Dogs or Devices?
Our dog's name is Pippa. She is a Poodle-Terrier-Other mix. She is a remarkably happy dog. Pippa always greets our return home with a wagging tail and slobbery, licking tongue. She is a rescue dog, and was 1 year old when rescued. It took some time and training for her to become accustomed to us, as it did for us to get used to her way of interacting with us and other humans. She is beginning to lessen her barking, but we hope she retains that instinct in an emergency.
Pippa has several interesting and commendable qualities.
- She greets us enthusiastically early every morning.
- During the day she follows us wherever we go.
- Through her we have formed new friends.
- To regain energy she needs to be fed each day.
- Exploring new places is a great joy to her.
- After a long walk she can find her own way home.
- Playing games is a favorite pastime.
- We need to update her shots on a regular basis.
- She isn't aware of several hidden dangers.
- Reaching down to pet her is a natural habit.
Great Science Produces Handheld High Tech
Both my wife and I own smart devices. They are Apple iPhones. We purchased them from a location where many other devices were located. In case we need them, they are never far from us. Their operating systems are rather complex and took no small degree of training to begin to accomplish the tasks we intended to happen. Sometimes if we forget our phone we return home to get it... just in case of an emergency.
Our cellphones have many interesting and useful functions.
... please see above.
Dogs or Devices?
ReplyDeleteAfter reading this blog I realized that there are some similarities between both our loving, living animals as well as our mobile devices. We depend on both in cases of emergencies. We also also cannot live a day without either of them or imagine our lives without them. Frankly these two very different yet every similar things are necessary for our survival.
I found it interesting that some of the same feelings are expressed for both of these objects. Both of these things take time to get used to and figure out. Both of these things also coast lots of money and take up lots of time. These things are so very different but at the same time they are extremely alike which is shocking to me because I had never made that comparison before.
Realizing all of these comparisons also was a little disheartening because it is sad that we categorize our pets with our devices. I can see how each of these things is a dependable attribute to our lives, but it is also a lot of concern that something such as a phone can take so much toll on a person and take so much power in a person’s life. It is shameful that we could compare our love and sense of security for our mobile devices to essentially a family member.
I completely agree that it is sad how people can let phones take the place of a cherished family member such as a dog. A phone can never show you affection the way an animal can. An animal will generally be happy to see you and will always be company for you if you are ever lonely. A phone can never keep you company whenever you feel lonely. It is important to not let these phones take the place of our pets and give enough attention to our family members. If we do not show our pets attention, then we will eventually start driving them away, and it will only be our felt in the end. -BR
DeleteDogs Or Devices?
DeleteWhen I first read the title of this blog I expected it to be an attention getter not literally listing all the characteristics of dogs and devices. This was a shock to me to think that our phone can be compared to something so full of life, an actual living animal. Even where it says “ She is beginning to lesson her barking, but we hope she regains the instinct in an emergency”. To think that is characteristic of of the dog could even relate to a phone, like my phone doesn't ring a lot but if there was an emergency I would hope it would ring more until I took control of the situation or because aware. This analogy never would have crossed my mind, even now it is hard to comprehend. I completely agree that we share the same similarities with our phone as a dog, we even have the same kind of love for our phones as our dogs. I agree that it is almost sad to realize all of the similarities that we have to compare and that in reality we probably spend more time with our phones that our dogs.
Amanda Previch
Hello Amanda,
DeleteI totally agree with you. This analogy has never crossed my mine either, buts its crazy to think that a living thing can be so similar to our phone that has no life.
When I first read the title, and the first paragraph of the blog, I was confused. I didn't understand why you were telling us about your dog and then also talking about the device. However after reading the ending, and re-reading the commendable qualities, I was shocked. The qualities that we posses with our dogs and our devices are very similar, and I had never thought of them in that way before. I read every statement again, and thought of many ways it could be applied to both dogs and devices and found it scary that we put so much identity in both of the objects.
ReplyDeleteIn today's society, devices are taking up more and more of our time and energy. They are distracting us from normal tasks, and cause us to be more distant from our friends. But despite the negative side of technology, there are many positive aspects to our devices. They make life easier, and help us connect with friends all over the world.
