What I’ve Learned

What a joy this class has been to take.  At the beginning I realized not only how big the world was geographically, but how small it could become just through the development of technology.  The World Wide Web is what’s done it.  Through studying the history of the United States it is clear to see that the moment the Internet was developed life began to change rapidly.  Not just in terms of education, but financially, and confidence grew in the citizens.  America was suddenly the great mediator of the world.  We cannot take credit for all of the success we have had, it has come because of our ability to communicate with professionals outside of the country.  The opportunity for enthusiasts all over the world to communicate has and continues to enable them to create machines, medical devices, and so forth that spanned much further than just the U.S. borders. 

There has been a great amount of safety provided to individuals as a result of the Internet.   Millions of jobs have been created due to its great need.  Those unfamiliar with the Internet need call-in services to assist them in their struggles.  Accountants, business owners, grocery stores, students, hospitals, cell-phone companies (the list could go on and on) all need the power of the World Wide Web.  Many did not believe in its capabilities when it was up and coming, but now, today, there is not a single human being on the planet that has not been affected by its capacity.  Ever since I was a young student in elementary school computers have been a central focus in my education.  In order to complete my science fair project I researched the Rainbow Arch, compiled a Word Document of every interesting fact I found, and then proceeded to form a poster with all that I thought appropriate for the project - every point along the way, involving the computer.  However, three months ago I thought this evolution of the computer and all that it encompasses was a wonderful thing! Upon learning about its capabilities now and especially coming up in the very near future, humans are becoming less and less needed. 

There is less and less of a need for teachers and schools.  Children (their parents to be more accurate) are now finding a more ‘efficient’ way to be educated, and for less money.  Computers are doing the job.  There is something to be said for the human-to-human interaction…especially in a classroom environment when understanding is difficult and a little encouragement is all that is needed.

Consistency is always something we as humans have struggled with.  If one is consistently precise, that is determined as professionalism.  Computers are just that.  And because of these two traits (precision and consistency) it is determined by professionals that computers will soon be more capable than a human to live life!  The human race is in danger of its own creations.  Bombs have been brought up numerous times through the course of this class.  They certainly are a form of this ongoing technology and, just as mentioned above, this kind of technology disrupts the human-to-human interaction that would otherwise cause us to do things we would think twice about.

Overall, my eyes have been opened to the blessings and curses of the truly recently discovered Internet.  It has not been long since the technology has been on this earth and it won’t take long for it to overpower our lives, if it hasn’t already.  If there were anything we can do to protect our posterity, and ourselves it would be to seek for relationships among those around us before we seek for relationships with that which can only be found online.  What a positive force for good it can be in our lives, if used in the proper way. 

  

Technology’s Threat to Society

        In Bill Joy’s article, “Why the Future Doesn’t Need Us” he addresses three main topics - GNR (genetics, nanotechnology, and robotics) which threaten our society today in their own individual, yet universal and violent way.  When all three are combined, it is quite terrifying to imagine the impact they can and will have on our society in just 15 years from now. “I think it is no exaggeration to say we are on the cusp of the further perfection of extreme evil”, says Joy. Detrimental effects will take place, who will stop it? Can it even be stopped? And how will we be able to react to our world and new way of life if these factors cannot be halted?

Joy commented that, “the new, deep understandings in genetics, enormous transformative power is being unleashed. These combinations open up the opportunity to completely redesign the world, for better or worse.” The technology used to improve health has, in just five years changed the quality of millions of lives.  This is an incredible blessing to each individual.  However, due to the vastly improving technology it is being used in ways that are being socially criticized, for good reason.  Creating a new living being without the natural man and woman is beginning to happen.  Have these scientists thought about the influence these new beings could have? In years to come our own extinction could be a result of genetically engineered beings.  The possibility is real, and difficult to imagine happening, which is probably why the research is still continuing.

Nanotechnology, Joy’s second concern, as defined in the dictionary is the branch of technology that deals with the manipulation of individual atoms and molecules. “Nanotechnology has clear military and terrorist uses…” (Joy).  The science of changing atoms and producing machines to complete very specific tasks is not given enough thought, in my opinion.  After reading Joy’s thoughts I gathered that the field in which nanotechnology could be used the most is in the military, in warfare.  The greatest risk is losing lives, not just a couple hundred, but if applied in the correct (or to be more accurate, incorrect) form it could destroy the entire biosphere, killing off all living things. 

