The article “Mind control & the Internet” talks about computers being a form of extension of the mind, and how this technology makes it possible to overcome problems related to memory loss that comes both from aging but also from diseases like Alzheimer’s. This technology can fix damaged parts of our brain by implanting a small device. I would say that was a small price to pay in order to restore mobility for people who are paralyzed and give voice to those not being able to communicate.
The article provides us with an example of a man that says he is becoming more human because of a computer implant. Hmm, how exactly is that?
Are we going to be “Cyborgs” – human beings with computers in our heads? This is a starting point for the debate between repairs and enhancement! Where do we cross the line? Learning could reach a whole new level, or even become unnecessary because you can just buy a chip with knowledge. In that case, I would like to learn Mandarin / insert a language chip (do you think that would be “Made in China”?)…
I just saw the movie “The Rise of the Planet of the Apes” that also experiments to find a cure for the Alzheimer’s disease through genetic enhancement – and look what happened there. The chimpanzees enhanced their intelligence and got their freedom. A tool that powerful can cause enormous impact on the world. I mean, how do we control this “intelligence enhancement”, who is allowed to use it, and who programs it? What happens if it falls into the hands of the enemy? Will the enemy outsmart us with our own tools, shit, that would be bad!
All this talk about improved intelligence and increased IQ, does that even consider EQ, the emotional intelligence? And is that the only thing that differentiates us from being robots walking around with chips in our brains?
Task 1 - Using the Library databases to find different things:
- Stephen Stockwell's first article?
Stockwell, S. 1981. 'Kuranda police shooting' Legal Service Bulletin, p. 48-49
via HeinOnline Law Journal Library.
- In which comic did Govenor Slugwell appear?
Burcen, B. 1985,.'When the Shoes Aren't Worth the Shine' Flaming Carrot Comics no. 7 via Underground and Independent Comics.
- Leon's reaction in Bladerunner, when Holden asks him about hit mother?
"Leon looks shocked, surprised. But the needles in the computer barely move. Holden goes for the inside of his coat. But big Leon is faster. His laser burns a hole the size of a nickel through Holden’s stomach. Unlike a bullet, a laser causes no impact. It goes through Holden’s shoulder and comes out of his back, clean as a whistle"
Fancher, H. 1982. 'Blade Runner (1982) Draft Script;' Scene 1. via American Film Scripts Online
- What does Paul Soukup say Walter Ong saw as the main paradox in 20th century communication?
"The 20th century introduced a paradox: “that a society given so much to the use of diagrams and to the
maneuvering of objects in space . . . should at the same time develop means of communication which specialize not in sight but in sound"
Walter J. Ons. 2004. 'A Retrospective' Communication Research Trends, vol 23 no. 1 via Centre for the Study of Communication and Culture
Damn, all of that research!
Task 2 - Online Communities Fading Away :
Damn, all of that research!
Task 2 - Online Communities Fading Away :
Social media sites fulfill our human desire to communicate and keep in track of what activities our surroundings are taking part in. They are an important factor in our social lives and I bet many of us are addicted to them to some extent.
According to research, (Wilkinson & Thelwall, 2010 p. 2313) functionality, customization of the profile, options to control private settings and the age group being associated with the site are some of the things that determines whether or not the different social media sites are able to outlive its competitors.
MySpace has fallen behind Facebook, and according to an online research conducted in September 2009, MySpace´s share of social network traffic was 30 per cent compared to Facebook´s 58 percent. In respons to this, the new chief executive of MySpace says that they are no longer interested in competing with Facebook, because they aim to become an online hub for music and entertainment and are focused on a different space. As part of their new plan, they have launched iLike as the result of a deal with Apple that allows MySpace users to buy music without having to leave the site. In addition to that, they are working on introducing weather and job section features.
Let’s face it, My Space has already lost the battle. At one point they say that they want to differentiate from Facebook by only focusing on music, and then they want to include weather and job features? All I can say is good luck, no wonder Facebook is winning the battle.
Garrahan, M 2009, ‘MySpace abandons race with Facebook’, Financial Times, Oct 22 2009 p. 13. Viewed 26 August via ProQuest
Wilkinson, D & Thelwall, M 2010, ‘Social Network Site Changes Over Time: The case of MySpace’ , Journal of the American Society for Information Science and Technology, vol. 11 p. 2311-2323.
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