Module 13: And Class Comes to a Close

As this is my last blog post for my Digital Society class, I will start by reflecting on the things I learned most throughout this spring semester and my opinions about Thomas Friedman’s book, The World Is Flat. If I were to sum up the keys topics that Friedman wanted to relate all his experiences and connects with, would be collaboration and globalization among the whole globe, elevated by the advancement of technology. It has opened my eyes to the great progress we have made socially, now able to communicate with anyone anywhere. I take for granted the technology placed in front of me at my generation, and the powers of collaboration it holds. After reading this book and hearing all the examples from Friedman, I began to take notice everywhere of the efficiency and multi-company processes that much business goes through. Personally, I feel a little sheltered in some of the major technological fronts and national relationships. While reading, I found that the birth of Internet and current globalization as news to me, but very intriguing at that. It puts a brand new perspective in my surroundings and gives me curiosity about current news and growth in today’s technology; especially the not so long ago history. I also have a tinge of guilt for not being in the loop with my rising generation, and now feel the urge to catch up with the times. I am glad I've gained a better grasp on the subject and hop to become more insightful and this expanse as well The more and more I learn, I find how interconnected everything seems to be.

One history story that I didn't know the upbringings, was the birth of the Internet. Mainly the contributing topic of community development software. For review, motivated collaborative volunteers modify base codes for programs and new software, and then make it public for the good of the future! I thought it was a neat teamwork effort, and amazing how it was driven by pure ambition and curiosity.  This struck a personable connection, simply because of the advancement of the Internet was made possible by excited contributors, and especially having the humility to make it public too!

Another topic that opened my eyes was the idea of supply-chains and all the detail. I admit once again that I didn't fully comprehend the subject, but afterwards realized that overall, the take-home-message to success, was being efficient and reliable. Walmart is a very relatable business because it is so popular and has everything. I could easily imagine that process Friedman was describing and also recognize the important factors of each step that make this business flourish.

One thing I liked enjoyed about this class, was that because it was done through a blog format, it gave me a chance to speak my mind more so than turning in a typed easy. I felt excited to summarize, explain and opinion-ate in my style of writing, emphasizing how I want. Another bonus to a blog was being able to read other classmates posts of the assignment. I learned a few things that maybe weren't as clear in the book and were simplified by other bloggers. I also could view their perspective and consider their stance and opinion on the topic.

Lastly, I enjoyed taking the last month to glance into the future and what it beholds. I gave me a change to ponder the possibilities, and also the potential outcome we may inflict upon ourselves.  I assume everyone finds curiosity in new technological advances and many science fictional gadgets that are generated by the film industry. All seems possible with the realistic, computer animated creations of the future. After diving into the topic of artificial intelligence, robots, nanotechnology and genetic engineering, I made me step back a little and ask myself, “Do we want all this?” In most ways, yes, it sound exciting, efficient and like a path to breakthroughs in education and healthcare. But after consideration at the facts, we don’t know where it will lead and when to call it “quits” with technological upgrades.

Module 12: More on Artificial Intelligence

This post is perfectly sequential to my last one previewing Big Hero 6 and the ultimate idea of artificial intelligence. Though the film was a science-fiction animation, the predictions are possible, as I summarize and article by Bill Joy, Why the Future Doesn't Need Us, and his concerns. With the robot Baymax, I mentioned the ethical benefits and concerns for this implication of technology, but as far as the character goes, all ends well. Joy on the other hand collaborates with authors and speakers that he respected about the increasing possibilities along with increasing concerns beginning with the human race drifting into dependence.

GNR, represents the technologies of genetic engineering, nanotechnology and robotics. The ethical stance with advancing technology is what concerns Joy. Slowly machines are making basic decisions for us, and eventually, more advanced ones. We may fall into a dependent and useless state where no human effort is demanded and we rely on the technology. Once technology becomes too advanced for the average rising generations to keep up, we will be uninformed about making complex decisions concerning system maintenance, thus left up to the machines, having ultimate control. Only the elite will be left to rule these complex systems and authorize the fate of society. Overall, the future has to offer many unintended consequences with more and more control in the hands of technology and that according to Murphy's law, ”Anything that can go wrong, will."

In one discussion Joy had with a fellow scientist, Danny, the idea of merging computer with human body didn't seem to phase him. Danny pointed out that the scenario of humans merging with robots would come gradually, like as I compared, to the parable of frogs in boiling water. The way I picture it, with increased technology, so do medical procedures, most involving foreign substances v.s. organic. And that is where I believe the process of human-robots begins. Some people already have internal pacemakers and assisted living devices like artificial hearts, lungs and blood filtration. Who know how soon we find how to do without, and simply replace our decision making brain with indestructible, immortal robot machinery. The idea isn't new either such as Star Trek's Borg characters that are humans fused with robotic machinery and capable of more strength and destruction that we need. Also a resent film suggests the realistic possibility with robotic body forming to the necessary human components of intelligence and function. Robocop is a 2014 film that perfectly displays Joy's talk of the possibilities the future hold and the dangerous consequences as well. In the film, a cop gets critically injured and a car bomb and is admitted into a massive reconstructive surgery, salvaging his head, respiratory organs and one hand. More into the plot, RoboCop becomes a powerful danger as his brain is tampered by his scientists (an elite group as mentioned earlier) having ultimate overriding abilities. They upgrade to provide efficiency and alter emotions which are at first limited but then completely suppressed to the point of blind obedience to his "cop-programming". Once again, I believe this is a perfect imitation of the future's attempt at a seemingly beneficial, even lifesaving intention, but also recreated are the realistic misuses that could easily become out of even the elites' control. Humans will be endangered when perfected technology replaces the efficiency, strength and work. 

