Unit 1 Technology in

Reverse

Discussion of Paragraph One

How does retarded technology differ from advanced technology?

Advanced technology enables us to do useful new things or to do old things more efficiently. By contrast, retarded technology creates new and expensive ways of doing things that were once done simply and inexpensively, or even doing things that needn't doing at all.

Language Work in Paragraph One

Let me introduce you to retarded technology. Here the author implies that technology may not always push the

world ahead, and that it sometimes holds it back mentally/

emotionally retarded

retarde.g.: (1) A rise in interest rates would severely retard economic

growth.

(2) Severe iron deficiency can cause developmental delay and growth retardation.

Analysis of Paragraph One

In this paragraph the author defines "retarded technology--- "Let me introduce you to...". To make his contrast more impressive, the author uses a play on word: "useful new things ...or to do old things”, “new and expensive ways of doing ...that were once done"(old ways).

Discussion of Paragraph 2-4

What does the author intend to convey in the question at the end of the paragraph?

The author actually conveys the meaning that it is unnecessary and wasteful, since most people do not really need access to the entire collection of a public library

Language Work in Paragraph 2-4

If you take it to the beach, it get clogged

with sand. If you take it to the beach, it gets blocked with sand,

which results in its malfunctioning. clog:Eating too much fat causes your arteries to clog up.

Leaves are clogging up the drain.

Losing it is not a traumatizing event.

Even if you lose it, you won't be too upset.

traumatize:e.g.:(1) She was completely traumatized by the death of her mother.(2) Don't you find exams traumatic?

The computer creates a bottleneck.

The computer creates a problem---only one reader can read the books called up on the computer at a time. bottlenecke.g.: (1) Road works are causing bottlenecks in the city center.(2) Is there any way of getting round this bureaucratic bottleneck?

...do most people really need access to … the entire collection of the New York Public Library? Do most people really need to be able to read all the materials in the New York Public Library?

access to e.g.: (1) The tax inspector had complete access to the company files.(2) The system has been designed to give the user quick and easy access to the required information.

Analysis of Paragraph 2-4

In these paragraphs the author compares

e-books with "old-fashioned” books in an

attempt to show the disadvantages of the

former---they are both costlier and bulkier.

Discussion of Paragraph 5

How does the author prove that a video press release "costs more and does less"?

The author indicates that a video press release is more expensive and takes longer time in production ,and costs

more postage; yet it gets tossed immediately by people

Language Work in Paragraph 5

In my business, we're bombarded with press releases for products...

In my business, we receive an overwhelming number of press releases for products.

bombardede.g. (1) His new play has been bombarded with criticism

(2) The troops bombarded the city, killing and injuring

hundreds of people.

I can read standard press releases in 10 or 15 seconds before tossing 99 percent of them.I can spend a little time reading normal paper press releases before I lose patience with most of them and throw them away. toss e.g.: (1) The bull tossed him up into the air.

(2) That much money is not to be tossed away lightly.(3) She tossed off a reply to the letter before she left

for the meeting.

Analysis of Paragraph 5 In this paragraph, the author offers a third example

that proves that "retarded technology creates new and expensive ways of doing things that were once done simply and inexpensively", hence "technology racing backward.”

Again the author uses comparison and contrast in the production and effect of press releases and concludes: "the video costs more and does less."

Discussion of Paragraph 6What does the author mean by "the paradox"?

The author means that new technology is supposed to bring about benefits to us but in reality some of them seem to elude us.

Language Work But the purported gains of new technology ...seem

toelude us.It seems that the gains that new technology is supposed to

offer

us are far beyond our reach.

purport e.g.(1) They purport to represent the wishes of the majorityof parents at the school.

eludeThey had minor breakthroughs but real success eluded them.

Analysis of Paragraph 6

The author acknowledges that technology may not be all that bad, but expresses his doubt about the pro-technology theory

Discussion of Paragraph 6What is the meaning of "...are now increasingly given over to number crunching"?

The sentence means that all these people are completely indulging in manipulating and processing numbers and

data, without a spark of genuine thought.

Language Work in Paragraph 6

Technology is often misused because the reasons

people embrace it can be fairly frivolous.

