Academic Vocabulary: Academic Words - Olsen Amy E. 2012

Chapter 20. Computer Science

Concerns to Consider

Technology, especially the computer, is rapidly changing the world. The ubiquitous nature of the computer is probably not even realized by most people. We see them in our homes, in schools, and in libraries, but computer technology can be found in cars, cell phones, and even appliances like wash­ing machines. With the increased reliance on technology, some people are wary of the changes and wonder if society is moving too quickly. Other people embrace the changes and look forward to the benefits of each new innovation.

One concern deals with privacy. Many people today enjoy the ease of shopping, banking, and paying bills online. However, if your personal information is not securely encrypted, problems can arise. Without encoding private information, unscrupulous people can access credit card num­bers, bank accounts, or other personal information. Your money can easily be stolen but, even worse, so can your identity. If this happens, the criminal can use your name to commit crimes from theft to murder. It can take years and loads of paperwork to get your good name back. Another area that worries some people is the idea of embedding computer chips in clothing and possibly in a person's hand or brain. Researchers are looking at attaching global positioning systems (GPS) to jackets and putting miniature cameras into necklaces. A person could simply push buttons on one's sleeve to listen to music or text a message. One may even be able to swipe a hand over a scanner to pay for a bill instead of using a credit card. The question is whether the benefits of having less to carry outweigh the possible loss of privacy. Some people can be considered paranoid in their concern that someone is constantly watching them; on the other hand, George Orwell's idea of Big Brother, as presented in his novel 1984, could become a reality.

Another area of concern is language. Some people are afraid that English is being corrupted by the jargon computers have created. New words and new ways of using words have come from computers. We now "surf' the Web and use a "mouse" to move the cursor. Abbreviations are especially popular. E-mailing—and even more so text messaging—have developed shorthand languages. With the use of terms like OIC (oh, I see) and 2G2BT (too good to be true), many people feel that the English language has become unintelligible. Conversely, those who regularly use new methods of communication consider them fast and easy ways to stay in touch with fam­ily and friends.

Some people have qualms about individuals interacting too often with computers and becom­ing out of touch with real people. People who telecommute and live alone may not see or speak to a live person all week. This divide may even become greater as computers become more humanoid. Computer scientists are developing computers that can sense your mood. These computers would use cameras and microphones to examine facial expressions and listen to sounds. They would also use touch to see how a person handles the mouse. If the computer sensed that you were upset, it would try to cheer you up, possibly by telling a joke or sympathizing with you. If you continually pushed the mouse hard, the computer might take this as a signal of frustration. The computer could then offer

to help with your problem. Many people would love a computer friend who would be readily available for support. Others have genuine concerns about isolation and the inability of people to communicate with one another.

What one person sees as a wonderful innovation, such as having a refrigerator that tells you that you are out of milk and eggs or offers you recipe suggestions based on what is in the refrigerator, another person sees as an infringement. Some people i are afraid that the more computers can do for us the less we will be able to think for ourselves. None of us can be complacent as we face the challenges and enjoy the benefits new technolo­gies bring. We will all need to do more than THT (think happy thoughts) if we are to deal with the pros and cons of each new development.

Predicting

For each set, write the definition on the line next to the word to which it belongs. If you are unsure, return to the reading on page 122, and underline any context clues you find. After you've made your predictions, check your answers against the Word List on page 127. Place a checkmark in the box next to each word whose definition you missed. These are the words you'll want to study closely.

Set One

put into a code

existing everywhere

showing unreasonable suspicion

fixing deeply into something

watchful

□ 1. ubiquitous (line 2) ...

□ 2. wary (line 7) ...

□ 3. encrypted (line 13) ...

□ 4. embedding (line 18) ...

□ 5. paranoid (line 23) ...

Set Two

to work from home by using a computer linked to one's company

the language of a particular profession or group

feelings of doubt

self-satisfied

resembling human beings

□ 6. jargon (line 27) ...

□ 7. qualms (line 34) ...

□ 8. telecommute (line 35)_ ...

□ 9. humanoid (line 36) ...

□ 10. complacent (line 51) ...

Self-Tests

Circle the correct meaning of each vocabulary word.

1. embed:    to implant    to extract

2. telecommute:  to work in an office  to work from home

3. humanoid:   having animal traits  having human characteristics

4. jargon:    unintelligible talk  simple language

5. ubiquitous:   existing everywhere found nowhere

6. complacent:   worried    untroubled

7. wary:    cautious    hasty

8. encrypt:    to put into a code  to share

9. paranoid:   suspicious   trusting

10. qualm:    certainty    uneasiness

2 Complete the following sentences using the vocabulary words. Use each word once.

Vocabulary list

humanoid

jargon

telecommute

ubiquitous

encrypt

wary

complacent

embedded

paranoid

qualm

1. We had become ... about updating the security software on our computer, so we shouldn't have been surprised when we found a virus on it.

