Critical Thinking Blog–Assignment #8

Due to taking this course, my views about science and the humanities have changed a bit.

While taking in the connection between the two into consideration, humanity may be able to transcend the boundaries between these two subjects to ultimately answer some of the most elusive questions of the universe. For example, while writing my research paper on the promises and perils of virtual Reality portrayed in the novel, Plowing the Dark by Richard Powers, I noticed a connection between humanism and the pursuit of scientific discoveries. The promises of VR have been shown to be innumerable; however, it should be noted that they also come with perils of their own.  Spiegel says,"Change any variable and the 
executing universe alters. Move it to the left, increment it by a quarter percent, and the new result gets spit out whole. It gives one tremendous feeling of – Power?" (Powers 216). When he said this, I was able to relate to it due to my ongoing work in computer science.Due to an individual’s raison d'être, they may push themselves to transcend the boundary between real and virtual spaces; therefore, allowing for a greater understanding of the observable universe. Additionally, this raison d'être drives people to formulate new questions based on previously received answers; thus, forming an unbreakable thirst for knowledge. In conclusion, I have merely realized my initial optimism as we finish the semester has grown more.

Critical Thinking Blog – Assignment #5

The movie, A.I. Artificial Intelligence produced by Steven Spielberg, tells the story of a highly advanced robotic boy longing to become indistinguishable for human boy; therefore, he searches to regain the love of his human mother. In the article, “Dream-Logic, the Internet and Artificial Thought” by David Gelernter, various arguments are made to determine whether or not computers will reach ever an artificial intelligence that is comparable or superior to human intelligence. In one particular argument he says that, “No computer will be creative unless it can simulate the nuances of human emotions” (Gelernter 262). Consequently, David ,the robotic boy, in the movie trailer appears to be able to discern the nuances of human emotion by embarking on a quest to regain the love of his mother. Additionally, he seems to possess the ability to free-associate, because he processes new experiences like any other child would, learn from each experience to better understand his thoughts. In contrast the movie, The Terminator directed by James Cameron, shows the perils that humans will face if they ever have to fend for their lives against an android predator. I believe that robots will become more acceptable to people if their designers are more transparent concerning their capabilities. Therefore, people seem to be more accepting of a new technology when they are able to clearly see the benefits of using it in their daily lives.

Critical Thinking Blog – Assignment #4-- Midterm Practice

Within the field of Computer Science, many have sought to decode the complexities of human intelligence, and create an artificial intelligence. In the graphic novel, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Phillip K. Dick , Rachel Eldon is an android that has an artificial intelligence that may be on par or exceeding the current capabilities of human intelligence. During, the Voight-Kampff test, she appears to be able to develop emotionally charged responses to some of the questions asked to her. In particular, when asked a question concerning her course of action in response to her hypothetical husband hanging up a picture of a nude woman atop a bearskin rug in his study, she fails to notice the subtleties in this loaded question (Dick 316). Due to her being an android, she decides the logical course of action is to not let him hang it up; therefore, she fails to notice that the real question was concerning the desecration of a deceased animal. The article, “Dream-Logic, the Internet and Artificial Thought” by David Gelernter, argues whether or not computers will reach ever an artificial intelligence that is comparable or superior to human intelligence. In one particular instance, he states that in order to close the gaps between these two forms of intelligences that computers will need to be able free-associate. He defines free-association as, “each new thought resembles or overlaps or somehow connects-to the previous thought” (Gelernter 260).  In this state of mind, computers should begin to develop their own unique ideas.

Critical Thinking Blog – Assignment #6

In regards to my research paper, I chose to write about the promises and perils of virtual reality (VR) portrayed in the novel, Plowing the Dark, by Richard Powers. Based on several popular and scholar sources, an argument can be made that the promise of virtual reality as portrayed in Richard Powers’ Plowing the Dark outweigh its perils.

For the first source I chose "Virtual Reality and Presence" by the following people: Bohil, Corey, Charles B. Owen, Eui Jun Jeaong, and Bradly Alicea. This article was found in the Gale Virtual General Reference Collection database. The authors of this article gave an overview on the experience of virtual reality. In order to create an illusion for the senses, hardware and software are utilized in VR system to recreate the information present to the sensory/perceptional system in the physical world (Bohil, et al). Therefore, the creation of this illusion is necessary to immerse the user in the virtual space, while also allowing them to develop a strong presence in it. I chose to use this source because it offers a good overview of what to expect from VR. This source will allow understand the mechanics that an VR user would go through, and the insight to current implementations of immersive and non-immersive VR.

