Do an online
Question'
search for
by Siinon
the video
Sinek.
'The

ATL think Simon Sinek might

a How do you
skills from Activity 2.4?
Communication answer the questions
skills that listen and watch, write down
One of the As you
you should develop is some rohigh notes.

communication. As you write out

b After watching the yideo,
can see in his video 'The the
complete sentences that answer
Millennial Question', 2.4. Compare
questions from Activity
Simon Sinek has very
your answers to yorir classmates.Watch
effective communication if necessary.
the video again
skills. He really engages

his audience. What can

Simon Sinek
you learn from him?

What kinds of good nouns. Use the

in combination with different
Sinek uses various verbs
skills 2.6 In the video, Simon
communication a-1.
to fill in the blanks in sentences
using? verbs from the box I*elow
is he

on binge wander
overcome rely
articulate form
check
cope with thrust into
attack fail at
waft through

be able to ... their purpose.

a Every business should
their self-image.
CONCEPTS b Millennials feel uncomfortable when en'iployers...

sometimes ... parenting strategies.

Audience c Sinek say that parents
speech people are ... the real world.
Simon Sinek's
d After they leave SCIIOOI, young
on 'The Millennial learn to ... yorir friends.
During your adolescent years, you
e
Question' is fascinating
to help them ... stress and anxiet-y.
because is sometimes rised by people
to watch online f Alcohol
is also to ... deep, meaningful relationships.
his audience Young people find it difficult
g
filmed. What's more, up.
messages riglit after waking
h Many people ... their
his audience seems to
can.... watch it at the end.
series, so that tliey
age group that Some people skip entire seasons ofTV
be the i

he is talking about. in all the time, tend to... life.

j People who are pkigged
Watch the video again world.
to... the cliallenges of the digital
k Many people need lielp
carefully and comment
and happen when our ininds....
on the reactions I Ideas and innovation
the facial expressions of

the audience. How do

they respond and why

do you think this is? EXTRA

of people
Question' was viewed by millions
* Simon Sinek's video 'The Millennial article that was
much criticism. Find an
within a few months and it received copy of the article and
video. Give your classmates a
published in response to the the article's position
which you either defend or attack
give a small presentation in
on the video.
Magazine, entitled
Stein's article from 2013 for Time
* Do an online search for Joel and write a letter to the
Generation'. Read the article
'Millennials: The Me Me Me
to its main claims.
editor, which includes your response

1,

134
 Unit 3.2 Technology and human interaction

2.7 The video 'The Millennial Question' created some controversy and Simon
much Sinek received
criticism for saying the things that he said.The interviewer in the video says very little. If TOK
you could ask Simon Sinek anything in response to the video, what would you ask? Make a list of
questions as a class. In Audio track 8,
the interviewer and
interviewee refer to
2.8 Now listen to G Audio track 8. Are the questions that the phrases
this short interview? you asked in Activity 2.7 asked in "causal
relationship' and
'correlation'. In TOK,
2.9 Listento G Audio track 8 again.Whichphrases as you learn how
underlined in phrases
or wordsareused to expressthe ideas
a-i? They appear in the same order knowledge is acquired,
below as in Audio track 8.
it
a Rayna Rainman is important to learn the
has recently received a lot of media attention for some things she said. difference between these
b She has said some
p things about Millennials. two ideas.
c The interviewer says he is going to cite a few words Rayna has used in a recent talk. * A 'correlation' is
d Many young people felt like they were being accused of bad behaviour. where two things
e Research suggests that failed behave similarly.
parenting combined wiith hand-held technologies
be to blame. may
* A 'causal relationship'
f People rise platforms like is where something
Pacebook to boast to their friends in an artificial way. behaves a certain way
g The interviewer challenges Rayna, asking 'Why victirnise the youngest generation?' because of something
h People do not switch jobs frequently because they have a Twitter else.
account.
i Do we want to have ' friendships? Do you think there is a
causal relationship or
a correlation between
Tweeting and job

Exploring texts iiopping?

2.10 You are going to readText 3.5, caned

'Society is Dead:We Have retreated into the
iWorld'.The paragraphs do not appear in the
correct order.

Read each paragraph and then place them

in what you think is the correct order.After
you have done this, check your ai'iswers with
a classmate and your teacher. Discuss why you
chose for your order by using these phrases.
Replace 'w', 'x', 'y' and 'z' with letters, words
and phrases fromText 3.5.

'I think [wl comes before [x], because

the
phrase [y] introduces the ideas that are
explored in [z].
'[xl appears after [w], because [z] refers
back
to what was mentioned earlier in [y].'
'The words [x] suggest that this paragraph
comes after [w], since [zl elaborates
on what
was already stated in [y].

