Module 13

Megan Flinders

The Wired Society

I am very glad that I was able to take this course.  I felt the reading assignments were very informative and gave me great perspective on the globalization and flattening of the world.  Friedman's book gave me the confidence that I can make my voice heard from wherever I choose to live; meaning, I can work from home or be somewhat anonymous in the grand scheme of things, yet I can be a powerful influence for good due to the global connectivity of our society.

While there are many benefits of our technological world, there are also many scary topics as well.  Technology and connectivity can be used for good and benefit many people.  However, it can also serve as a platform for evil, such as discussed in terrorist organizations.  Therefore, it is important that we always have the right checks and balances in place to ensure our security as a society.  It is therefore important that we as individuals, be informed and express our voices.  I take this very seriously as I am raising children in this world, and want to prepare them for the future.

In all, I am glad I was able to read the book and additional articles that broadened my perspective.  Also, it was interesting to read my colleagues opinions and blogs and make comments.  Thank you for this class and what it stands for.

Module 12

Megan Flinders

Module 12

 

            In the article, “Why the future doesn’t need us”, author Bill Joy discusses many of the aspects of human dependency on computers and machines.  He speaks to the fact that there is a potential for humans to become so consumed with machines making decisions in place of the normal person, that ultimately humans could be replaced by the machines or the “elitists” who control them.  Joy also touches on the topic of GNR, or that of genetics, nanotechnology, and robotics.  His thesis is describing his fears of these three components which relate back to the title of the article.  Does the future really need us, or is our increasing dependency on machines and robots decreasing the need for our existence?

            The first point Joy makes about GNR is the fact that these three forces are so powerful that they can cause chain reactions of consequences.  Furthermore, due to increased connectivity and availability, they are at the fingertips of small groups and individuals (unlike weapons of mass destruction which do not reach the common person).  The possibility of knowledge-enabled mass destruction is real, and is becoming ever more prevalent in our day-in-age.

            Joy recounts his 20-year career in the field of computer technology and admits that while he has been an integral part in creating many programs and software essential to the industry, he never felt as though he was creating an intelligent machine.  However, he fears that the rate of continuous improvement will continue until about the year 2030 when our computers and technology will be nearly a million times more efficient than those with which we currently operate.  If this is to be the case, will there be such a need for our species and existence?  He feels very uncomfortable about the fact that he could be working on the type of machine that causes the extinction of mankind.  He even offers the thought that we should be thinking about how to coexist with such efficient machines and what precautions we should be undertaking.

            Joy continues to take this further when speaking of robotics and intelligent machines that can self-replicate.  He quotes Darwin in saying that in evolution there are humans, nature and machines.  Nature, however, is possibly on the side of the machines.  Will we seek to incorporate robotic characteristics in ourselves to prolong life, improve the quality of life and be restored to our version of Eden?

            Lastly, Joy touches on the point of genetic engineering and the fact that this process is already far along.  Our food supply is greatly impacted by genetic mutation, and this field will continue to be showcased in the future.  If this along with the other components of GNR go unchecked, we will indeed run into issues as a human race.

            In contemplating the views and thoughts from the article, it is hard to discount the validity and possibility of the outcomes hypothesized.  We have seen through the example of the atomic bomb and nuclear weapons, that we are capable of destroying mankind in the blink of an eye.  Therefore, it is vital to have sensible people in control and the necessary checks and balances in play in order to contain the potential destructive behavior.  In this degree, I believe Joy’s thoughts are justified.

            Nevertheless, I believe that the inspiration of natural thought comes from Deity.  There is a given time and place for the creation of invention and the process of innovation.  We are on a designed course as a mortal species that goes beyond the creation of intelligent robotic species.  This may well be a part of our future, but nothing we should fear or try to prevent.  We should, however, seek to understand the risks, be active in our involvement of placing the checks and balances, and hold those responsible who oversee the management of these resources.  The creation and inventions of technology has overwhelmingly been a positive part of human progression.  With most things, there are those who seek to manipulate for personal gain and power, but I feel as though the good and noble will reign supreme.

Module 11

Module 11

Megan Flinders          

WALL-E

 

            The computer related movie I chose to view was the animated movie by Disney’s Pixar, WALL-E.  Although it is a fictional movie made for children and families, there are many points in this film that are very relatable and relevant to our society today.  The film was released in 2008 and the setting of WALL-E takes place in the future, in approximately 2805.  It is interesting to see how far the use of computer generated robots has come since 2008 and to imagine what their capabilities will be in the year 2805.  I wonder if there will be more similarities to what the movie depicted than we suspect.

            The film begins by introducing the main character, WALL-E, which stands for Waste Allocation Load Lifter - Earth-Class.  He is a computer generated trash compactor that was sent to earth in 2105 to help other trash compacter robots clean the planet after it had been evacuated by all humans due to decades of mass consumerism that had left the planet uninhabitable thanks to the megacorporation Buy n’ Large (BnL).  The humans left to live in fully automated starliners (made by BnL of course) while the robots make the earth habitable once more.  Eventually BnL abandons its plan and shuts down all of the WALL-E robots, except for one.  He maintains his lifestyle and repairs himself with old parts he finds and collects things he finds while compacting trash.

