hello everyone, I'm Danny. I have been using weblog since secondary school life. I changed my weblog several times, followng the trend. As well as using facebook now, the function of weblog for me is to share daily experience and feelings, express emotoion, release pressure and make freinds. However, as now I'm using blogger, I have found that blog can contribute to our learnings. Certainly, this is under the course requirement, which encouring (or should be "forcing") us to do. I admit that this is a useful strategy. The most useful element is that we can dicsuss the topics and questions of presentation. There are always inadequate time for discussion due to the enthusiasim of our calssmates and the quality of questions. DIscussion through brainstorming is the effective way of learning, owing to being inspired by others. Therefore, it is very good that We can continute discussing on the blog after lessons.
I think I'm entirely not a cyborg. None of my whole body consist of mechine. I have not inserted screw into my body as Jacky Can, and I don no wear glasses. I do not need mechine for supplementary.
I appreciate this course because I have contacted to a sphere that never learned. This course provides many issues that undoubtedly emerge in nowadays modern society, such as online communities, culture jamming, identity, etc. Those are valuable for research. On the other hand, however, this is the most difficult course I have studied. Sometimes I find it hard to understand and encode the meanings of some ideas. I have to spend much time on studying readings and finally still cannot understand entitely. Also, I always feel confusing and fear towards the difficult homeworks.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Karen's Reflection
Internet is very convenient for us to share our own experiences and ideas. I think using a blog for learning can provide more chance for us to communicate with others; it helps us to find out something that we never thought before. However, for me, I won’t use a blog to share my own experience. The most reason is “privacy”. Nowadays, many people like to use a blog for dairy and share many photos or own words with their friends or even strangers. Since everyone has their own reasons and interests, I am not going to negate them or comment anything. But for me, I think using a blogs for learning is suitable; but it’s not suitable for writing dairy. I cannot understand why I need someone to comment my daily life (except what I write is for sharing or I want to get response), I write it because I want to remember it, not the others. And many times, it will become a pressure.
Besides, I agree that technology become more and more important in our daily life; but it also brings out many problems. The line between real life and virtual seems blurring, and there are some people cannot escape from their virtual life. The terms “cyborg” and “posthuman” are new for me, and it’s a part of what I learnt from this course. Many things that we can meet in our daily life, or even from newspaper, but I never think about its meaning. Therefore, this course is very new for me, what it talking about are some concepts that we can find out and apply to the phenomenon nowadays. It helps us to thinks a question “what is the relation between human and non-human”.
Besides, I agree that technology become more and more important in our daily life; but it also brings out many problems. The line between real life and virtual seems blurring, and there are some people cannot escape from their virtual life. The terms “cyborg” and “posthuman” are new for me, and it’s a part of what I learnt from this course. Many things that we can meet in our daily life, or even from newspaper, but I never think about its meaning. Therefore, this course is very new for me, what it talking about are some concepts that we can find out and apply to the phenomenon nowadays. It helps us to thinks a question “what is the relation between human and non-human”.
Kimi's Reflection
Actually, I hate using this weblogs to share the ideas or opinions. This is the second time I use the blog to share the dairy lives or feelings. The first time I used the weblog because I thought it was funny to post something on the Internet. However, when I kept doing this, I thought it wasted my time to type something and then posted it. I would like to share the opinions through face to face or make a phone call rather then use the weblogs. Yet, I think this weblog acts a vital role in the course which providing a space for us to share opinions on the presentations. Besides, it is a new teaching method that the other courses do not use before.
In this course, I have learnt so many ideas that are new to me, the concepts of cyborg and post human, etc. If I did not study this course, I would never see the act works of Patricia Piccinini. I would never know that there are many people worried about the future of human. I did not know that whether the technology harmful to us or not. But, the fact is technology does useful in our lives. We can’t live without it and we should use it in a proper way.
Joseph 's Reflection
After taking this course, I have re-evaluated the field of cyberspace. Since there are more and more patients suffered from incurable illness, the application of cyborg, undoubtedly, help people in medical field. As the result, the issue of ethic concern should be abounded.
Furthrtmore, the cyberspace has provided a platform for activists to create a new form and mean in different product. For example, culture jamming products can raise up hidden messages within the society which is not the dominant side. Self. Net has given me a chance to think about the notion and basis of these products.
However, i find out that there are difficulities when i studying this unit. it is hard to find out theory and philosophy behind. i may suggest that lecturer, in the future, can think about it. it is time to work on the research essay again. bye.
Furthrtmore, the cyberspace has provided a platform for activists to create a new form and mean in different product. For example, culture jamming products can raise up hidden messages within the society which is not the dominant side. Self. Net has given me a chance to think about the notion and basis of these products.
However, i find out that there are difficulities when i studying this unit. it is hard to find out theory and philosophy behind. i may suggest that lecturer, in the future, can think about it. it is time to work on the research essay again. bye.
Phoebe’s Reflection Post
Thought out the past twelve weeks, the course helped me to understand more about issues in the digital age. I think this course is very useful and has taught me much knowledge in my life. I think this subject is very difficult for me but I am very happy to study it. I learnt much knowledge in the lesson. For example, what is a Cyborg? The identity issues in “Facebook”, “My Space”, and establishing friendship in cyberspace.
Nowadays, human and machines have very close relationships, we are using many technological products in our daily life. For example, we use mobile phone to keep in contact and talk to people everyday; we use computer to do homework and search information in the internet; we use student cards to define personal information, to login to the school library and borrow books. Therefore, I agree high-tech products can convenient human daily life.
I enjoyed tutorial presentation and discussion with my classmates. Because we could brainstorm many ideas to the questions raised. Because of each question from each group’s presentation do not have a standard answer. So each person would explain their suggestions from different perspectives. We have many interactions in the lessons and the weblog. It encourages more classmates to sharing their opinions. I think the structure of the course with the use of the weblog is very meaningful and it helps us to learn effective.
In the research essay, I feel quite difficult because we have fifty percent of this course in total. Therefore, I need to look for many books and then need to point out examples to support my argument in the essay. Although this research essay is a big challenge for me, I will try my best to do it. Towards the end, I want to thank Ms. Franco Lai and Prof. Alison Bartlett for teaching us. I have learnt a lot of useful and meaningful knowledge in this subject. Finally, I wish all my classmates the best in their research essays!
Nowadays, human and machines have very close relationships, we are using many technological products in our daily life. For example, we use mobile phone to keep in contact and talk to people everyday; we use computer to do homework and search information in the internet; we use student cards to define personal information, to login to the school library and borrow books. Therefore, I agree high-tech products can convenient human daily life.
I enjoyed tutorial presentation and discussion with my classmates. Because we could brainstorm many ideas to the questions raised. Because of each question from each group’s presentation do not have a standard answer. So each person would explain their suggestions from different perspectives. We have many interactions in the lessons and the weblog. It encourages more classmates to sharing their opinions. I think the structure of the course with the use of the weblog is very meaningful and it helps us to learn effective.
In the research essay, I feel quite difficult because we have fifty percent of this course in total. Therefore, I need to look for many books and then need to point out examples to support my argument in the essay. Although this research essay is a big challenge for me, I will try my best to do it. Towards the end, I want to thank Ms. Franco Lai and Prof. Alison Bartlett for teaching us. I have learnt a lot of useful and meaningful knowledge in this subject. Finally, I wish all my classmates the best in their research essays!
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Nicole's Reflection
Hello, I am Nicole. I am happy to share my opinions in weblogs. This is the first time have my weblogs and share some idea or experience in the blog. i think this a new try for me. It is because i don't like use or through Internet to share my life. I feel Internet make me difficult to communicate with others. Therefore, I am always face-to-face to share my life with my friends and classmates. However, this new experience makes me have new idea about using weblogs or other Internet sharing system. I think this method to make feel flexible to share my idea at anytime. And we discuss with many classmates in same area in same topic.
In the course, I had learned much new different region knowledge, for example cyborg and Internet space. All course topics, I am always ignoring this aspect knowledge at before. It is because I don't like study horrible topic. When I first time to see the cyborg or 'we are family' picture, I feel horrible and uncomfortable. But, this course is leading me to thinking about the situation of world at now in the digital age. Therefore, It expands my thinking and expands my horizons.
In the course, I had learned much new different region knowledge, for example cyborg and Internet space. All course topics, I am always ignoring this aspect knowledge at before. It is because I don't like study horrible topic. When I first time to see the cyborg or 'we are family' picture, I feel horrible and uncomfortable. But, this course is leading me to thinking about the situation of world at now in the digital age. Therefore, It expands my thinking and expands my horizons.
Wilson's Reflection and Unit Evaluation
I can’t believe we are at the end of this course! Time flies and we don’t really notice it!
The use of blog is something déjà vu to me as I used to keep a blog myself when I was in secondary school. The Weblog not only act as a platform for us to leave comments for further discussion from tutorials, but it is also a place for people who prefer to express their opinions online. From my observation, the comments made by classmates are stimulating and in-depth.
So do I regard myself as a cyborg? Physically to some extent, I do, given that two metal plates had inserted at the joint of my lower jaw bone after the Jaw Alignment surgery in January two year ago. The surgery was to shorten my elongated lower jaw bone so that I could chew better when eating. The doctor told me that the metal plates were used to hold my jaw in the right position and it will stay there for the rest of my life. Mentally, we might consider ourselves as cyborg as many of us believably would feel something is missing if there are no machines around us. From mobile phones to transportation, technologies facilitate our life so much that we need to depend on it. Hence, they have become a kind of necessities nowadays. We are no doubt in an era which often described as the digital age.
In general, I find this unit difficult yet informative and interesting. Initially, I was worried whether I could get through the course. First week’s lecture was difficult and abstract with the background of Cyborg in relation to postmodern feminism and the idea of going beyond the dualism of nature/culture; body/mind; human/machines. Moreover, Haraway’s "Manifesto for Cyborgs" scares me off a bit because I wasn’t sure whether I could understand her magnificent theories behind it! What I like about this course though is to be able to know and understand some of the identity issues and problems in the cyberworld. Nonetheless, topics like Cyborg backdrop and Post-Humanism are tricky to understand and need time to digest. Fortunately, we are able to think critically on issues in the course through plentiful discussion in class and on the blog.
The use of blog is something déjà vu to me as I used to keep a blog myself when I was in secondary school. The Weblog not only act as a platform for us to leave comments for further discussion from tutorials, but it is also a place for people who prefer to express their opinions online. From my observation, the comments made by classmates are stimulating and in-depth.
So do I regard myself as a cyborg? Physically to some extent, I do, given that two metal plates had inserted at the joint of my lower jaw bone after the Jaw Alignment surgery in January two year ago. The surgery was to shorten my elongated lower jaw bone so that I could chew better when eating. The doctor told me that the metal plates were used to hold my jaw in the right position and it will stay there for the rest of my life. Mentally, we might consider ourselves as cyborg as many of us believably would feel something is missing if there are no machines around us. From mobile phones to transportation, technologies facilitate our life so much that we need to depend on it. Hence, they have become a kind of necessities nowadays. We are no doubt in an era which often described as the digital age.
In general, I find this unit difficult yet informative and interesting. Initially, I was worried whether I could get through the course. First week’s lecture was difficult and abstract with the background of Cyborg in relation to postmodern feminism and the idea of going beyond the dualism of nature/culture; body/mind; human/machines. Moreover, Haraway’s "Manifesto for Cyborgs" scares me off a bit because I wasn’t sure whether I could understand her magnificent theories behind it! What I like about this course though is to be able to know and understand some of the identity issues and problems in the cyberworld. Nonetheless, topics like Cyborg backdrop and Post-Humanism are tricky to understand and need time to digest. Fortunately, we are able to think critically on issues in the course through plentiful discussion in class and on the blog.
Alice's Reflective Post
I once had a weblog for sharing daily experience and feelings with my friends when I was in secondary school. At that time, I couldn’t imagine that weblogs can also be used for learning purposes, but that’s exactly what we have done in this course! And I find several advantages of using weblogs for learning. It is much more convenient for us to share useful online information irrespective of images, video clips or the entire websites. We don’t have to print the things out and thus is more environmental friendly. It also serves as a convenient platform for us to discuss academic issues after school time.
After studying the course, I can tell that I am definitely a cyborg and so do many of you! As far as I know, cyborg is a being with both biological and artificial elements. Actually, the artificial elements are to supplement the inadequacies of the biological body. For instance, I suffer from short-sightedness and I have to wear glasses (an artificial tool) to supplement my insufficiency in eyesight. The use of Internet also complements the inconvenience in face-to-face communication. Therefore, it can be impossible for any individual to stay out from “cyborg” as long as he/she is a modern person.
All in all, although this course allows me to get in touch with something new, some concepts like "posthuman" that karen and kimi presented yesterday are quite difficult to grasp at the same time. I agree that it’s somehow quite challenging, same as what my friends have suggested below :>
After studying the course, I can tell that I am definitely a cyborg and so do many of you! As far as I know, cyborg is a being with both biological and artificial elements. Actually, the artificial elements are to supplement the inadequacies of the biological body. For instance, I suffer from short-sightedness and I have to wear glasses (an artificial tool) to supplement my insufficiency in eyesight. The use of Internet also complements the inconvenience in face-to-face communication. Therefore, it can be impossible for any individual to stay out from “cyborg” as long as he/she is a modern person.
All in all, although this course allows me to get in touch with something new, some concepts like "posthuman" that karen and kimi presented yesterday are quite difficult to grasp at the same time. I agree that it’s somehow quite challenging, same as what my friends have suggested below :>
Friday, April 29, 2011
Adrian's Evaluation*
Time flies! 12 weeks have been passed and this semester is coming to an end. Fortunately, I do not forget to write this final post although I am busy struggling with the research essay.
I am sure many of us do (did) use a weblog to share daily happenings and thoughts with friends. But how many of us have used a weblog to facilitate our learning? Actually this weblog is a brand-new learning experience to me. Here, we share our findings related to the course. More importantly, we extend our discussion time beyond the one-hour tutorial session. We can have more time to have a deeper discussion on the topics of the course. So far I see a lot of good points here that were not put forward in the tutorial sessions (perhaps because of the time limit). I believe this weblog successfully enhance the learning atmosphere outside the classroom.