2. My major ... about going camping this weekend is the weather. There is supposed to be a huge snowstorm in the mountains.

3. I enjoy science fiction shows with ... characters, such as Data from Star Trek:

The Next Generation or the Cylons in Battlestar Galactica.

4. The geologist carefolly dug out the fossil that had been ... in the side of the cliff for millions of years.

5. So much computer ... is based on abbreviations that I'm often unsure of what someone is trying to tell me.

6. My friend is ... that someone is listening to his phone conversations, so sometimes we have to speak in code.

7. I was afraid to buy anything online because I thought my credit card number would be stolen, but after I read how carefully sites ... information these days, I have been successfully shopping electronically for months.

8. Computer terms have become so ... that my five-year-old said he wanted an "e-hug" from me instead of a real hug.

9. I am ... of ads that claim to be able to make me look twenty years younger or make me rich in one month.

10. I'm glad my job lets me ...; I hated dealing with the horrible traffic every morning and evening when I had to drive to work.

3 Match each vocabulary word to the appropriate situation or example. Use each word once.

1. a vase surrounded by foam in a box to ship ...

2. hard drive, CD-ROM, BFF, L8R ...

3. being able to work in one's pajamas ...

4: cell phones, reality television ...

5. The Terminator ...

6. #jf4"')6*9j ...

7. possible feeling after riding a roller coaster ...

8. constantly looking over one's shoulder ...

9. reaction to an e-mail from an unfamiliar company ...

10. barely studying for a third test because you got A's on the first two ...

Vocabulary list

wary

encrypt

paranoid

embed

qualm

telecommute

complacent

jargon

humanoid

ubiquitous

Identify the two vocabulary words represented in the drawings.

Internet Activity: How Often Is It Used?

Here is an activity that illustrates different contexts for the vocabulary words and emphasizes the enormity of the Internet. Type a vocabulary word into a search engine such as Google or Yahoo. See how many times the word is found. Read through the first entries to examine how the word is used. Open a site that seems interesting and look for the word to see it in its fall context. For ex­ample, the word telecommute turned up 3,320,000 results. Among the first ten entries, it was used in the contexts of companies friendly to telecommuting and how to convince your boss to let you telecommute. Sometimes you will get a lot more results. Thesis turned up 77;700,000 results. Have fan seeing what is out there. Share your finds with classmates. What words did people pick to look up? Which word had the fewest results and which the most? Did anyone find an exciting site?

Your word: ... Number of results: ...

A sample context: ...

Name of the Web site you visited: ...

Interactive Exercise

Answer the following questions about the vocabulary words.

1. Do you feel that your private information is safely encrypted when you shop online or use the Internet for banking or other personal transactions? Explain why or why not.

2. What is something that is ubiquitous on your college campus?

3. What is a situation where it would be wise to be wary?

4. If you had a computer chip embedded in your hand, what features would you like it to provide?

5. Would you like a job where you could telecommute? Explain why or why not.

6. What would be an action of a paranoid?

7. What is something people shouldn't be complacent about?

8. What are two qualms freshmen usually have when they enter college?

9. Would you prefer to own a computer that looks humanoid or one that looks like a machine? Why?

10. Give two examples of jargon you might use in a typical day. Where do the words come from (the Internet, text messaging, or your job)?

Word Part Reminder

Below are a few exercises to help you review the word parts you have been learning. Fill in the missing word part from the list, and circle the meaning of the word part found in each sentence. Try to complete the questions without returning to the Word Parts chapter, but if you get stuck, look back at Chapter 16.

trib

oid

multi

sequ

1. He looked and acted so much like a human that I was shocked to learn that Nathan is an andr... .

2. I enjoyed getting to follow the further adventures of Detective Lewis Thor in the ...el to the first novel, where he solved a murder on the Oregon coast.

3. We will give out one thousand brochures on child safety this weekend. By dis...uting that many, we will help a lot of people.

4. There were many reasons I failed to make it to the study session, but, among my ...tude of problems, the main one was that my car wouldn't start.

Words to Watch

Which words would you like to practice with a bit more? Pick 3-5 words to study, and list them below. Write the word and its definition, and compose your own sentence using the word correctly. This extra practice could be the final touch to learning a word.