135
 Human ingenuity

3
Text 3.5
retreated into the iWorld
Society is Dead:We have
looks through my own
the glazed NewYork
Yes, I might as well up. I'm one of them. I witnessed
own of
a years ago: the sect
the cult a few
peeping out of my ears. I joined
glazed pupils, my white wires huge, luminous Apple
church: those
Every now and again I go to
the little white box worshippers. behind the
monastic uniforms all bustling around or sitting
clerics in their
stores, pews in the rear, the
to hear confessions.
'Genius Bars,' like priests waiting
the Llnited States and
cults, it's spreading.There are now 22m iPod owners in
b And like all addictive any airport in the United
through
a mass-market company for the first time.Walk
Apple is becoming the social ether as if on
through
see person after person gliding
States these days and you will staring into
by a bunch of Stepford commuters
autopilot. Get on a subway and you're surrounded
observe.Just
Don't ask,don't tell, don't overhear,don't
mid-spaceas if anaesthetisedby technology.
tune in and tune out.

thought I'd say about the city.Yes,

and noticed something I'd never
I was visiting NewYork last week
c that insane
to notice that). But daylife -
nightlife is pretty dead (and I'm in no way the first
much of
NewYork the urban equivalent
hustle and chutzpah that makes
mishmash of yells, chatter, clatter,
- was also a little different. It was quieter.
methamphetamine
own MP3
who they are.They walk down the street in their
d Even without the white wires you can tell
out anyone not in their bubble.
deaf to small social cues, shutting
cocoon, bumping into others,
of
a kind of clunkier MP3 player. But the sleekness
aWalkman - and then
e Others began, as I did, with to rearrange as I
collection
it gave me my entire music
the iPod won me over. unlike
other models,

saw fit: on the fly, in my pocket.

obsession. Now I have my
musical diversion became a compulsive
What was once an occasional Me.
heaven: we've finally put the 'i' into
iWorld. It's Narcissus
iTunes in my iMac for my iPod in my
parks and pretty upper-middle-
is now a Disney-like string of malls, riverside
f Manhattan's downtown I
across the throngs on the pavements,
was something else.And as I looked
class villages. But there
began to see why.
squawks, like a badly tuned
emitting strange tuneless
now and again some start unconsciously
g Every rhythm.When others say
strange soundless
or their arms twitch to some
radio, and their fingers snap and hear so little.
ditto.lt's strange to be among so many people
'Excuse me' there's no response.'Hi,'
so much.
Except that each qne is hearing
into pockets, purses or jackets.
hanging down from their ears, or tucked
There were little white wires
h world, walking to their soundtrack,
a little vacant Each was in his or her own musical
The eyes were were the iPod people.
to the world around them.These
stars in their own music video, almost oblivious
The SundayTimes

EXTRA
also heard the word
'Narcissus' (paragraph e). You have
In Text 3.5 you read the word
know where this word originates
earlier in this unit. Do you
narcissist and narcissism with
out more and share your findings
Do an online search to find
and what it means?
classmates in a short presentation.
your

136
 Unit 3.2 Technology and human interaction

2.11 In your own words explain what the author i'neans by the following phrases fromText 3.5.
They are not in any particular order. ATL

Self-management skills
a I joined the cult a few years ago: the sect of the little wite box worshippers.
While exploring the
b Don't ask,don't ten, don't overhear,don't observe.Justtune in and tune out. issues around technology
c It's strange to be among so many people and hear so little. Except that each one is hearing so and human interaction
mucli. in this unit, you might
ask yourself how you
d We've finally put the T into Me.
manage your own time
and relationships. Do you
2.12 You are going to readText 3.6, titled:'Reclaiining conversation:The Power ofTalk in a find yourself distracted
Digital Age'. Before you read the text, discuss your answers to the following qhiestions with a by social media, when
classmate. you should be working
on your extended essay
a What do you think is meant by the phrase 'the power of talk'?
or internal assessment?
b Why do you think the author has titled her book 'Reclain'ffng conversation'? Self-management skills
c Wliat is the value of having face-to-face conversations over digital contact? are now more necessary
and more difficult than
ever. You might find it
2.13 Some of the more difficult words from Text 3.6 have been removed. Fill the blanks in the useful to block parts of
text using the words below. your day for offline and
online activities. This wi11

implicated mediated revise spontaneous devices chat help you get things done

contact collaborations development empathy cure feed and enjoy meaningful

irresistible relationships.

TEXT AND CONTEXT

* 'Stepford' a reference
to the novel The
Stepford Wives,
about submissive
wives who are
secretly robots.

