Module 13

Before taking this class I never really though about all the opportunities that computers and technology has provided us with. I think I was most amazed at how many things have created a more equal opportunity to people all over the world. It is amazing that you can live in a less developed country but because of the internet and other programming creations we are able to have the same opportunities and businesses can be ran from anywhere in the world. It is crazy to see how much the world has already changed in the short period of time that computers have been accessible to everyone. Reading the stories that we did it is easier and easier to see how people can believe that eventually computers would be able to control us, since they already are so much more powerful than when they were first developed. This was probably one of the most interesting classes that I took, because it really opened my eyes to all the opportunities that technology provides me personally with. I was able to see the huge influence that it has on my life every single day. I believe that computers and the world becoming flat is a good thing because there is a lot more freedom to do the things that you want wherever you may be. There are no longer limitations from working from the same computer in the same spot, you can hook up to just about any computer and network and with the right use of programs you can access files and data from another computer. It is amazing to me all the progress that we have already made and that we are continuing to make. I never realized how wide of an effect and influence computers, networking and programming have on each and everyone of us. When I learned about all the ways that it helps companies, like Walmart, work more efficiently I realized that there isn't really one person in this world that isn't using technology in some way, it has a huge influence on everyone even if you aren't actually sitting down at a computer everyday, when you are shopping at stores it is what keeps them running efficiently. I want to just say thank you for having us read this book, it was something I would have never read on my own, but really opened up my eyes and am glad I took the time to read it. 

Module 12

This article that related to GNRs was quite fascinating. GNRs are Genetics, genetics, nanotechnology, and robotics which are all 21^st century technologies. They are believed to be so powerful that they can spawn whole new classes of accidents and abuses. These things are all becoming closer in reach to people, which is scary for some people to comprehend. The author even believes that we are on the edge of a new evil. People believe that with the development of robots then we will be able to live life more leisurely. I think that with the advancement of robots that we will become less and less needed. If people had no purpose then why would we continue to exist? If we had nothing to work for or give us purpose in life then it is most likely would become lazy and inadequate individuals in which society has no need for. People also believe that eventually we could live forever because of advancements with robotics, we would be able to replace vital parts of ourselves with robotics to keep us alive and maintain our health. If we are giving up the things that make us human and individuals to computers and technologies then yet again we will cease to exist. Yes robotic, computeristic forms of us would exist in our place, but life would be nothing like it is now. There would be no use for human life if computers were to take over the world, eventually they would be smart enough to maintain themselves and keep everything running smoothly, therefore there would be no need for us. People like to believe that we would coexist and ultimately control them and make sure that they are not taking over, but really in the end they will outsmart us and have no need for us. I believe that once there is no need for humans than they will cease to exist due to lack of need. People wouldn’t have a purpose to continue living, therefore they most likely wouldn’t. 

Module 11

This story is about a robot named Joe. It is amazing that in 1946 they were able to predict some things that robots/computers can actually do for us today. I love the part where they are asking Joe for answers to questions about killing your wife, or getting away with drinking and he is able to give them a response. Is that not what we use the internet for today? Anytime that you have a question and need and answer you can pull up the internet on your computer or even the robot in your pocket called a “cell phone” and search for a result. You will be given a wide variety of answers and solutions to your questions and problems. Joe is even able to store personal information about accounts and so forth, much like computers and used today. That is how society functions, relying on technology to store information for us so that there is less and less that we actual have to remember. Technology can even track our mistakes to help us from creating errors or leaving steps undone. I think that the difference is that our computers don’t have a mind of their own and they can’t control things without us asking them too. We are still able to keep limits on them, so that our lives can stay secure. I believe that because of technology we rely a lot on it. Without it a lot of people couldn’t get through their daily lives since that are entwined in our jobs, schools and personal lives. They are quite helpful in helping us figure out key points in our lives, and making sure that we have immediate answers. If you aren’t able to do something or have never done a certain thing on your own before you can ask your computer, much like Joe and find out the best and easiest way to do it. Without technology we wouldn’t be able to share the things that we learn so easily. I think that technology is both hurting and improving our way of doing things. It hurts us because instead of people trying to think outside the box and come up with a solution on their own, they rely on others having already found a solution and simply copying it. I believe though that people who lack creativity are still able to learn a lot more than they would be able to otherwise because now they can read or watch how it is done and figure it out on their own. I believe that Joe is a pretty good example of just a few things that computers have done for us, although he has his flaws, he had some key points in prediction about technology. 

Module 10

This story is about a robot named Joe. It is amazing that in 1946 they were able to predict some things that robots/computers can actually do for us today. I love the part where they are asking Joe for answers to questions about killing your wife, or getting away with drinking and he is able to give them a response. Is that not what we use the internet for today? Anytime that you have a question and need and answer you can pull up the internet on your computer or even the robot in your pocket called a “cell phone” and search for a result. You will be given a wide variety of answers and solutions to your questions and problems. Joe is even able to store personal information about accounts and so forth, much like computers and used today. That is how society functions, relying on technology to store information for us so that there is less and less that we actual have to remember. Technology can even track our mistakes to help us from creating errors or leaving steps undone. I think that the difference is that our computers don’t have a mind of their own and they can’t control things without us asking them too. We are still able to keep limits on them, so that our lives can stay secure. I believe that because of technology we rely a lot on it. Without it a lot of people couldn’t get through their daily lives since that are entwined in our jobs, schools and personal lives. They are quite helpful in helping us figure out key points in our lives, and making sure that we have immediate answers. If you aren’t able to do something or have never done a certain thing on your own before you can ask your computer, much like Joe and find out the best and easiest way to do it. Without technology we wouldn’t be able to share the things that we learn so easily. I think that technology is both hurting and improving our way of doing things. It hurts us because instead of people trying to think outside the box and come up with a solution on their own, they rely on others having already found a solution and simply copying it. I believe though that people who lack creativity are still able to learn a lot more than they would be able to otherwise because now they can read or watch how it is done and figure it out on their own. I believe that Joe is a pretty good example of just a few things that computers have done for us, although he has his flaws, he had some key points in prediction about technology.