My Three Covers

August 9th and 16th, 2004

July 15, 1996
2nd Cover

August 16th, 1930

Final Paper

As time goes on our generation is moving along with it.  No more running over to your friend’s house and knocking on the door to see if s/he is available.  Now we can get into access with almost anyone in less than a minute.  The consumer cuts down time and effort with just a tap of the screen.  Instead of going out to see your favorite movie in a video store you can now watch almost any movie instantly online in seconds.  Is this convenient? Yes.  Is it ultimately a good thing to be fully absorbed by new technology? No.  82% of Americans own a cell-phone.  This may be one of the reasons America has ranked obesity as the number one health risk.  People may not notice but in the long run technology usually leads to a lack of motive.  People are getting lazier while equipped with technology due to the fact everything can be reached with barely any movement.  But in America you must partake in this capitalist economy due to the huge role that money plays.  As long as the producers successfully make sales of new products will continue to have civilians empty out their pockets for the newest product.  This brings us to The New Yorker.  The New Yorker touches on the issue of technology through meanigful illustrations presented to the  people of New York. It fascinates me how The New Yorker's concepts back in the day changed a lot over time. In the past it seemed like illustrators of The New Yorker focused more on the community of the urban society and presented different way of living. The recent New Yorker's all focus on technology and it's impact on New Yorkers.        

I’m not the only one who believes this.  In the article Disconnected Urbanism (the author) explains technologies effect on the people in New York City.  The article touches on the cellphone and how it changes the human sense of place more than faxes, computers, and email.  According to the article by using your phone outside of your home you are not in the urban community you once were in.  You may be having a talk with somebody on the other side of the world.  The author argued, “But the cell phone has changed our sense of place more than faxes and computers and e-mail because of its ability to intrude into every moment in every possible place. When you walk along the street and talk on a cell phone, you are not on the street sharing the communal experience of urban life. You are in some other place—someplace at the other end of your phone conversation. You are there, but you are not there.” Basically the author explains how communicating through a cellphone not only makes you less aware of your surroundings, but can make your urban experience less fun.  Every time you answer your phone you put the people around you on hold, and pay all your attention to the person on the other line.   New York City is an urban city with beautiful sites, never-ending events, and the most diverse, why does our community deserve to be disconnected because of technology. 

The New Yorker magazine touches upon technology and how it affects us now even more than the past.  I picked out three New Yorker magazines to analyze: one cover from before 1970, one from before 2000, and one since 2000.  I wanted to notice the New Yorkers modernizations and changes within this time span.  Each cover touched on technology and how it affected people negatively since our nation has been getting a surplus of advanced technology.  The first cover (New Yorker #280) seemed to be very different back in the day.  The 1930's modernization and revolution were a huge impact on human civilization.  People used to more outgoing then they are now with less technology available to them.  Ideas led to inventions, creations, and great discoveries.  In this article the illustrator shows one side of the picture very interactive and joyful while the other side is gloomy and separate.  I believe the author did this to show the jealousy of the people that couldn't participate in the new activities taking place during that time.  He showed how people were much more outgoing then the people of our modern day now. 

The second cover (New Yorker #3600) touches on the advancement of technology and the affect on the people of New York.  In this article it shows the impact of technology upon the youth.  This illustrator predicts the ancient warriors would have been the same if they were influenced to television and junk food like the people in New York City.  This is true because the illustrator points out technology can change any bodies’ lifestyle while forming unwanted new habits. 

Leading to the third cover: (issued July 15^th, 1996) this picture describes the honest truth about tourists and technology.  Without technology tourists mostly participated in the bull runs or took pictures in the vicinity.  Now tourists are hesitant to participate in bull runs when they could get a close up picture of a beautiful bull statue.  Using telephoto lenses, tourists can easily shoot a close up high definition picture from almost a mile away.  It's true so many tourists take pictures of the statues rather than the real thing.  This is usually the case, people focus more on capturing the moment through technological advances rather than taking the time and effort to actually live the moment.

            In conclusion, technology will forever be a part of our lives.  Through in depth research we have found out that technology can affect you and your ability to live.  By becoming more aware of technology and the area we live in.  By reading this article you should be able to notice the pros and cons of technology in an urban society.  

6 Cover Summary

 New Yorker #280

The New Yorker seemed to be very different back in the day.  Around the 1930's modernization and revolution were a huge impact on human civilization.  Ideas led to inventions, creations, and great discoveries.  In this article the illustrator shows one side of the picture very interactive and joyful while the other side is gloomy and separate.  I believe the author did this to show the jealousy of the people that couldn't participate in the new activities taking place during that time.  He showed how people were very happy with these new creations.   


New Yorker #289




Back when this New Yorker was made cigarettes were being promoted within New York City.  As you can see in this picture everyone is smoking there cigarettes in top hats and high class business clothing.  Now people understand that cigarettes are the number one selling killing product on earth.  Due to the amount of nicotine.  The New Yorker is explaining that cigarettes were viewed in a totally different way back when people had little knowledge of them. 








 New Yorker #3600
 In this article it shows the impact of technology upon the youth.  This illustrator predicts if the ancient warriors would have been the same if they were influenced to television and junk food like the people of the modern time.  This is very interesting because the illustrator has a point, technology changes peoples lifestyles and forms new habits.






July 15, 1996


This picture describes the honest truth about tourists and technology.  Without technology tourists mostly participated in the bull runs (happening besides the unaware tourists).  Now tourists are hesitant when they could get a close up picture of a beautiful bull statue.  It's true so many tourists take pictures of the statue rather than the real thing in order to capture the moment for the time being.   

2 Articles Supporting Cellphone Agreement

The New York Times Article
Title: Your Brain On Computers; Hooked on Gadgets and Paying a Mental Price
Author: Matt Ritchel

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/07/technology/07brain.html?scp=1&sq=your%20brain%20on%20computers%20hooked%20on%20gadgets%20and%20paying%20a%20mental%20price&st=cse

The New York Times Article
Title:Internet Use Affects Memory, Study Finds
Author: Particia Cohen
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/15/health/15memory.html?_r=1&ref=memory