When reviewing the similarities between dogs and devices, the main difference between them is some of the dangers they posses. With dogs, our feelings could get hurt if they were to pass away, or run away. They usually do not cause long-term disabilities to us if they were to hurt us. In comparison, devices can. If you post something that is controversial, or damaging to your self in the business world, that can severely disable you in the work world. Also devices can make us dependent upon them, and that is scary. Every day, new improvements are made to include devices in everything we own like cars, refrigerators, and even watches. And every day, we are becoming more and more dependent upon our devices, so that if they were destroyed or taken away it would severely disable our life for a long period of time.
I agree with you that we are becoming more and more dependent on technology as it continues to advance. It blows my mind how people physically used maps not that long ago to actually get around. Whenever I drive somewhere far, I would be completely lost without google maps to tell me exactly where to turn. It is scary how little we are able to function without our phone by our side. I agree with you that it can be painful losing a loved one such as a dog, but that is also part of life going through experiences such as those. That is why I would rather live my life with a cherished friend by my side then never have one at all. Having a companion by your side makes life easier to go through when you face certain hardships or obstacles. -BR
DeleteI think that your comparisons with the effects that our dogs can have on us and then our devices was really interesting! I had never thought about it that way. I think that your comparison saying that the lasting impacts of the death of a dog and then the loss of technology was really insightful as well. I agree with everything you said, good job!!
DeleteI was very confused at first as well. I definitely had to go back and reread the entire article to fully grasp what was being written and what message was being portrayed. I think great points were made, however and if anything it was interesting, informative and eye opening.
DeleteI agree with you 100%! I was absolutely confused when I first read the blog. I agree with all your comparisons and their impact. Your comment along with the blog were very eye opening!
DeleteWhen looking at the post, it surprises me how a little piece of technology can be comparable to something that has long been considered man's best friend. We as people always tend to have our cell phones with us at all times no matter what. After reading this article, it makes me gain a greater appreciation for the animals that I have at home and for all of the pets that I have had growing up over the years. A simple cell phone can never show you affection like a dog can. Due to all of the amazing qualities that a cell phone can have, it causes us to neglect what is really important in life. A cell phone is able to do so much and will continue to advance over the years. We can not let this allow us to take valuable things for granted. The entire joy of life is to experience things and have people by your side, such as your dog as a companion. We live in a world where our mentality is that if we do not take a picture of something, then it never happened. This causes us to constantly be on our phones and worse of all, not take care of some of the pets that show us affection when we come home. I have been guilty of this as well. I remember when I was younger and I did not have a cell phone, I would love playing with my dog as much as possible. Now I see walking the dog as a chore. Being on my phone all of the time has gotten me into that mentality and made me very lazy. I agree that a cell phone can be used to call for help if there is an emergency, but what happens if you have a seizure or stroke and you are unable to dial the phone? Dogs are very smart animals and can sense when something is wrong with their owners. I once saw a video where two little girls were with their dog and a cougar was about to attack them. Their pit bull dog ended up killing the cougar to defend the girls from harm. Dogs are very loyal to their owners. In a situation such as that, how will a phone help you if a cougar is about to attack you? -Brandon Ruiz
ReplyDeleteBrandon, I agree. I think over the years, being on one's cell phone has changed people's outlook on life. I think that being so reliant on one's cell phone has caused people to spend less time with their dogs. I agree that this post has provided a greater appreciation for the pets we have at home, for you can never receive the same affection from one's phone as you can receive from man's best friend.
DeleteWow! At first, I thought there was no way that my phone can compare to a dog. But I did not realize how many of Pippa’s commendable qualities are so close to my own iPhone. I wake up every morning to my alarm going off on my phone. I then check my emails and social media. I take my phone with me 90% of the time. I have so many chargers. I have one in my car, one by my bedside and one if I go out. With my phone, I use my GPS to find new places to visit. I have so many games on my phone.
ReplyDeleteAll of these qualities of my wonderful iPhone match up with a Dog!! Now, I think about my own pets and see how I use them to navigate my life.
Unfortunately, after thinking about this article again, I find it quite disturbing and saddening that our pets are even compared to our devices. But at the same time, it amazes me that we can compare two every different things, a living thing and a technology device. I think it would be very interesting if we were to take away our devices. If we replace devices with dogs, what will the outcome be?-Camille Diener
I agree with you. There are many things that my cell phone does, that my dog can also do. The qualities of a dog are comparable to a cell phone. Often times my dog can be my alarm clock, and my gps, I can use my dog to navigate my life. I also feel it is disturbing and saddening that our pets are compared to our devices.