* Chutzpah is a Yiddish
word for 'audacity',
'insolence' or
'boldness'.

* Methamphetamine is
an illegal drug which
causes hallucination.

137
 Human ingenuity

3
Text 3.6
Reclaiming Conversation: The Power of Talk in a Digital Age
Why a book on conversation?We're talking all the time. We text and post and (1).......

We might even begin to feel more at home in the world of our screens. Among family
and friends, among colleagues and lovers, we tum to our phones instead of each other.
We readily admit we would rather send an electronic message or mail than commit to
a face-to-face meeting or a telephone call.

This new (2!)....... life has gotten us into trouble. Face-to-face conversahon is the most
human - and humanising - thing we do. Fully present to one another, we leam to
listen. It's where we develop the capacity for (3)....... It's where we experience the joy
of being heard, of being understood. And conversation advances self-reflection, the
conversations with ourselves that are the comerstone of early (4)....... and continue
throughout life.

But these days we find ways around conversation. We hide from each other even as

we're constantly connected to each other. For on our screens, we are tempted to
present ourselves as we would like to be. Of course, performance is part of any meeting,
anywhere, but online and at our leisure, it is easy to compose, edit, and improve as we
(s).......
We say we tum to our phones when we're 'bored.' And we often find ourselves bored
because we have become accustomed to a constant (t5)....... of connection, information
and entertainment. We are forever elsewhere. At class or at church or business
meetings, we pay attention to what interests us and then when it doesn't, we look to
our (7)....... to find something that does. There is now a word in the dictionary called

'phubbing.' It means maintaining eye (8)....... while texting. My students tell me they do
it all the time and that it's not that hard.

We begin to think of ourselves as a tribe of one, loyal to our own party. We check our
messages during a quiet moment or when the pull of the online world simply feels
(g)....... Even children text each other rather than talk face-to-face with friends - or, for
that matter, rather than daydream, where they can take time alone with their thoughts.

It all adds up to a flight from conversation, at least from conversation that is open-
ended and (10)......., conversation in which we play with ideas, in which we allow
ourselves to be fully present and vulnerable.Yet these are the conversations where
empathy and intimacy flourish and social action gains strength. These are the
conversations in which the creative (11)....... of education and business thrive.

But these conversations require time and space, and we say we're too busy. Distracted
at our dinner tables and living rooms, at our business meetings, and on our streets, we
find traces of a new 'silent spring' - a term Rachel Carson coined when we were ready
to see that with technological change had come an assault on our environment. Now,
we have arrived at another moment of recognition. This time, technology is (12)....... 'rn
an assault on empathy. We have learned that even a silent phone inhibits conversations
that matter. The very sight of a phone on the landscape leaves us feeling less connected
to each other, less invested in each other.

Despite the seriousness of our moment,Iwrite with optimism. Once aware, we can
begin to rethink our practices. When we do, conversation is there to reclaim. For the
failing connections of our digital world, it is the talking (13)........
By Sherry Turkle

138
 Unit 3.2 Technology and human interaction

ATL
Social skills
The author of Text 3.6
believes that the ability
to hold a meaningful
conversation is an import
life skill. She also believes
that devices like phones
are interfering with
our ability to practise
this skill. Think about
the actual places in
your life where you can
practise your social skills.
Where do you engage in
meaningful conversation
with others? How can
you be more 'in the
moment' during these
conversations and not
2.14 Returnto Activity 2.12 andaskyourselfhow the author ofText
three questions.
3.6 would answer the
distracted by devices?

2.15Before
youreadText3.7,look at the list of wordsbelow. On your own or with a
classmate,
groupthewords into categoriesandlabelthesecategories to say what they have in
corm'non.You
znight
findit helpfulto checkthe meaningof some of these words. Compare your LEARNER PROFILE
word categoriesto those of other people in your class.
Reflective
Text 3.6, an
technology interruption producer device connectivity office
introduction
distraction school driver rendezvous social engagement to a book on
PC cab ten'iptation information phone prison 'conversation',
raises an interesting
conversatton friend gadget
point. In its second
paragraph, it states
that conversation
2.16 '[Jse the words
encourages self-
fromActivity 2.15 to
reflection. As an
predict what you think
IB student you are
Text 3.7 will be about.
most likely aware
After reading the article,
that reflection plays
come back to these
an important role
predictions.Were you
in learning (and
right or wrong in what
assessment). For
you predicted?
this reason, you are
encouraged to have
frequent, meaningful
conversations with
classmates, teachers
and your extended
essay supervisor.

