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.