Reaction Paper

Description & List of Films Relevant to Technology Issues

Reaction Paper Description

• Issue Reaction Paper
  • For each paper: Write a 1-page (minimum of 300 words) Reaction Paper on one of the issues discussed in the textbook. A different topic should be used for each Reaction Paper. Issues might include (but not limited to) the following list of suggestions:
    • Privacy vs. Security Before and After 9/11/01. (Which was/is more important?)
    • Freedom of Speech vs. Copyright Issues (like the Napster/Grokster case, TIVO, etc.)
    • Digital Divide and Equal Access to Digital Technology (should everyone have access?)
    • Other acceptable topics might include: privacy (including HIPPA), security (including ID Theft), electronic communication, computer crime, the computer industry, technology in society, technology and politics, the use of technology in Education, free speech (including issues around erotica or porn), merging/converging of media, copyright, intellectual property (including Napster, Grokster, media downloads, etc), etc. (Ideally, it should be an issue that you are interested in.)

• An easy way to schedule the Reaction Papers, is to do each one immediately after the relevant Quiz, while the details of the issues are still fresh in your mind.
• This is position paper (an opinion piece, or editorial), and not a research paper. It is an opportunity for you to write about how you feel and think about technical issues, and express your opinion, using the class materials. Even if you do not have a strong opinion, you will understand the issue better if you take a position (i.e. pro, con, or undecided) on it and then defend that position, (i.e. Present argument, counter-argument, your position, and why).

Remember that the overall point of the exercise is to explore your own thoughts on technology and its impact on society and express it in the Reaction Paper.

The Reaction Paper is simply a 300 word editorial in your own words of YOUR opinion/views of one of the technology issues we will be discussing in class. It is your opportunity to take a position on the topic and defend it, present the pros and cons of the issue (references are not needed).

You may use the following list of films to illustrate scenerios related to some of the issues discussed in the text. You can use examples from these films to illustrate your arguments, either pro or con. This will give us a common vocabulary if you use examples from a film that I have seen. (If you have other suggestions for this list, let me know!)

• The Net (1995)
• The Conversation (1974)
• Enemy of the State (1998)
• Antitrust (2001)
• Sneakers (1992)
• Hackers (1995)
• Johnny Mnemonic (1995) (William Gibson)
• Metropolis (1927)
• Of Things to Come (1936); H.G. Wells' The Shape of Things to Come (1979)
• Gatteca (1997)
• The 6th Day (2000)
• Changing Lanes (2002)
• Minority Report (2002) (Phillip K. Dick)
• Eraser (1996)
• 1984 (1984) or Brazil (1984/5) or THX-1138 (1971) (George Orwell)
• Matrix (1999), Reloaded (2003), Revolution (2003)
• The Trial (1962, 1993), (Franz Kafka)