139
 Human ingenuity

3 AND CONTEXT
TEXT
CAS 2) is jokingly referred to as the opposite of a 'smartphone',
'Dumbphone' (paragraph
Not everyone has has internet capabilities.
which
someone to talk to.
in the United States. You can pull strings off it
To fulfill your CAS * String cheese (paragraph 4) is popular

requirement, you might before eating it.

want to volunteer at a such as
* The cache (paragaph 10) on one's computer is the storage of information,
home for elderly people.
for future requests.
passwords, which can be called up by the computer
You might find that
that started in New Ybrk in 2C)11,
by simply talking with '* Occupy Wall Street (paragraph 12) was a movement
older people, showing against banks and businesses that were believed
where angry citizens demonstrated
empathy for them and to promote social and economic inequality.
actively listening to them,
people jump off buildings or
up * Base-jumping (paragraph 14) is an illegal sport in which
you can brighten
day. What's more, structures with a parachute.
their
you will learn about
* Luddites(paragraphl4)wereagroupofworkersintheclothingindustryin:the
life from their wealth that replaced them
nineteenth century. They protested violently against the machinery
of experience, and you
during the Industrial Revolution.
will become a better
conversationalist.

Dear Diaiy

140
 Unit 3.2 Technology and human interaction

5 To get my PC rig home I took a cab. Since Jordan, one

of our video producers, was
following me with a camera, recording this momentous evening, my cab driver
asked me what we were shooting.

6 'Oh, I'm leaving the Internet for a year,' I said.

7 'Why?' he asked,

8 It was a good question, and he didn't seem to find my answer very interesting. Our
conversation ended there.

9 At home I listened to records with my roommate and the peaceful boredom

continued. I found myself reany engaging in the moment, asking questions and
listening closely, even more than if I'd just closed my computer or locked my phone,
because I knew neither of those things could demand anything of me. Not tonight,
and not for another 364 nights.

10 My first major temptation came the next morning, when I pulled out my iPad. I
had forgotten to turn my iPad's Wi-Fi off for about five minutes after midnight, so I
knew there were post-disconnect tweets cached on there. They'd be about me. They
would stoke my ego, or maybe deflate it. I was very curious.

II I deleted the app, tweets unseen. In fact, I've been keeping my Internet-reliant apps
in a folder on my iPad, so I deleted all of those. Twitch.tv: Itl miss you most of all.

12 I went into the office a couple times for various errands, and heard snippets
of news, but didn't stay long. I'll let the secondhand information stream start
some other day. I heard something about a 'BlackBerry 10' and something about
Diet Coke that I plan on searching for in the next issue of my daily paper. More
interesting tO me was hearing Joshua Kopstein talk about some of his first-hand
experiences that day with the Occupy Wan Street crowd. I guess I'm a bit of a first-
hand fanboy right now.

13 I spent much of the day catching up with a friend from out of town. He's actually
a major authority on limiting phone-based distraction. He doesn't text, and his
phone is often off. While I had to field a bunch of calls the whole time we were
hanging out, he wasn't interrupted a single time by any of is gadgets. It's almost
intimtdating to have someone be that attentive to you.

14 The whole day was really refreshing. All my Internet-based social engagement
the day before had been about how what I was doing was 'brave' or 'insane' or
'inspirational' or a 'publicity stunt' or 'stupid' or 'a waste of everyone's time,' as if
I was planning on going on a hunger strike or basejumping off the Empire State
Building. But woe hanging out with a fellow Luddite, it felt like my undertaking is
the perfectly natural thing.

15 I haven't settled into a rhythm yet. In fact, I haven't even made a new schedule for
myself. I've done a little writing, a little reading, and a lot of chilling. I don't really
la>ow what the next days and weeks are going to look like. All I know is that so far
I'm loving it.

16 PauLMiLlerurglXregularlybepostingd%patcbesfromtbediscorznectedworldonToe
Verge duHrtg his year away from the Intemet. He won't be
reading your commertts,
but he'll be here in spirit.

www.theverge.com

141
 Human ingenuity

3 2,17
the box. The
Words a-m
words
listed below
in the list appear
are taken from
in the same order
Text 3.7. Match
as in the text.
these words with a synonytn fiom

chore smallbit busy

attraction expect film frighten

end important redrtce

answer at the same time liberation

b relief
a simultaneous
d hectic
c anticipate
f mon'ientous
e culminate
h temptation
g shoot
j errand
i deflate

snippet l field
lc

m intiinidate

A 'dumb-phone' without LEARNER PROFILE

Internet-enabled
Risk-takers
applications
As the poet T.S. Eliot once claimed:
IB learners are encouraged to be risk-takers.
possibly find out how far one can go'.
those who will risk going too far can
'Only

year without internet involve certain risks?

