Matthew Gillis

If I were to sum up my character into five components, they would be:

• I have an honest desire to help anyone in need, even people who give me dirty looks.
• I am inspired to soar to new heights by those around me and I appreciate my friends and family for this inspiration. Also, on a related note, I miss my Mamabear.
• I hug people. I am not afraid of a good firm handshake; but, if I know you on a personal level, prepare to be bear-hugged.
• I lead by example. I will be the first to complain about a task and also the first to start working. I can muster a fancy speech now and again, but I prefer to work instead of participating in idle chat about a plan that has already been agreed upon.
• I am goal-oriented. I am creative in my solutions and usually will work in large strides of time to find these solutions. There's no rest for the wicked smart.

On the topic of Technology, I enjoy using a great many innovations to simplify my life. I am currently am using a computer to do three things: write this, make a Prezi for a program later, and check my email. This adds a great deal of comfort to my life. Doing work for a class digitally helps me to engage material and stay within the confines of my room and building. Creating a Prezi enables me to use a fun and interesting medium to engage people with topics in the current politics and rights (such as child labor on cocoa plantations). Checking my email keeps me updated on all the developments in my academic and social life, and it also allows me to communicate with others easily and quickly. All three of these functions can be done in a short period of time on a technological device. This is the year 2015, and this is a common baseline of technology available to me. The possibilities for when technology progresses can be mysterious, yet awe-inspiring. I could learn Attic Greek through a pill and travel across the globe in minutes. This is my view of technology. It is amazing. Technology can be used in innovative ways to enable us as humans to grasp further and further at the past, present, and future. It can also be used in innovative ways for the detriment of humanity. We could use clones to fuel wars and energy to piece one another. We could torture individuals more effectively. We have the capacity to abuse technology often. Technology is not to blame for its own misuse; however, my opinion is that thorough and clearly enforced regulations can easily keep misuse in check, while good uses prosper in an abundance of funding. That is my take on technology.