The primary imaginative text that will be used would be Plowing the Dark. I purchased this novel from Amazon.com. In this novel, Richard Powers utilize virtual spaces to illustrate the extent that human ingenuity can be harnessed through the use of the Cavern, while exploring the consequences of being enveloped by it. The promises of VR have been shown to be innumerable; however, it should be noted that they also come with perils of their own. I chose this novel as my primary text because I am interested in the potential that can tapped from VR. As an aspiring Computer and Information Research Scientist, I may end up working on research project on this subject.

Critical Thinking Blog #3: Research Paper Topic Brainstorming

            In regards to my research paper topics, I have narrowed it down to two topics.  I have chosen to write about the first or second research paper idea. The ‘imaginative’ text that I have chosen to analyze the presentation of science and/or technology would be Plowing the Dark by Richard Powers. I am interested in exploring: the boundaries between virtual and real spaces, the purpose of consciousness, the extent of an individual’s imagination and how virtual reality is presented of in my research paper. As Bradley Smith writes in “Mosaic (Winnipeg)”, the distinction between realities and virtually can be conceived as that, “…nature is real, and that which can be said to exist in the minds of humans is artificial”. Naturally, his notion of the constitution of reality causes people to question the limits of human consciousness.  In order to discuss the impact of upcoming science and technology I plan to mainly use the following works of literature: The Singularity Is Near: When Humans Transcend Biology by Ray Kurzweil,  Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick, and “Skilled Work, Without the Worker” by John Markoff,. In particular, the promising research in genetics, nanotechnology and robotics has led many to believe that a prosperous future is in store for us. Richard Feynman writes, “But I am not afraid to consider the final question as to whether, ultimately, in the great future, we can arrange the atoms the way we want; the very atoms, all the way down!” (Kurzweil 213). Ray Kurzweil may have included this quote in his novel to cause his readers to contemplate the many intriguing implications of having the knowledge and expertise to manipulate the world to our own desires.

Critical Thinking Blog #2: Popular Science Today

The overall tone of the new Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey TV show seems to be optimistic about certain humanistic values. In particular, these values are focused on finding out that our place in the Universe is largely insignificant. Nevertheless, learning more about our place in the Universe has been informative to me. In Neil deGrasse Tyson’s discussion on the origins of life, he articulates:   

Nobody knows how life got started. Most of the evidence from that time was destroyed by impact and erosion. Science works on the frontier of knowledge and ignorance. We’re not afraid to admit what we don’t know. There’s no shame in that. The only shame is to pretend that we have all the answers. Maybe someone watching this will be the first to solve the mystery of how life on Earth began.

In regards to this quote, Neil deGrasse Tyson suggests the science can be used to further our understanding of the origin of life on Earth. As a result, using scientific knowledge to figure out the nature of Universe can bolster some humanistic values by discerning the reason why humans are able to utilize logic and reason. While watching the first episode of Cosmos, I became aware of the limits of our understanding of the observable universe and the unique properties that can be used to conceptualize the notion of a multiverse. When Dr. Tyson theorizes that our observable universe “is but one tiny bubble in an infinite ocean of other universes… a multiverse”, it caused me contemplate on magnitude of such a statement. My contemplation was brought about by the concept of an “infinite ocean”, such an idea brings about a sense of wonder and awe when imagining what can be achieved in such a place.

Welcome to My Blog

Currently, I am studying Liberal Arts: Mathematics and Science at LaGuardia Community College.

For quite some time now, I have sought knowledge in the hopes of materializing my thoughts into reality. As a result, I have come to enjoy engrossing myself in studying the theory and applications of computing.
At this point in time, my ideal career would be a Computer and Information Research Scientist. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Computer and information research scientists invent and design new technology and find new uses for existing technology. They study and solve complex problems in computing for business, science, medicine, and other uses”.  In order to achieve this idealistic career I plan to attain a M.S. in Computer Science and advance to the Ph.D. program.  Choosing this path will allow for me to figure out what my research interests are before fully committing my efforts to the Ph.D. program.  

Due to my aforementioned interests, I would consider myself as a science person. I chose to study Liberal Arts: Mathematics and Science because it applies directly to my study of  the theory and applications of computing. As a result, I have been able to consistently do well in my computer science, mathematics and natural science courses. I think that most people in the United States today feel positively about science/technology today. However, this is contingent on their perceived value of specific topics in science and technology.