Reference no: EM131326505
The Singularity, or techno-narcissism?
JAMES HOWARD KUNSTLER& RAY KURZWEIL - "The Dangers of Techno Narcissism...", from his book Too Much Magic.
Kunstler argues that our obsession with technology has turned into what he calls 'techno narcissism', encapsulated in the theories of futurist Ray Kurzweil. You've all heard the term 'narcissist', or 'narcissism', which is commonly understood as someone who is self-obsessed. It is based off of the Greek myth of Narcissus.
Watch a few of Kurzweil's TED talks to get an idea of his plans for the technological future of super-human man-machines, which he calls 'The Singularity'. Feel free to watch Kunstler's TED talk 'How Bad Architecture Wrecked Cities' to get a better idea of his form of criticism as you read his work.
BLACK MIRROR - The Entire History of You, and "Snow", a short-story by John Crowley. Watch this incredible episode of the British series of speculative fiction, Black Mirror and read and enjoy the short story Snow, by John Crowley, which paints a similar future of recording technology and panopticism (Note that this episode may be available in better quality on Netflix). I also recommend the episodes Nosedive, and The Waldo Moment. Feel free to write about these episodes if you like.
THE WRITING ASSIGNMENT
This week I'd like you to respond to one, two, or all three of the following questions. Follow the usual guidelines for writing assignments found on the syllabus.
1) Do you agree with Kunstler or Kurzweil about our relationship to technology? Be sure to summarize their arguments and counter-arguments in your own words as you explain why you take one side over the other.
2) Is social media, as discussed in Generation Like, the social as spectacle? In what sense is social media a form of techno-narcissism? (be sure to clarify these terms as you use them).
3) If you had the opportunity to live in a society that adopted technology like the grain or the wasp,--i.e. Technology that would allow you to recall any moment of your life--would you? In what way do cell phones and social media already organize our social and personal lives in ways similar to these stories? In other words, what are some of the social implications that we face due to our technology? Are we suffering from some form of techno-narcissism?
Attachment:- Assignment.rar
|
Describe what occurs to american imports and exports
: Describe what occurs to American imports and exports when the U.S. dollar is strong. Describe what occurs to American imports and exports when the U.S. dollar is weak
|
|
Identify the strengths of your learning style
: Identify the strengths of your learning style.Compare these strengths to your personality type. How do these strengths help communication in your relationships with others, i.e., at work, home, school.Describe two challenges you may have with differe..
|
|
International business negotiations
: Describe the kinds of problems that usually come up during international business negotiations. What kind of research can you do in anticipation of an upcoming international price negotiation?
|
|
Determine the transmitted power for the satellite downlink
: If the required εb/N0 for reliable communication is 15 dB, determine the transmitted power for the satellite downlink. Assume that N0 = 4.1 × 10-21 W/Hz.
|
|
In what sense is social media a form of techno-narcissism
: Is social media, as discussed in Generation Like, the social as spectacle? In what sense is social media a form of techno-narcissism? (be sure to clarify these terms as you use them)
|
|
Federal reserve should take to help stabilize the economy
: In times of a struggling economic situation, determine the key steps that the Federal Reserve should take to help stabilize the economy. Next, explain how your proposed steps will affect money supply, interest rates, inflation rate, aggregate dema..
|
|
Write a memo to your boss on this topic
: PSYC463: You are the manager for a medium size company. The owners of the company want to implement assessments into their employment procedures as well as with their current employers because they believe it will allow them to make better decis..
|
|
Plot the input output characteristics for each unit
: Plot the input-output characteristics for each unit expressing input in MBtu per hour and output in megawatts. Assume that the minimum loading of each unit is 20 MW and that the maximum loading is 100 MW.
|
|
Design periodic inventory control system for garment company
: Design a periodic inventory control system for the Fine Garments Company if it wishes to hold five weeks of demand as safety stock. If on a review the inventory of the premium leather jacket is 102, how many leather jackets should be ordered?
|