How might Paul Miller's
to gain by switching off his devices?
What does he stand

* Isthisakindofriskthatyouwouldbewillingtotake?Whyorwhynot?

using words from phrases forind in Text 3.7.The

i. 18 Fill the gaps in the sentences below
as they appear in the text.
TOK sentences are based on the phrases

In TOK we ask ourselves that are constantly in your ... .

a I'm annoyed by loud advertisements
how knowledge is I ... into the first can'ip.
kinds of people: optimists and pessimists. Fortunately
b There are two
gained. One way
forward to this big moment for ... .
we learn is through c I have been looking
was in ... contrast to our busy city lives.
experience. d Our weekend in the country

n'ie too many compliments.You're ... my ego.

do you think e Please don't give
* What
Paul Miller will I discovered this to be true through ... experience.
f
learn by living for time. It was nice to ... up.
g We hadn't talked in such a long
a year without the

internet? His method

questions which refer to Text 3.7.
2,19 Answer the f-ollowing comprehension
of research ('going
do after he unplugged the Ethernet on his computer?
native') is sometimes a What did Paul Miller
used in the social think of his plan to live without Internet?
b What did the cab driver
sciences, such as different from his usual
was the author's evening at home with his rooininate
c How
anthropology.
evenings at home?
* Do you think you
work? What kind of work does he do?
d Where does Paul Miller
could learn the same
hanging out with his friend from out of town?
lessons as Paul Miller, e What did Paul Miller do while
what kind of responses did he receive from
without actually living In the days leading up to Paul Miller's experiment,
f
for a year without the about his choice to live without tlie Internet?
people
Internet? to live without the Internet?
g How does Paul Miller plan

142
 Unit 3.2 Technology and human interaction

Form and meaning ATL

Research skills

2.20 Could you live without Internet? How would you survive without your phone? Wliat
Imagining a life offline
would happen? In order to answer might be difficult,
qhiestions like these yori will need to use the 'future unreal
conditional' tense.This type of granunatical especially when you
structure consists of two parts (or clahises):
think about doing
an 'if' clause
research. For example,
a a 'would' clarise.
how would you write
Notice from tlie exan-iples below tliat the 'if' clauses take the past simple your extended essay
verb, sucli as 'liad'.The
'would' clause can also use 'corild' (from 'can') or 'might' (from 'n-iay'). without the Internet?
Here are a few examples:
While using the Internet

'If' dause as a research tool is

'Would' clause (or'could' or'might')
advisable, it is also worth

Ifl had to live without Internet considering other useful,

for a day would go crazy.
offline research skills,
such as brainstorming,
Ifl didn't have access to Google Maps could get lost easily. interviewing, reading
books and articles or the
If my phone plan included more data making and organising
might be able to steam video.
of notes.

The followittg sentences a-g are missing a clause. Make rip your own clause to complete the
following sentences, using tlie fiiture unreal conditional.

a If people stin had a dial-rip connection, ...

b l[ there were no censorsliip of the Internet, ...

c ... then I might be able to work from home.

d ... then citizens would be more it-iformed voters.

e If our city introduced free wireless,...

f ... students might not listen to tlieir teachers anymore.

g If the public library ceased to exist,...

Research suggests that you

are more likely to remember
something if you have
written it by hand

143
 Human ingenuity

3
Discussion
withorit the Internet. How would yorir life be
2.21 Imagine yori had to live for one week
from the following taLile to respond to
different?You n'iiglit want to use words ai'id phrases

tliis question.

on the topic of distracted driving.You can use the left-hand

2.22 Prepare a short presentation
ai'iswers to tlie fonowing questions in your presentation.
image below as a stimulus. Include

How COl]lmOl] is texting wliilst driving yorir coruTry?

are carised yearly by distracted driving in your country?

How many injuries or deaths

have Lieen taken to discourage distracted driving?