His last concern, dealing with robotics, not only has valid points, but evidence from the past to support it.  The atomic bomb used to attack Hiroshima was the first real-world experience we (America, and the world) had with the impact we cold make on a single country through the use of technology, specifically robotics.  However, the power of this technology-making robots that can mass produce things, as well as military technology used in war is becoming a powerful force for evil, rather than good (which I believe was created for the benefit of mankind).  It is not a human per se causing so much detriment; it is the machine, right?  False, and this is the scary point, we blame our actions and power on machines which we create.  There is a lack of personal combat, and things of that nature.

Although the ideas Joy presents that could happen if GNR continues in the same way it is today are dramatic, I believe they are possible.  Life will not change overnight, but it will happen quickly and needs to be carefully monitored. 

Film Review

In today’s world it seems the entertainment that the public goes seeking must almost always relate to technology, its advancements, and imaginative inventions, which hopefully will be created in the near future.  Avatar, a very popular film released in 2009 deals mainly with technology, its future, and imagination.  Computers play a main role in the plot.  And, on a different note, I wish to use some freedom in discussing the use of computers in the creation of the movie.  The characters, setting, and creatures are first created first in the minds, then on paper, and finally on the computers of the filmmakers.  They had to first develop a new technical language in which they could use as a basis for the making of the film. 

The first scene displaying the technology shows a main hub in the center of the room.  It is completely unrealistic since the display is of a far off land, which they are trying to gain control of.  The creatures that occupy it are fantasy-like.  The method the humans are using to gain control of the land is by sending in their own man-made creatures to gain better relations with them.  This is also unrealistic.  The technology is quite amazing in the way that they are able to transfer information from the main hub to their own hand-held tablets that are simply a glass screen that can display vast amounts of information in a very clear-cut way.  Evidently, it takes an educated person to use the devices, especially the fulcrum of technology that each device is linked to.

In order for the humans to ‘step into’ their Avatar’s body they place themselves in another computer-run machine.  It detects their physical body levels along with their mental patterns and so forth.  These machines, too, are connected to the main hub.  Between their personal tablets, the transformation-enabling machines, and the source to which all of the information is kept, they all link together so everyone involved in the mission is able to be up-to-date by the second. 

The most logical use of technology in the whole movie is the video logs which they keep.  Every human who has the capability of becoming an Avatar must sit at a desk, in front of a camera, and record themselves telling the experiences they had when they were an Avatar.  Today this is a common form of what we know as journal entries.  It allows them (and us in real life) to not only get the information, but also the emotion along with it, quickly. 

Avatar is one of the most technologically advanced films produced in its time.  The actors who played the Avatars were filmed with electronic headsets attached to them, as well as a full bodysuit to detect body movements and sounds (such as the script).  Rather than filming the acting in buildings and other places around the world they filmed the majority of the movie in a single room that contained all of the technology needed.  Machines were brought in to resemble the forms of transportation and their encounters with wild beasts.  Fighting scenes were also apart of the filming in these rooms, which brought a new level of filming and technology. 

Overall the movie, Avatar, is not only technologically advanced in the story that it tells (the tablets, human transformers, machinery, all connected to a main hub; which, if put simply, would be a network) but its creation is also amazingly technologically advanced.  All through the use of computers, a captivating and imaginative movie could be created.  Without computers the movie itself and its plot would be non-existent.   

A Logic Name Joe

Out of all of the readings in this class, this has been the most enjoyable for me! (And I have thoroughly enjoyed reading “The World is Flat”.)  It is almost a stupid statement to say, the world is not the same as it was 5 years ago because it is quite apparent when we read about the lack of Google, Microsoft Word, and printers to name a few in previous generations. However, there are many factors that play into the idea of a changed world.  For the younger generation all we have ever known is technology.  We have had answers at our fingertips (and because of the easiness of getting responses, laziness has set in and we cease to seek, we just accept what we have been given.)  Factors that play into the world’s constant change are many; in the short story, “A Logic Named Joe” many of these factors are presented and the change that comes from them is quite humorous.

            The first 5 paragraphs of the story were ironically confusing.  I had a difficult time understanding just what the logic was that ‘Ducky’ was talking about.  The feeling of not understanding and being in somewhat of a fog is, I am sure, quite relatable to individuals who are not as familiar with computers.  They are machines that function and can complete certain tasks, but to get it to turn on is even a feat they are unwilling to learn and try.  It is a mystery as to what it really is and what it can accomplish-this is how I began feeling toward logic.   But as I read on I realized logic was actually a computer.  The logic, or Joe, as he now refers to him, has humanly attributes in Ducky’s mind.  Joe can think independently and is more intelligent than the average man…by far. 

