April 27, 2005 CONTACT: Carol Anderson 734.487.4400 carol.anderson@emich.edu

EMU Spring Lecture Series zeroes in on people and technology interaction

YPSILANTI - Whether it was the automobile and airplane that enabled people to travel faster and farther or cell phones and the computer that provide unending communication, technology continues to be a major force in shaping society.

How technology affects people at various stages of their life, from birth to old age, will be the topic of discussion by various guest speakers during the 2005 Spring Lecture Series "Technology and the Human Life Cycle."

The weekly series runs May 11 - June 22, 7-10 p.m., at the EMU Corporate Education Center, Eagle Crest. The series is free and open to the public.

"The topic hit me like a bolt of lightning. We live in a society where almost everyone is affected by technology," said Ronald Westrum, professor, EMU School of Technology Studies, and series coordinator. "Is technology helpful or is it a threat? That's what everyone has to decide for themselves. "

The series will explore pressures posed by contemporary life; ethical ramifications of genetic choice; technology and its influence on early childhood development as well as on young children at home, preschool and during play; teens and the pressures of mastering electronic technology; media hype and adults; technological advances in science for seniors; and the impact of technology-mediated exercise on seniors' health and well-being.

The series is hosted by EMU and Lawrence Technological University. For more information, contact 734.487.1161.

The schedule and speakers are:

• May 11 : " The Pace of Life ," Robert Levine, professor at California State University/Fresno and author of the book "The Geography of Time" and "The Power of Persuasion;"
• May 18 : " Genetic Measurement and Genetic Choice ," Michael Witt, executive director of MichBio, a nonprofit organization dealing with life sciences in Michigan;
• May 25 : ' Technology in the Lives of Children ," Toni Jones, associate professor, EMU Department of Teacher Education;
• June 1 : " Technology in the Teenage Years, Computers, Cellphones and PDAs ," David Behen, director of information technology, Washtenaw County;
• June 8 : " Information Overload: The Effect of Media Hype on the Adult Mind ," Peter Henning, director, Media Laboratory, FachHochschule Karlsruhe, Germany;
• June 15 : " Science, Technology and the Aging ," Stephen Nightingale, president of Burntside Partners, a privately-held technology development corporation. Nightingale is a physician and a former secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Advisory Committee on Blood Safety and Availability;
• June 22 : " Fitness and Aging," Steve Sarns, vice president of sales and marketing, NuStep, Inc., an Ann Arbor company that builds cross-training machines.

Eastern Michigan University is a public, comprehensive university that offers programs in the arts, sciences and professions. EMU prepares students with the intellectual skills and practical experiences to succeed in their careers and lives, and to be better citizens.

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Eastern Michigan University is a public, comprehensive university that offers programs in the arts, sciences and professions. EMU prepares students with the intellectual skills and practical experiences to succeed in their career and lives, and to be better citizens.

Editor's Note: Looking for an expert source for a story? Check out EMU's Eastern Experts online at www.emich.edu/univcomm/easternexperts.

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