What initiatives

your presentation, you might want to show

To support
classmates an example of an advertising campaign
your
to discourage distracted driving. Discuss how
might seem harmless, but it couldn't that aims
Texting whilst driving
effective you think these ads are.
be more dangerous

quotation saying about tlie Internet? Do you

2.23 Here are several quotations.What is each
Explain why. Discuss your answers with classmates.
agree or disagree witli tl'iese statei'iients?

for the global viuage of tomorrow.' - Bill Gates

a 'The Internet is becoming the town sqriare

taking a drink from a fire liydrant.' - Mitcli Kapor

b 'Gettii'ig information off the Internet is like

Stewart
c 'The Internet is just a world passing notes in a classroom. - Joi'i
Jolui Gihnore
d 'The Net treats ceitsorship as a defect and routes aroyuid it.' -
wliat yori would do anyway. If
e 'Tlie Internet is like alcoliol in son'ie sense. It accentuates
If you want to connect, it n'iakes it easier to
yori want to be a loner, yori can be n'iore alone.

connect.' - Esther Dyson

exactly what's riglit about it.' -William Gibson

f 'The Net is a waste of tin'ie, and that's

144
 Unit 3.2 Technology and human interaction

2.24 Can yoyi relate to the character in tlie

cartoon on the riglit? Have social media and
online conuminication tools made you more
or less con'u-nunicative? Discuss your answer
with your classmates.

"I used to cal/ peopie, tlien got imo

e-mailing,
then texting, wd now I just ignor'e
everyone."

Writing
2.25 Imagine ifyou are going to write an opinion piece about tlie fiiture ofinformation
tecl'inology and liuman ii-iteraction.

a Start Liy reading an article that predicts the future of information teclutology and human
interaction.Tliis miglit be in a magazine tliat conunents frequently on this topic, such as
Wired magazine.

b What are the main points in tliis article with whicl'i you agree or disagree?
c Check 'Unit 6.3 on how to write a blog.What structural and stylistic features sliould you
include in your opinion piece?

d Clieck tlie assessment criteria for Paper I in Unit 7.1 (SL) or Unit 7.2 (HL).
e Wliat are your predictions for tlie future? Why do you think tliis? Make a spider diagram to
collect your
ideas. Be sure to refer to the importance of technology in education, business
and government. Extended Essay

f If you decide to write

Now write your opinion piece In your piece try writing one or two sentences tliat use the your extended essay on
fiiture unreal conditional (Activity 2.20). For example, you coyild start a sentence witli: 'If an English B topic,
entire cities had free wireless you
everywhere, then ...'.
have three 'categories'
g Ask a classmate and your teacher to assess your piece according to the assessment of essay to choose
criteria for from
Paper 1.
(see Unit 1.1). On the
h Based on the feedback you topic of the Internet,
have received, re-write your piece and submit it to your teaclier.
you might decide to
write a category one
2.26 This unit has introduced criticisms of an over-n'iediated lifestyle.Write a letter to Simon essay on language. This
Sinek ('The Millennial (2uestion') or SherryTurkle
(Reclaimirig Cowersation) in response to tl-ieir could be about how the
concerns about the role of tecl-inology on relationships.You can criticise or praise these aritliors Internet has introduced
011 their points of view, using examples from yorir own life as evidence. Go to Unit 6.1 to find new vocabulary into
out more about how to write a letter.
our everyday lives.
Your research question
might read, 'To what
EXTRA extent have information
technology and social
Nicholas Carr's book The ShaHows was one of the first to raise concerns media corrupted or
about a
generation growing up with so much information technology. Read contributed to the
this book or
extracts from it, and write a letter to the author with your response. English language?' You
Watch might find that one of
the movie Her, about a man who falls in love with his personal computer. David Crystal's books
How likely is something like or
this to happen in the future? Use this as a source of articles
inspiration on this subject
for your opinion piece in Activity 2.25.
is a good source of
inspiration.

145
 Human ingenuity

3 level extension
Higher
making us stripid?'What do YOLI tliink the
2.27 Text 3.8 is titled:'Google Effect: Is teclniology
'Google Effect' is?
and place it on a wan for your classmates to read.
Write a definition on a sticky note
a

ever'yone's definition.Where do yori see similarities?

b Read
Effect'. How close were yori to tl-ie actual
c Now do an oi'iline search for the term 'Google
meaning?
life? Do you experience this phenon'ienon
d Does tl'ie Google Effect apply to yori and yorir

often?

3.8.Decide where you think the following

2.28 Several words l'iave been removed fromText
miglX haveto look LIP tlieir definitions first.
words fit into the gaps1-15 in tlie text.You
b safeguard
a cognxtive
d connections
c store
f innovation
e stick
h engagement
g danger
j distraction
i memory

I intelligence
k ai'i'inesia

concern
n raft:
m

o bear

Text 3.8

Is technology making us stupid?

Google Effect:
phone numbers or birthdays? You may
Can't remember
that we've
besufferingfrom the 'GoogleEffect' - a theory
that answers
outsourcedour memories,safein the knowledge
muestigates.
are just a click away. Genevieve Roberts

making us stupid?" I type. Press enter.

