1Perhaps it is the years of experience I’ve had in front of a computer, a laptop, or some sort of device with a screen. Talking about technology, attending press events in NYC,1 and meeting the industry’s most interesting people—all older than me, but all with the same childish hunger to see what comes next.
2With its microchips, input methods, operating systems,2 and everything in between, technology of the twenty-first century is a window into a new world for all of humanity, but especially for teenagers. Are you curious about something no one you know has even heard of? Then, search for it online—and maybe even come across the wrong answer, initially.
3You do more research and eventually uncover the truth. Inside, you feel a little like Indiana Jones,3 finding information that you believe will make you a more complete human being. In the grand scheme of things, you’ve done us all a great service: You’ve turned over a small stone of information, one in a river of millions. With every stone turned, our picture of the world becomes clearer.
4It’s similar to my experience with the polar vortex4 that has been plaguing New York for more than a month: Only when the sun breaks out for a moment do I realize how beautiful the snow can be. That’s what computer technology can do—like sunshine breaking through the cold, it changes how we see things. When you filter out the useless Facebook messages, out-of-context tweets, and all the GIFs from Reddit,5 you see that you—yes, you—are in control of your own information network. Best of all, you can do anything you want to do with it. There’s no excuse to be confused by that math problem in trigonometry, or lack a source to cite in an essay. It’s all on you now.
5Of course, right off the bat, you may be thinking: “Here comes a geek, obsessed with technology, preaching about its effectiveness and adaptability, and how it’s great for everyone who is currently a teenager.”
6You’re absolutely right. But even if you are not as much of a geek as I am, you are still immersed in technology. How else would you be reading this blog? How else would you understand what “LOL” means, or be able to send a text message without even thinking about it?
7The world is facing many problems, but young people—using the power of technology—have the opportunity to solve them. Technology connects us in ways no one has ever been connected before. As Henry David Thoreau6 put it in an age before the Internet, “Could a greater miracle take place than for us to look through each other’s eyes, for just an instant?” If only Thoreau had known that we would be able to look into another person’s eyes—even if they are actually just pixels on a screen—thousands of miles away! What superpower could one possibly want when we have technology that lets us meet new people, invent new things, and help others?
8Today’s teenagers (as of 2014) have the potential to be the most influential and informed generation of human beings ever seen. But that will only happen if we step up to the challenge, wake up, and be prepared to take charge in an informed, responsible, and powerful way. (Hopefully, we will not make our problems worse.)
9What is better than a will to do great things? The actual actions that will make those great things happen.
Notice the general ideas of the text. What is it about? Who is involved?
The text is about a teen and technology and sharing a future.
The text involves a teen taking about technology and research about to eventually uncover the truth.
Annotate by marking vocabulary and key passages you want to revisit.
Unknown Words
Passage, you want to revisit
Connect ideas within the selection to what you have already read.
I already know
1 answer
Unknown Words:
Microchips – small semiconductor devices used in computers and other electronics
Operating systems – software that manages computer hardware and software resources
Vortex – a mass of whirling fluid or air, often creating a powerful force
Trigonometry – a branch of mathematics dealing with the relationships between the angles and sides of triangles
GIFs – Graphics Interchange Format; a type of image file often used for animated graphics
Thoreau – refers to Henry David Thoreau, an American essayist and philosopher known for his ideas on nature and simple living
Passages to Revisit:
"You’ve turned over a small stone of information, one in a river of millions." – This metaphor reflects the idea of incremental knowledge and the importance of individual contributions to the collective understanding.
"Technology connects us in ways no one has ever been connected before." – A powerful statement about the unprecedented connectivity technology offers today.
"Today’s teenagers… have the potential to be the most influential and informed generation of human beings ever seen." – This emphasizes the positive potential of the current generation and their role in shaping the future.
Connect Ideas Within the Selection to What You Have Already Read:
I already know that technology has transformed communication and access to information, making it easier for young people to engage with global issues. This text reinforces that idea, suggesting that teenagers today can harness technology not just for social interaction but also for tackling larger societal problems. The notion that technology shapes perceptions and knowledge aligns with other readings I have encountered about digital literacy and the responsibility of consumers in the digital age.
