tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2096776708897685863.post542691615664380031..comments2024-02-23T04:39:49.329-05:00Comments on Conversations in Klal: Betting on the Wrong HorseProfKhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17954446826821665314noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2096776708897685863.post-69901715825215309032008-03-10T22:18:00.000-04:002008-03-10T22:18:00.000-04:00One of the worst things about all the new crazy ba...One of the worst things about all the new crazy bans is that the Rabbeim are turning many members of Klal Yisrael into liars!<BR/><BR/>Mark [who doesn't use the Internet :-]Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2096776708897685863.post-52041744715558639382008-03-06T22:08:00.000-05:002008-03-06T22:08:00.000-05:00Now, I'm right here, so obviously I'm closer to yo...Now, I'm right here, so obviously I'm closer to your viewpoint than to the opposite. But I have two comments:<BR/><BR/>1. I've never heard of a blanket ban on computers/technology. Only the internet. And I don't live in such a deep hole. So if such a ban indeed exists, it must only be among a smallish, extremist sect. There is a BIG difference between banning computers and the internet.<BR/><BR/>That said, I do think that many religious institutions do not place nearly enough emphasis on learning proper computer skills, possibly out of fear that this will lead to internet exploration. This is a disservice to members of those institutions, who will find themselves at a disadvantage in the world at large.<BR/><BR/>2. While it is true that as much tumah can be found by walking down local avenues or traveling the subway as on the internet, I believe there is a difference. What you see on the streets is practically forced upon you, and it's "them." The internet brings it into your home, and you have to consent to it before it can do so. The Jewish home should be a haven from the world outside.<BR/>(But my bottom line is still... here I am, and I don't regret it)Bas~Melechhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01511197551248863790noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2096776708897685863.post-59190719695186413992008-03-06T18:43:00.000-05:002008-03-06T18:43:00.000-05:00This is a Jewish blog, so someone has to have a (s...This is a Jewish blog, so someone has to have a (somewhat) different viewpoint, so here goes.<BR/><BR/>I use this newfangled technology as well, so I am not totally on the other side, of course.<BR/><BR/>However, I do think that it should be pointed out that the matter is more complicated than equating computers and computerization with progress and light and the alternatives with backwardness and darkness, across the board.<BR/><BR/>There are significant potential or actual problems with excessive dependence on technology, whether they manifest themselves in form of (G-d help us) virus bugs, hostile action or natural disasters taking down atm, phone or blackberry networks, personal information stolen by online hackers or worse.<BR/><BR/>In terms of education, many students nowadays do not use libraries the old fashioned way, they just go straight to google. The problem is that google doesn't have everything. Some things are not online at all. Yet, since they are not online they are ignored, leading to deficiencies in knowledge and understanding.<BR/><BR/>With regard to Jewish learning, some have predicted a new golden age of Torah study due to huge databases with thousands of seforim being widely available. However, learning is not just having many citations at hand. It involves weighing and deliberating, comparing and contrasting, deep analysis and thought.<BR/><BR/>There is a limit to what computers can do.<BR/><BR/>Just like singles websites have not made shadchanim, such as yourself, obsolete, so too, will these computer Torah databases not make talmidei chachomim obsolete (at least not on Shabbos or Yomtov. ;-).<BR/><BR/>We need to retain the ability to do things in simple and old-fashioned ways, even if only as a back up, in case the new technology fails, as it sometimes does.<BR/><BR/>Sometimes low or no tech beats high-tech (cf. the tortoise and the hare).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2096776708897685863.post-2318133349312089782008-03-06T14:27:00.000-05:002008-03-06T14:27:00.000-05:00Elitzur,Yes, there seems to be another ban around ...Elitzur,<BR/>Yes, there seems to be another ban around every corner. But in reacting to the newest ban we need to keep in view the past bans as well. Otherwise they seem to become part of the fabric; uncomfortable but not as important as keeping the wasp that is hovering over us now at bay. As long as shadchanim still ask the Internet questions, as long as yeshivas still ban it, as long as organizations still work with the ban in place, then we still need to talk about it.ProfKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17954446826821665314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2096776708897685863.post-55978474718989829232008-03-06T13:09:00.000-05:002008-03-06T13:09:00.000-05:00Of course I agree with what you're saying but I th...Of course I agree with what you're saying but I think you're a ban or two behind the times...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2096776708897685863.post-30689370918961784872008-03-06T12:06:00.000-05:002008-03-06T12:06:00.000-05:00I just found your blog and I'm enjoying it tremend...I just found your blog and I'm enjoying it tremendously. I've added you to my blogroll. Come check mine out and see if you want to do the same.come runninghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00264472908368786844noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2096776708897685863.post-71976310131461529852008-03-06T10:13:00.000-05:002008-03-06T10:13:00.000-05:00I think there are a few reasons to ban internet an...I think there are a few reasons to ban internet and computers.<BR/><BR/>1. Lack of understanding of what exactly they are banning.<BR/><BR/>2. Age. These rabbeim are old and like majority of old people afraid of new technology.<BR/><BR/>3. Control. If you limit information people have access to, people will follow you and won't question your every step.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com