"Is the internet
of answers and articles on
Almost instantly, a (1).......
feeling that my first instinct
screen. It's an unsettling
- to Google my own stupidity - may be the root of my

increasing daftness.

probably forgotten it by now)

A recent study (you've
suffering from digital
suggests 90 per cent of us are
per cent of people don't know
(2!)........ More than 70
phone numbers by heart, and 49 per
their children's
their partner's number.
cent have not memorised are
in a landline-only worlet safe in the knowledge that answers
While those of us who grew up Effect" - we're
from that to treat the web like an
may also remember friends' home numbers just a click away, and are happy
know their cunent mobiles, as to our own memory.
era, we are unlikely to extension
Lab concludes
our phones do the job. The Kaspersky lecturer at the University of
Dr Maria Wirnber,
data to ('3)....... because of the "Google
we don't commit

146
 Unit 3.2 Technology and human interaction

to
To me, this su (6)....... w'th the world
that's e gives the example
of a new er rk out whether their
baby not a ' and when to start worrying.
"These are ology may be able
to address quicker than calling your own parents," she
says. "This isn't making consumers dumber, instead
it's helping them to think smarter."

She believes our biggest (7)....... should be our mindset

towards technology. "My suspicion is it isn't that the
use of technology is making us dumber; instead it's
a very human set of preoccupations and anxieties,"
she says. "Ultimately it's the anxiety about what
technology means for us, what it means for our
humanity, our bodies, our competency - and what
it means to have new technologies in some ways
threaten some of those things."

In contrast, Nicholas Can, author of The Shallows:

How the Intemet is Changing the Way We Think,
Read and Remember and The Glass Cage: Where
Automation is Taking Us, believes we should be

147
 Human ingenuity

3 2.29 Re-readText
Then, after you
3.8 and look
liave completed
for arguments
tlie table,
to go into
divide your
eacli of the cokunns
class in two and have
ii'i tlie
a small
table
debate
below.
on the matter. Articulate the ideas from the article in your OWII words. Add arguments, referrittg

to your own experiences, where relevant.

I ll

2.30 AJier your debate, try writing a Paper 1-style response to tlie prompt below in 450-600
words. Use one of the tliree suggested text types for yohir written response. Depending on yorir

level of experience, you may wish to write tl"iis response under exam conditions, by l'iand in 1
hour and 30 n-iinutes. See Unit 7.2 for furtlier advice on Paper 1 at higlier level.

In'iagine at s,rour schoolhavecomplarned

that several teachers spanof studerrtshas decreased
that tlie atterrtroiv
oyierthe years.Tliey bltrmethis jack on
oJ'foa.ts the that
distr'actioris studerttsexperiem:efi'om diqitai devices.
Usirigoneof the text t)rpes below resporvdto their complaints and address theproblen'i.

editorial letter speech

2.31 Find out more about Sergy Brin and Larry Page,

the founders and inventors of Google.

Wliat were their intentions when creating Google?

To what extent have they accomplished these goals?

Wliat criticisms are made of Google today?

After reading about Google and its foru'iders, liold a

'press conference' in wl'iich you or anotl-ier classmate are

interviewed in tl'ie role of eiCl'ier Sergy Brin or Larry

l)age.Try to answer all questions as if yohi were

tliose people.

Sergy Brin and Larry Page, founders of Google

JUST 60 Th
TOK
www.crftioalthinkir+B.ax
One of the aims of TOK eiND CLiCK €4
"aNSWeRS"!
is to help you develop
critical thinking skills.
Define the following TOK
terms and explain their
relevance to the cartoon
lllllll
below.

* critical thinking

* wisdom

* knowledge

* certainty

* authority workshop

* reliability

148
 Unit 3.2 Technology and human interaction

Literature
2.32 Iinagine two fan-lilies. In one fatnily the children grow up watching a lot of TV. In the
other fan'iily children grow up withorit a TV at all. In tlie table like the one below make a list of
tl'ie possible effects of tliese different upbringings on the children.