Technology can help us do a lot of things. And we all rely on it nowadays. I agree with what Sue says in her evaluation post (I did read some of my classmates' posts!), we are all cyborg now! The word 'we' does not only refer to our class, but also most of the Hong Kong people. Technology has become a crucial part of our lives. We cannot live without our computers, cell phones (esp. iPhone and other smartphones), facebook, twitter, msn, and even their iPod and mp3 players. But do these things as necessary as food and water to us? My answer is definitely NO! Actually I have a stupid (to many people) but important (I think XD) idea, i.e. to get rid of all kinds of social websites and chatting softwares for at least a month. Actually a university student had done this before. I want to see if I can do the same.
It's time to go back to my essay-writing. I hope all of us will have no problem in finishing the essay. Wish you all the best in the future and do well in the coming examination. See you!
Gordon's Self. Net Reflection Post
Dear all,
This is Gordon again and I am always happy to share with you how I feel throughout this course.
I would like to say this is computer technology that makes me know this course. I say this because when I did online registration with classmates, we found a course under "womn"? I did not know what it was at that time. Thinking it as something like woman, I looked forward to this course in the coming semester.
I have to say I had no idea of what the course was about in the first few weeks (maybe the concept it too difficult to me), however, after weeks of lectures and tutorials, I started to understand it more.
What I am interestd most in the course is the discussion part in the tutorial because it allows students to express themselves. I really like this part because what we have discussed are cloesly related to our society. It is also because of this part that makes me think the course is related to us.
Also, one thing I find interesting is that the course can show the double identity. What I mean here is that we students would post comments to the tutorial parts (blog I mean). However, our discussion just ends there and we will not mention that in daily life. This is funny but true. May be this is one of the imterpretation of being a cyborg?
I cannot exactly tell, after the course, that how cyborg I am. But what I can say is that I understand more about cyber world and using more cyber technology (just like what I am typing here and the assignments). This is very different from other courses but really, I enjoy it.
I understand very well those topics are only for me to start thinking how cyberworld is like. There are surely alot for me to explore. I would like to say even if I do not take this course, I am already in it.
This is nearly the end of the post and also the end of the semester. What I want to say finally is that course is very hard for me!(because this is the first course I really have to use computer to look for sources! I usually look for books in other courses. I need more training!)This makes me feel that this is not an easy task to complete this course. Well, as I am now doing the research essay, let me take this opportunity to once again experience my life in cyberspace!
Cheers,
Gordon
This is Gordon again and I am always happy to share with you how I feel throughout this course.
I would like to say this is computer technology that makes me know this course. I say this because when I did online registration with classmates, we found a course under "womn"? I did not know what it was at that time. Thinking it as something like woman, I looked forward to this course in the coming semester.
I have to say I had no idea of what the course was about in the first few weeks (maybe the concept it too difficult to me), however, after weeks of lectures and tutorials, I started to understand it more.
What I am interestd most in the course is the discussion part in the tutorial because it allows students to express themselves. I really like this part because what we have discussed are cloesly related to our society. It is also because of this part that makes me think the course is related to us.
Also, one thing I find interesting is that the course can show the double identity. What I mean here is that we students would post comments to the tutorial parts (blog I mean). However, our discussion just ends there and we will not mention that in daily life. This is funny but true. May be this is one of the imterpretation of being a cyborg?
I cannot exactly tell, after the course, that how cyborg I am. But what I can say is that I understand more about cyber world and using more cyber technology (just like what I am typing here and the assignments). This is very different from other courses but really, I enjoy it.
I understand very well those topics are only for me to start thinking how cyberworld is like. There are surely alot for me to explore. I would like to say even if I do not take this course, I am already in it.
This is nearly the end of the post and also the end of the semester. What I want to say finally is that course is very hard for me!(because this is the first course I really have to use computer to look for sources! I usually look for books in other courses. I need more training!)This makes me feel that this is not an easy task to complete this course. Well, as I am now doing the research essay, let me take this opportunity to once again experience my life in cyberspace!
Cheers,
Gordon
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Sue's Reflective Course Evaluation
Eventually, it comes to Week 12 (this should be my last post here =P). Throughout the semester, I have learnt a lot about the concept of ‘cyborg’ which is regarded as a hybrid of machine and organism in general. Given by Donna Haraway manifesto, the advent of cyborg has probably broken down traditional universal dualism, such as Animal and Human as well as Body/Mind etc. Indeed, people nowadays are becoming ‘cyborgs’. Technology has already become our part of life, and we definitely cannot live without it. Take myself as an example, I did once forget to bring my mobile phone; I was deeply worried and anxious at the time. Even I was on the way school, I returned and went back home just to pick up my phone. It seems that my whole life cannot be ‘well-functioned’ if my mobile phone, computer is gone away. Undoubtedly, I regard myself as a cyborg. However, for the observation that people have more and more leaned on the technologies, this is worthwhile to do further discussion on the ‘dead’ of face-to-face communication and other aspects like what we have roughly come up with during the course, for instants, virtual ethics, friendship, work and play.
In addition, regarding the whole unit, what I feel really excited and interesting is we can exchange our ideas online. Inside the room where both belong to us and the public, we can leave our own comments/feedbacks/as well as share news or videos at random (although we are forced to do so XD), this is really a brand new learning mode for me. However, the given concepts are in fact abstract. To be frank, I am sometimes confused to linger the unknowns. Moreover, the research essay FRUSTRATED me so much in terms of the guiding questions and the 50% weight. Yet, generally, I do think Self.net is an interesting but at the same time a challenging course.
In addition, regarding the whole unit, what I feel really excited and interesting is we can exchange our ideas online. Inside the room where both belong to us and the public, we can leave our own comments/feedbacks/as well as share news or videos at random (although we are forced to do so XD), this is really a brand new learning mode for me. However, the given concepts are in fact abstract. To be frank, I am sometimes confused to linger the unknowns. Moreover, the research essay FRUSTRATED me so much in terms of the guiding questions and the 50% weight. Yet, generally, I do think Self.net is an interesting but at the same time a challenging course.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Kimi & Karen's Presentation
We are going to present on Thursday, and our topic is “Patricia Piccinini’s world”. Here is our agenda:
1. Patricia Piccinini’s Profile
2. Introduction: Piccinini’s Worlds & Works
3. Still Life With Stem Cells
4. Message: Duty to care
5. Discussion
Thank you.
*************************************************************************************
Discussion
1. Piccinini stated that creatures all made from stem cells.
Do you think that the creatures made by Piccinini are similar with us, the living beings?
2. What is/are the pro(s) and con(s) of parthenogenesis?
3. Unlike Dr Frankenstein who grew to hate his creation and suffered the consequences;
Piccinini’s work “Waiting for Jennifer” shows the harmony between human and the products of technology.
What is the reason for the different treatments of Dr Frankenstein and the products of technology?
4. Some may think that the existence of “Young Family” is to provide sick, wealthy humans with organs and tissues.
What is your attitude toward this?
Do you think that human being is more superior to the others living being?
5. Genetic Engineering is useful in many areas, but one may also claim that this kind of work may disturb the laws of nature.
Should we continue the Genetic Engineering in the future?
1. Patricia Piccinini’s Profile
2. Introduction: Piccinini’s Worlds & Works
3. Still Life With Stem Cells
4. Message: Duty to care
5. Discussion
Thank you.
*************************************************************************************
Discussion
1. Piccinini stated that creatures all made from stem cells.
Do you think that the creatures made by Piccinini are similar with us, the living beings?
2. What is/are the pro(s) and con(s) of parthenogenesis?
3. Unlike Dr Frankenstein who grew to hate his creation and suffered the consequences;
Piccinini’s work “Waiting for Jennifer” shows the harmony between human and the products of technology.
What is the reason for the different treatments of Dr Frankenstein and the products of technology?
4. Some may think that the existence of “Young Family” is to provide sick, wealthy humans with organs and tissues.
What is your attitude toward this?
Do you think that human being is more superior to the others living being?
5. Genetic Engineering is useful in many areas, but one may also claim that this kind of work may disturb the laws of nature.
Should we continue the Genetic Engineering in the future?
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Phoebe's Critical Annotated Webliography
Guiding Question Two: ‘The machine/organism relationships are obsolete, unnecessary’ writes Haraway. In what ways have our relations to machines been theorized?
1,Using humanoid robots to study human behavior
Reference
Christopher G. Atkeson, (2000) ‘Using humanoid robots to study human behavior'
http://eprints.gla.ac.uk/3507/1/humanoid_robot_study.pdf (accessed 15 March 2011)
This article is about using humanoid robots to study human behaviors. They are working on an easier way to program humanoid robots, potentially in other machines and computer systems, it is based on the human behaviors, including juggling three balls, learning a folk dance by observing a human perform and performing Tai Chi exercise in contact with a human various behaviors.
They use different types of primitives to generate full body movement. They are interested in how people and machines can learn from sensory information to acquire perceptual and motors skills. So, they are exploring neural networks, statistical learning and machines learning algorithms.
They are investigating three areas, supervised and unsupervised learning from demonstration and reinforcement learning. They are using a variety of motion capture systems to understand the psychophysics of human movement. Programming for humanlike behaviors in a humanoid robot is an important step toward understanding how the human brain generates behavior. I appreciate their innovation. To answer human and machine relationship very much.
They provided many professional technologies to text machines. The pictures showed let me know machines behavior are like human and it can do many things, therefore, machines have big contributions to the world.
2. The nature of indexing: how humans and machines analyze messages and texts for retrieval. Part I: Research, and the nature of human indexing
Reference
James D. Anderson, (2000) ‘The nature of indexing: how humans and machines analyze message and text for retrieval. Part I: Research, and the nature of human indexing’ http://www.mariapinto.es/ciberabstracts/Articulos/artAnderson2001a.pdf (accessed 15 March 2011)
This article is about how humans and machines analyze messages and texts for retrieval. This article has many brain scientists, neuroscientists and cognitive psychologists to make progress in understanding how humans think.
There are two parts, the first part is critiques the comparative research, and then explores the nature of human analysis of messages or texts and efforts to formulate rules to make human practice more rigid and predictable. The second part is they focus on current methods in automatic indexing, its slow adoption by major indexing and hard to understand services, and way for allocating human and machines approaches.
These essays will apply modern methods of indexing both human and machine by indexing and abstracting services. It is a possible way for apportion both approaches for maximum benefit.
We can see them to quote different scholar paragraphs to analysis the survey of expert annotation on human intellectuals. The addition of numerical values doesn’t change the basic fact that the judgments of human indexers are still very subjective and their accurate basis is still very difficult to specify.
I also agree human thinking process is not equal to machines, although there are many index, not only use these indexes to manifestation human thinking process equal to machines, it is a very difficult and subjective thing.
3. The learning of perceptual-motor skills by men and machines and its relationship to training
Reference
Gaines, B. R. (1972) ‘The learning of perceptual-motor skills by men and machines and its relationship to training’ http://pages.cpsc.ucalgary.ca/~gaines/reports/PSYCH/TMPMS/TMPMS.pdf (accessed 15 March 2011)
This article is about experiments involving the training of both humans and learning machines under a variety of conditions described and analyzed. The main objective is investigated the feasibility and applicability of “teaching machines”, automatic training devices for perceptual skills.
There are many figures to explain the training process. It is possible to establish a theoretical basis for the study of learning and the investigation of training procedures which is independent of the learning device and the nature of the task to be learned.
At present it is possible to set up models of learning behavior in the human operator by appropriate adaptive controllers subject to the same physical constraints as the human. The experiments demonstrate the applicability of feedback training in the teaching of a novel perceptual motor skill, and the theory suggests that it will be generally applicable.
The integration of feedback training procedures, based on the variation of difficulty, with direct instruction through natural language, has a huge possible, not only in teaching perceptual motor skills, but also in training the operators and service engineers of specialist equipment, such as communication, navigation and computer systems.
If we can teach the machines to do something, I think it is a good innovation of the world. Because it can replace human to do the dangerous jobs and if we only teach the machine, its can help people to do something.
4. An approach to multi-modal human-machine interaction for intelligent service robots
Reference
Hans, Joachim B¨ohme, (2004) ‘An approach to multi-modal human-machine interaction for intelligent service robots’ http://www3.tu-ilmenau.de/fakia/fileadmin/template/startIA/neuroinformatik/publications/journals/Boehme-RAS-03.pdf (accessed 15 March 2011)
The article describes different plans about robots and human relationship. They want to invent many sensible robots to serve human. The robot is automatic and it can work in perplexity and crowded environments. For example, the robots are able to contact customers in their perimeter situation to provide services in customers. After tested in different scenarios, the robots are dependable. Still, they need to improve the sound and speech input and output systems.
The method was used to check the robots’ sound and speech systems. We can see the machines can serve human, it is very useful and convenient for human life. For example, robots can work in public places to serve human. Putting robots into service could attract many customers to go shopping.
It will be interesting and fun if more shops use robots services because, nowadays they need to innovate and need more technology to provide human life. Robots are high-tech products as they can work efficiently. Furthermore, when the technician set up a system, robot can speak a different language besides have a multiple function to do many things. Therefore we can always hear robots are like human.
5. A compact soft actuator unit for small scale human friendly robots
Reference
Tsagarakis, N.G. (2009) ‘A compact soft actuator unit for small scale human friendly robots’ http://www.viactors.org/Documents/Papers/2009_IITpaperICRA1.pdf (accessed 15 March 2011)
The article talks about the development of new robots in the future. There are innovations of automatic small robots to serve different audiences. For example, the robots can services at home.
These robots are suitable at home or small places because these robots are automatic, small, efficient, and work precisely on small chores.
The purpose of this work is very clear, useful and meaningful. The new robots can make establish good relationship between human and machine. Because robots can help human to do more, such as house cleaning and looking after their children, it can even have conversation with humans and serve customers in the stores, too! It is conveniences human life so much.
