Ghanima Atreides (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
atreideslioness) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
fandomhigh2015-09-22 08:43 pm
atreideslioness) wrote in fandomhigh2015-09-22 08:43 pm
Entry tags:
Surviving (and Thriving) on Fandom Island, Week 4 (Wed. Period 3)
The Danger Shop setup today featured a small computer lab, with a terminal for each student. Beside each terminal was a portable radio, a set of earphones, and a smartphone. (Sorry, those phones weren't real, kids. You could try to walk out with one, but it wouldn't be a very successful attempt.)
"Okay, so, communication," said Tahiri once it was time for class to start. "And I don't mean making sure you and other people talk to each other so you're on the same page and avoid misunderstandings, though that's important too. This is about having the means to talk to other people who may not be in the same room as you, or to get or send out information."
"It can be fairly handy to know how to use these things, as often teachers will send you an 'email' that will pop up on your phone if there's something you need to know for class," Ghanima said cheerfully. "And the radio stands in for your local village or town gossip."
"In case you had not yet noticed, the local squirrels see almost everything, and they take notes. Those notes are then read aloud by the staff of the radio station, so that everyone on the island knows everyone else's business."
Tahiri laughed ruefully. "If you're lucky, you might be able to persuade them to look away, but don't count on that in general. And since they seem to get paid in liquor, um, don't count on the radio reports being absolutely accurate either. Something embarrassing about you might get reported on the air at some point, but it's happened to a lot of people, if that's any consolation." She grinned. "For instance, a lot of the people from my galaxy seem to get bitten by gremlins a lot, and that always ends up reported."
"The squirrels favor entertainment over accuracy. Try not to get too angry the first time they misrepresent you on-air," Ghanima said dryly. "They like to see, what is the phrase? The UST? In everything."
Ghanima, you may have just traumatized your students forever.
"But the radio also has archives, and if you want to learn more about things that happened on the island you can download those podcasts and listen to them on your phone, which is where these little things --" and she held up the ear buds, "--come in."
That almost traumatized one of your former students too, Ghanima. Just saying. Tahiri had managed to keep her expression in line enough not to let that on, but still. "Beyond the island, though, there are newspapers -- in print, or in digital form -- if you're looking to get news from the outside world." She let one corner of her mouth quirk up. "Those aren't staffed by squirrels, at least as far as we know, but the same thing about not counting on accuracy applies."
Really, Tahiri, you've heard how they report on the Ethics class. Ghanima very much doubts she just said something you did not already know.
"You can also get the internet on your phones, and find many websites that discuss the news," Ghanima continued. "However, you must always fact-check what you find, as there are a number of sources out there that are pure propaganda or satire, which I'm sure is not that different in any universe."
She gave a shorthandwavy tutorial on how to use your phone to place calls and check your voicemail. "Now, everyone grab a terminal, and let's play with these thinking machines. If you're from a universe like mine and dislike technology that thinks it's smarter than you, don't worry, these little monsters are easily mastered. Eventually."
"And if you're from one that isn't used to technology, I promise it's not that intimidating." Tahiri tapped one finger against the tabletop. "We'll be here to help with anything that might give you trouble, okay?"
"Okay, so, communication," said Tahiri once it was time for class to start. "And I don't mean making sure you and other people talk to each other so you're on the same page and avoid misunderstandings, though that's important too. This is about having the means to talk to other people who may not be in the same room as you, or to get or send out information."
"It can be fairly handy to know how to use these things, as often teachers will send you an 'email' that will pop up on your phone if there's something you need to know for class," Ghanima said cheerfully. "And the radio stands in for your local village or town gossip."
"In case you had not yet noticed, the local squirrels see almost everything, and they take notes. Those notes are then read aloud by the staff of the radio station, so that everyone on the island knows everyone else's business."
Tahiri laughed ruefully. "If you're lucky, you might be able to persuade them to look away, but don't count on that in general. And since they seem to get paid in liquor, um, don't count on the radio reports being absolutely accurate either. Something embarrassing about you might get reported on the air at some point, but it's happened to a lot of people, if that's any consolation." She grinned. "For instance, a lot of the people from my galaxy seem to get bitten by gremlins a lot, and that always ends up reported."
"The squirrels favor entertainment over accuracy. Try not to get too angry the first time they misrepresent you on-air," Ghanima said dryly. "They like to see, what is the phrase? The UST? In everything."
Ghanima, you may have just traumatized your students forever.
"But the radio also has archives, and if you want to learn more about things that happened on the island you can download those podcasts and listen to them on your phone, which is where these little things --" and she held up the ear buds, "--come in."
That almost traumatized one of your former students too, Ghanima. Just saying. Tahiri had managed to keep her expression in line enough not to let that on, but still. "Beyond the island, though, there are newspapers -- in print, or in digital form -- if you're looking to get news from the outside world." She let one corner of her mouth quirk up. "Those aren't staffed by squirrels, at least as far as we know, but the same thing about not counting on accuracy applies."
Really, Tahiri, you've heard how they report on the Ethics class. Ghanima very much doubts she just said something you did not already know.
"You can also get the internet on your phones, and find many websites that discuss the news," Ghanima continued. "However, you must always fact-check what you find, as there are a number of sources out there that are pure propaganda or satire, which I'm sure is not that different in any universe."
She gave a short
"And if you're from one that isn't used to technology, I promise it's not that intimidating." Tahiri tapped one finger against the tabletop. "We'll be here to help with anything that might give you trouble, okay?"
Sign In (S&T 9/23)
Re: Sign In (S&T 9/23)
Re: Sign In (S&T 9/23)
Re: Sign In (S&T 9/23)
Re: Sign In (S&T 9/23)
During the Lecture (S&T 9/23)
Re: During the Lecture (S&T 9/23)
What? she'd made her lack of parental inclinations clear in the other class.
Activity: To Your Stations! (S&T 9/23)
Re: Activity: To Your Stations! (S&T 9/23)
Even if her hunt and peck typing was very, very slow.
Discussion: Communication & Technology (S&T 9/23)
Re: Discussion: Communication & Technology (S&T 9/23)
Re: Discussion: Communication & Technology (S&T 9/23)
Try not to pull something laughing, Tahiri.
"And there are corners of the 'net devoted to all sorts of crazy theories, from politics to who holodrama stars are really dating. I think the squirrels would enjoy that part."
Talk to the Teachers (S&T 9/23)
Re: Talk to the Teachers (S&T 9/23)
Re: Talk to the Teachers (S&T 9/23)
OOC