I'm pretty 50/50 on Kurzweil and Joy. First of all, lets just start off by saying that we cannot take for granted how much technology has helped the world around us as we know it now. And that can be true for almost every field: medicine has been positively effected, business and economy, even advances in science for our planet and making greener more renewable sources. Furthermore, I do believe that people 50 years ago would look at our future now and be just as terrified by what it entails as it does not to look 50 years ahead. Of course we are frightened by nano technology and more robotics because it is a world so different from ours right now.
However, the world has also negatively changed due to technology. We live in a world that is extremely obese due to laziness (which you can thank technology for partly), diseases like HIV and Staff infections can be attributed to mistakes in science and medicine and an overuse of antibiotics, and we are a society extremely reliant on electricity now more than ever. Personally, I think these stakes get higher and higher as we delve into grater technology and this is why I fear the technology of the next 50 years.
Yet, one must consider the good with the bad and I think that there is a lesson to be learned from our mistakes. As long as our world continues to advance forward with the best intentions then I am happy with the idea of technological advancement in areas like robots and nano technology. Additionally, I think we will need the skeptics and the conspiracies to keep technology in check and make it be certain that everything we invent gets rigorously re-tested and have back up plans. As with every ethical question in society, the only way to find the true answer is to come at it from all angles.
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Turing Test
As we looked at it in class the Turing Test can calculate the "awareness" of a computer to determine whether or not a computer is intelligent. If we were to build a computer to pass this test, it would first of all need to have an enormous amount of memory. The human mind holds billions (probably more) of pieces of general knowledge. For example, the human mind knows millions of pieces of vocabulary, slang, can identify objects and so on.... Second of all the computer would need to have sensors as capable or better than what we have now as humans. It would have to be able to perceive the world around it and well as formulate what it sees around it and computer it with the general knowledge it has to make educated responses. Furthermore, another function that a computer would have to have is the ability to critically think. As we mentioned in class, computers are really great resources to punch in a number and find out the answer to an equation, however when it comes to problem solving and reasoning a human still trumps. For our computer/ robot to pass this test we would need to teach it methods and theories in problems solving. Teach it to weigh good and bad (good and bad would have to be intensely taught the computer as well which is a life long lesson for a human) as well as other factors like how difficult a task could be in comparison to other options...
To conclude our computer would have to be built by generation upon generation of computer scientists who would be constantly breaking down, analyzing, and then programming human theory into the computer. This would be nearly impossible as aspects of human theory are still being discovered to this day...
To conclude our computer would have to be built by generation upon generation of computer scientists who would be constantly breaking down, analyzing, and then programming human theory into the computer. This would be nearly impossible as aspects of human theory are still being discovered to this day...
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Al Gore Should Have Won
1. All of the concerns of the Diebold voting machines have to do with terrible security issues. First of all the machines use a central processing program named Gems. This program can either be easily changed by going into the source documents and adjusting them to have different numbers which therefore makes the program count the votes different. But even beyond this system the memory cards for the electronic readers themselves can be easily construed. It would be super easy for someone to write an encrypted program onto the memory cards which would tip the votes either one way or the other by making side more votes and the other side have the same amount of numbers but negative. This way the votes are counted exactly the same in the numbers of people, but the votes are construed.
2. I really feel like the polls would be safest (even though it would be more time consuming and a lot less efficient) if they were hand counted in comparison to the machines. Additionally, in case the people who are hand counting are bias, there needs to be a government (federal or state) regulated agency that is in charge of making sure the polls are bias. The main women in the movie we watched in class made a good point when she was really evaluating what needs to happen to the system, and that is to not have it be a closed system anymore. It is really important that voting stays as a right that makes you feel safe and secure, yet on the other hand, that can be evaluated by all the people and not in secure systems that only private firms can see. The ways the machines work and how the system is perfected also needs to come in a way that anyone can have access to the information so that nobody is left in secrecy over their votes.
2. I really feel like the polls would be safest (even though it would be more time consuming and a lot less efficient) if they were hand counted in comparison to the machines. Additionally, in case the people who are hand counting are bias, there needs to be a government (federal or state) regulated agency that is in charge of making sure the polls are bias. The main women in the movie we watched in class made a good point when she was really evaluating what needs to happen to the system, and that is to not have it be a closed system anymore. It is really important that voting stays as a right that makes you feel safe and secure, yet on the other hand, that can be evaluated by all the people and not in secure systems that only private firms can see. The ways the machines work and how the system is perfected also needs to come in a way that anyone can have access to the information so that nobody is left in secrecy over their votes.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Mashups
Here are my favorite three mashups I found online...
