I agree with a lot of what Dreyfus has to say about embodiment and the internet. Dreyfus defines embodiment as our physical location in this world, including our physical and emotional interactions with others. He believes that using the internet is essential and plays an integral part in people’s lives; however, it does not have the same affect as embodiment has on people. Dreyfus believes if people become disconnected from a certain point of interaction, they will lose relevance, skill and real meaning. I
For example, on-line education will not provide people with the higher level of education they are looking for, because it for one, lacks the one-on-one interaction with teachers. Dreyfus believes that a higher level of education relies on teacher-student relationship. I personally have taken two self internet classes, and I strongly agree with his reasons. Although it partly has to do with the type of learner you are, I think most people can agree they learn better when someone else tells you first hand and you are able to see different processes or concepts visually. For myself, it is extremely difficult for me to learn new material on my own. I learn much better when I can work each step through with someone else. More experience and real-world situations are key to gaining knowledge and learning about the world around us. On-line education may make someone competent, but he/she will definitely not obtain rational wisdom. Dreyfus conveys that individuals will never make that transition from novice to expert, because in order to achieve something to our full potential, we have to be truly immersed in what we are doing. Whether it is learning how to play a sport or learning how to write cursive, you can never be a true expert unless you practice first hand.
In addition, Dreyfus talks about intimate relationships and how personal relationships are not the same as on-line relationships. I could not agree more with Dreyfus, because I believe in order to have a deep and meaningful relationship with a significant other definitely requires actual embodied presence of each person. I believe that genuine personal connection is what you essential for a relationship to grow. Words, such as “I love you”, does not have the same meaning as hearing it first hand. For example, I am sure a lot of guys would agree that it is just wrong to tell a girl for the first time they love her over the internet. I know I would be upset, because it is very impersonal and it lacks genuine meaning altogether. In addition, I don’t believe in internet chat rooms and on-line dating programs. What makes the internet appealing to people is anonymity, which scares me a lot. Anonymity gives people the opportunity to make up their appearance, personality, interests, ect. I could have a complete vision in my head about an individual and they could be the exact opposite. So, basically, I need one-on-one interaction to really develop an intimate relationship with another person.
Ashley Graham | 25-Apr-07 at 1:00 pm | Permalink
I agree that there is a definite difference between online classes and face-to-face classes. On line, you do the research and gather your information independently. Online classes also seem much easier to cheat in. They make it very easy to take a test without actually knowing or reading the material. In class, you can get direct, specific answers from a teacher or other classmates. I think that both types of classes have the potential to be very informative and teach us a lot; it just depends on the honest, dedication, and motivation of the student.
Andrea Fish | 25-Apr-07 at 4:11 pm | Permalink
I would have to disagree with you on many of your statements. Although Internet access is available almost anywhere you could imagine, there are still people out there (like my grandparents) who have never and probably will never touch a computer in their life. They seem to be getting along fine, but Dryfus may have a response to this that I am unaware of.
In regards to higher education being taught in the classroom vs. on the Internet I personally don’t see a difference unless the class size is smaller than 50 students. Most of my first two years here I was 1 of 500 students, and never spoke to the professor. So it wouldn’t really of made a difference if I was watching is lectures on a screen vs. in the back of an auditorium.
Ashley Swarts | 25-Apr-07 at 6:08 pm | Permalink
I have to agree with Krystal and Ashley that Internet classes, or distant learning, are much different than face-to-face classes. I think there is so much less that a professor can require of their students via the internet than in a real class setting, especially interaction. Here, however, I do agree with Andrea that in class bigger than 50 there is little difference between internet and regualar classes because there is no interaction anyways. From my own experience, I will admit that internet classes that I have taken are much easier to BS your way through.
Krystal Kniep | 25-Apr-07 at 9:15 pm | Permalink
I never said using the internet was absolutely imperative and no one can get a lot with out it. I was saying for most people it has become an integral part of their lives, such as personal connections, the news and obtaining new information. My grandparents never use the internet, and yes they do get along just fine. However, they do not have the great benefits like users do.