DeleteHello Camille,
DeleteI totally agree with you. Its surprising to see all the similarities that dogs and our phones have. Its honestly sad to think about that our phones could be more important that our living dog, but it is.
After reading the article "Dogs or Devices", I began thinking about my own life and the similarities and differences between those two things in my life. I have two dogs at home, a chihuahua terrier mix, and a great dane. The two dog breeds could not be more different, but they have so many of the same characteristics. They can hear the car from two streets over and begin to bark and wag in excitement. They know when we are feeling down, and will come lay with me on the couch when I do not feel well. They follow us everywhere. My dogs are everything to me. but when I think about it, does my cellphone hold that same power. It follows me everywhere I go (in my pocket). It is there when I need company (I can reach out to my friends). It even knows if I am two streets down from my house because it tracks my location.
ReplyDeleteThese are all very interesting comparisons, but I think that they hold a lot of scary reality. We are a world addicted to electronic devices. I find it sad that we cannot put our phones down and just take in what is around us more.
I guess my conclusion is, everyone turn off your location settings (because that is seriously so alarming that we are always on the map and so many people could have access to our exact location), and go spend time with the people you love. If that is your dog, then go take your sweet K-9 to the park!
One of the more significant changes between dogs and phones is obviously that of sentience. Both are companions, but only one will choose to do as it pleases of its own will. What will we do, then, when phones have something similar? Programs like Google Assistant and Siri are just the first steps into this territory, but it's only a matter of time before they begin to evolve into something more, something we can interact with. How should they be treated when that time comes?
DeleteI definitely agree that the comparisons are very interesting and fascinating to think about, but also very scary. It is frightening that our world is so addicted to electronic devices. It's so sad that we can't put our phones down and take in the world as it is anymore.
DeleteI understand the similarities between phones and dogs, however I do not believe that they should be compared. I believe that animals are living things that require more care and attention then technology. Technology has specific uses. A use of cell phones is to contact others through talking, whether it is for fun or in an emergency. While a dog can go up to someone and bark, they cannot go up to someone and deliver a message. One difference between living things and non-living things is that living things must be nourished. If I do not want my cell phone to be charged for the day I have the ability to make that decision knowing that it will turn on when I decide to charge it. A living creature requires care and responsibility. In order to maintain the dog’s life you need to give it attention, feed it, and care for it. In summary, although I understand the similarities, phones are not living things and I do not think they should be compared.
ReplyDeleteDogs or devices? To be honest, this choose is very hard for me. On the one hand, puppies are so cute that they are considered as good friends for human. Pets have numerous commendable qualities. Dogs are vastly loyal. In my house, I feed a golden retriever. Her name is Dora. Right now, she is four months old. It is no exaggeration to say that Dora is an essential part of my family. Recently, she becomes very smart and naughty that she knows how to open the cage by herself, and poo outside. Even though she makes some mistakes, I still love Dora. On the other hand, with the development of the technology, I can not image the life without modern devices. Smart phones make life easier and more convenient. However, smart phones also have some bad influence on the society. In the restaurant, most of people play cell phone rather than talk with friend. What a pity! We spend lots of time on social media. As a college student, it is necessary for me to limit time for using smart phone. The choose is too hard for me. I prefer to have both of them in my life!
DeletePingan, Wow, you have really good points to make! I love how you talked about your own experience with your dog Dora. I love having both my dog and phone. I can not imagine a life without either.
Delete-C.D.
The question "dogs or devices?" is interesting. While I would have never thought the two could be compared, it is evident that they both hold similarities. I have found that in today's society, addiction to our mobile devices is a serious problem and as a society, we do treat our phones like pets. In doing so, we are missing out on the world around us. While I think smartphones are amazing and can benefit us in many different ways, such as communicating, sharing, and making new relationships, there are many downsides to smartphones. They are taking over our lives and creating unhealthy relationships.