1. http://www.81nassau.com/apnews/
This mashup uses a combination of google maps and AP (Associated press stories) that are released daily. I really like this idea because I have friends all over the country and this way I can see whats going on in their neck of the woods. Additionally, I'm definitely more of a visual person as far as absorbing information so seeing the news this way helps me remember the location better.
2. http://worldcams.contiguus.com/
In the same way that I like the google maps with AP I also like this mash up to see what the weather looks like all over the world. This mashup doesn't necessarily tell you the weather forecast like others, but you can see if it is night or day or and what the general wealth and scenery is like. I like this because it makes me feel more connected to the world around me.
3. http://www.cellreception.com/
This is by far one of my favorite mashups. I like the fact that I can not only see what the cell phone reception is in the area (like you can on the cellular services website in shapes of color) but you can also see where the tower is, and what area it provides in addition to things like who owns it, whether its part of the city or not and other specifics about the cell reception in a certain area. Living in the Richmond (which people don't realize has some of the worst reception in the city) this tool I could see coming in seriously handy.
1. http://www.81nassau.com/apnews/
This mashup uses a combination of google maps and AP (Associated press stories) that are released daily. I really like this idea because I have friends all over the country and this way I can see whats going on in their neck of the woods. Additionally, I'm definitely more of a visual person as far as absorbing information so seeing the news this way helps me remember the location better.
2. http://worldcams.contiguus.com/
In the same way that I like the google maps with AP I also like this mash up to see what the weather looks like all over the world. This mashup doesn't necessarily tell you the weather forecast like others, but you can see if it is night or day or and what the general wealth and scenery is like. I like this because it makes me feel more connected to the world around me.
3. http://www.cellreception.com/
This is by far one of my favorite mashups. I like the fact that I can not only see what the cell phone reception is in the area (like you can on the cellular services website in shapes of color) but you can also see where the tower is, and what area it provides in addition to things like who owns it, whether its part of the city or not and other specifics about the cell reception in a certain area. Living in the Richmond (which people don't realize has some of the worst reception in the city) this tool I could see coming in seriously handy.
Digital Divide
Education - I believe that this one of the most harmful aspects of the digital divide; not having technology to meet the needs of EVERYONE in school. Since we know that having at least basic computer skills is a requirement for nearly any job in our country, it is terrible to realize that some people don't have access to the internet and or a computer because of funding. In the past 5 years federal and state funding (pretty much across the board) has dramatically declined, therefore schools in rich neighborhoods with wealthy parents get to benefit from new technology and the internet, whereas schools in more working / middle class or poorer neighborhoods usually get little or not computer experience. It is unacceptable that we continue to segregate our schools like this, especially with technology since none of these students will be prepared for using a computer in the work force or college.
Government - I think the most unreasonable part of the digital divide and government has to do with filing taxes. Most people today do file their taxes online, which is great if you have a computer in your home, but if you are not living with a computer in your house, then your forced to file your taxes on paper because most labs won't let you sit at a computer for hours and most people wouldn't want to enter personal information onto a public computer.
Health - Health is definitely one of the more scary aspects of the digital divide. Not only does this divide in technology effect singular people, but it can also effect an entire community, for example, a hospital. Hospitals in poorer neighborhoods or towns definitely have older computer systems or still using a paper filing method which makes sorting documents and paperwork much more difficult. Mixing up paper work has the biggest retribution when its in a hospital.
Entertainment - Obviously we know that people without the internet do not have access to downloading or sharing music and media online. However besides the luxury of not being able to download music you already know, without the internet its really hard to find new music. A few decades ago, people used to listen to the radio or watch music videos to find new music, however now a day (especially in the independent music scene) the internet is the only way to find and sample out a new band you would otherwise never hear. I think this is a saddest part about everyone not having access to a computer.
Work - Computers are integrated into nearly every work place nowadays. From cash registers to actual programs and applications on computer for retail or business function, you cannot really work for any employer that doesn't use computers. Not having the skills to know how to use a computer will extremely prohibit you from either doing your job properly or even getting a job in the first place.
Government - I think the most unreasonable part of the digital divide and government has to do with filing taxes. Most people today do file their taxes online, which is great if you have a computer in your home, but if you are not living with a computer in your house, then your forced to file your taxes on paper because most labs won't let you sit at a computer for hours and most people wouldn't want to enter personal information onto a public computer.
Health - Health is definitely one of the more scary aspects of the digital divide. Not only does this divide in technology effect singular people, but it can also effect an entire community, for example, a hospital. Hospitals in poorer neighborhoods or towns definitely have older computer systems or still using a paper filing method which makes sorting documents and paperwork much more difficult. Mixing up paper work has the biggest retribution when its in a hospital.