For me, I think it will be encouraging to see more innovation on small machines or robots, because they are easy to maintain and carry around. This article is different from previous article. These small robots are developed to better suit human needs. I think small robots are better than big robots.
1,Using humanoid robots to study human behavior
Reference
Christopher G. Atkeson, (2000) ‘Using humanoid robots to study human behavior'
http://eprints.gla.ac.uk/3507/1/humanoid_robot_study.pdf (accessed 15 March 2011)
This article is about using humanoid robots to study human behaviors. They are working on an easier way to program humanoid robots, potentially in other machines and computer systems, it is based on the human behaviors, including juggling three balls, learning a folk dance by observing a human perform and performing Tai Chi exercise in contact with a human various behaviors.
They use different types of primitives to generate full body movement. They are interested in how people and machines can learn from sensory information to acquire perceptual and motors skills. So, they are exploring neural networks, statistical learning and machines learning algorithms.
They are investigating three areas, supervised and unsupervised learning from demonstration and reinforcement learning. They are using a variety of motion capture systems to understand the psychophysics of human movement. Programming for humanlike behaviors in a humanoid robot is an important step toward understanding how the human brain generates behavior. I appreciate their innovation. To answer human and machine relationship very much.
They provided many professional technologies to text machines. The pictures showed let me know machines behavior are like human and it can do many things, therefore, machines have big contributions to the world.
2. The nature of indexing: how humans and machines analyze messages and texts for retrieval. Part I: Research, and the nature of human indexing
Reference
James D. Anderson, (2000) ‘The nature of indexing: how humans and machines analyze message and text for retrieval. Part I: Research, and the nature of human indexing’ http://www.mariapinto.es/ciberabstracts/Articulos/artAnderson2001a.pdf (accessed 15 March 2011)
This article is about how humans and machines analyze messages and texts for retrieval. This article has many brain scientists, neuroscientists and cognitive psychologists to make progress in understanding how humans think.
There are two parts, the first part is critiques the comparative research, and then explores the nature of human analysis of messages or texts and efforts to formulate rules to make human practice more rigid and predictable. The second part is they focus on current methods in automatic indexing, its slow adoption by major indexing and hard to understand services, and way for allocating human and machines approaches.
These essays will apply modern methods of indexing both human and machine by indexing and abstracting services. It is a possible way for apportion both approaches for maximum benefit.
We can see them to quote different scholar paragraphs to analysis the survey of expert annotation on human intellectuals. The addition of numerical values doesn’t change the basic fact that the judgments of human indexers are still very subjective and their accurate basis is still very difficult to specify.
I also agree human thinking process is not equal to machines, although there are many index, not only use these indexes to manifestation human thinking process equal to machines, it is a very difficult and subjective thing.
3. The learning of perceptual-motor skills by men and machines and its relationship to training
Reference
Gaines, B. R. (1972) ‘The learning of perceptual-motor skills by men and machines and its relationship to training’ http://pages.cpsc.ucalgary.ca/~gaines/reports/PSYCH/TMPMS/TMPMS.pdf (accessed 15 March 2011)
This article is about experiments involving the training of both humans and learning machines under a variety of conditions described and analyzed. The main objective is investigated the feasibility and applicability of “teaching machines”, automatic training devices for perceptual skills.
There are many figures to explain the training process. It is possible to establish a theoretical basis for the study of learning and the investigation of training procedures which is independent of the learning device and the nature of the task to be learned.
At present it is possible to set up models of learning behavior in the human operator by appropriate adaptive controllers subject to the same physical constraints as the human. The experiments demonstrate the applicability of feedback training in the teaching of a novel perceptual motor skill, and the theory suggests that it will be generally applicable.
The integration of feedback training procedures, based on the variation of difficulty, with direct instruction through natural language, has a huge possible, not only in teaching perceptual motor skills, but also in training the operators and service engineers of specialist equipment, such as communication, navigation and computer systems.
If we can teach the machines to do something, I think it is a good innovation of the world. Because it can replace human to do the dangerous jobs and if we only teach the machine, its can help people to do something.
4. An approach to multi-modal human-machine interaction for intelligent service robots
Reference
Hans, Joachim B¨ohme, (2004) ‘An approach to multi-modal human-machine interaction for intelligent service robots’ http://www3.tu-ilmenau.de/fakia/fileadmin/template/startIA/neuroinformatik/publications/journals/Boehme-RAS-03.pdf (accessed 15 March 2011)
The article describes different plans about robots and human relationship. They want to invent many sensible robots to serve human. The robot is automatic and it can work in perplexity and crowded environments. For example, the robots are able to contact customers in their perimeter situation to provide services in customers. After tested in different scenarios, the robots are dependable. Still, they need to improve the sound and speech input and output systems.
The method was used to check the robots’ sound and speech systems. We can see the machines can serve human, it is very useful and convenient for human life. For example, robots can work in public places to serve human. Putting robots into service could attract many customers to go shopping.
It will be interesting and fun if more shops use robots services because, nowadays they need to innovate and need more technology to provide human life. Robots are high-tech products as they can work efficiently. Furthermore, when the technician set up a system, robot can speak a different language besides have a multiple function to do many things. Therefore we can always hear robots are like human.
5. A compact soft actuator unit for small scale human friendly robots
Reference
Tsagarakis, N.G. (2009) ‘A compact soft actuator unit for small scale human friendly robots’ http://www.viactors.org/Documents/Papers/2009_IITpaperICRA1.pdf (accessed 15 March 2011)
The article talks about the development of new robots in the future. There are innovations of automatic small robots to serve different audiences. For example, the robots can services at home.
These robots are suitable at home or small places because these robots are automatic, small, efficient, and work precisely on small chores.
The purpose of this work is very clear, useful and meaningful. The new robots can make establish good relationship between human and machine. Because robots can help human to do more, such as house cleaning and looking after their children, it can even have conversation with humans and serve customers in the stores, too! It is conveniences human life so much.
For me, I think it will be encouraging to see more innovation on small machines or robots, because they are easy to maintain and carry around. This article is different from previous article. These small robots are developed to better suit human needs. I think small robots are better than big robots.
Wilson's Critical Annotated Webliography
Guiding Q3: Is a cyborg queer? Discuss critical on the intersections between sexuality and technology
1. Miyake, Esperanza. “My, is that Cyborg a little bit Queer?”. Journal of International Women's Studies, Mar. 2004 Vol. 5, Issue 2: pp.53-61. 16 Mar. 2011. <http://www.bridgew.edu/soas/jiws/Mar04/Miyake.pdf>.
Summary:
Inspired by the film, Blade Runner, Miyake was impressed by the cyborg female character, her essay tries to analyze and discuss about cyborg, queer theory with feminist issues.
The author mentions that the body generates various power(s). Such importance as suggested is ideal to alternate the body itself with machines in order to break masculinism.
Believably, language strongly affects reality because we (need to) communicate every day. Word plays an important role in relation to turning oneself into more cyborgtic to gain more power. The idea of cyborg challenges the patriarchal society. Furthermore, the advancement of technology nowadays could change human bodies.
Cyborg is unique as it has tries to make no distinction of class, gender and ethnicity…etc. I think cyborg in a way is described as strange, similar to what the author is talking about cyborg as being queer. All in all, having differences from from the male dominated world suggest escapism, the liberation of women and the promotion of feminism.
2. Kupczak, Tania. “So You Wanna Be A Cyborg Mommy? Queer Identity and the New Reproductive Technologies”. Domain Errors: Cyberfeminist Practices! Eds. M. Fernandez, F. Wilding and M. M. Wright. New York: Autonomedia 2002. 179-186. 16 Mar 2011. <http://www.refugia.net/domainerrors/DE2g_queer.pdf>.
Summary:
The author, Kupczak was amazed for the characteristic of cyborgs. To certain of extent, the author notes that we (humans) can be described as cyborg. Still, the gender issue seems to be lingering on with respect to cyborg identity.
How the society is organised is related to technology. Gradually, technologies like Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) help people (esp. queers) to have reproductively to create families of their own.
I reckon and as noted, the cyborg is “sexless” though it is often portrayed as female in popular culture. Cyborg is a hybrid of flesh and machine. Its Idenity to certain of extent overcomes/surpasses biology. Then it comes to a point on how to categories those people who are produced by ART? It ultimately challenges the family structure according to the patriarchal society.
Gay and lesbian couples still lack of support in family construction due to norms constucted by the “mainstream” society. Queer families often need to endure stereotyes by the maintreams as being the “other”. Unfortunately still, the law does not fully cover homosexual couples to the rights of bearing children. They do not share the same amount of treatments comparing to the heterosexuals. Thus, status of homosexuals in a way is still inferior. However, the existance of queer community welcomes to create families which the society has had prejudice on their family formation.
Undeniably, gay and lesbian couples or individuals who want to have children must often overcome the traditional system (heterosexual marriage) in order to have their wishes fulfilled. As suggested in this reading, the future of queers family and their children could be optimistic. As Kupczak states “…they no longer are pressured by the constraints of the nuclear family structure.” (Kupczak 2002, pp.186).
3. Boyle, Jen. “Sex and the Body in Technology” science.jrank.org 27 Feb 2011. 15 Mar 2011. <http://science.jrank.org/pages/63427/Sex-Body-in-Technology.html>.
Summary:
Boyle’s article sates that technology and body are closely connected. Technology helps is to know more our body. For example, the Human Genome Project helps people to learn more about the construction of the human body with the discovery of DNA sequences. Technology is this case helps us to prevent diseases.
Technology has great influence on human body. The advancement of technologies eventually leads to the possibility of human embodiment. Also, its pace of technology had put study on new height with the discovery of the ‘gay’ gene in 1990s. This greatly supports the existence of homosexuality. Because of impact of technology and that bring close to human body, nature and culture has needs to redefine. Sex could be cultural affected. The notion of sex selection did and I think still cause great impact to the society as to thinking whether this challenge the concept of being (biologically) natural.
To certain of extent, the tie between technology and body is tighter than ever before as time changes and that we use technology in our daily life. Overall, I think when technology affects our lives so much that is could facilitate or worsen our quality of life. It makes me think sometimes which party dominates the other? We control the technology and at the same time, is technology controlling us?
4. Halley, Drew. “The Future of Sex: Androids, VR, and the Orgasm Button”. Singularity Hub 20 May 2009. 15 Mar 2011. <http://singularityhub.com/2009/05/20/the-future-of-sex-androids-vr-and-the-orgasm-button/>.
Summary:
“The Future of Sex: Androids, VR, and the Orgasm Button” written by Drew Halley tells possibility of human sex life in the future with some imaginings. It suggests that we live in the “post-human” era, sex has shifted with technology.
Technology has always aimed to improve the quality of human life. In response to the possible changes in society owning to the influence in biological sex by technology, the author suggests that sexual norms will continue to shift just as they have throughout modern history, adaptive to our rapidly changing culture. The modern culture is the product of sexual display, as we use technology to express ourselves. For instance, “‘Facebook poke’ is a perfect example of a pseudo-sexual nod in the virtual world” (Halley). Somehow, people’s lives and sexuality often connect closely with technology.
Technology has been accompanying our lives. Overall, I think it will be interesting to see how technology will lead our sexuality in the future. I have the similar sense of thought with the author stating at the end “How will the sexual landscape of the future unfold? What pleasures – and dangers – await” (Halley).
5. Maheu, M.M. “The Future of Cyber-Sex and Relationship Fidelity: Cyborg Theory” SelfHelpMagazine 7 Mar 2011. 15 Mar 2011. <http://www.selfhelpmagazine.com/article/node/1337>.
Summary:
This article written by Dr Maheu discusses the advancement of technology could come cross path with human sexuality. Thus, the interactions between these two will become more sophisticated.
Dr Maheu mentions the term, “Cyborgasm: Cyber-sex amongst multiple selves and cyborgs of the America Online Chat Rooms (AOL)” (Maheu). There is a case study Rebecca, who has likely been described as Cyborg as her sex life is undeniably tied to and dependent upon AOL chat rooms. All her sexual activities involve partners online. Personally, Rebecca’s boundary between the human and the machine has consequently been blurred due to her habit. The future filled with Cybersex could be possible as people are establishing intimate relationships and communities.
In my view, there is a phenomenon of people establishing relationships through internet (hearing experiences from some of my friends). I believe such phenomenon could continue when technology is becoming part of our lives. But could relationships established through the virtual world can last long concerning with less proximity between lovers? Would there be more denial and falsehood in the cyberspace since either party could behave differently from in reality - something that challenges our true identity, the true “you”?
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Reflection: Jamming
http://prodigycarita.xanga.com/745573969/item/
This video is concern about the IPhone makes people ignore other, including peoples and things. The creator create little boy and peoples sitting in the MTR and focus on the IPhone. Nobody wants to talk with others and the little boy. Thus, the MTR is very quiet. We can listen the footsteps clearly. The little boy wants to play with others, but all people still ignore him and continue focus on IPhone. The little boy wants to take others attention, he plays in the MTR, but no one pay attention to the little boy. Then, the little boy is very angry and disappointment about this.
Nowadays, IPhone is a commonly product. All of people like to play in the free time. MTR is the most easily to see people focus on their IPhone. They always ignore other people what they happen. And they also do not communicate with other people. Even their friends stand or sit with them, and then they also concentrate on the IPhone's game.
High technology makes society becomes quiets and coolness. People only concentrate on IPhone. They do not communicate with others; even people are stand or sit with them. The face-to-face communication skill may effect by this culture. It is because people only communicate on the Internet. And this culture change relation between people. This generation, the relations between people move to the Internet. It is because people do not built the relation in the real world, they only communicate in the Internet. It may be make people do not know built up the relation in the real world at the end.
To conclude, technology development suppose make people have more way to build up the relation between others. However, it makes people only focus on the Internet, they ignore everything, like talk with others. The most importantly, the relation between people to people become coolness and strange.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Gordon and Phoebe's Presentation (Self.org II: Work and Play)
Dear all, This is the week for our Presentation (Self. org II: Work and Play). The following is our flow. Feel free to have a look!
