Journal Entry - 01/05/07
HC395 Service Learning Trip

Today we went over logistics of the trip, watched a clip from The Girl In The Cafe, and discussed the readings from Soul of a Citizen. Some of the principles, values, and emotions stirred up by our discussion struck home with me and caused some strong (but respectful) feelings amongst myself and my classmates.

The readings (plus nick) brought out some themes that really struck home for me:

• The “perfect standard” thinking that activists like Martin Luther King, Jr. or Rosa Parks are “flawless” or transcended beyond human emotions/needs/failures.

• Being vulnerable/living with ambiguity

• Jumping in to a project/taking a stand without all the information

• Information overload/complexity and implications of technology

I am a shy (at least outside the classroom), perfectionist, computer-savvy, guy who likes to work behind the scenes and help other people use technology to solve problems. Volunteering in non-computer-related fields has always been a little difficult for me because it means having to step into an area that I don't have a strong practical knowledge base of techniques or tools for dealing with the situation or the social protocols/skills to interact well – at least in my opinion. I also am extremely sensitive to the effects (both positive and negative) of technology in our world, especially its role in globalization (and its attendant positive/negative effects), and the ethical issues connected with computers and related equipment/software (thanks to CRT122E – Computer Ethics in Spring '06).

Thus I was able to really identify with some of the discussions (and classmate feedback) on the “numbing” effect of technology (and media) that can make it conveniently easy to “disconnect” from reality – as asserted in Chapter two of our readings. However, I also felt a need to defend my day job, and share with everybody else how doubly tough it can be at times to have a professional level of knowledge/responsibility regarding computer technology, and be discussing or reading about its implications in books such as A Flat World by Milton Friedman or my geography courses...and be criticized by older people (like my mother sometimes) for being too wired and too disconnected when that is rarely the case.

Of course, some of the problem is due to my perfectionist tendency to apply the “perfect standard” to myself and others around me....and to try and please everybody influenced by a project or piece of technology. Hopefully reflecting more on the literature and what happens in this trip to Denver will allow me to step back and re-orient myself to a more sane mentality.

The book has some great advice...will have to check it out from the library when I get back.

This will be a trip when I open myself up really wide....and vulnerable. I'm a little nervous about working with homeless people....even though I have had great conversations with a few before....they are always going to be rougher than the average college student. I also hope to make great friends with my classmates and have fun working with the kids on Wednesday. Stay tuned to this journal for more details....