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Day: January 26, 2017

What does it mean to be human and what will the next evolutionary leap be technology wise?

What does it mean to be human and what will the next evolutionary leap be technology wise?

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This documentary was FASCINATING and I really loved how the course readings have made me look at the world differently. I find myself asking questions but find evolution of humans not to be feared but as Miller (2011) states ’embraced’. I am someone that even looks at my family differently and I am grateful that technology has saved and improved health through the use of insulin pumps, augmentation, transplants and even prosthetics. I have always been conscious of my health and my bodies ability but I the brain is the most important part and I feel it is something that Artificial Intelligence cannot replicate. How we feel, interact and process things and others through our cognition and full body experience is what makes us human, even if we are cyborgs.

 

References

 

Miller, V. (2011) Chapter 9: The Body and Information Technology, in Understanding Digital Culture. London: Sage. (e-reserve, pdf)

Haraway, Donna (2007) A cyborg manifesto from Bell, David; Kennedy, Barbara M (eds), The cybercultures reader pp.34-65, London: Routledge. (e-reserve, pdf)

Can we teach empathy?

Can we teach empathy?

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Is it due to a lack of empathy? And if so can empathy be taught?

 

The capacity to sympathise and empathise are considered vital for a sense of humanity but there is a difference between sympathy and empathy. When experiencing something we can receive sympathy from many, but only those who have experienced something similar are able to empathise truly. Compassion provides the ability to understand one’s fellow humans and their problems. Taking this thought further, in regard to humanism, can we teach Artificial Intelligence emotions?

Homework these days are delightful and my inner child is loving it #mscedc

Homework these days are delightful and my inner child is loving it #mscedc

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I’ve always loved a movie but I never questioned or put much thought in to the content as it was for entertainment. Now as I watch the films, I am talking, pausing, repeating specific scenes and annoying my family. They seem to think I have a ‘short circuit’ and to them I have malfunctioned.

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When bullying becomes virtual

When bullying becomes virtual

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Bullying and aggressive behaviour is something that has been a problem even before technology was involved. Technology has allowed individuals to hide behind a keyboard and verbalise more than they would in the company of the other person. So how do we address the issue? What exactly do we monitor? Do we look for the behaviour in the child that may be bullied? Do we monitor the online communication between peers? Or do we interact with individuals in an environment where empathy, morals and ethics can be discussed face to face?