ReplyDeleteCould it be argued that we are engaging a new world on a digital frontier, though? Each minute spent missing out on the world around us is another minute spent exploring the one that's accessed from our phones. Time is never wasted, it is reinvested. What might we have to gain by investing it in the digital world?
DeleteGreat post Kara! I do agree with you when you talked about smart phones being beneficial in some ways. Technology isn't all bad, it just depends on how often people use it and what they use it for.
DeleteWhile at first I didn't see the connection between dogs and smart phones, this post made an interesting point that there are more similarities than may meet the eye. It definitely got me thinking. However, rather than the dog and the smart phone in-and-of-themselves sharing all of the similar qualities, many of the qualities they share have to do with the way people interact with them. The list of similarities points to the fact that there is a similar value placed upon phones and dogs. I'm not exactly sure how I feel about that yet. In a way, phones give us access to more important things, such as communication with people we love. However, phones can also take away from these same things. People can use phones in a way that distances them from the people they love, for example. When it comes to dogs, they are more direct in the sense that they are there in the flesh as a companion. I think it is important that we don't value our phones more than the people (in the flesh like how dogs are) they can be used to connect us with.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, Jenny! I think that phones can be used for good just as much as they can be used for bad. Of course you can use your phone to distance yourself, especially in this day and age. There are infinite possibilities for people to become detached from society but there are also possibilities for people to use them to draw closer to people who are far away. You brought up some great points, good job!!
DeleteHi Jenny,
DeleteI really liked how you discussed how "many of the qualities they share have to do with the way people interact with them.” I think this point of view is really interesting. I think it is important to discuss how "phones can also take away from these same things.” Overall, good job and a nice point of view.
-C.D.
I find it fascinating how, given enough time, it seems that people begin to passively resemble their pets, or vice versa. I think this has to do with the amount of time that the two spend together; the more time that’s spent, the more they become accustomed to the subtle nuances of each other’s movement and facial expressions, the kind of stuff that you would never notice if you were trying to look for it. The reason they look more alike is because they’ve spent that time pouring into each other, creating a sort of ‘imprint’ on the other. I think this is a lot of what happens with our phones, too. What begins as a cold, impersonal device slowly takes on our likeness as we fill it with the contents of our hearts, and all it takes is for us to bring it with each day. Pictures, music, apps, search trends, all of it combines to provide an accurate and rounded image of us; the more we put into it, the more detailed it becomes. In turn, we become more machine-like, growing ever more dependent upon routines and gradually less prone to spend as much time with people in a real, variable setting.
ReplyDeleteThis is a very interesting take on the comparison of technology and pets, and I appreciate the example you've utilized of the way people often resemble their pets. We most definitely spend more time with technology on a day-to-day basis, and may have altered our lives and perspective of reality as a result of this connection and dependency. Your statement that we are not only becoming machine dependent, but machine like poses a very interesting discussion and is something we should all consider. Does the time we spend on our personal device alter who we are and how we view reality?
DeleteWhen I started reading this, I honestly had no idea where it was going. I did not understand how dogs and devices could possibly go together but as I continued reading I was totally shocked. I read the article once and then realized what I had just read and read it again just to be sure. I think that the comparison between Pippa and devices was extremely accurate but not something that I had ever thought to put together before. I thought it was so interesting how when I was reading all the attributions of Pippa, I did not think twice about any of them. I understood why everything that was on that list was. But, when I read it in the context of a phone, I had to think about why those were relevant. I think the one that was especially eye opening to me was "we need to update her shots regularly. In terms of a phone, that is incredibly true. We have to stay updated on the "next best thing" because now a days, phones don't even work if they aren't updated to the newest feature. I think that it is so sad that we would be heartbroken if our furry little friends were to pass away, but we would only be heartbroken for a time, and then we would move on. For our devices, though, if all technology was to die, our society would not make it. It really makes me think!
ReplyDeleteIt is weird to put together, and compare with them.if all technology was to die, our society would not make it. It really impressed me a lot.
DeleteWhen reading this I was really confused. I was like what is he talking about how are dogs like devises. And yes I can see similarities how devise we cant leave home without it and in some cases just depending on how attached you are to your dog.That people cant leave there dog alone either. Cause people will freak out when it comes to them forgetting there phones. I think that its really sad when people are always on there phones and how much we rely on our phones for everything. We all miss out so much on life when we are always looking down at the phones. If I were to chose I would chose my dog over my phones. Phones just create so many problems in our society. SO comparing and contrasting these two things they are also very different from each other.
