GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY
Everyday, technology is causing the world to move faster and faster. Many times, Technology brings exciting changes that create new possibilities for humanity across the fields of Medicine, Economics, Entertainment, and Communication, etc. But, for every opportunity these technologies offer, they bring hidden dangers that can be difficult to see and even harder to avoid.
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For the 2026 Spring semester the goal of our 8RL class will be to help you better understand and answer these three important questions about EMERGENT TECHNOLOGY:
1) What are Emergent Technologies?​
2) How are these technologies impacting our world?
3) How can these technologies benefit my life, without causing harm?
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As we learn more about the topic of Emergent Technology, you will also learn
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- Basic computer principles/skills
- How Computers and the Internet work
- Global Geography
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The Matrix is a groundbreaking Science-Fiction thriller that sparked a whole new generation of dystopian action films, philosophical and spiritual debates, memes, and conspiracy theories. The film revolves around daytime office worker, Thomas Anderson, who by night, is a talented cyber-criminal known as Neo, by the internet and government. Deep apathy and dread about life in the everyday world pushes Neo to seek out the legendary hacktivist Morpheus to pose questions with answers he is fully unprepared for.
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For the last seventeen years, the Matrix has predicted almost every aspect of our technological existence today. Over the course of the semester we will review and compare the film to various readings about trends in social behavior, entertainment, politics, and different communities to help you better understand the great and terrible aspects of new technology across the world.
LOL!
The ​first thing we must understand is that the world of The Matrix revolves, entirely, around the exaggerated use of computers. However, since the movie released in 1999, a lot of what the movie pretended to be real has become part of our reality in 2026. ​​​ But to fully appreciate The Matrix, the first thing you must understand is the basic nature of how computers and the internet work.
To begin, let's understand there are only three basic types of computers: HOSTS, CLIENTS, and SERVERS.
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These computer types make what we call NETWORKS.
A Network is any set of connected computers or computer devices (ex. smartphones)
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While we're at it--let's also acknowledge that there is no such thing as "The Cloud" or "The Internet," by themselves.
There are only 1) single computers (PC), 2) a small groups of computers in one place (LAN), or 3) large groups of computers spanning across large areas or different locations (WAN)
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Any electronic device capable of going online will fall into one of those categories.
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2 TYPES OF CONNECTIONS
Whenever you go on the Internet, it's because you need or want information...
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You want information that lets you post your homework on Canvas; information that shows your TikTok feed; information that streams your favorite music and movies. You want information that let's you play COD and 2K with people across the world; you want information that lets your GPS help you find new places; you want information that allows you to check your grades do a million and one things online.
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All of these different types of information are called DATA
And for data to flow between computers and electronic devices its needs a connection.
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And there are only two kinds of connections a computer can use:
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Wired connections are pass the most data fastest, but they "chain your computer/device" to one location.
Special wires called Ethernet cords are typically used to create modern Wired connections to the internet.
And they plug into jacks on the backs of most computes called "Ethernet Ports"
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Wireless connections allow you to take/use your device wherever you go and have access to a Wi-Fi.​
Wireless can be fast too--but they can't carry as much data as fast as a Wired Connections can.
The downside to Wireless connections is that they can lag, drop, or be locked for certain users.
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Let's now look at The Matrix from a literary perspective.
Here you'll review the main characters, plot settings, and themes of the movie.
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STEP ONE
Go to the Matrix Gallery.
Scroll Up to the Image of Neo.
Click the Button that says "ENTER"
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STEP TWO:
Use the images in the Gallery to help you answer the questions for
Exploring The Matrix Lesson Activity 2
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By clicking each image you'll receive clues and answers to
help you complete the activity
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STEP THREE:
For the final question on your Lesson Activity, watch "Desert of the Real"
Its a video clip from the movie inside the Gallery.
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OUTPUT DEVICES
GOTTA GO FAST!
More powerful components typically means SOLID STATE DRIVES
The hard disk drive is the “LONG-TERM” memory of your computer.
When you save your documents to your: Pictures, Documents, and Desktop--this the instrument that holds those files.
This device is: Expensive, Light, Digital, Faster, Quiet, saves persistently, and newer than HDD technologymore speed and better performance: Faster browsing online, upload or download times, and less “lag” in demanding apps!
However! You can’t “Ferrari-speed” for Honda money!
CHILL, FAM...
More speed and power, means more energy, which also means more HEAT! Nothing will kill a PC like prolonged exposure to high internal temperatures!
That “whirring sound” you hear when you press the power button on the PC is it’s internal fans turning on.
Keeping a PC cool is critical for keeping it healthy!
PERFORMANCE
SPEED
PRICE
OVERHEATING
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Binary Structure
If Python, Java, and C++ are the different languages that computers speak like English, Spanish, or Chinese--then Binary would be the “alphabet” of those programming languages
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From Bits to Bytes
A bit is the smallest unit of measurable computer memory.
Bits are best represented by 1’s and 0’s--a set of 8 bits equals One Byte.
Groups of 8-Bits make the transfer of information from one part of the computer to another easier...
Writing a paper? Making a Spreadsheet or Presentation? Logging onto your PC???
You’re using PRODUCTIVITY or UTILITY SOFTWARE. These are applications that help you accomplish basic operational, organizational, or communicative, computing activities. The most basic of all utility software is the OPERATING SYSTEM (OS), which is the main software on a PC/device that let’s other programs run.
(Windows, Safari, Jellybean). Otherwise: MS Word, PP, Google Dox, Slides, etc.
Pretty much what it sounds like....CREATIVE SOFTWARE applications are programs that are designed to “emulate/impersonate” traditional modes of illustration, painting, sculpting, photography, video recording, music composition, and sound recording.
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Basically, they are supposed let you be creative without all the “muss and fuss” of doing so in real life. (Photoshop, Illustrator, Maya, Windows Movie Maker, ZBrush, Sketch.io, Gimp, etc.).
Ok. So, an (GAME) ENGINE SOFTWARE is typically for making games even though they can have other uses. It’s best to think of a Game Engine App as a “Lego-Camp” for the files/“kids” you create with the Creative Apps on the previous slide; it’s where they go to talk to each other and build cool stuff--if the “lego blocks” are code. So, yeah…
(Pictured Engine Logos: Unity, Unreal, CryEngine)
GEOMETRIC
ORGANIC
ABSTRACT
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