Ya, the flow also includes some videos and links for you all to have a look first so that we can have a smooth discussion on Thursday!
Presentation Agenda
1.Introduction of background of the Topic
2.Summary of the First Reading 'Forward From Quake Girls to Desperate Housewives: A Decade of of Gender and Computer Games' by Henry Jenkins and Justine Cassell
3.Discussion
A. In the Game 'Street Fighter', there are two main characters, Ryu and Chun Li. Does it reflect gender stereotype?
Link: Street Fighter http://www.streetfighter.com/flash/ accessed on 17/4/2011
B. In some game exhibitions, we can see that most buyers tend to be male while sellers and promoters are female. We can even see there are 'Miss Games' in those exhibitions. Does it mean that males are still users while females are only servers?
Link: Girls of the Taipei Game Show 2011 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_R79ytXbnQ accessed on 17/4/2011
C. In 'Computer Games for Girls: What Makes Them Play?', it says that ''Male-games are likely to have more rules but female games are not". (Subrahmanyam and Geenfield , 1998, pp.64-65) Does it mean that more rules are preferable in cyber world?
D. In 'Computer Games for Girls: What Makes Them Play?', it shows that the pattern of playing is different that boys "like to play together while female like to play as an individual?" Does it reflect minority? .(Subrahmanyam and Greenfield, 1998, p. 60)
E. Angry Bird is very popular now. It is combined with male violence (attacking the pigs) and female caring (protecting the eggs). Is it a successful example of blurring gamers?
Links: Angry Birds http://www.rovio.com/index.php?page=angry-birds accessed on 17/4/2011
Angry Birds & the Mighty Eagle http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-eyig_V-_5o&feature=related accessed on 17/4/2011
4.Conclusion
5.References
"Angry Birds" Rovio Mobile. 2010. 17.April. 2011. http://www.rovio.com/index.php?page=angry-birds
"Angry Birds & the Mighty Eagle" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-eyig_V-_5o&feature=related video extract from youtube 10 Sep. 2010. 17.April, 2011.
Cassell, I. and Jenkins, H.(1998) From Barbie to Mortal Kombat Gender and Computer Games: ''computer games for girls: what makes them play?" American: MIT Press.
"Girls of the Taipei Game Show 2011" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_R79ytXbnQ video extract from youtube, 18 Feb. 2009. 17.April, 2011.
Jenkins, H. and Cassell, J. (2008) Forward: From Quake Girls to Desperate Housewives: "A Decade of Gender and Computer Games" Cambridge MA: MIT Press.
"Street Fighter" CAPCOM ENTERTAINMENT. 2008. 17.April, 2011. http://www.streetfighter.com/flash/
Enjoy the Presentation on Thursday and take part actively in Discussion! See you!
Ya, the flow also includes some videos and links for you all to have a look first so that we can have a smooth discussion on Thursday!
Presentation Agenda
1.Introduction of background of the Topic
2.Summary of the First Reading 'Forward From Quake Girls to Desperate Housewives: A Decade of of Gender and Computer Games' by Henry Jenkins and Justine Cassell
3.Discussion
A. In the Game 'Street Fighter', there are two main characters, Ryu and Chun Li. Does it reflect gender stereotype?
Link: Street Fighter http://www.streetfighter.com/flash/ accessed on 17/4/2011
B. In some game exhibitions, we can see that most buyers tend to be male while sellers and promoters are female. We can even see there are 'Miss Games' in those exhibitions. Does it mean that males are still users while females are only servers?
Link: Girls of the Taipei Game Show 2011 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_R79ytXbnQ accessed on 17/4/2011
C. In 'Computer Games for Girls: What Makes Them Play?', it says that ''Male-games are likely to have more rules but female games are not". (Subrahmanyam and Geenfield , 1998, pp.64-65) Does it mean that more rules are preferable in cyber world?
D. In 'Computer Games for Girls: What Makes Them Play?', it shows that the pattern of playing is different that boys "like to play together while female like to play as an individual?" Does it reflect minority? .(Subrahmanyam and Greenfield, 1998, p. 60)
E. Angry Bird is very popular now. It is combined with male violence (attacking the pigs) and female caring (protecting the eggs). Is it a successful example of blurring gamers?
Links: Angry Birds http://www.rovio.com/index.php?page=angry-birds accessed on 17/4/2011
Angry Birds & the Mighty Eagle http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-eyig_V-_5o&feature=related accessed on 17/4/2011
4.Conclusion
5.References
"Angry Birds" Rovio Mobile. 2010. 17.April. 2011. http://www.rovio.com/index.php?page=angry-birds
"Angry Birds & the Mighty Eagle" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-eyig_V-_5o&feature=related video extract from youtube 10 Sep. 2010. 17.April, 2011.
Cassell, I. and Jenkins, H.(1998) From Barbie to Mortal Kombat Gender and Computer Games: ''computer games for girls: what makes them play?" American: MIT Press.
"Girls of the Taipei Game Show 2011" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_R79ytXbnQ video extract from youtube, 18 Feb. 2009. 17.April, 2011.
Jenkins, H. and Cassell, J. (2008) Forward: From Quake Girls to Desperate Housewives: "A Decade of Gender and Computer Games" Cambridge MA: MIT Press.
"Street Fighter" CAPCOM ENTERTAINMENT. 2008. 17.April, 2011. http://www.streetfighter.com/flash/
Enjoy the Presentation on Thursday and take part actively in Discussion! See you!
Phoebe Reflection on Culture Jamming
Above are video clips about Culture Jamming. They are always found in mass media, because they believe media can effectively send out the message and easy to let people understand. For me, I very appreciate Cultural Jamming products very much and I think designing Culture Jamming products are very meaningful and creative.
Firstly, the videos suggest people are lazy and the only thing they are interested is food. The videos want to make people to understand what they should do or eat concerning with health issues to avoid wrong actions to their bodies. For example, the first video clip show us don’t eat much fast food and junk food, it would harmful our healthy and affect our life. Many famous shops in the world sell junk food and fast food. It is very delicious and always convenience our life, but junk foods and fast foods cannot provide us nutrition to maintain a healthy body.
If we always eat junk food, it will lead us to obesity. As a result, we are more likely to have coronary heart disease, sleep apnea, breast cancer and so on. People need to go to hospital and see the doctor to take medicines or do operation to solve health problems.
The second video clip shows the words “move to good foods before too late”. It is reminding us to change our diet habits quickly. Because of keep a long period to eat junk foods and fast foods would be harmful for the body. The video shows that some obese people can’t pick up the apple on the floor. As we can see the video clips want to tell us that being healthy is the most important thing.
Overall, it is hard to say whether Culture Jamming affects or not affect the business and the economy development. Ultimately, are they good or bad video clips?
Friday, April 15, 2011
Gordon's Reflection Online (About Bullying)
Topic: 22pc of teens experience online bullying By John Kennedy
Link: http://www.siliconrepublic.com/comms/item/12250-22pc-of-teens-experience-on (accessed on 16/4/2011)
Reflection
I would like to share with you online bully which I think it is greatly related to our course. I would like to mention each point the following area.
The first one is that how accurate it is to say people nowadays have a higher of level of 'cyborg-like'? In my opinion, I think the answer is yes. This is becasuse there are more and more people using computers. I do not mean to say that only young children will have a wider exposure to the cyber world. But what I emphasize is that when they grow up, as future leaders, the whole society will be more like a cyber. Therefore, I think more people will 'cybory-like'.
Another point I would to share is that there are more and more people doing what they want to do online and those things seem immoral in dialy lives. We learn from the course that 'racism, sexism and rape', are going to be more and more in cyberworld. Bullying, in this news, serves the same function. The reason for it is that people actually have many to be in their mind, but they are not allowed to do it in real world. However, they can do it in virtual world, so we can see there is not only increase in accessing online, but there is also a higher tendency of people doing immoral things.
The news also shows education is important. I think it is true and , as in our class discussion, it can be a very meaningful term. But , my question is how effective can it be? There are indeed many programes and courses teaching what online ethics and online behaviours. I also had some of these courses in my school. In those course, the learners tend to be a very obedient and good students. This may show the program is effective.
However, what I like to say that the answer is no. When we go online, we see numerous temptations like what we learn from the course, and we are taught of rejecting them. There are usually two options 'I accept' and ' I do not' . This is actually testing the online ethics. Well, as you press ' I accept', this web can simply allow you to asset to the area. From this, I would to like to two weaknesses. The first one the education fails to educate the users. If it is successful , users will not accpet and enter. The second thing is about the technological failure, because when users click 'accept', the web opens the door with any checking. This is actually a big loophole.
For me, to further improve the situation, The web should further check the status of the users and block the use of the web when they are not qualified. This can also be viewed as a punishment of breaking the rule.
Pareting, stated in the news, is important and I agree with it. This is because users will usually use computers at home to do those things. If the parents use their authority and set as a good example to educate the teenagers. The level of doing bad things are likely to decline. You may argue they may go to some New Bars to do it, but if they are well educated, the chance is not high.
Although it is a piece of oversea news, I think it is true to say Hong Kong shares similar situation because Hong Kong has a high access to computers too. If Hong Kong can practise those policies effective, I think Hong Kong will be a good place for computer usage. Therefore, in conlcusion, the news inspires me that, online bullying, which I think is a kind of unethical matter, should be solved mostly in parenting and education, of course, the computer website itself and everyone should have his/her own role!
Link: http://www.siliconrepublic.com/comms/item/12250-22pc-of-teens-experience-on (accessed on 16/4/2011)
Reflection
I would like to share with you online bully which I think it is greatly related to our course. I would like to mention each point the following area.
The first one is that how accurate it is to say people nowadays have a higher of level of 'cyborg-like'? In my opinion, I think the answer is yes. This is becasuse there are more and more people using computers. I do not mean to say that only young children will have a wider exposure to the cyber world. But what I emphasize is that when they grow up, as future leaders, the whole society will be more like a cyber. Therefore, I think more people will 'cybory-like'.
Another point I would to share is that there are more and more people doing what they want to do online and those things seem immoral in dialy lives. We learn from the course that 'racism, sexism and rape', are going to be more and more in cyberworld. Bullying, in this news, serves the same function. The reason for it is that people actually have many to be in their mind, but they are not allowed to do it in real world. However, they can do it in virtual world, so we can see there is not only increase in accessing online, but there is also a higher tendency of people doing immoral things.
The news also shows education is important. I think it is true and , as in our class discussion, it can be a very meaningful term. But , my question is how effective can it be? There are indeed many programes and courses teaching what online ethics and online behaviours. I also had some of these courses in my school. In those course, the learners tend to be a very obedient and good students. This may show the program is effective.
However, what I like to say that the answer is no. When we go online, we see numerous temptations like what we learn from the course, and we are taught of rejecting them. There are usually two options 'I accept' and ' I do not' . This is actually testing the online ethics. Well, as you press ' I accept', this web can simply allow you to asset to the area. From this, I would to like to two weaknesses. The first one the education fails to educate the users. If it is successful , users will not accpet and enter. The second thing is about the technological failure, because when users click 'accept', the web opens the door with any checking. This is actually a big loophole.
For me, to further improve the situation, The web should further check the status of the users and block the use of the web when they are not qualified. This can also be viewed as a punishment of breaking the rule.
Pareting, stated in the news, is important and I agree with it. This is because users will usually use computers at home to do those things. If the parents use their authority and set as a good example to educate the teenagers. The level of doing bad things are likely to decline. You may argue they may go to some New Bars to do it, but if they are well educated, the chance is not high.
Although it is a piece of oversea news, I think it is true to say Hong Kong shares similar situation because Hong Kong has a high access to computers too. If Hong Kong can practise those policies effective, I think Hong Kong will be a good place for computer usage. Therefore, in conlcusion, the news inspires me that, online bullying, which I think is a kind of unethical matter, should be solved mostly in parenting and education, of course, the computer website itself and everyone should have his/her own role!
danny's reflection on cyborg
Cyborg Watch: Electronic Circuits Built From Human Blood
http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2011/03/31/cyborg-electronic-circuits-human-blood/?test=faces
This is a news taeeling about the successful experiment in important process of manufacturing a cyborg by indian researchers. They succeed in constructing the biological memristor filling with human blood held at 98.6 Fahrenheit (37 Celsius) into which two electrodes are inserted. Then they produce proper measuring instrustmentation. after that, there is successful demonstration of memristor with blood. Their aim is to produce circuitry linking human tissues and nerve cells with electronic devices. This may come true in the future soon.
people has been creating and imagining the emergence and image of cyborgs. This experiment reveals that this may become real very soon. This is an important breakthrough of technology. People may feel exciting toeards cyborgs. There may be some critical questions and problems that emerge at the same time. First, is it human or machine? Certainly a cyborg is a combination of organism and machine. However sometimes there must be classification between either machine or organism. A cyborg may have blood and electronic devices. Therefore, creating the boundary and definition is a harsh task. If it is regarded as “human liked” or “having human characteristics”, then, are there should be problems of ethnic, race, sex, rights and duty? Who are responsible for judgement?
Then, what is the aim to producing cyborgs and what is the function of cyborgs?
Someone may say that cyborg can do what human can do and also cannot do. It can be alternative of human when doing something that human is no able to do. For example, go into the scene of accident or hazards for rescue. It may also be the subject of experiment for medical use.
On the other hand, it may also replace human for abundant normal work. This affect the labour market and thus bring deep impact to society in a large extent.
