Week 1: “About Me” HTML Portfolio page – Ruby Kim (Moon)

http://imanas.shanghai.nyu.edu/~sk7383/week01/aboutme.html

This page provides a basic introduction of myself-name, the place I am from, and some of my favorite things. Based on the contents learned from class, I tried to apply them, especially adding images and hyperlinks, to my portfolio. One thing I searched on my own was the highlight, which could be done by <mark> </mark>. Also, I had trouble with images as I did not update the cyberduck although I had saved the HTML in Atom. Therefore, it reminded me that I should always upload a new version when I make changes for the file.

Week 1: Response to “The Machine Stops” by E.M. Foster – Ruby Kim (Moon)

In “The Machine Stops”, E.M. Forster depicts his prediction of future human society being heavily dependent on technology. Apart from the Earth, humans all live in a separate structure, and the protagonist Vashti is considered as a “civilized” member as she worships the Machine and provides “ideas” to the community. Loss of human interaction and emotion are one of the most prominent themes in the story that intrigue the reader.

In fact, humans are already on the way to complete “isolation” by using various social media such as Wechat, Youtube, and Facebook. Instead of meeting up face-to-face, we send messages, facetime, and even make new relationships through apps. For example, we can get a myriad of information from Youtube, and some people who are addicted to it do not socialize with others, but rather enjoy being alone. Furthermore, what I have realized especially in China is that it is impossible to go outside without a phone since everything, from payment to calling a taxi, is operated by mobile applications. Likewise, as most of the processes are being mechanized, we get less opportunity to interact with people. It is undeniable that the advent of technology has brought a number of benefits to humans; however, as Forster illustrates, if we let it overwhelm us and recklessly admire it, humans will eventually end up losing our original thoughts and independence. Therefore, we should be aware that technology is also man-made, and thus it cannot be superior to us.