            One day while going about his business, WALL-E discovers a small plant that has begun to grow.  Not long after that, a spaceship lands and deploys an advanced robot sent from the BnL starliner to search for vegetation on earth.  This robots name is EVE (Extraterrestrial Vegetation Evaluator), and WALL-E quickly falls in love with her.  She, after many hostile interactions, eventually befriends him.  WALL-E brings EVE to his collection and she sees the plant which she immediately stores inside herself and goes into stand-by mode waiting to be retrieved by a ship.  WALL-E thinks she has malfunctioned and tries to fix her to no avail.  He stows away on the spaceship that comes to collect EVE and travels to the Axiom ship where the humans reside.

            On the ship we find that the inhabitants have become morbidly obese and incessantly lazy due to the comfortable lifestyle on the ship that computers and robots provide for them.  They ride around in automated chairs all day that have a big virtual screen right in front of their faces that obeys their every command.  They never need to have face-to-face interactions with each other because they can talk through their computers whenever they like.  They also order food on their computers which they eat in their space chairs while on the go, never really going anywhere in particular.

            The plant that EVE has found would be proof to the humans that life on earth could exist once more, but through a series of unfortunate events between EVE and WALL-E, there are confusions and mishaps that almost ruin the chance for them to find the plant that EVE stored within herself.  Once the plant is finally discovered, the captain of the spaceship concludes that mankind must return to restore their ruined planet.  However, the ship’s robotic autopilot, Auto, has taken control of the ship and does not want the humans to return to earth.  After many attempts, the captain overtakes and disables Auto and the Axiom begins its return home to earth.

            It is a little frightening to see the depiction of the dependency that the humans have on their computers, and it is pretty realistic to how people are with technology today.  I can totally imagine a world where the human race depended on technology and computers for everything in life.  While the human-like characteristics of the robots probably seemed far-fetched in the year 2008, today we see robotic interactions that imitate human like qualities to an almost scary degree.  Even in talking to Siri we find that she is programmed with sarcasm that makes her personable.  I definitely think the social and cultural issues that are raised by the film showcase our dependence on our technology and the “I need it now and I don’t want to have to work for it” attitude that we can see becoming increasingly more commonplace.  The movie was meant to portray a time far in the future, but I don’t think we have to look all the way into 2805 to see similarities between our day and this film.

Module 10

Megan Flinders

Module 10

A Logic Named Joe

 

            In the short story, “A Logic Named Joe” written in 1946, several technical descriptions of our time became actuality due to the internet and world-wide web.  It is interesting to think that far out ideas of 1946, such as the ability to “type in logic in the tank” and it will pop up what you are searching for, are simply reality and taken for granted in our time.  It is hard to imagine what life would be like without the basics of a computer, internet, cell phone, television, and the like. Nevertheless, it is interesting to take a look at a few of these ideas to see which really came to pass, and those which never materialized.

            As noted, “the tank” as described in the story illustrates the seemingly never ending supply of information contained in the digital world.  The thought of searching for the weather forecast, a mistress in the White House connected with a Presidential regime, and the premise that a machine could to math or act as a consultant for chemistry, physics, or astronomy, are truly factual in our day in age.  We can search for any topic and find mass amounts of information.  As described in the short story, our machines are literally connected and able to share this amount of information.  We have seen this in Friedman’s book, “The World is Flat” as he has described companies such as Napster which allowed this data file sharing.  Friedman also describes the flattening of the world through outsourcing, and dives deep into the demographics and economics of India, of whom have become the consultants and back office of many companies looking for cost and production efficiencies.

            As the story continues, it describes “Joe” as coming to life, or having a mind of its own.  I can see the thought process of someone in 1946 who was unsure if such a technology would ever exist.  Many times the unknown creates doubt and uncertainty.  Sure, there is excitement over a new way of doing something, but there are always thoughts and naysayers who are comfortable with the here and now.  Innovators, however, have no such fear.  We can see, many years later, that our machines have not come to life.  They do not search for information or broadcast details without being programmed to do so.  And the resultant information of our queries is not some trick played by the computer.  The amusing thought in the short story of giving advice for a wife killer, which would be different for a blonde or brunette, is simply that; amusing, but not true.

            Now, while the “logic” spitting back ideas from the “tank” is not how we search on the web, it does somewhat resemble communications with Siri.  If Siri is unable to decipher your question, which may not always be factual or understood, she will respond with somewhat of a personality.  Her tones and responses are not vicious, as Joe in the short story was described as well, but they do not always follow logic.  Siri can be humorous, or direct, depending on how you address her.  So in theory, she somewhat resembles Joe and the logic.

            Another somewhat prophetic part of the story is when Laurine is in the hotel searching for Ducky, the narrator of the story.  This is as if she is searching for a facebook friend, or someone’s Twitter handle or Instagram page.  He doesn’t go by his real name, so the logic cannot find him. Laurine tries a few different names, but he mentions he is home, but “in maintenance” because he doesn’t want to be pestered.  This is like being away or unavailable on IM or email.  Quite realistic in our day.

            The last part of the story gets into something near and dear to people’s heart; computer security and sensors.  Joe was described as giving out personal information including name, address, age, sex, charged amounts on credit cards, spouse, and more.  Even more so, Joe didn’t have a sensor, so the kids in the story were accessing content that was supposed to be restricted. We live in a world where our personal information can be distributed as described. However, we also have many controls to stop this dissemination of information for the protection of individuals.  However, strictly speaking, this along with the other instances described, are true events that take place in our day and age.  Interesting how one in 1946, without a clue of how reality would truly take place, could predict so closely how the information world would unfold.