Week 14
Class discussion on AI. This idea will always be a little disturbing to me. Why do we need to create a computer that can think like, or better than a human being. Guess I am not very progressive in this regard and perhaps a bit of a technophobe. Didn't any of these people at Vicarious corporation see the Terminator and see the parallel to the building of sky-net.
An artificial intelligence robot would undoubtedly still be controlled by humans to some degree. This is where the idea of AI and dolphins in captivity intersect. This reductionist world view of modern science is all turned around, we are enslaving the dolphins and freeing the computers. If the god lord had intended for dolphins to be in captivity then the oceans would have been made a lot smaller. It is most certainly not for us to decide who lives and who dies and how.
We are but a small byproduct of autopoietic universe that gave birth to us and desperately in search of life or the source of life. The very nature of desire keeps us striving always for the future seeking on and on. I like to contemplate that the same energy of the universe that makes the trees grow also beats my human heart, with this I remember to take a step back and appreciate some of that is.
Tuesday, April 15, 2014
Week 13
“..the human species is living as if it had more than one planet to occupy…”
Yes this certainly seems to be the case. One theme that seems to come up in class time and time again is the huge amount of resources consumed by the corporate military industrial complex. How we unplug that god damned thing, I don't know, but I am open to suggestions.
Our current pace is not bringing us any closer to happiness, we have become the epitome the hungry ghost, always hungry but no matter how much we eat, never satiated. Perhaps the best we can do for now is just enjoy the ride while learning to under consume :)
Nanobionics aims to give plants superpowers
Not so sure we are meant to see behind the curtain this far, despite our self fascination and self cherishing nature. I would have agree with several commentors during class conversation that this could get out of hand and averts the more pressing issue of how we must live in a more balanced way. A lecture that I heard on NPR today spoke about how we have set the earths microbial balance off kilter and may soon have to live through the re-balancing process. I don't believe we need to get so clever with how we avert the coming cataclysms, just stick to the fundamentals and follow the examples that nature has given.
That being said it is somewhat interesting to manipulate different variables and see what happens, some good could potentially come from it. As mentioned at the beginning of the article, "Plants are an engineering marvel of nature." I couldn't agree more with this, designed by the grand omnipotent emptiness and will work just fine without our tinkering.
“..the human species is living as if it had more than one planet to occupy…”
Yes this certainly seems to be the case. One theme that seems to come up in class time and time again is the huge amount of resources consumed by the corporate military industrial complex. How we unplug that god damned thing, I don't know, but I am open to suggestions.
Our current pace is not bringing us any closer to happiness, we have become the epitome the hungry ghost, always hungry but no matter how much we eat, never satiated. Perhaps the best we can do for now is just enjoy the ride while learning to under consume :)
Nanobionics aims to give plants superpowers
Not so sure we are meant to see behind the curtain this far, despite our self fascination and self cherishing nature. I would have agree with several commentors during class conversation that this could get out of hand and averts the more pressing issue of how we must live in a more balanced way. A lecture that I heard on NPR today spoke about how we have set the earths microbial balance off kilter and may soon have to live through the re-balancing process. I don't believe we need to get so clever with how we avert the coming cataclysms, just stick to the fundamentals and follow the examples that nature has given.
That being said it is somewhat interesting to manipulate different variables and see what happens, some good could potentially come from it. As mentioned at the beginning of the article, "Plants are an engineering marvel of nature." I couldn't agree more with this, designed by the grand omnipotent emptiness and will work just fine without our tinkering.
Monday, April 14, 2014
Week 12
Realizing, per the cellular links, that there is a gap in my conceptual understanding. When I step thru the process of recreating from atoms to cellular organelles, things become a bit muddled and unclear. Time and time again I am fascinated and astounded by the infinite intelligence of the universe, moving from atoms to elements to molecules to cells to organs. Words fall short of describing the majesty of this intricate cosmic dance orchestrated to the finest detail, yet always fresh, unpredictable and incomprehensible in it's breadth.
Actually the dictionary definition for intricate says it pretty well.
1. Having many complexly interrelating parts or elements.
2. Difficult to resolve or analyze.
"To see a World in a Grain of Sand
Realizing, per the cellular links, that there is a gap in my conceptual understanding. When I step thru the process of recreating from atoms to cellular organelles, things become a bit muddled and unclear. Time and time again I am fascinated and astounded by the infinite intelligence of the universe, moving from atoms to elements to molecules to cells to organs. Words fall short of describing the majesty of this intricate cosmic dance orchestrated to the finest detail, yet always fresh, unpredictable and incomprehensible in it's breadth.
Actually the dictionary definition for intricate says it pretty well.
1. Having many complexly interrelating parts or elements.
2. Difficult to resolve or analyze.
"To see a World in a Grain of Sand
And a Heaven in a Wild Flower,
Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand
And Eternity in an hour.”
Radioactivity
Perhaps radioactivity demands a much more nuanced understanding than I am capable of. It is after all, something that we can encounter in the tiny grains of sand at our local beach or various fruits at the corner store. I believe that very few individuals intend to monitor and calculate their yearly exposure from x-rays, bananas and airport scanners, yet the vast majority of people would not seek out undue exposure. It is somewhat telling when Marie Curie suffered the ultimate insult for not acknowledging the innate hazard and potential folly of carrying such radio active elements in ones pocket.
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