I. Introducción
5. Conservación y protección de los recursos forestales
5.2 Atención a la Agenda Forestal Internacional
Technology, especially the computer, is rapidly changing the world. The ubiquitous nature of the computer is probably not even realized by most people. We see them in our homes, in schools, and in libraries, but computer technology can be found in cars, cell phones, and even appliances like washing machines. With the increased reliance on technology, some people are wary of the changes and
5 wonder if society is moving too quickly. Other people embrace the changes and look forward to the benefits of each new innovation.
One concern deals with privacy. Many people today enjoy the ease of shopping, banking, and paying bills online. However, if your personal information is not securely encrypted, problems can arise. Without encoding private information, unscrupulous people can access credit card numbers,
1 o
bank accounts, or other personal information. Your money can easily be stolen but, even worse, so can your identity. If this happens, the criminal can use your nameto commit crimes from theft to murder. It can take years and loads of paperwork to get your good name back. Another area that worries some people is the idea of embedding computer 15 chips in clothing and possibly in a person’s hand or brain.
Researchers are looking at attaching global positioning systems (GPS) to jackets and putting miniature cameras into necklaces.
A person could simply push buttons on one’s sleeve to listen to music or text a message. One may even be able to swipe a hand 20 over a scanner to pay for a bill instead of using a credit card.
The question is whether the benefits o f having less to carry outweigh the possible loss of privacy. Some people can be con
sidered paranoid in their concern that someone is constantly watching them; on the other hand, George Orwell’s idea o f Big 25 Brother, as presented in his novel 1984, could become a reality.
Another area of concern is language. Some people are afraid that English is being corrupted by the jargon computers have created. New words and new ways of using words have come from com
puters. We now “s u rf’ the Web and use a “mouse” to move the cursor. Abbreviations are especially popular. E-mailing and text messaging have developed shorthand languages. With the use of terms 30 like OIC (Oh, I see) and 2G2BT (too good to be true), many people feel that the English language has
become unintelligible. For those who regularly use this method of communication, it is a fast and easy way to stay in touch with family and friends.
Some people have qualms about individuals interacting too often with computers and becoming out of touch with real people. People who telecommute and live alone may not see or speak to a live 35 person all week. This divide may even become greater as computers become more humanoid.
Computer scientists are developing computers that can sense your mood. These computers would use cameras and microphones to examine facial expressions and listen to sounds. They would also use touch to see how a person handles the mouse. If the computer sensed that you were upset, it would try to cheer you up, possibly by telling a joke or sympathizing with you. If you continually pushed the 40 mouse hard, the computer might take this as a signal of frustration. The computer could then offer to
21
1 2 8
help with your problem. Many people would love a computer friend who would be readily available for support. Others have genuine concerns about isolation and the inability of people to communicate with one another.
45 W hat one person sees as a wonderful innovation, such as having a refrigerator that tells you that you are out of milk and eggs or offers you recipe suggestions based on what is in the re
frigerator, another person sees as an infringement. Some people are afraid that the more computers can do for us the less we will 50 be able to think for ourselves. None o f us can be complacent as we face the challenges and enjoy the benefits new technologies bring. We will all need to do more than THT (think happy thoughts) if we are to deal with the pros and cons o f each new development.
Predicting
For each set, write the definition on the line next to the word to which it belongs. If you are unsure, return to the reading on page 128, and underline any context clues you find. After you’ve made your predictions, check your answers against the W ord List on page 133. Place a checkmark in the box next to each word whose definition you missed. These are the words you’ll want to study closely.
Set One
put into a code showing unreasonable suspicion fixing deeply into something watchful existing everywhere
□ 1. ubiquitous (line 1)
□ 2. warv (line 4)
□ 3. encrypted (line 8)
□ 4. embedding (line 14)
□ 5. paranoid (line 23)
Set Two
to work from home by using a computer linked to one’s company feelings of doubt self-satisfied the language of a particular profession or group resembling human beings
□ 6. jargon (line 27)
□ 7. qualms (line 33)
□ 8. telecommute (line 34)
□ 9. humanoid (line 35)
□ 10. complacent (line 50)
C H A P T E R 21 C o m p u t e r S c i e n c e 1 2 9
Self-Tests
2
Complete the following sentences using the vocabulary words. Use each word once.VOC A BUL AR Y L I S T
humanoid telecommute encrypt complacent paranoid
jargon ubiquitous wary embedded qualm
1. We had becom e_________________ about updating the security software on our computer, so we shouldn’t have been surprised when a hacker attacked.
2. My m a jo r_________________ about going camping this weekend is the weather. There is sup
posed to be a huge snowstorm in the mountains.
3. I enjoy science fiction shows w ith _________________ characters, such as Data from Star Trek:
The Next Generation or the Cylons in Battlestar Galactica.
4. The geologist carefully dug out the fossil that had b e e n _________________ in the side of the cliff for millions of years.
5. So much In ternet_________________ is based on abbreviations that I ’m often unsure of what someone is trying to tell me.
6. M y friend i s _________________ that someone is listening to his phone conversations, so some
times we have to speak in code.
7. I was afraid to buy anything online because I thought my credit card number would be stolen, but after I read how carefully site s _________________ information these days, I have been success
fully shopping electronically for months.
8. Computer terms have become s o _________________ that my five-year-old said he wanted an
“e-hug” from me instead o f a real hug.
9. I a m _________________ o f ads that claim to be able to make me look twenty years younger or make me rich in one month.
10. I ’m glad my job lets m e __________________ ; I hated dealing with the horrible traffic every morning and evening when I had to drive to work.
1 3 0 C H A P T E R 21 C o m p u t e r S c i e n c e
Match each vocabulary word to the appropriate situation or example. Use each word once.
V OCABUL AR Y L I ST
wary telecommute encrypt
jargon embed humanoid
1. packing a vase in a box to s h ip ____________
2. hard drive, CD-ROM, BFF, L 8 R ___________
3. being able to work in one’s p ajam as________
4. cell phones, .co m _________________
5. The Term inator_________________
6. not studying for the third test of the semester because you got A’s on the first two 7. possible feeling after riding a roller co aster_________________
8. constantly looking over one’s shoulder_________________
9. reaction when you get an e-mail from a company you don’t k n o w _____________
10. #jf4A)6 * 9 j__________________