People often use technology in a wrong way because the reasons

people eagerly accept it can be rather foolish.

embrace e.g.: (1) Linguistics embraces a diverse range of subjects such as phonetics and stylistics.(2) How old were you when you embraced feminism?

frivolouse.g.:(1) I think he sees her as a frivolous young woman.

(2) I feel like doing something completely frivolous today.

(3) I'm far too busy to waste time on frivolities like going to the cinema.

to wit: old use or formal used to introduce additional information which makes clear exactly who or what you are talking about = namely

e.g: Several pieces of major legislation have been introduced in

the US over the past few years, to wit: the Americans With

Disabilities Act, the Clean Air Act and the Civil Rights Act.

Since 1985, the number of cellu1ar subscribers has leaped from340,000 to about 8million.

Since 1985, the number of cellular phone users has increased from 340,000 to about 8million. subscribee.g.:(1)The typical subscriber to the magazine is a retired person.(2) She subscribes to several women's magazines.

(3) We bought our niece an annual subscription to the tennis club.

New machines are often grown-up toys, successors to Legos and dolls.

When they are young, people play with traditional toys like Lego and dolls and when they grow up, they play with new and technologically advanced machines.

successore.g.: (1) Oxford Brookes University is seeking a successor to its vice-chancellor who retires this Easter.

(2) Russia, Georgia and Ukraine are three of the successor states to the Soviet Union.

Every new technology inspires the temptation to see what it will do no matter how inane or time-consuming the task.

Every new technology arouses people's curiosity to see what it will do-no matter how silly or time-consuming the task.

inanee.g.: (1)There are too many inane quiz shows on television these days.(2) He grinned inanely.

(3) I was amazed at the inanity of some of her comments

Analysis of Paragraph 7

The author raises his view as a response to the theory mentioned in the preceding paragraph. He classifies technological innovations as cither useful ("plentiful and real gains") or wasteful ("technology-inspired waste"). For the latter, the author enumerates three reasons, none of which are based on our needs.

Discussion of Paragraph 8Why does the author say "the survival of stupid technology is ordained by ego and money"? Because investors need to uphold their positive images in investment decision and to gain profit from their investments, they eliminate the old and inexpensive ways of doing things to help pay for the retarded technology.

Language Work in Paragraph 8

The survival of stupid technology is ordained

by ego and money. The reason why such stupid technology can survive has to do with people's self-esteem and money.

ordainThe council, in its wisdom, has ordained that all the local libraries will close on Mondays.

The laws ordained that the murderers shall be hanged

Analysis of Paragraph 8

The author further explores the reason why people are frivolous about retarded technology(stupid technology).

Discussion of Paragraph 9Why does the author say "family values" would triumph?

Family values refer to traditional ideas about what a family should be like, which emphasize the importance of marriage-Here the author is being ironical. Hc does not really believe that the cellular phone could improve people's marriages and save their “family values”.

Language Work in Paragraph 9

divorce rates would plunge ,and "family values, would triumph.

Divorce rates would drop drastically, and people would cherish "family values” again The fall in demand caused share prices to plunge.

plungee.g. (1) Our income has plunged dramatically.(2) Two months before his exams, he suddenly plunged into his studies.(3) He was plunged into despair when his wife left him.

triumphe.g.:(1) I believe that sooner or later good must triumph over evil.(2) The Democrats once again triumphed in recent elections.

Analysis of Paragraph 10

In this paragraph the author expresses his doubt in a sarcastic tone, on the far-fetched relationship between retarded technology and productivity increase and marriage improvement, implying that is the way people deny their frivolity.

Discussion of Paragraph 11-12

What does the author mean by "It should be a smashing success” at the end of his essay?The sentence is an irony. What the author real1y means is that technologically a Newton personal digital assistant could be an impressive success, but only in terms of money.

Language Work in Paragraph 11-12

It shouid be a smashing success. It should be a huge success.

smashing

Jonathan would make a smashing dad.

Analysis of Paragraph 11-12

The two concluding paragraphs return to the arithmetic trouble with retarded technology with self-evident truth :a standard notebook is far simpler and cheaper than "personal digital assistants, when performing the same function.