Entertainment - Obviously we know that people without the internet do not have access to downloading or sharing music and media online. However besides the luxury of not being able to download music you already know, without the internet its really hard to find new music. A few decades ago, people used to listen to the radio or watch music videos to find new music, however now a day (especially in the independent music scene) the internet is the only way to find and sample out a new band you would otherwise never hear. I think this is a saddest part about everyone not having access to a computer.
Work - Computers are integrated into nearly every work place nowadays. From cash registers to actual programs and applications on computer for retail or business function, you cannot really work for any employer that doesn't use computers. Not having the skills to know how to use a computer will extremely prohibit you from either doing your job properly or even getting a job in the first place.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Metallica SUCKS
- As far as downloading music that is from a major label artist, I can't say I have much experience personally. Occasionally I will download a catchy pop song, however I feel like most people who listen to "pop" music will actually buy the album because they want to have the lyrics and band art that comes along with buying a CD. However, I truly feel like it is okay to steal money from those who have plenty to spread around. Typically mainstream artists make most of their money from concerts and sponsorships from huge corporations (ex: Brittney Spears selling her body to Pepsi Cola for advertising purposed) therefore they aren't even losing much money from the albums themselves. Additionally, the mainstream record industry really has the R&D and resources available to figure out a way to restructure the business model. If the record industry decides not to figure out a way to make records free its their own fault for losing money and not conforming to societies approach to get their music.
- Personally I do download (illegally) a great deal of music from independent artists who do not use a major label to distribute their music. My thinking is that most of these artists (who have way less money than major labels) actually have figured out how to survive selling their music without having their income coming from selling the actual CD or vinyl. I would be shocked to find out about an artist that is actually against music sharing online. (Ex: Sufjan Stevens, Radio Head Etc....)
- If the issue at hand is downloading a song I already own, I really don't think there is any problem with that. How could an artist complain about you "stealing" their music if you've ACTUALLY already purchased it. In addition, downloads can actually help an artist get their name out there. If a great deal of people are downloading their music online then they can get an idea of how popular a song is and how successful they have been in promoting their album.
- So I believe shop lifting is an entirely different issue. Its not a matter of your hurting the artist and whether they make the money (because if the store has already purchased the album then the band has already been paid) but rather the store that is selling the music and whether THEY have been paid. Its apples to oranges I believe when comparing stealing music online and stealing music in a store.
- As I pointed out above I don't think stealing music for any reason is wrong. The artist needs to figure out how to make money besides selling reocrds and use the method of downloading illegal music as a way promote the album. I definitely have found that I like a band so much from listening online that I will go to a store and buy the CD.
- Once again, as above I think that giving a CD to a friend is not a big deal. Its a way of artist promotion, and I believe that really the best way to learn about a band is through word of mouth. MTV is dead and most of the best music I have stumbled upon and have become excited about (enough to purchase other things from the band EX. concert tickets / t shirts etc...) is stuff that friends have burned for me.
- Same answer as above. Sharing music with friends is today is the best music model for promotion of an artist.
- See above....
- Personally I do download (illegally) a great deal of music from independent artists who do not use a major label to distribute their music. My thinking is that most of these artists (who have way less money than major labels) actually have figured out how to survive selling their music without having their income coming from selling the actual CD or vinyl. I would be shocked to find out about an artist that is actually against music sharing online. (Ex: Sufjan Stevens, Radio Head Etc....)
- If the issue at hand is downloading a song I already own, I really don't think there is any problem with that. How could an artist complain about you "stealing" their music if you've ACTUALLY already purchased it. In addition, downloads can actually help an artist get their name out there. If a great deal of people are downloading their music online then they can get an idea of how popular a song is and how successful they have been in promoting their album.
- So I believe shop lifting is an entirely different issue. Its not a matter of your hurting the artist and whether they make the money (because if the store has already purchased the album then the band has already been paid) but rather the store that is selling the music and whether THEY have been paid. Its apples to oranges I believe when comparing stealing music online and stealing music in a store.
- As I pointed out above I don't think stealing music for any reason is wrong. The artist needs to figure out how to make money besides selling reocrds and use the method of downloading illegal music as a way promote the album. I definitely have found that I like a band so much from listening online that I will go to a store and buy the CD.
- Once again, as above I think that giving a CD to a friend is not a big deal. Its a way of artist promotion, and I believe that really the best way to learn about a band is through word of mouth. MTV is dead and most of the best music I have stumbled upon and have become excited about (enough to purchase other things from the band EX. concert tickets / t shirts etc...) is stuff that friends have burned for me.
- Same answer as above. Sharing music with friends is today is the best music model for promotion of an artist.
- See above....
Monday, March 3, 2008
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