ReplyDelete-LL
Yes, Lindsay. I totally agree with you. Firstly dogs and devises are very different. It is very hard to compare an contrast them. And it is pretty sure that cell phone causes lots of problem in our society!
DeleteYes, Lindsay. I totally agree with you. Firstly, dogs and devices are both very important parts of our life. I also feel it is very sad that people miss out on life, by always looking down on their cell phone. I think when people are older, they will realize that they should have lived life more, instead of living life on their phones.
DeleteThat is a very interesting point that you raise about people freaking out if they do not have their phones. I think part of it may be a feeling of disconnection. Another part of it might also be how our phones have become so interconnected with other practical aspects of our life. Examples of this would be Apple Pay, Apple wallet, and phone cases that act as wallets. Without our phones that act as wallets, we will not be able to function in society (that is, of course, if we choose to put our phones in charge of our money).
DeleteI thought this blogpost was so interesting, because it connected dogs to your devices. Its crazy to think the same thing that a dog can do a cell phone can do. At the same time a phone doesn't give you that love an affection a dog can give you. You can cuddle your dog and hang out with it, but cell phones can't do that. In a way they can make you feel better when your checking your social media, but it doesn't give you that face to face interaction. Its scary to think that people one day will choose having their phone then having a dog. I personally won't trade my dog for a cell phone, but I know a lot of people would do that because they can't live without their phone. This blogspot made me really think long and hard about devices and opened my eyes to many things.
ReplyDeleteMadison Yagi
I agree with you Madison, that there is more in common between dogs and phones than we even realize. But I agree that I would rather have a dog with me than a phone, because I feel as though dogs provide more comfort to me than my phone ever will.
DeleteHannah Woolley
I like your point Madison. I didn't think about the reward aspect of it. Both our phones and our dogs reward us with either internal or external hugs. Dogs will cuddle you all day and phones will give you notifications that make you feel like you're getting hugged.
DeleteI agree with you, Madison. However, while a face to face connection may be more satisfying, not everyone goes out of there way to seek one out. Maybe it's because people may find it intimidating to go out and talk to people or maybe there's something to checking a social media account that face to face conversations cannot provide. Regardless, it is a sad situation.
DeleteWhen I first started reading this, I looked at it and thought, "wait this is it?" It seemed very short, but once I started reading, I realized the connections that were being made between the dog and our devices. We treat our phones like people sometimes, when we need them with us all the time, and are so careful not to drop them because we are worried about living without them. It's funny to think that when our pets die, we are heartbroken, but there are some people who honestly can't live without their phones. This blog made me consider how much value I put into my phone over other things
ReplyDeleteI agree with Hannah, that many times people feel they can't live without their cell phones. When one's phone dies of battery, they feel it is the end of the world. I think if one's pet dies that is a time where we are truly heartbroken, we shouldn't be heartbroken when our cell phone dies.
DeleteAfter reading this blog post, I found it interesting how the author connected two different ways of living. The author made a point that the many functions of our phones can also be found in other areas of our life. Many times people are searching for comfort and happiness through their cell phone device, but these wants are not fulfilled. The phone offers many things, however, I believe that if one puts down their phone, they realize they can live without it. Also alot of times people are not able to make connections with other people in real life, because they are so focused on making connections online. On the other hand, dog's have no idea what cell phones can do, and they find their happiness by interacting with their owners and with other dogs. Dogs find joy in living life and living in the moment, and this is a good example of how one can change their worldview. In addition, I found it interesting when the author talked about how they want their dog to start barking less, but they also want their dog to retain their barking in case of emergency. This is my wish for phone, I want my phone to be used as more of a way to satisfy my needs and not my happiness and desire. I feel a dog can provide comfort and companionship more so than a cell phone can ever provide.
ReplyDeleteWhen reading the articles I was very confused on how the two had anything in common. But as I thought more about it and re-read the list of qualities, they are actually similar in some ways. Both are something we spent time with on a day to day basis. For example, that could be going on your phone to check social media or playing with your dog daily. Not wanting to ever drop or break our phone and freaking out if we leave it at home, just like if we were to do the same with our pets. This article made me realize just how much technology is taking over our society.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree that they are similar in more ways than one. It was a new thought and observation to me as well so comparing animals and our phones and technology was an interesting and fun task.