In conclusion, people have been waiting for the emergence of cyborgs and this seems close to success. However, people must thing more and rationally about the related problems brought by cyborgs, and also cyborgs’ problems produced by human.
http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2011/03/31/cyborg-electronic-circuits-human-blood/?test=faces
This is a news taeeling about the successful experiment in important process of manufacturing a cyborg by indian researchers. They succeed in constructing the biological memristor filling with human blood held at 98.6 Fahrenheit (37 Celsius) into which two electrodes are inserted. Then they produce proper measuring instrustmentation. after that, there is successful demonstration of memristor with blood. Their aim is to produce circuitry linking human tissues and nerve cells with electronic devices. This may come true in the future soon.
people has been creating and imagining the emergence and image of cyborgs. This experiment reveals that this may become real very soon. This is an important breakthrough of technology. People may feel exciting toeards cyborgs. There may be some critical questions and problems that emerge at the same time. First, is it human or machine? Certainly a cyborg is a combination of organism and machine. However sometimes there must be classification between either machine or organism. A cyborg may have blood and electronic devices. Therefore, creating the boundary and definition is a harsh task. If it is regarded as “human liked” or “having human characteristics”, then, are there should be problems of ethnic, race, sex, rights and duty? Who are responsible for judgement?
Then, what is the aim to producing cyborgs and what is the function of cyborgs?
Someone may say that cyborg can do what human can do and also cannot do. It can be alternative of human when doing something that human is no able to do. For example, go into the scene of accident or hazards for rescue. It may also be the subject of experiment for medical use.
On the other hand, it may also replace human for abundant normal work. This affect the labour market and thus bring deep impact to society in a large extent.
In conclusion, people have been waiting for the emergence of cyborgs and this seems close to success. However, people must thing more and rationally about the related problems brought by cyborgs, and also cyborgs’ problems produced by human.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
kimi's reflection on the usage of social network sites
http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=800968356113741031
This news stated that a father-of-four, Hywel Dance, has set up a safer social networking site named ‘South Wales Kids’ worked by the school and youth clubs in United Kingdom last year for children who are under 18. He established this website because he was inspired by his son when seeing him use the Facebook. He was afraid that the children would be cheated by people who use fake identities on the Internet. This website received great feedbacks form both the users and parents. It had become popular among children and schools. The site has already got 656 members and is planning to promote this site across the United Kingdom by using the website name, ‘Great British Kids’.
The safety of using the social network sites have been a tough question among the parents. They think that people on the Internet usually use the imitated identities with hidden purposes. Thus, the parents are afraid that their children will be tricked by these villains. In my point of view, I think that Mr. Dance set up this website can provide a relatively safer social network site for children to navigate. This is because this website required joined schools’ verification of the users. The Parents and schools can be more relieved if their children use the ‘South Wales Kids’ instead of other social network sites. It has been long suggested mothers bear the responsibility as the moral guardian over children surfers, but I am convinced that fathers should also perform to their part of duty. The parents should teach their children not to lie on the Internet and do not trust the strangers easily. Not only the bad-manner strangers are blamed for the poor social network safety, parents should also share the responsibilities to teach the correct usage by the children over the sites.
Reflection: Cyberstalking and Facebook Places
The above clip I have chosen is a News Channel feature report about a new Facebook application called Places. It is a useful app for users to check into locations and meet up with friends. Places users can share their favourite restaurants or saloons with their friends. Linkage between person and person can be tightened. For corporations and companies, the app allows them to promote their business by offering discounts through Facebook.
In my opinion, there is no doubt that new online applications provide convenient ways for people to enhance their lives with higher degree of efficiency and effectiveness. For Melissa Gallagher’s example, more Internet users learn of the shop and discount via the app. The promotional purpose can be achieved at a faster speed and for a wider network. However, the loopholes these new apps have brought about cannot be neglected. It is, at the same time, cyberstalking is promoted as it is easier for other people to locate or track down the users’ whereabouts. As a result, more problems regarding privacy come out. Criminal offenses like burglary might increase as people including strangers know that the person is not at the house, as suggested in the News Channel.
Some people suggest that laws and legislations can solve the problem of cyberstalking. In some countries, laws have been set up to deal with the problem. However, I personally think that there are problems regarding legislations. Firstly, the law can be enacted in the jurisdiction where the message was sent from or where it was received. Nonetheless, not many countries have set up laws against cyberstalking. With the open nature of the Internet, it is somehow hard to enforce and prohibit. Secondly, the crime is difficult to prosecute as it is hard to prove who sent the message. Net users can hide their IP address or even use a fake one. It is also time consuming to track any person down. The existing legislations have too many loopholes to be improved.
Before legislation can help, the only thing to be done to minimize problems of cyberstalking is to make wise decision for individuals. Users should be aware of how much of their information to be put out on the Net. Only in this way can privacy of individuals be protected and convenience be enjoyed at the same time.
Karen's Reflection on Cyber Stalking
This article mentioned that the opportunity to target someone on the Internet is becoming limitless when more and more people going online. The range of cyber-stalking is very wide but most of the (regular) stalkers want to do is intimidate and control their victims. And the Internet provides a way / means for them to find out the victims’ information easily.
Another thing that this article mentioned is America states are attempting to deal with the problem of cyber-stalking and California enacted a set of new stalking laws in 2009. The law can invoke to protect people from cyber-stalking, such as posting others’ information illegal or sending threatening email. Prior to California’s anti-cyberstalking laws, the crime was difficult to prosecute that local law is not feasible for these kind of crimes, then the victims could only keep patience to the harassments.Because of the technology development, Internet becomes a part of our daily life. It lets our life become more convenient undoubtedly, but it also causes many crimes. As the article mentioned, cyber-stalking is one of them. To deal with this problem, I think we need to clearly know what is the relation of the stalker and victim. The first type is the stalker know the victim in real-life, maybe after a couple separate, one of them try to harass his/her ex-lover. The second one is they only know each other in virtual world but not real-life.
The second one is easier to prevent that people need to be careful, don’t reveal their personality information online, or use two accounts that one is public and the other one is private. Such as Facebook, it is necessarily to set the privacy setting to only access for friends. However, choosing who is friend is also a consideration also. Besides, use at least two email accounts that also one for public and one for privacy is a method to prevent cyber-stalking, too. Use the public email for registering some forums or online services and the private one for someone you can trust.The first one is more difficult to prevent that the stalker has the victim’s information already. So an appropriate law is necessarily nowadays. But in the case of Hong Kong, it seems it don’t have any laws for cyber-stalking. I think Hong Kong government need to update and modify Hong Kong’s law regularly like America; otherwise, the victims will keep increase only.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Hello everyone, I'm Danny. I'm going to have presentation on thursday.
the topic is online communities. Here is the agenda.
1. Summary of the reading
“The Virtual Community”
2. Definition of online community
3. Reasons of growth
4. Example of online community
5. Impact on society
6. Discussion
here are the dicsussion questions :
Q1
Does this suggest that people are turning the virtual community into a social entity, beyond its original informational purposes?
Q2
As virtual communities become more “real” nowadays, since there are some extent of concretization and formalization, new question emerge, are virtual communities still virtual?
What is “virtual” and “real” ?
What is the boundary?
How to define?
Q3
Example :
http://news.chinatimes.com/tech/12050903/122011041000248.html
Should the websites (online communities and SNSs )bear the responsibilities of the “wrong” summary declared by member, in terms of different political or religious standpoint?
Then , should the websites create rules and restriction, or remain open and fair to all ideas?
Q4 (a typical question but not yet discussed in class)
If people has serious addiction to online community and this is further developed progressively in the future, is this good or bad?
Are there any problems to the society?
If yes, do you have any suggestion?
thank you for all of your meaningful opinion and various disctinive ideas in class and here =)
the topic is online communities. Here is the agenda.
1. Summary of the reading
“The Virtual Community”
2. Definition of online community
3. Reasons of growth
4. Example of online community
5. Impact on society
6. Discussion
here are the dicsussion questions :
Q1
Does this suggest that people are turning the virtual community into a social entity, beyond its original informational purposes?
Q2
As virtual communities become more “real” nowadays, since there are some extent of concretization and formalization, new question emerge, are virtual communities still virtual?
What is “virtual” and “real” ?
What is the boundary?
How to define?
Q3
Example :
http://news.chinatimes.com/tech/12050903/122011041000248.html
Should the websites (online communities and SNSs )bear the responsibilities of the “wrong” summary declared by member, in terms of different political or religious standpoint?
Then , should the websites create rules and restriction, or remain open and fair to all ideas?
Q4 (a typical question but not yet discussed in class)
If people has serious addiction to online community and this is further developed progressively in the future, is this good or bad?
Are there any problems to the society?
If yes, do you have any suggestion?
thank you for all of your meaningful opinion and various disctinive ideas in class and here =)
Adrian's Reflection on Cyber Bullying
The above two video clips are The Pearl Report broadcasted on 21 December 2008 talking about cyber bullying in Hong Kong. From the video, we can see that the victims, such as Christina Chan, was bad-mouthed by anonymous netizens online. Some of the words of these netizens are very personal or even sexual. And through the so-called "human flesh search engine", the personal information and private photos of the victims are disclosed and circulated on the Internet, violating their privacy. The bullies can further use the information they get to reach the victim's real person and pose a threat to them in the real world.
This report studies cyber bullying in Hong Kong deeply and raises a number of points that are worth discussing. But there is one thing I concern about, i.e. "human flesh search engine". It has been a debatable issue recently. As we all know, some of the victims of the engine has done some bad things in the real world. So netizens expose their personal information, such as their name, address, phone number, the name of their school, and photos to "punish" them. The netizens would also produce videos or pictures to tease them and to make fun of them. However, is it a proper way to punish them? Should the victims bear such hugh "costs" (being humiliated or harassed online or even in the real world) because of what they have done? And more importantly, do netizens have the right or power to punish them? It reminds me the rape case in LambdaMoo Franco talked about today and the question of who has the right to toad Mr Bungle. (I don't know if I spell the name correctly)
Another question about "human flesh search engine" is: why netizens are capable of searching out the information of the victims? A possible answer I can think of is that we unconsciously disclose too much personal information on the Internet through our blogs and social websites. So it relates to the issue of privacy. As the US President Obama said, we should be careful when we are using social websites like facebook because the thing we put on it today is no more a secret and people can still find it out after many years. So we should think twice before we share something personal on the Internet.
Every coin has two sides. The Internet brings us a lot of convenience. But if we use it in a bad way, it will cause a lot of problems. So we should use it properly.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
News Reflection on Anorexic women targeted by 'super-skinny' porn websites
This news article, “Anorexic women targeted by 'super-skinny' porn websites” in The Guardian reports on how some anorexic women in the UK were fell victim to pornography agencies from sexual harassment online to having be tricked and forced to take nude photos under captive situation in reality.
I have learned that there has been a wave of skinny models for the fashion industry but I am shocked to learn that there is anorexia porn where skinny women, diagnosed with anorexia are the victims of pornography agents online. Some with eating disorder escaped from the world of anorexia porn, but not all were that fortunate. It was shocking to see that, a woman in the report had eventually died of heart failure after her desperate escape from being first captive to starve and then forced to take porn shoots by an anorexia pornography agent.
Sadly, I feel there are hardly any morals in the internet. In my opinion, people are seemingly more ethical in reality due to laws and regulations set in society. Shouldn’t they be ethical in the cyber-world as well in a similar sense? But when the internet is unrestricted and boundary free, who cares about being caught? In this case from the gender point of view, these women were obviously the “prey”, their anorexia emphases the state of physical vulnerability, which made easy target for the “perpetrators” (Men in this case) in the cyberspace and in reality. The level of cyber-stalking has raise to another level, from “stalking” to committing “sexual assaults” to the victims.
When these women posted their photos online, their privacy is no longer private. The photos presumably supporting for pro-anorexia websites consequently turned into sexual gratification for the perverts. Women suffering anorexia should be vigilant when posting their photos for health advice on the internet. Meanwhile, education is important in reducing such crimes. Ultimately, the perpetrators or rather, the “perverts” should be prosecuted at all cause!
Source
Hobbs, N. “Anorexic women targeted by 'super-skinny' porn websites” The Guardian 6 April 2011. 12 April 2011. <http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2011/apr/06/anorexic-women-targeted-by-porn-websites>.
Source of Image
"Anorexic-back-007." Photograph. “Photo in the News: Anorexic women targeted by 'super-skinny' porn websites.” The Guardian. 6 April 2011. 12 April 2011. <http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2011/apr/06/anorexic-women-targeted-by-porn-websites>
Reflection of man-made heart news
http://www.bio-medicine.org/biology-news/Man-made-heart-tissue-improves-cardiac-performance-2868-1/
This article mentions that researchers and professors have developed a newly and revolutionary method to build up blood vessels within the tissue of artificial man-made heart muscle. Experiments and trials have resulted in significant improvement in heart function. Since there are more and more people suffer from heart disease, it is necessary to develop a method to solve the problem. In this study, the researchers were successful in raising the amount of vascularization throughout the implanted sections. Further, the tissue engineered remained viable even after the implantation period that still maintaining cardiac’s function.
However, there is something we must alert. Although the man-made cardiac tissues are succeed in improving the function, it challenges the moral standard that the boundary between mechanical and physical product. It is no doubt that the boundary becomes more blurred when compared with the past. In contrast, does it mean that we can give up moral standard when facing difficulties? Since the society improved from time to time, the technology does help us a lot in solving daily problems. It can be said that technology facilitates and improves human standard of living. At the same time, it also challenges some traditional thoughts. As the result, the invention of cyborg is a effective solution to help us dealing with the boundary. The difference between human and robot is no longer controversial issue and ground for a break through to further development.
This article mentions that researchers and professors have developed a newly and revolutionary method to build up blood vessels within the tissue of artificial man-made heart muscle. Experiments and trials have resulted in significant improvement in heart function. Since there are more and more people suffer from heart disease, it is necessary to develop a method to solve the problem. In this study, the researchers were successful in raising the amount of vascularization throughout the implanted sections. Further, the tissue engineered remained viable even after the implantation period that still maintaining cardiac’s function.
However, there is something we must alert. Although the man-made cardiac tissues are succeed in improving the function, it challenges the moral standard that the boundary between mechanical and physical product. It is no doubt that the boundary becomes more blurred when compared with the past. In contrast, does it mean that we can give up moral standard when facing difficulties? Since the society improved from time to time, the technology does help us a lot in solving daily problems. It can be said that technology facilitates and improves human standard of living. At the same time, it also challenges some traditional thoughts. As the result, the invention of cyborg is a effective solution to help us dealing with the boundary. The difference between human and robot is no longer controversial issue and ground for a break through to further development.
