This is the main text source that my research paper is ultimately going to be about. This non-fiction source was written by Dutton to really give a new look on science and humanism. He uses Charles Darwin to strengthen his beliefs on how people interpret and digest artistic culture and the humanities. Denis Dutton calls this "Darwinian adaptation."
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Blog #5 Midterm
Excerpt from Essay #1, similar to midterm selection choice 2.
Many try to comprehend the way science and
technology is implemented in humanities. In the past, the two topics were
unheard of being placed coinciding the other. With the advancement in
technology and the positive ideas and feelings towards “futurism,” science and
technology has been implemented in humanities and film. Richard Dawkins’ The
Selfish Gene and Charles Darwin’s On the Origin of Species: graphic
novel contrasts the ideas behind science and humanism and have also been
used in many fiction works.
The
Selfish Gene, published in 1976, expressed that these “selfish genes” that
humans carried were naturally selected. This idea that neglects altruism,
ultimately defines humans as on a mental aspect for survivorship, or success as
“survival of the fittest” (Dawkins 169-71). Another factor contributing to the
theory of the selfish gene is the need to find solutions using the least amount
of energy, or obtaining a solution benefiting the most positive results. For
example, in The Selfish Gene, Dawkins quotes Peter Atkins whom stated, “This
is exactly what the behaviour of light passing into a denser medium. But how
does light know, apparently in advance, which is the briefest path? And,
anyway, why should it care?”(Dawkins 172). Let’s assume for the sake of the
argument that the human selfish gene is light. The selfish gene or light is
part of the frontal lobe in the human brain and greatly attributes to the
decision making process and overall personality of the individual.
Charles
Darwin developed what is the most studied theory on genetics and specie
environment adaptation. Although individuals that take a more religious
approach to the theory of life might consider On the Origin of Species:
graphic novel to be threatening, or even fictitious, many would say Darwin’s
theories are aweing and inspiring. Darwin’s theories have become the foundation
to countless studies, theories and have contributed to advancement in the
pursuit of learning more about life itself; the history and the future of it
(Keller 131).
Blog Post #4
The Promise and Peril of Robots in Film, TV and Real Life: Friends or Foes?
After viewing the YouTube clips on artificial intelligence and scientific progression in technology, I have to admit how frightening the experience was. Although many of us as viewers have not physically encountered one of these robotic "humans," since that is what the scientists that built them intended for them to be, the very idea of their existence was utterly intimidating. The original prototypes that were built to perform human like movements seemed to produce an non-harmful and somewhat cute reaction from the class audience. However, once the actual humanistic features began to evolve and we saw hair, skin, finger nails and actual expressions, the fear began to instill upon some.
As we looked into different sources, such as film and texts, I noticed the love/hate relationships society has created for robotics and artificial intelligence. Ray Kurzweil has a technoromantic opinion when it comes to his story The Singularity Is Near: When Humans Transcend Biology and neglects concern for the overall theory that in time, robots will surpass human intelligence. In Phillip K. Dick's, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? there is an uncertainty that I reaped from the graphic novel. Would robotics even matter if they were indistinguishable from us? Throughout the graphic novel, I noticed that towards the end, one of the main robotic characters, a female develops some signs of emotional traits. If they appear to have feelings of happiness, sadness and remorse, does that not make them human?
David Gelernter, in “Dream Logic, the Internet and Artiļ¬cial Thought” has opposing ideas about robotics and feels that they will never equate to humans. Along with his negative beliefs on robotics, come supporting sources such as "Terminator" and "The Blade Runner." Although the film "The Blade Runner" is nearly identical to the graphic novel in the course pack, there was a different interpretation made by the producer, making the robots in the film easily distinguishable from humans. They could not answer certain questions and lacked experience with many situations. The concluding negative idea to me based on these three sources is that robots, even if they know what actions proceed to certain emotions, cannot control their behaviors as a human is nurtured to do. These creations will end up causing harm and destruction.
Blog #3 Determining a Research Topic
After going over all of the possibilities I could expand my mind and learn more about, there was one form of essay that really struck my attention. Not only does it interests me in the sense that there are so many documents and resources that can contribute to the topic, but it will be one of the more challenging topics since I am not considered an "artsy, humanities" driven individual. The idea for this research paper is going beyond the 'Two Cultures,' of course implying science/technology and humanism/art. The additional primary source that will heavily contribute to the research paper is Denis Dutton's The Art instinct: Beauty, Pleasure, and Human Evolution. I find that this non-fiction book in particular might have information exceeding a "hue" that will help me in getting readers to understand that there is a strong connection between the two cultures.
