1.19.2010

the importance of being a critical consumer | user | observer seemed to be the resounding theme of class today.  It is far too easy to be drawn into mistake of using terminology to compare two concepts without understanding the true meaning of the terms that define the comparison.  Without first researching the trendy verbiage we are fed through various forms of propaganda, this constantly emerging terminology used to sell us phones, laptops and cameras is nothing more than marketing rhetoric.  While there may be truth to the 4G'ness' of a phone, do we really even know what 4G means? We discussed this issue in particular in class, and although certainly everyone is aware of 4G, no one could really explain what 4G, or 3G or any number G really is.  Especially as many of us in class are going into an industry where technical rhetoric, both relating to sustainability and digital technology, rapidly evolves and absorbs into our vocabulary,  it is crucial to our integrity as designers to stay current with advances and technology and maintain a critical understanding of the truth behind buzz words.