Friday, April 1, 2011
Reflection on Zombie Cyborg Beetles
This video, “starring” a cyborg beetle, is found in scienceblogs.com. (http://scienceblogs.com/thoughtfulanimal/2011/03/video_of_the_week_zombie_cybor.php) It is an experiment held by Michel Maharbiz who is an associate professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at the University of California. The working principle is namely to implant insects with electrodes designed to stimulate their neurons as well as the nerve cells that enervate their muscles. Besides, the beetle is “functioned” via radio signals between the insect and a hacked Nintendo Wii remote.
First watching this approximately one minute video clip, I found it very interesting as the beetle acts as if a remote control aircraft. However, once I saw the following comment posted on Youtube, I soon ponder deeply on the issue of animal rights. “Sad to see insects being controlled out of their free, the insect is more or less in a dead state because it can’t use its brain anymore.”
I am just wondering what is the significant to turn animals/insects into a cyborg. And what on earth we, human race, can determine the living right of animals. It seems that we would like to expand our advanced technology to a frontier because human has already “played” enough. On one hand, technologies bring a new world where there are improvements around-the-clock convenient for us. On the other hand, it probably strangles the rights of the inferior, namely the animals. So, “Be or not to be (keep on developing new technologies)? There is a question,” this is worthwhile to have a further discussion to this topic. =)
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
presentation agenda
hello, I am Joseph. I am going to present the topic, resistance, on Thursday. Here is my presentation agenda.
1. Summarize one core reading
2. Discussion on "culture jamming"
3. Culture jamming products in Hong Kong
4. Discussion
5. Conclusion
1. Summarize one core reading
2. Discussion on "culture jamming"
3. Culture jamming products in Hong Kong
4. Discussion
5. Conclusion
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Kimi's Critical Annotated Webliography
1. Biro, Matthew (2009) Dada Cyborg : Visions of the New Human in Weimar Berlin. United States: University of Minnesota Press. http://site.ebrary.com.eproxy1.lib.hku.hk/lib/hkulibrary/docDetail.action?docID=10370380 ( accessed 10 March 2011)
The idea of ‘cyborg’ is a theory of immortality that roots as a cultural theory after World War II, according to Matthew Biro in his publishing, Dada Cyborg: Visions of the New Human in Weimar Berlin. Dadaism is a cultural movement that began in Zurich, Germany, during World War I and peaked from 1916 to 1922[1]. The theory encompassed a wide range of post-war politics expressed in forms of art, literature and other manifestations. The concept of cyborg happens to be one of the many that incorporates cybernetics.
As I have established, the cyborg notion was virtually a product of Dada artists arose from their fear and apprehension of World War I & II during 1916-1934, reflecting their heavenly hopes and immortal fantasy. In this sense, the notion was highly cultural of the old era. Reviewing it nowadays, the modern cyborg theory encompasses a blend of technology, biology and culture. It is a hybrid cultural product entrenched on future technology development and envisages the evolution progress to post-human age which represents the struggle for immortality of today.
2. Kull, Anne (2000) ‘A theology of technonature based on Donna Haraway and Paul Tillich.’ Digital Dissertation Consortium. http://pqdd.sinica.edu.tw.eproxy1.lib.hku.hk/twdaoeng/servlet/advanced?query=9956520 ( accessed 12 March 2011).
In this article Kull Anne states that the theology of techno-nature is a hybrid activity which reviews the relationship between nature and technology established from Donna Haraway’s cyborg doctrine. Haraway claims that the notion of cyborg concentrates mainly on cultural aspects, where nature cannot be fully comprehended with the dispense of culture. Meanwhile, Kull reiterated that the idea is much of a multiple literacy, capable of containing multiple viewpoints and areas such as literacy, technology and communication. Despite that the merger of technicality and natural biology forms the bulk of the discussion, She is intrigued that cyborg is not just about reconfiguring the living within techno-science. Conversely, she believes that it is a notion faithful to the nature and beneficial to both human and non-human.
Enlightened by Anne, human has always been endeavoring to define humanity by distinguishing ourselves from non-livings. However, ironically, human beings simultaneously stretch to trespass beyond that boundary which apparently separates us from the rest. She believes that the representation of this dilemma unmistakably lies within the parameters of the cyborg notion. The theory of techno-science is a matrix composed of life and culture, where cyborg expresses itself as a self-established ‘religion’ just as the Christian or Catholicism. In other words, cyborg is a manifestation of social reality and product of fiction, only that with the incorporation of technology and scientific elements render the notion readily acceptable and apparently rational. The bottom line is that the doctrine is invariably a kind of identity of the present age, where medicine and science progressions soar and shape our world unparalleled by any other times of human civilization.
3. Xiangyu, Wang (2011) Mixed Reality and Human-Robot Interaction. Sydney: Springer.
http://books.google.com.hk/books?id=5MBB4wFcR7YC&printsec=frontcover&dq=robot+human&hl=zh-TW&ei=3pF_Tcz_G42ecbXa_PUG&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=8&ved=0CFgQ6AEwBw#v=onepage&q&f=false ( accessed 12 March 2011)
Human-robot interaction appears in every segment of life today. The combination of digital contents with real-time physical actions creates a simulated environment that is aimed to augment reality. In Mixed Reality and Human-Robot Interaction, the article provides a wide variety of examples which implement such idea. It iterates that through the process of Human-robot interaction, the happening of mixed reality (between virtual and actual) has been an emerging direction of technology development.
As illustrated by Wang, under the current direction, the popularity of the mixed reality human-robot interaction is gaining unrivalled momentum in the present age. There are examples, ranging from cutting-edge 3D technology employed in digital simulation to hand-held mobile devices using heat-sensitive touch screens. However, despite this ever-increasing acceptance of the human-robot interface by the users, the authenticity of the relationship has inevitably become vague. Since digital manifestations can generate the feeling of physical sensation, the value of virtual reality has been lifted to nearly equal footage with the true world. In other words, the necessity to distinguish between virtual and real has been tampered, or rendered insignificant as long as the utilization of the robotic machine is able to achieve the ultimate objective. Whether or not this direction is distressful, the advancement of technology has doubtlessly brought about a new trend that forms a rupture in human civilization.
4. Kurzweil, Ray (2005) The Singularity is near: When humans transcend biology. New York: Penguin Group.
http://books.google.com.hk/books?id=88U6hdUi6D0C&printsec=frontcover&dq=The+Singularity+Is+Near&source=bl&ots=v-cVhKstOK&sig=slyqLCpqQdNJQHptSIhORXSKDP8&hl=zh-TW&ei=lRZ_Tdopxclx48Pw8QY&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=10&ved=0CIMBEOgBMAk#v=onepage&q&f=false ( accessed 14 March 2011)
One of the most profound and sophisticated question ever challenged by biologists, may not remain intact for long, as Ray Kurzweil theorizes the relationship between humans and machines in terms of sublimation through the merger of technological creations and living organisms. In his writing, The Singularity is near: When humans transcend biology, he strikingly persuades that a brand new phase of technologic-biology, the ‘singularity’ stage, is not as impossible to achieve as generally conceived instead it is approaching exponentially.
According to his doctrine, genetics and nanotechnology are both essential components of machine-incorporated living organisms – future human beings. Under the rapid development of technology the human brain is deemed to become a living quantifiable wisdom box, in other words, similar to a super computer processor save it is biological.
Building upon Kurzweil’s theory, in the new era, which he believes is inevitable, the calculation speed of the coming computers will soon surpass the process capacity of any human brain. At this point the thin line between biology and technology will become insignificant due to the medical advancements. Computer chips, imaginably will become part and parcel to us and old, rotten or dis-functioning brain parts will be replaced. The integration is going to bring about advanced living forms and, arguably, wiser intelligence. The traditional distinction between human and machines will become insignificant which the dual will eventually merge and become singular.
5. Grossman, Lev (2011) ‘ 2045 The Year Man Becomes Immortal’. Time Magazine, 21 February 2011, 24-31. http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,2048138,00.html ( accessed 16 March 2011)
One of the most bombarding ideas presented by ‘singularitarians’ is that human will be able to create artificial intelligence comparable to the processing capability of our own brain. Lev Grossman in his article, Singularity: 2045 The year Man Becomes Immortal, explains the worldview of the ‘singularitarians’ who believe that machine and human will eventually become one. The notion of cyborg is as real as a cell phone. He cited that under the present progression of technology advancement, by the year 2045, ultra-intelligent machines which exceed the combined brainpower of all human brains will be manufactured. According to Lev, this is more of a pragmatic theory than a fringe science fiction as we conceived when we recall the fact that the laptop we are using is thousand times more powerful than the one 40 years ago used in NASA.
However, a blade has two sides. Realization of cyborg may possibly lead to merits such as immortality but could also result annihilation of humanity. On the upside, we may be able to heal aging, whereas on the downside computers can possibly develop until they are way more intelligent than human. This is because they could have well taken over their own development from our hands at that time. If we are lucky enough, we can scan our consciousness into the computers and live immortally, but virtually. What about the definition of ‘alive’ at that time? The lesson is that taking a long view is always harmless, so long as one bears in mind the consequences of playing god’s role.
[1] de Micheli, Mario(2006). Las vanguardias artísticas del siglo XX. Alianza Forma. p.135-13
The idea of ‘cyborg’ is a theory of immortality that roots as a cultural theory after World War II, according to Matthew Biro in his publishing, Dada Cyborg: Visions of the New Human in Weimar Berlin. Dadaism is a cultural movement that began in Zurich, Germany, during World War I and peaked from 1916 to 1922[1]. The theory encompassed a wide range of post-war politics expressed in forms of art, literature and other manifestations. The concept of cyborg happens to be one of the many that incorporates cybernetics.
As I have established, the cyborg notion was virtually a product of Dada artists arose from their fear and apprehension of World War I & II during 1916-1934, reflecting their heavenly hopes and immortal fantasy. In this sense, the notion was highly cultural of the old era. Reviewing it nowadays, the modern cyborg theory encompasses a blend of technology, biology and culture. It is a hybrid cultural product entrenched on future technology development and envisages the evolution progress to post-human age which represents the struggle for immortality of today.
2. Kull, Anne (2000) ‘A theology of technonature based on Donna Haraway and Paul Tillich.’ Digital Dissertation Consortium. http://pqdd.sinica.edu.tw.eproxy1.lib.hku.hk/twdaoeng/servlet/advanced?query=9956520 ( accessed 12 March 2011).
In this article Kull Anne states that the theology of techno-nature is a hybrid activity which reviews the relationship between nature and technology established from Donna Haraway’s cyborg doctrine. Haraway claims that the notion of cyborg concentrates mainly on cultural aspects, where nature cannot be fully comprehended with the dispense of culture. Meanwhile, Kull reiterated that the idea is much of a multiple literacy, capable of containing multiple viewpoints and areas such as literacy, technology and communication. Despite that the merger of technicality and natural biology forms the bulk of the discussion, She is intrigued that cyborg is not just about reconfiguring the living within techno-science. Conversely, she believes that it is a notion faithful to the nature and beneficial to both human and non-human.
Enlightened by Anne, human has always been endeavoring to define humanity by distinguishing ourselves from non-livings. However, ironically, human beings simultaneously stretch to trespass beyond that boundary which apparently separates us from the rest. She believes that the representation of this dilemma unmistakably lies within the parameters of the cyborg notion. The theory of techno-science is a matrix composed of life and culture, where cyborg expresses itself as a self-established ‘religion’ just as the Christian or Catholicism. In other words, cyborg is a manifestation of social reality and product of fiction, only that with the incorporation of technology and scientific elements render the notion readily acceptable and apparently rational. The bottom line is that the doctrine is invariably a kind of identity of the present age, where medicine and science progressions soar and shape our world unparalleled by any other times of human civilization.
3. Xiangyu, Wang (2011) Mixed Reality and Human-Robot Interaction. Sydney: Springer.
http://books.google.com.hk/books?id=5MBB4wFcR7YC&printsec=frontcover&dq=robot+human&hl=zh-TW&ei=3pF_Tcz_G42ecbXa_PUG&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=8&ved=0CFgQ6AEwBw#v=onepage&q&f=false ( accessed 12 March 2011)
Human-robot interaction appears in every segment of life today. The combination of digital contents with real-time physical actions creates a simulated environment that is aimed to augment reality. In Mixed Reality and Human-Robot Interaction, the article provides a wide variety of examples which implement such idea. It iterates that through the process of Human-robot interaction, the happening of mixed reality (between virtual and actual) has been an emerging direction of technology development.
As illustrated by Wang, under the current direction, the popularity of the mixed reality human-robot interaction is gaining unrivalled momentum in the present age. There are examples, ranging from cutting-edge 3D technology employed in digital simulation to hand-held mobile devices using heat-sensitive touch screens. However, despite this ever-increasing acceptance of the human-robot interface by the users, the authenticity of the relationship has inevitably become vague. Since digital manifestations can generate the feeling of physical sensation, the value of virtual reality has been lifted to nearly equal footage with the true world. In other words, the necessity to distinguish between virtual and real has been tampered, or rendered insignificant as long as the utilization of the robotic machine is able to achieve the ultimate objective. Whether or not this direction is distressful, the advancement of technology has doubtlessly brought about a new trend that forms a rupture in human civilization.
4. Kurzweil, Ray (2005) The Singularity is near: When humans transcend biology. New York: Penguin Group.
http://books.google.com.hk/books?id=88U6hdUi6D0C&printsec=frontcover&dq=The+Singularity+Is+Near&source=bl&ots=v-cVhKstOK&sig=slyqLCpqQdNJQHptSIhORXSKDP8&hl=zh-TW&ei=lRZ_Tdopxclx48Pw8QY&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=10&ved=0CIMBEOgBMAk#v=onepage&q&f=false ( accessed 14 March 2011)
One of the most profound and sophisticated question ever challenged by biologists, may not remain intact for long, as Ray Kurzweil theorizes the relationship between humans and machines in terms of sublimation through the merger of technological creations and living organisms. In his writing, The Singularity is near: When humans transcend biology, he strikingly persuades that a brand new phase of technologic-biology, the ‘singularity’ stage, is not as impossible to achieve as generally conceived instead it is approaching exponentially.
