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Month: January 2017

A bit of alone time helps lift the fog…

A bit of alone time helps lift the fog…

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This morning my head seemed to be in overdrive digesting and contemplating life, cyborgs and cyber culture. The only way to clear my head was to take a walk and enjoy the beautiful setting with nature, keeping technology in the distance….but was it ? I had my phone as a clock to keep track of time and used the camera to capture picturesque moments. I may have limited my use of smartphone by disconnecting, avoiding the internet, social media, e-mails or text BUT I still used the device as a safety net. Next time, I want to connect more to the moment, instead of capturing that moment for the blog, with only the view and my own thoughts. To be creative, think clearly and refresh, sometimes we need to allow the mind time to just be and be free.

 

Finally!

Finally!

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After many attempts, I have finally managed to work the comments on another blog to appear on my own. The only thing is, I am not sure if it was due to the hashtag #mscedc, the word Dirk or the word Linzi. Maybe, I should always include the three trigger phases as a precaution!!

“Testing #mscedc Linzi Dirk’
from Comments for Dirk’s EDC blog http://ift.tt/2kzGLzX
via IFTTT

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Dirk , I love your approach….I may build up to an online talk. I may need to kick my dog and kids outside for some peace and quiet while I film, lol!

Linzi x

from Comments for Dirk’s EDC blog http://ift.tt/2kzpKlB
via IFTTT

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?