As I have started mildly entering myself into the art community, I have noticed in some artists’ pieces such as Salvador Dali that although in the early 20th century, there are some astoundingly futuristic ideas that complement the ideas of science and advancement. In art history, may lay the secrets of science and to me this does not mean literally, but figuratively. Learning how to decipher art and the break-down of details can open huge windows of the emotional history of that time period. What I look forward to reap with this assignment is to really produce something brilliant with the challenging task at hand and understand for myself where the merge in the two cultures lies and when did it come together. Overall, instead of focusing on actual paintings, I will be discussing Darwinian adaptation theories and how the ideas can be applied to humanism.
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Blog Post #2
Many try to
comprehend the way science and technology is implemented in humanities. In the
past, the two topics were unheard of being placed coinciding the other. With
the advancement in technology and the positive ideas and feelings towards “futurism,”
science and technology has been implemented in humanities and film. Popular science has become more awing and inspirational to many individuals world wide because of both its convenience and the opportunities it has with it. The field itself is a booming topic, filled with occupational and research related opportunities.
Shows such as Breaking Bad and CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, give viewers the opportunity to see how science can be applied to real life situations. In Breaking Bad, main character Walter White is a husband, father and high school chemistry becomes involved with drugs such as "meth." In this suspenseful popular science show, chemistry is looked at positively from viewers as appealing, and relating, for some I suppose that "cook" themselves.Combining educational science such as chemistry, or forensics with action, drama and other genres that appeal to the public entertainment industry makes a successful show.
Popular science motivates many now to continue pursuing education and has many reconsider the field of work and education that they initially chose. If technological advancements continues to progress, then many people will want to become a part of it because of its high demand and popularity. Whether the ultimatum of preference lies in becoming a chemist like Walter White, or becoming a Pathologist in the forensic science field because of Law and Order: Special Victims Unit, or Dexter, the inspiration came from popular science.
Shows such as Breaking Bad and CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, give viewers the opportunity to see how science can be applied to real life situations. In Breaking Bad, main character Walter White is a husband, father and high school chemistry becomes involved with drugs such as "meth." In this suspenseful popular science show, chemistry is looked at positively from viewers as appealing, and relating, for some I suppose that "cook" themselves.Combining educational science such as chemistry, or forensics with action, drama and other genres that appeal to the public entertainment industry makes a successful show.
Popular science motivates many now to continue pursuing education and has many reconsider the field of work and education that they initially chose. If technological advancements continues to progress, then many people will want to become a part of it because of its high demand and popularity. Whether the ultimatum of preference lies in becoming a chemist like Walter White, or becoming a Pathologist in the forensic science field because of Law and Order: Special Victims Unit, or Dexter, the inspiration came from popular science.
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Are You a Science or Humanities Person (or Both)?
My name is Amanda J.C. Ramkissoon and I am currently a Math
and Sciences major at LaGuardia Community College. My main goal is to attain an
Associate’s Degree in Science by the end of this current semester and graduate
in June 2012. My educational career plans beyond that is to start my Bachelor’s
Degree in Science, specifically Biology at the City University of New York and
also enter the University’s Physician’s Assistant degree program. Going beyond
that, I intend on entering medical school if once my GPA is competitive enough
to specialize in Dermatology.
As peculiar as it sounds, based on my journey throughout
LaGuardiaCC and the courses that I have taken, I find that I would be beyond a “science
person” and would have to consider myself as both, or at least potentially.
Both humanities and science have positive attributes to society and although it
is a bit difficult at this point for me to connect them as completely in sync topics, I
know they are both the leading and most enriching focuses of study. There are
many positive and negative things majors of the opposing studies could draw,
but in the end, one must be able to take the information learned, utilize it
and apply it to the present/ future for the benefit of societies.
Science is generally a topic that I would accept as most
viable because of the never ending facts and computed studies/ information that
it attains. Technology advances every day that aids the new studies and
findings scientist use to prove theories. The downside however with science and
technology, more specifically industrialization, are the harmful components
produced that cause harm to the ecosystem.
With humanities however, individuals can enrich themselves
by taking a look into history and thinking critically to note the pattern in
communities, the arts, finances, politics, etc. With this information, if a
pattern is noted, studies can be able to show both what happened before and if
it will happen again based on what is taking place now. The negative side that
science/technology people would counterattack is that humanities may not be as
concrete and may be on the liberal, literary and creative aspect. Numbers and
graphic data is what is the most appreciative source for science/ technology
people.
The fine line jointing the two together in my educated
opinion would have to be that with the historical data that was attained
through the humanities field, science and technology individuals can use a critical
mind to create the data charts, patterns and find a conclusion based on their hypothesis
to find a solution whatever the issue studied may be.
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