According to his doctrine, genetics and nanotechnology are both essential components of machine-incorporated living organisms – future human beings. Under the rapid development of technology the human brain is deemed to become a living quantifiable wisdom box, in other words, similar to a super computer processor save it is biological.
Building upon Kurzweil’s theory, in the new era, which he believes is inevitable, the calculation speed of the coming computers will soon surpass the process capacity of any human brain. At this point the thin line between biology and technology will become insignificant due to the medical advancements. Computer chips, imaginably will become part and parcel to us and old, rotten or dis-functioning brain parts will be replaced. The integration is going to bring about advanced living forms and, arguably, wiser intelligence. The traditional distinction between human and machines will become insignificant which the dual will eventually merge and become singular.
5. Grossman, Lev (2011) ‘ 2045 The Year Man Becomes Immortal’. Time Magazine, 21 February 2011, 24-31. http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,2048138,00.html ( accessed 16 March 2011)
One of the most bombarding ideas presented by ‘singularitarians’ is that human will be able to create artificial intelligence comparable to the processing capability of our own brain. Lev Grossman in his article, Singularity: 2045 The year Man Becomes Immortal, explains the worldview of the ‘singularitarians’ who believe that machine and human will eventually become one. The notion of cyborg is as real as a cell phone. He cited that under the present progression of technology advancement, by the year 2045, ultra-intelligent machines which exceed the combined brainpower of all human brains will be manufactured. According to Lev, this is more of a pragmatic theory than a fringe science fiction as we conceived when we recall the fact that the laptop we are using is thousand times more powerful than the one 40 years ago used in NASA.
However, a blade has two sides. Realization of cyborg may possibly lead to merits such as immortality but could also result annihilation of humanity. On the upside, we may be able to heal aging, whereas on the downside computers can possibly develop until they are way more intelligent than human. This is because they could have well taken over their own development from our hands at that time. If we are lucky enough, we can scan our consciousness into the computers and live immortally, but virtually. What about the definition of ‘alive’ at that time? The lesson is that taking a long view is always harmless, so long as one bears in mind the consequences of playing god’s role.
[1] de Micheli, Mario(2006). Las vanguardias artísticas del siglo XX. Alianza Forma. p.135-13
Nicole's Critical Annotated Webliography
Marlene M. Maheu (2004) ‘The Future of Cyber-Sex and Relationship Fidelity: Cyborg Theory’
http://www.selfhelpmagazine.com/article/node/1337(accessed 12 march 2011)
This article is concern about cyborg sexuality in the Internet that free from reality. Technology is a powerful tool for people to think the relationship between each other and the sexuality in society.
Cyborg is mixed people and machines or animals. Donna Haraway’s defined that ‘a cybernetic organism, as a hybrid of machine and organism, a creature of social reality as well as a creature of fiction.’ People are cyborgs when spending all time in computer to represent themselves.
Technology and humans combined into one, like man is a pacemaker or woman is a respirator. It can overcome the health problem. For example, Stephan Hawkings .
Robin Hamman, the interaction between humans and computer in the cybrogasms. He talks with a young woman named Rebecca in the America Online Chat Room. When Robin Hamman talks to Rebecca, she never represents her sexuality. Therefore, she does not have physically sex in the Internet. Her sex life is tied to computer and Chat Room or any other online systems. Robin Hammam said that ‘the boundary between the human and the machine has blurred.’ It means Rebecca become a cyborg.
Technology makes people go to the cyberspace. The sex and infidelity are reflected in the commitment and life. Technology is giving a new comment, that is totally different from the traditional view because people have an experience in new space. Enable them to show biology and technology, people can represent themselves have a well relationship. It can increase more understanding about the cyborg.
Ross, Charlotte (2005) ‘Creating the ideal posthuman body? Cyborg sex and gender in the work of Buzzati, Vacca, and Ammaniti.’
http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-135843180.html (accessed 12 March 2011)
This article is concern about the sex relationship of cyborg and the human. The writer said that the topic of this article is ‘indicate both sexed bodies and sex with cyborgs. Writer wants to discuss sexual and machine to identify the boundary about the psychology, identity and self and others.
The writer thinks that machinery cans stick to cyborg metaphor their sexual attraction through different way, for example, the stream engine. It may be another attraction. She think if people want to keep going on, it is necessary to clarify the gap between human and cyborg.
When the technology developed, if the investigation is ongoing male’s domination generation is change. It is the trend that Woman becomes powerful to develop by themselves. But, writer think that ‘despite frequent overt attempts to reinforce gender binaries as an inevitable, "natural" principle of human identity (and thus by extension cyborg identity).’ People can create and produce identity and sex in the internet.
Jennifer Breen (2007) ‘Cyber Gender’.
http://www.cyborgdb.org/breen.htm (accessed 13 March 2011)
This article is discussing change sex in the Internet. People can choose their gender they like. There are many reasons in respect of change their gender. Gender can be hidden in the internet, this include their sex, alternatively, some of then want to pretend the other sex make confused to others. Male change gender because they want to express female’s aspect. Female wants to change sex because woman has power in the Internet.
Haraway said that ‘“Cyborgs might consider more seriously the partial, fluid, sometimes aspect of sex and sexual embodiment. Gender might not be global identity after all, even if it has profound historical breadth and depth.’ Cyborg can change anything in anytime in the Internet. It is because cyborg is neither a man nor woman.
It is because cyberspace does not have real body in the real life. People can create a new character in the Internet and choose their personality they like. People can define them through the outlook. The writer said that, sexuality is not a stable in our world. People can choose the gender in the cyberspace.
J. Hughes(2007) ‘From Virtual Sex to No Sex?’
http://ieet.org/index.php/IEET/print/1348 (accessed 13 March 2011)
This article is concern about the sexuality in the cyberspace. Writer thinks that sex is defined by other direction and dangerous. Sex in the cyberspace is become safe. It is because this can make people avoid diseases and pregnancy. Also, convenient is another element because it is available any time you are and no boundary. The technology will expect to test people’s emotion. Therefore, expect cyborg also can imitate people. It may be able to displace people.
In the interent, people can treat themselves as either the woman or man that subject to their description in the internet. However, the writer said this is subjective opinion; it is because many people are like nature sex. Therefore, body sex will be displaced by physical sex. Last, people will directly to control or influence brain to partner and experience.
Writer said that, people would totally feel completely body sensation after forty years. Therefore, people have a good quality sex with partner. Also, people can control the neurochemistry of sex, the love and hope. People have a choice to choose what they like.
Adam Dobronyi (2011) ‘Cyborg Barbie, unable to perform gender roles’
http://www.wetheb.org/2011/01/cyborg-barbie-unable-to-perform-gender.html (accessed 14 March 2011)
This article is talking about the cyborg Barbie may not have gender. In 2010, a company creates a new Barbie. This Barbie has a camera in her body. Children can use this camera to watch and have interaction with Barbie. Therefore, children can through the camera and the small LCD screen to interact with Barbie. Nowadays, Barbie is a cyborg.
Donna Haraway said that ‘ pioneer of gender critical cyborg theory, writes that, "a cyborg is a cybernetic organism, a hybrid of machine and organism, a creature of social reality as well as a creature of fiction" in "A Cyborg Manifesto".’ And also said ‘The cyborg is a creature in a post-gender world; it has no truck with bisexuality, pre-oedipal symbiosis, unalienated labour, or other seductions to organic wholeness through a final appropriation of all the powers of the parts into a higher unity.’ Through the theory, cyborg must need have two standard, the first one, cyborg must include physically and organic. Another is cyborg must be genderless.
Barbie is technical product; it is because made entirely of technology, such as plastic, copper wires and circuit boards. But she is representing the technology. And Barbie has video recording and LCD screen in her body. Therefore, she is visually representing the cyborg.
Barbie also has on gender. Barbie has clearly body sharp and has great legs, its present a wonderful female body. However, writer think that Barbie’s great body sharp is removed from the real world gender roles. Thus, Barbie meets the second requirement. Barbie may become cyborgs in the future.
http://www.selfhelpmagazine.com/article/node/1337(accessed 12 march 2011)
This article is concern about cyborg sexuality in the Internet that free from reality. Technology is a powerful tool for people to think the relationship between each other and the sexuality in society.
Cyborg is mixed people and machines or animals. Donna Haraway’s defined that ‘a cybernetic organism, as a hybrid of machine and organism, a creature of social reality as well as a creature of fiction.’ People are cyborgs when spending all time in computer to represent themselves.
Technology and humans combined into one, like man is a pacemaker or woman is a respirator. It can overcome the health problem. For example, Stephan Hawkings .
Robin Hamman, the interaction between humans and computer in the cybrogasms. He talks with a young woman named Rebecca in the America Online Chat Room. When Robin Hamman talks to Rebecca, she never represents her sexuality. Therefore, she does not have physically sex in the Internet. Her sex life is tied to computer and Chat Room or any other online systems. Robin Hammam said that ‘the boundary between the human and the machine has blurred.’ It means Rebecca become a cyborg.
Technology makes people go to the cyberspace. The sex and infidelity are reflected in the commitment and life. Technology is giving a new comment, that is totally different from the traditional view because people have an experience in new space. Enable them to show biology and technology, people can represent themselves have a well relationship. It can increase more understanding about the cyborg.
Ross, Charlotte (2005) ‘Creating the ideal posthuman body? Cyborg sex and gender in the work of Buzzati, Vacca, and Ammaniti.’
http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-135843180.html (accessed 12 March 2011)
This article is concern about the sex relationship of cyborg and the human. The writer said that the topic of this article is ‘indicate both sexed bodies and sex with cyborgs. Writer wants to discuss sexual and machine to identify the boundary about the psychology, identity and self and others.
The writer thinks that machinery cans stick to cyborg metaphor their sexual attraction through different way, for example, the stream engine. It may be another attraction. She think if people want to keep going on, it is necessary to clarify the gap between human and cyborg.
When the technology developed, if the investigation is ongoing male’s domination generation is change. It is the trend that Woman becomes powerful to develop by themselves. But, writer think that ‘despite frequent overt attempts to reinforce gender binaries as an inevitable, "natural" principle of human identity (and thus by extension cyborg identity).’ People can create and produce identity and sex in the internet.
Jennifer Breen (2007) ‘Cyber Gender’.
http://www.cyborgdb.org/breen.htm (accessed 13 March 2011)
This article is discussing change sex in the Internet. People can choose their gender they like. There are many reasons in respect of change their gender. Gender can be hidden in the internet, this include their sex, alternatively, some of then want to pretend the other sex make confused to others. Male change gender because they want to express female’s aspect. Female wants to change sex because woman has power in the Internet.
Haraway said that ‘“Cyborgs might consider more seriously the partial, fluid, sometimes aspect of sex and sexual embodiment. Gender might not be global identity after all, even if it has profound historical breadth and depth.’ Cyborg can change anything in anytime in the Internet. It is because cyborg is neither a man nor woman.
It is because cyberspace does not have real body in the real life. People can create a new character in the Internet and choose their personality they like. People can define them through the outlook. The writer said that, sexuality is not a stable in our world. People can choose the gender in the cyberspace.
J. Hughes(2007) ‘From Virtual Sex to No Sex?’
http://ieet.org/index.php/IEET/print/1348 (accessed 13 March 2011)
This article is concern about the sexuality in the cyberspace. Writer thinks that sex is defined by other direction and dangerous. Sex in the cyberspace is become safe. It is because this can make people avoid diseases and pregnancy. Also, convenient is another element because it is available any time you are and no boundary. The technology will expect to test people’s emotion. Therefore, expect cyborg also can imitate people. It may be able to displace people.
In the interent, people can treat themselves as either the woman or man that subject to their description in the internet. However, the writer said this is subjective opinion; it is because many people are like nature sex. Therefore, body sex will be displaced by physical sex. Last, people will directly to control or influence brain to partner and experience.
Writer said that, people would totally feel completely body sensation after forty years. Therefore, people have a good quality sex with partner. Also, people can control the neurochemistry of sex, the love and hope. People have a choice to choose what they like.
Adam Dobronyi (2011) ‘Cyborg Barbie, unable to perform gender roles’
http://www.wetheb.org/2011/01/cyborg-barbie-unable-to-perform-gender.html (accessed 14 March 2011)
This article is talking about the cyborg Barbie may not have gender. In 2010, a company creates a new Barbie. This Barbie has a camera in her body. Children can use this camera to watch and have interaction with Barbie. Therefore, children can through the camera and the small LCD screen to interact with Barbie. Nowadays, Barbie is a cyborg.
Donna Haraway said that ‘ pioneer of gender critical cyborg theory, writes that, "a cyborg is a cybernetic organism, a hybrid of machine and organism, a creature of social reality as well as a creature of fiction" in "A Cyborg Manifesto".’ And also said ‘The cyborg is a creature in a post-gender world; it has no truck with bisexuality, pre-oedipal symbiosis, unalienated labour, or other seductions to organic wholeness through a final appropriation of all the powers of the parts into a higher unity.’ Through the theory, cyborg must need have two standard, the first one, cyborg must include physically and organic. Another is cyborg must be genderless.
Barbie is technical product; it is because made entirely of technology, such as plastic, copper wires and circuit boards. But she is representing the technology. And Barbie has video recording and LCD screen in her body. Therefore, she is visually representing the cyborg.
Barbie also has on gender. Barbie has clearly body sharp and has great legs, its present a wonderful female body. However, writer think that Barbie’s great body sharp is removed from the real world gender roles. Thus, Barbie meets the second requirement. Barbie may become cyborgs in the future.