As Joy theorized about the possibilities, he mentioned that for technological advancement and replication, "They will not require large facilities or rare raw materials. Knowledge alone will enable the use of them." This ensures that nature won't be a limiting factor to fall back for security. I think if technology becomes overpowering and consuming, it will only escalate from there with nothing but upgrading and extermination of the useless. Another film, this time mentioned by Joy, fictionally displays another technologically advanced scenario where initially mapped for good and bound by rules and protocols, also went rogue and turned on the human race. I, Robot had robots bound by its Three Laws of Robotics, ultimately protecting mankind. This type of precautions and authority by the elite proved a great protection to society, but all systems have potential to be hacked, corrupted and taken advantage of. The consequences may prove irreversible and unstoppable.

 Technology has been a huge influence in my upbringing, with particularly the Internet. The birth of the Internet wasn't too long before I was born in 1995. With the years, came better modifications, making it user friendly and convenient. I remember how foreign it seemed when in the third grade, we had our computer class time where we were exposed to how to use the Internet. Previously, even without Internet access or familiarity, just computers alone served as a motivating and resourceful learning tool. My childhood computer background consisted of interactive, cartoon computer games. Most of the programs were Sesame Street themed, specific to alphabet, numbers, design or coordination. One key detail I can recall in relation to the need for computers now is how dependent we have become compared to when I was younger. Then, it served merely as an entertainment option, with a few beneficial educational factors, but didn't dominate my free time. The purpose for computers progressed as I got older, with more challenging programs and eventually the Internet in mid-elementary. 

Computers are so integrated into our society, that owning one and knowing how to use it proficiently, is the key to academic success. Computers give simple access to being successful at the skills you wish to obtain. I have a personally relevant example that has been well supported by computer availability. 

Module 11: Film Review...Big Hero 6

So for this week, I am doing a computer related film review. I was going to watch and review a Star-Trek or Stargate episode since I’m a huge fan. I decided to watch a full-length movie though because it would have an all-encompassing plot and an episode of Stargate might not include all of the examples of technology that it normally represents throughout the series. Plus, I couldn't decide which of 100’s of episodes to best pick from. I will mention a little bit at the end from my favorite show, Stargate Atlantis, because it has a similarity with the film I did choose, Big Hero 6. I know it initially looks like a stretch, analyzing a cartoon, but it ended up providing supple information for my three main points: the computer/network usage throughout, realistic or ridiculous, and any social/cultural implications.

This movie is science fiction and cartoon animation by Disney, so realism can only go so far. There is a basic realistic foundation to some areas though. Overall though, there was a great deal of technology usage in this movie and network instances. A main example and key to the movie, is the inflatable robot Baymax. He is designed by Tadashi, a robotics student at San Fransokyo Institute of Technology. Robots are a real invention, consisting of complex programming and computer integration. Even the robot fighting at the beginning of the film is modern day, like in the T.V. shows Robot Wars and Battle Bots. This robot takes on an almost artificial intelligence as new events and data can be integrated into his memory, but all the while, he obediently sticks to his initial programmed protocol and sole purpose as a Personal Health Care Companion. This was the social and cultural benefiting quality of the film that ultimately gave a great moral to not cause any harm, especially as revenge. The main character Hiro, who assumes ownership to Baymax after his brother’s death, is also very tech-savvy. He uses his advances computer programming to install new modifications to Baymax on a new chip for defense in conjunction with his healthcare chip, using data from a Karate video to help defend against a rising villain. At one climatic point though, Hiro took advantage of Baymax by removing his “good” microchip for an instance of revenge. There was a struggle to replace the chip by his team and then lesson was learned.

This robotic model offers an amazing futuristic idea for providing society with a comforting “nurse” if keep strict to the healthcare and no- harm programming. If not, it could arise in violence and power in the wrong hands, like he case in the film I, Robot  where robots where designed to serve humanity, but artificial intelligence and motives went rogue.  I also don’t know the realism with Baymax’s abilities to be able to lift 1,000 pounds, but I seem probable that his can store and integrate lots of data. An instance in the film when Baymax doesn't seem to comprehend emotional pain, he downloads all the data from the computer that would correspond and becomes immediately informed, adding to his 10,000 different medical procedures included in his programming. I think the technology is almost futuristic if we are comparing to realism, with his physical structure possibly limiting his ability to perform certain procedures, being vinyl and overly inflated. And the level of maintenance and physics would be almost ridiculous to include his extra features of defibrillator/ antibacterial spray equipped hands and heating system. One unrealistic factor, for film purposes was time; how designing and experimenting fell in a short time frame…but so do most movies.

A good example of networking was when Baymax tried to provide treatment for Hiro’s depression by contacting his friends spontaneously. He also performs automatic body scans and therefore can provide general information like blood type, temperature, brain activity and other demographics. Hiro used his computer to design and create body armor and gadgets with a 3-D printer of advanced quality. Especially when upgrading Baymax’s new chip, and finding a Karate video easily like we do every day with YouTube clips. Video camera evidence from their villain’s secret project was caught on computer and downloaded via flash drive, which is a common use of technology today. Basic communication devices were used when contacting the butler for a helicopter lift, or team conversation during the end battle scene. Since the movie still incorporated common technology today, it provided a semi-realistic approach and futuristic possibility. On the very unrealistic side, was the “villain’s” secret project having similar looks as a stargate in the Sci-Fi series Stargate SG-1 and Stargate Atlantis. The stargate has teleportation abilities, and both shows have similar imaginations of the idea. The stability in Big Hero 6 though, failed and caused catastrophe, as the technology was nowhere near perfected yet.