Dr. Michael Sosteric : The Socjournal

Of interest to Sociologists and students is the possibility of technology to break down class barriers. Here’s an interesting paper from the journal IRRODL that discusses the revolutionary potential of “technology enhanced learning” in developing nations. Food for thought, especially considering the revolutionary potential of Moodles, Moocs, and so on. Check it out.

Dr. Michael Sosteric | Mar 15, 2013 | Comments 0

It’s the end of the world as we know it, and I feel fine. No, really I do. I know a lot of people might be a little anxious and nervous, but I see mostly good things ahead if, that is, we can put aside our differences and learn to exploit the revolutionary opportunities now emerging together, as a global family, and not separate, as a bunch of warring class, ethnic, and gender factions.

Dr. Michael Sosteric | Mar 14, 2013 | Comments 3

The word “social technology” is a bit of a contradiction. Social technologies connect us like never before, but at the same time the superficiality of our social world, and our isolation, seem greater then ever. We are embarrassed by the rich emptiness of our world. Then again, maybe all you need to do to make rich connections is pick up a copy of BF3 where we can experience rich, genderless, race-less, class-less connections with others. It may nor be idea, but the contradictory and confusing brave new world of social technology is definitely something to think about.

Dr. Michael Sosteric | Mar 01, 2013 | Comments 2

Here is an assignment/essay by a student in my Sociology 460 Technology course. I’m including it here because of the great way this student highlights the ambivalent impact of technology on our lives. As he clearly identifies, it is not all wine and roses. Many people are impacted negatively. In fact, when you consider it carefully, the overall impact may be decidedly negative. As evidenced by the growing gap between rich and poor, and as Warren Buffet has recently admitted, technology has allowed the rich and powerful to win the class war.

Dr. Michael Sosteric | Feb 19, 2013 | Comments 2

Does it seem like the world is going to hell in a hand basket? Hard to conclude otherwise when children are massacred as in recent fashion. If you want to understand why however, maybe it is time to put aside “stock” answers and look past clichés about God, madness, and guns. If you are interested in a deeper look at the world we live in, sociologists can help.

Dr. Michael Sosteric | Dec 15, 2012 | Comments 26

Here is some promotional copy for a pay-per-view on how to write resume and get jobs. In a market place crowded by highly qualified candidates, these techniques to stand out and get noticed make sense. If you do take the plunge and purchase this, consider emailing me back at mikes@athabascau with a review and we’ll put that up here for others to see.

Dr. Michael Sosteric | Dec 12, 2012 | Comments 0

Ah the power of the media. The power itself is not a problem. The problem is the “masses” often don’t get just how powerful it is. Here is a student essay providing evidence of the incredible power of the media to literally create reality, in this case the reality of Multiple Personality Disorder. What is interesting for me about this case is not only were the “masses” fooled, but smart, PhD level professionals, and in fact the entire psychological establishment, was sucked in as well. They even created a DSM classification based on the lie seeded by the media. WTF? And while the masses lost nothing but credibility, professionals who bought into the media scripted lie ruined lives. When will we learn?

Dr. Michael Sosteric | Dec 12, 2012 | Comments 4

If you can’t beat them well, don’t join them because that is just cowardly and spineless. Instead, hunker down for the hard work. Gnaw at the foundations, knock at the support beams, and eventually the system comes crumbling down. With modern communication technologies there’s simply no excuse.

Dr. Michael Sosteric | Dec 07, 2012 | Comments 0

Do so-called authorities know more about us than we know about ourselves? “The Big Lie” asserts that authorities, in the form of theologians and academics, seem to think they do. Further, those authorities tend to take a dim view of human nature—and those negative perspectives often produce very negative consequences. Because authorities are cloaked in a mantle of institutional legitimacy, their opinions are perceived as being more truthful than those of non-authorities. Nevertheless, “The Big Lie” argues that the truth is often at variance with the opinions of authorities. Be skeptical! (Timothy M.)

Dr. Michael Sosteric | Dec 01, 2012 | Comments 18

Women @ work? Progress has been made, but more work needs to be done. Women still fall short in top level CEO positions and are conspicuously absent in certain industries (like the tech industry). Why is this? And what obstacles do women still face when entering and thriving in the workplace? Women are still the primary caregivers of the children. Women still take more time off than men. Women are still seen through the blinkered vision of a gendered world.

Dr. Michael Sosteric | Nov 16, 2012 | Comments 1