Joseph's critical annotated webliography
As the most ultra layer in the whole human body, skin, does not only performs the function of protection. Rather, it plays a symbolic interpretation intertwined between body and society. To distinguish who a person is, the first insight plays the most important function in presenting the person’s gender, race, or even class. In the past, we are easy to examine whether a ‘person’ is human being or mechanic artificial. In contrast, it becomes an arduous difficulty throughout the 21st century in which 3D animation and artificial intelligence developed rapidly and robot technology enhancement improved at the same time. The updated robots are no longer covered by metallic fixture, instead, they are no difference with human. Here comes to controversial discussion which Donna Haraway doubted about why human bodies end at the skin. This webliography is going to examine skins in relation to human as well as the future embodiment.
1. Ballard, Susan (2011) ‘My Viewing Body Does Not End At The Skin.’
http://www.voyd.com/ttlg/textual/ballardessay.htm (accessed 10 March 2011)
The author examined that human body cannot end at the most exterior skin which since there are too much to analyze and interpret insides. This statement was declared by Donna Haraway in 1985 that challenged the former dualistic ideology operated in daily operation. Susan Ballard indicated that the observation experience of human being was not only based on the eyes but in large extent, attributed to the interaction and cooperation of the body. Skin means nothing if symbolic meanings applied on it. It functioned through interactions between human beings. Besides, she premised if ‘voice’ had transformation and could be separated, the framework used to demarcate body which is ‘skin’, should be questioned. Furthermore, those transformations brought along by technologies improvement also generated a revolutionary sense towards corporeal body. Interaction between objects and situations largely contributed to the viewing process and as the result, material’s body was no longer be the solely basis. In addition, Susan Ballard explored a decisive element that ‘desire’ emerged and functioned, finally emanated to the front of the viewer. ‘Desire’ doesn’t only shape one’s behavior alone, but also affect self identity which changes the process of future embodiment. These images and desire provided rooms for people to mimesis and affect future embodiment.
2. Bayne, Siân (2004)’ The Embodiment Of The Online Learner.’
http://74.125.155.132/scholar?q=cache:dqvVxQzlfkJ:scholar.google.com/+why+body+end+at+skin+haraway&hl=en&as_sdt=1,5 (accessed 11 March 2011)
Siân Bayne reconfirmed the importance of re-articulation of body. Identities are constructed through human interaction and not purely natural as well as bodies does. She admitted that bio-technology mapped the basic construction of identity at one level, rather, Dr. Bayne also emphasized on the technological intervention in modifying human body in terms of cosmetic and therapeutic. She regarded cyborg as a breakthrough which destroys the common dualistic ideology between organism and machine, or even culture and nature. Since cyborg is designed in the fusion of mechanic and physical, those technological penetrations accelerated the breakdown of human skin’s function. Along with the technology improvement, the existence of future cyborg would highly alter our own embodiment. Skin and human body would not be the essential criteria and characteristics to provide concrete definition towards human being. Bayne also replenished it by suggesting that no matter how the future visualizing human beings and the “body” must be attached, but there are still uncertainties whether what cooperation between mechanic and organic. It might be cyborgs with physical skin outside, cybernetic elements inside. More cyborgs in human skin emerged, more ethical debates came out as the borders between human and robot are blurred. Rather than being the trait only for organism, skin, might build upon cybernetic subjects and the cover would be gathered by a group of tissue layer.
3. Kunzru, Hari (2004)’You Are Cyborg.’
http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/5.02/ffharaway_pr.html (accessed 10 March 2011)
Hari Kunzru provided definition on cyborg that is a mixture of animal and machine. It became a framework to challenge common dualistic ideology. The world is no longer operated by binary opposition, but something ‘the third’ would be appeared. Since animation technology developed rapidly, those imaginations of cyborg became visualized. Science stories not only grounded the fantasy for audience, but also served as the platform to overthrow mainstream ideology. The ideas of cyborg in animations and films opposed the general stereotypes that woman were submissive, weak and emotional naturally. The border between human beings and robot was going to be blurred. Skin, as the most obvious evidence to differentiate between physical bodies and machine components, became worthless. In addition, the world was no longer to be natural and human beings could make efforts to change it. The author believed that human, like cyborgs, could be reconstructed since they are not natural at all. Hari followed by imaging whether human in the future, is going to be biologically destined to fight war if weapons are built up inside. As the result, technology will be the major cause to shape one’s identity, sexuality and even gender. Since human have been more sophisticated, cyborg may be the decisive counter-force to make the world remains functioned.
4. Morse, Margaret(2005)‘Sunshine and Shroud: Cyborg Bodies and the Collective and Personal Self.‘
http://www.medienkunstnetz.de/source-text/117/ (accessed 10 March 2011)
Base on the statement ‘why should our bodies end at skin‘ from Donna Haraway, the author addressed three major undeveloped liminal qualities of cyborg and suggested that the boundries between physical and non-physical have already been entailed by the belief of emboidment. Margaret proposed that cyborg is a aspect of human emboidment instead of a separated being. Cyborg is a transformation form human to robot. The embodiment would no longer be purely humanity but obtained combination between physical and non-physical. Hence, cyborg is only partly physical and the rest filled with mechanic elements which are invisible but ubiquitous. Cyborg might covered by physical skin but nothing skelton is inside. Normal bood vessels are replaced by circuits and electronic threads. Therefore, the boder between human and robot became hidden and confused. At the same time, cyborg imagining needed to overthrow the dualistic ideology between individual and collective. Margaret explord that cyborg involved the process of disassociation and affilitation. Furthermore, Margaret suggested that human embodiment was unstable and changed over time. Culture, technologies, or even human beings themselves will affect the embodiment process. As the result, embodiement required the self-contruction beyond skin from flesh to space in order to adapt to the changing world.
5. Ashby, Madeline (2008) ‘Ownership, authority, and the body: Does antifanfic sentiment reflect posthuman anxiety?’
http://journal.transformativeworks.org/index.php/twc/article/view/40/49 (accessed 12 March 2011)
Madeine believed that the construction of posthuman images would intertwine between genetic, mechanical and psychological which are hybirds of the creation of science fiction and social reality. She suggested that some of the women characters in cyborg films and fictions are the pioneer of future human bodies and identities. Wonmen were merged with the high technologies and organic components. Although those females characters are still contained traditional characteristics like long hair and huge breast, they are more engaged to alter others stereotypes towards woman. Those reproduction protentials of females would not be the path to humanity and wholeness anymore. From now on, this is an era that human beings, especially bodies, are no longer be easily observed. Thus, new generation of women will celebrate for the rejection of body and pleased for the performance of newly identities which help females subvert the former patriarchal authority. Patriarchy society would no longer existed and women, as the revolutionary force, might get over men and dominate the future.Regenerate becomes the key of cyborg identity instead of having rebirth. Madeine believed that cyborg doesn’t only provide challenges for the binary opposition between physical human beings and cybernetic mechanical, but also establish a basis for future anthropology researches as well as gender studies.
Work Cited
Hari Kunzru: «You Are Cyborg.»\\Rev. 2011-03-10
Madeline Ashby: «Ownership, authority, and the body: Does antifanfic sentiment reflect posthumananxiety?»Rev. 2011-03-12
Margaret Morse: «Sunshine and Shroud: Cyborg Bodies and the Collective and Personal Self».
Susan Ballard: «My Viewing Body Does Not End At The Skin.». Rev. 2011-03-10
Siân Bayne: «The Embodiment Of The Online Learner.» Rev. 2011-03-11
1. Ballard, Susan (2011) ‘My Viewing Body Does Not End At The Skin.’
http://www.voyd.com/ttlg/textual/ballardessay.htm (accessed 10 March 2011)
The author examined that human body cannot end at the most exterior skin which since there are too much to analyze and interpret insides. This statement was declared by Donna Haraway in 1985 that challenged the former dualistic ideology operated in daily operation. Susan Ballard indicated that the observation experience of human being was not only based on the eyes but in large extent, attributed to the interaction and cooperation of the body. Skin means nothing if symbolic meanings applied on it. It functioned through interactions between human beings. Besides, she premised if ‘voice’ had transformation and could be separated, the framework used to demarcate body which is ‘skin’, should be questioned. Furthermore, those transformations brought along by technologies improvement also generated a revolutionary sense towards corporeal body. Interaction between objects and situations largely contributed to the viewing process and as the result, material’s body was no longer be the solely basis. In addition, Susan Ballard explored a decisive element that ‘desire’ emerged and functioned, finally emanated to the front of the viewer. ‘Desire’ doesn’t only shape one’s behavior alone, but also affect self identity which changes the process of future embodiment. These images and desire provided rooms for people to mimesis and affect future embodiment.
2. Bayne, Siân (2004)’ The Embodiment Of The Online Learner.’
http://74.125.155.132/scholar?q=cache:dqvVxQzlfkJ:scholar.google.com/+why+body+end+at+skin+haraway&hl=en&as_sdt=1,5 (accessed 11 March 2011)
Siân Bayne reconfirmed the importance of re-articulation of body. Identities are constructed through human interaction and not purely natural as well as bodies does. She admitted that bio-technology mapped the basic construction of identity at one level, rather, Dr. Bayne also emphasized on the technological intervention in modifying human body in terms of cosmetic and therapeutic. She regarded cyborg as a breakthrough which destroys the common dualistic ideology between organism and machine, or even culture and nature. Since cyborg is designed in the fusion of mechanic and physical, those technological penetrations accelerated the breakdown of human skin’s function. Along with the technology improvement, the existence of future cyborg would highly alter our own embodiment. Skin and human body would not be the essential criteria and characteristics to provide concrete definition towards human being. Bayne also replenished it by suggesting that no matter how the future visualizing human beings and the “body” must be attached, but there are still uncertainties whether what cooperation between mechanic and organic. It might be cyborgs with physical skin outside, cybernetic elements inside. More cyborgs in human skin emerged, more ethical debates came out as the borders between human and robot are blurred. Rather than being the trait only for organism, skin, might build upon cybernetic subjects and the cover would be gathered by a group of tissue layer.
3. Kunzru, Hari (2004)’You Are Cyborg.’
http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/5.02/ffharaway_pr.html (accessed 10 March 2011)
Hari Kunzru provided definition on cyborg that is a mixture of animal and machine. It became a framework to challenge common dualistic ideology. The world is no longer operated by binary opposition, but something ‘the third’ would be appeared. Since animation technology developed rapidly, those imaginations of cyborg became visualized. Science stories not only grounded the fantasy for audience, but also served as the platform to overthrow mainstream ideology. The ideas of cyborg in animations and films opposed the general stereotypes that woman were submissive, weak and emotional naturally. The border between human beings and robot was going to be blurred. Skin, as the most obvious evidence to differentiate between physical bodies and machine components, became worthless. In addition, the world was no longer to be natural and human beings could make efforts to change it. The author believed that human, like cyborgs, could be reconstructed since they are not natural at all. Hari followed by imaging whether human in the future, is going to be biologically destined to fight war if weapons are built up inside. As the result, technology will be the major cause to shape one’s identity, sexuality and even gender. Since human have been more sophisticated, cyborg may be the decisive counter-force to make the world remains functioned.
4. Morse, Margaret(2005)‘Sunshine and Shroud: Cyborg Bodies and the Collective and Personal Self.‘
http://www.medienkunstnetz.de/source-text/117/ (accessed 10 March 2011)
Base on the statement ‘why should our bodies end at skin‘ from Donna Haraway, the author addressed three major undeveloped liminal qualities of cyborg and suggested that the boundries between physical and non-physical have already been entailed by the belief of emboidment. Margaret proposed that cyborg is a aspect of human emboidment instead of a separated being. Cyborg is a transformation form human to robot. The embodiment would no longer be purely humanity but obtained combination between physical and non-physical. Hence, cyborg is only partly physical and the rest filled with mechanic elements which are invisible but ubiquitous. Cyborg might covered by physical skin but nothing skelton is inside. Normal bood vessels are replaced by circuits and electronic threads. Therefore, the boder between human and robot became hidden and confused. At the same time, cyborg imagining needed to overthrow the dualistic ideology between individual and collective. Margaret explord that cyborg involved the process of disassociation and affilitation. Furthermore, Margaret suggested that human embodiment was unstable and changed over time. Culture, technologies, or even human beings themselves will affect the embodiment process. As the result, embodiement required the self-contruction beyond skin from flesh to space in order to adapt to the changing world.
5. Ashby, Madeline (2008) ‘Ownership, authority, and the body: Does antifanfic sentiment reflect posthuman anxiety?’
http://journal.transformativeworks.org/index.php/twc/article/view/40/49 (accessed 12 March 2011)
Madeine believed that the construction of posthuman images would intertwine between genetic, mechanical and psychological which are hybirds of the creation of science fiction and social reality. She suggested that some of the women characters in cyborg films and fictions are the pioneer of future human bodies and identities. Wonmen were merged with the high technologies and organic components. Although those females characters are still contained traditional characteristics like long hair and huge breast, they are more engaged to alter others stereotypes towards woman. Those reproduction protentials of females would not be the path to humanity and wholeness anymore. From now on, this is an era that human beings, especially bodies, are no longer be easily observed. Thus, new generation of women will celebrate for the rejection of body and pleased for the performance of newly identities which help females subvert the former patriarchal authority. Patriarchy society would no longer existed and women, as the revolutionary force, might get over men and dominate the future.Regenerate becomes the key of cyborg identity instead of having rebirth. Madeine believed that cyborg doesn’t only provide challenges for the binary opposition between physical human beings and cybernetic mechanical, but also establish a basis for future anthropology researches as well as gender studies.
Work Cited
Hari Kunzru: «You Are Cyborg.»\\
Madeline Ashby: «Ownership, authority, and the body: Does antifanfic sentiment reflect posthumananxiety?»
Margaret Morse: «Sunshine and Shroud: Cyborg Bodies and the Collective and Personal Self».
Susan Ballard: «My Viewing Body Does Not End At The Skin.»
Siân Bayne: «The Embodiment Of The Online Learner.»
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