DeleteI had yet to think about the comparison between technology and our furry friends. I see technology being compared to so many things on a regular basis, it is interesting seeing this view and another side to the overall view of technology's influence on society. Dogs are known for being great companions that many humans rely on for their own sanity. Phones are very much the same way as stated in the above blog post. I can definitely agree with the obsession between both animals/dogs and our phones.
ReplyDeleteThe irony in this blog truly redefines "man's best friend." As we take a step back to compare our family dog to our personal device, it becomes evident that our attachment is similar and our dependency may be more heavily emphasized on technology than we realize. Our pet may be the first thing we wake up to in the morning and something that stays by our side all day long, however our technological device may be even more so and may draw our attention away from our pet and our reality as we become more immersed in the handheld life we live. This blog utilizes what seems to be a bizarre comparison to force us to see the irony and reexamine our priorities as we discover the true dangers of a technology-driven life.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI thought this post was very interesting but it caught me off guard at first. Initially I could not figure out why we were comparing dogs or devices. I mean, one is alive and the other is not. Then, I started reading and it started making more sense when I saw the comparisons. Dogs do follow their owners around everywhere and their owners expect them to tag along. Our phones also go along with us everywhere that we go. For instance, when somebody goes on a walk and they own a dog it is common for them to take the dog with them. It becomes common for them to do this and then if they go on a walk one day without their dog then it feels weird. The same thing would apply for individuals that own a cell phone. If somebody were to leave the house to go on a walk and forget to bring their cell phone they would most likely freak out. I also found many of the points like making new friends, playing games as a pastime, updating shots, and needing to be fed to regain energy. When you take the time to think about it there are so many similarities between the way we treat our smart phones and the way we treat our dogs. After finishing reading this I find it concerning that it seems so easy to compare these two. I have trouble getting past the fact that one is actually living and the other is not. Even though there are many things that are similar I believe it is easy to notice the differences. I think people spend a lot of quality time with their dogs as opposed to the amount of time spent with their phones. For me, I would much rather hangout with my dog and not my phone. I do not necessarily have the same attachment to my phone that is being implied here. I do understand that there are some people in this world that would much rather be on their phone than hanging out with a dog. I did find this post to be very thought provoking though. I think it is important to notice how important this situation is and how its relevance is growing daily in our world.
ReplyDeleteI think this article is a great reminder of where our attention lies. I think it would be safe to say that we spend more time on our phones than we do with our pets. Your pets stay at home when you leave the house for the most part, but your phone is always attached to you. When we buy a phone we don't think of it as a life decision or as something that will affect us significantly, but it will take up a huge fraction of our time once you buy it. Buying a dog only seems like a big deal because it's alive and it will die if you drop it too much or don't charge it enough.
ReplyDeleteThe idea that our phones have become like our pets is an interesting way to look at how we use them. One thing I'd like to mention is that like dogs, our phones can sometimes fill a void within people's lives, a need for a satisfying connection. Our phones provide us a connection to other people, whether it is through text messaging, phone calls, and social media. Dogs give us a sense of social connection too. However, the dog only provides one personality whereas a phone can provide one thousand.
ReplyDeleteForgot to put my name on there. Hello! my name is Blake Lovullo and I was the one who posted this message.
DeleteI was very confused when I first started reading this blog I was very confused. What does a very cute white dog have anything to do with what we learned in class? After further reading I was shocked to realize the truth behind this blog. Phones are definitely taking the place of mans best friend. Just like our pets our phones are entertaining us just as well if not "better" than them. Our dogs are our alarm if there's danger but our phones can do that as well and even notify the police. Just like feeding dogs we need to recharge our phones. I could go on and on with how similar our devices are to mans best friend. Phones are even replacing our emotional need for interaction that our animals do quite well. I know my dog is always there for me regardless of what I'm going through. Now phones are replacing that emotional need by physically being there for you 24/7. I know that this blog really opened my mind to reality. I've always known this as being true but after reading this blog and really thinking about it I have had my eyes opened for sure.
ReplyDelete