2.33 Yori are about to read Text 3.9, the opening lines from a short story abohit growing rip
with television. MLICII of tlie text is meant to be humorous.After you have read tlie text, discuss
why the following lines are fiinny.The paragrapli i'iumber lias been placed after each line, so that
yori can read them in context.

a I hoped tliat in walking aroruid after dark I nffght witness a n'iurder, but for the most part our
neighbors just sat ii'i tlieir living rooms, watchingTV. [1]
b When my mother reported that Mr.Tomkey did not believe in television my fatl'ier said, 'Well,
good for him. I don't know that I believe in it either.' [2]
c It was speculated tliat just as the blind man develops a keener sense of hearing, tlie family
must someliow compensate for their loss. [4]
d Because tliey had no T V; the Tomkeys were forced to talk during dinner. [6]
e Tliey did not know wl'iat attractive was or wliat dinner was supposed to look like or even
what time people were supposed to eat. [6]
f Wliat must it be like to be so igi'iorant and alone? Corild a norn-ial person even imagine it? [7]

Text 3.9

I Back in NewYork State, we had lived in the country, 3 'That'sexactlyhowIfeel,'mymothersaid,andthen

with no sidewalks or streetlights; you could leave the my parents watched tlie news, and whatever came on
house and still be alone. But here [in Nom Carolina], after the news.
when you looked out fromthe window, you saw other
4 Word spread that Mr. Tomkey did not own a television,
houses, and people inside those houses.Ihoped that
and you began hearing that while this was all very well
in walking around after darkImight witness a murder,
and good, it was unfair of him to inflict his beliefs upon
but For the most part our neighbors just sat in their
others, specifically his innocent wife and children. It
living rooms, watching TV The only place tliat seemed
was speculated that just as the blind man develops
truly different was owned by a man named Mr. Tomkey,
a keener sense of hearing, the family must somehow
who did not believe in television. This was told to us by
compensate For tlieir loss. 'Maybe they read,' my
our mother's friend who dropped by one aftemoon wi'tli mother's friends said. 'Maybe they listen to the radio,
a basketful of okra. [...]
but you can bet your boots they're doing something.'
2 To say that you did not believe in television was
5 I wanted to know what this something was, and soI
different from saying that you did not care for it. Belief
began peering through the Tomkey's windows. During
implied that television
had a master plan and that you
the day I'd stand across the street from their house,
were against
it. It also suggested that you thought too act'ng as thoughlwere waiting for someone, and at
much. When my mother reported that Mr. Tomkey did night, when the view was better andIhad less chance
not believe in television my father said, 'Well, good for
of being discovered, I would creep into their yard and
him.Idon't know that I believe in it either.'
hide in the bushes beside their fence.

149
 Human ingenuity

3
someone else, and wondered if he spied on us
had no TV; the Tomkeys were forced imitating
6 Because they
while we were eating.
to talk during dinner. They had no idea how puny
were, and so they were not ashamed that a 7 Whenfallarrivedandschoolbegan,IsawtheTomkey
their lives
found them uninteresting. They children marching up the hill w'th paper sacks in their
camera would have
attract've was or what dinner was hands. The son was one grade lower than me, and the
did not know what
time people were was one grade higher. We never spoke, but I'd
supposed to look like or even what daughter
they wouldn't sit down pass them in the halls from time to time and attempt
supposed to eat. Sometimes
eveiyone else had finished the world through their eyes. What must it
until eight o'clock, long after to view
During the meal, Mr. Tomkey would be like to be so ignorant and alone? Could a normal
doing the dishes.
occasionally pound the table and point at his children person even imagine it?

w'th a fork, but the moment he finished, everyone

Extract from Us and Them by David Sedaris
would start laughing.I got the idea that he was

2.32, wl-iere you listed the effects of growing rip

2.34 Return to yorir answers from Activity
witli or witliorit television.

How many of your original ideas were reflected in Text 3.9?

a

b After readingText 3.9, do you liave any new effects to add to this list?
the value of television in tl-ie
c Use your coinpleted lists to liave a classroon-i discussioi-i oi'i

family life.

yori describe a family that raises tlieir children

2.35 Try writing your own sliort story in wliicl-i
devices.You can take the perspective of a cliild,
witliohit mobile pl-iones or Internet-connected
or neigl-iliorir (like Text 3.9). Compare your story to tliat of a classn'iate WIIO lias written
parent
fron'i a different perspective.

REFLECT

ideas from this unit. Answer the following yes/no

Take some time to reflect on the
questions as a class.
each question, decide whether you will stand in the
ii After your teacher reads out
'yes' or 'no' half of your classroom.

each question, explain why you chose 'yes' or 'no'.

After
conversation on technology and human
Use this format to have a constructive
interaction.

ideas and texts in this unit as you give your answers.

Refer to the

a Are you a Millennial?

that Simon Sinek described in his video 'The
b Do you behave like the Millennials
Millennial Question'?

c Are you addicted to your phone?

conversations with your friends every day?

d Do you have meaningful, face-to-face

e Are you sometimes guilty of phubbing?

been affected by the problem of distracted driving?

f Have you

g Do you think that Google is making you 'stupid'?

h Do you think that textbooks will eventually 'die'?

Do you think that television has made you less ignorant?

150