Stehpanie Prather | 25-Apr-07 at 9:20 pm | Permalink
I think that online relationships are just fascinating. I’m personally in a long-term, real-life relationship but the idea that people would even consider online relationsips is odd.
But in their defense, many people who are in online relationships have something in real life that hinders them from developing meaningful face-to-face relationships. Maybe someone has a busy job, or they’re insecure about their body, or their face is disproportionate and they have a hard time getting a date. But these people need love too.
While internet relationships seem like a cop-out and you can’t really hug or be “intimate” over the internet, this could be providing a level of self-confidence and emotional stability these people might not have otherwise.
If people wanna love each other through AIM let ‘em do it. Love away, folks.
Tariq Mohammed | 26-Apr-07 at 12:28 pm | Permalink
Our grandparents get along with life fine without the use of the internet, because they have adapted to living without it. For our generation it is a necessity. We need it to check our e-mail, Facebook, instant message, etc. We would go crazy without it. Our grandparents probably know what these new technological things are, but since they have gone this far without it, they regard it as something optional.
Kerry Phelan | 26-Apr-07 at 2:20 pm | Permalink
I agree with Ashley and Krystal as well when they said that face-to-face learning is different from internet learning. However, the issue came up as to what happens when you are in a class of 50+ students. It would seem like there is no difference between going to that class and not saying a word vs. sitting at your computer reading slides. I can see where people can agree with this but I still feel like even if you are in a class of 50+ you can benefit more. Listening to what the professor says not only while lecturing but his ideas and side comments may aid in the learning process. Also, other students ideas and questions help you think in new ways and possibly gain new knowledge. That is something you won’t get sitting in your room with you computer as you read the slides.
Chris Paolinetti | 26-Apr-07 at 8:28 pm | Permalink
I agree that there is a lot lost over AIM, as so much of human communication is totally unrelated to the words……body language, tone of voice, hand gestures, etc. It’s very easy to be misunderstood online, especially when using sarcasm or poking fun at someone. I know I have accidentally offended people online, at least at first - once I explained the joke I made, they understood. Had we been talking in person, it wouldn’t have needed further explaination.
Adam Domanico | 26-Apr-07 at 8:50 pm | Permalink
I wish to comment on the original post. I do believe it is essential to share in personal experiences in order for a relationship to grow but I was just wondering what that says about our society. Should it not be completely acceptible to love someone for who they are on the inside? If this is true then I do not see how a technology mediated relationship should be lacking. Granted this assumes that personality can be expressed adequtely over the internet and telephone. But yes I know that the presence of a special person allows you to share in a moment with them and thus have a unique bond and feeling associated with that bond. However, I think that those feelings may sometimes get in the way of knowing and appreciating who someone really is. So often in our world today people give marital vows without truely knowing their partner and thus not being able to love them for who they are. It seems that the feeling aspect clouds out truely knowing a person. I think that you should be able to create and maintain a meaningful relationship over long distances but the physical ones will ultimately fail. Therefore, maybe technologically mediation might not only be possible but also necessary for a relationship to truely grow or fail. Im not sure that this will actually work but in theory I believe that such a relationship that overcomes distance will be the strongest ones.
Jeffery Villalobos | 26-Apr-07 at 9:10 pm | Permalink
I don’t really have anything new to add to this topic because we all pretty much have the same experiences when it comes to the internet and disembodiment. in one of the R&L’s i point out the example about the south park episode that involves the world of warcraft. i also pointed out my friend’s brother. basically, if no one read that comment, my friend’s brother did not do anything but play this online game called Everquest, which is basically the same thing as WoW. it was disgusting to see a guy, around 22 or so when i first met him, who was obsessed with a game like that. he was completely disconnected from his family and those around him, besides the kids who played the game with him. the south park episode where stan, cartman, kyle, and kenny sit around become fat and disgusting and talk with each other about how they are going to fight their enemy, this episode is the personification of what i am talking about with my friend’s brother.
this being said, i completely agree with dreyfus and how the internet can create disembodiment. i dont think it is evil but i agree that it can create problems if people take its use to an extreme. another good example is facebook. some of my friends crack me up because they, literally, spend 2 or 3 hours creeping on other peoples profiles and pics.