            The importance of this concept of a computer having humanly attributes comes because of the way we treat our technology today.  To many adults and teens a cell phone receives more of our attention than literal human beings whom we can actually connect to, if we simply spend time with them.  After pondering on this idea I began realizing technology is so important to us because it seems to understand our problems, but never informs us of our weaknesses and never gives us specific instructions.  It doesn’t get offended if we fail to perform a duty. In short, it will listen to every bit of us, but we only have to listen to it as much as we desire.  The problem is, when we do listen to its responses, the answers are so logical that one of two things happens:  we don’t do it because it’s too easy, or it’s irrational, both ending in not accomplishing anything.  Granted, this is not the only outcome, there are many tasks accomplished successfully because of computer’s answers to problems, but that is because another human (most commonly unknown to the inquirer) attached it to the Internet. 

            Another irony in the history of Joe was his ability to entertain both adults and children.  The Korlanovitch children are the perfect example of how young minds are able to grasp technology quickly.  They used Joe to watch their favorite movie whenever they had a free moment.  When the children weren’t occupying Joe, the parents used him to find answers to the deepest questions of their souls; including, neighborhood gossip, how to get rich, etc.  The realization of a computer’s vast ability to entertain and provide a different life-style is the greatest theme of the story.  Whether it is a better life-style is up to the reader.  How the technology is used also plays a major factor.  Suddenly security and safety are at risk due to information availability.  Children have answers to any question they may have, and it may be researched in such privacy that trouble is bound to happen.  However, the positives of its vast amount of information outweigh the negatives.  Too much education and connection between individuals can be made to even think about removing the great robot, who some call Joe. 

Unit 9

            The process used today to make a Dell Computer came as quite a shock to me when I first read it.   Not only are multiple countries involved in each individual part that goes into the complex machine, but also they are all collaborating on a seemingly minute-to-minute basis to “make just-in-time deliveries of goods and services…(Friedman 587)” Once an order is placed Dell sends the order specifics to one of its suppliers. (They have multiple suppliers simply for backup, so they are never telling a customer they cannot meet their demands.)  Once their orders are sent within a few short hours parts are delivered and the computers can then be pieced together.  Once it is one whole component the programs recommended by the buyer are loaded onto the computer, and it is finally shipped off for final delivery.  Needless to say the process of making a Dell laptop is the perfect example of how flat the world really has become.  Pieces of each country are shipped to a common destination (because of the new ways of simple, easy communication) and combined to make a wonderful machine, which will allow more opportunity to communicate and flatten the world out: one Dell laptop at a time. 

Al-Qaeda:  I find it difficult to relate to a country such as Al-Qaeda.  From this week’s reading I have come to learn that the only way to gain an understanding of the culture and the people there is to think of the opposite of America.  I say this for many reasons, however, mainly because we have freedom of thought and their minds are behind bars; this seems to bring them comfort because that is all they have ever known.  They have no opportunity to freely create new ideas and interpret literature, art, and other means of communication because their government is so afraid if their people have the ability to get outside of the box they will be overpowered.  Their culture is such that new ideas are unwelcome.  They strive to live in the 17^th century while everyone around them has progressed forward at such a staggering rate; the only way to live is by depending on others new ideas, just what al-Qaeda has been avoiding, for its citizens anyways.  The rulers of al-Qaeda have creepily manipulated the concept of supply chaining.  They “use the Internet-not only for easy, cheap, global command and control but, even more important, as a global megaphone to radiate ideas (Friedman 598).”  The fear they have placed in Americans alone has come solely from their use of the Internet.  The videos, images, and messages they post are full of threats and disturbing scenes.  What was once simply entertainment you could find only in a movie theater is now real-life news media coming to us live from unsettling networks such as al-Qaeda. 

If you ponder the true, deeper purpose of government it would be to provide a better life for the people-this notion comes from the mind of a citizen.  From a govern mentalist it would simply be to provide life for the people.  Not necessarily ‘better’ life, just life.  In order to fulfill their purpose, from their perspective, all they need to do is create jobs.  Rather than using the natural talents of the citizens, they use the natural resources they have been given.  This doesn’t sound too bad until we realize that, “(t)hey can use oil money to monopolize all the instruments of power-army, police, and intelligence-and never have to introduce real transparency or power sharing.”  Whenever there is no pressure to innovate there is no development.  Just as a group of seventh-graders would play outside at recess all day if they were not pressured by a teacher to stay in and develop their young minds, communities that are not challenged to meet the demands of a developing world would simply do the same old jobs they were required to do since they were teenagers.  Where there is challenge there is growth, and where there is growth there is success.