Month: March 2013

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a discussion on the “yes, and?” mentality

In the beginning of the semester in my webapps class, we talked about something that people play in theatre classes called the “yes, and?” improv game. It’s simpler for me to show you rather than tell you what it is, so here’s a short video that explains it perfectly and simply –

So you must be wondering – what on earth does this have to do with the positive view on the internet? It’s just another step in the process of creating a positive experience for yourself. Once you open yourself up to new opportunities, you’ll be seeing a new side of the internet that you haven’t before. 

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why exactly are people so afraid of the internet?

At some point or another in our lives, we’ve all been scared to do something new. Whether it’s riding a bicycle without training wheels for the first time or eating a new food or experiencing your first year of high school or college, change can be terrifying. And I think this is the biggest reason why people think the internet is a scary place.

A XENOPHOBE is one unduly fearful of what is foreign. I guess this word could be used to describe a lot of the traditionalists and people who appose the internet. I’m sure it’s no easy transition to go from no internet to internet if you don’t grow up in a digital age. Some people have taken to it like a bird does to flying, but others fear what they don’t understand. 

They’re right to think the internet isn’t all fun and games – hacking, bullying, cyber-threats, and deceit – these are all real things. They’re probably also worried that they might lose their jobs to the new ways of technology.

But the only way to deal with change, inevitable change (which is what the internet is), is to embrace it. It’s time to take the training wheels off of the bicycle and go for it. There may be bumps and bruises along the way. There may be hurt pride or mistakes made or reluctance to continue learning, but it’s going to be worth it in the end. Progress is so important, and as I’ve said before, the positives will outweigh the negatives in every way.