When i first started on this unit, i found the unit topic could not give me a clear picture of what i could learn from it. It is after attending the first lecture, then I could get a concept of what I will be learning at the following semester. Frankly, I am very interested in the unit's focus on the relationships between technologies and human-beings, especially on technology and people's life.
The course has introduced a lot of new concept that I have never heard of, all these theories are new to me, and I really think that if I did not attend the unit, these concepts and knowledge will be ever untouched in my life, as I will not take up the interest on these specific concepts.
Technology is really important, to elabrate in a simple way, without technology, it will make our studies much more difficult, as if we don't have a computer, looking for references and researches will be very hard. And we even could not be able to hand in this post, this homework here on internet.
I myself do not like this unit very much, as I do not care a lot about technologies. To be frank, I do at first think some of the studies that taken as examples are a bit useless. But as to respect academic researches, and understanding every researchers had put their every effort on perfecting ones knowledge and awareness on every aspect of life, I had later found them interesting to read on. Moreover, technology is really a thing that should not be treated merely as a tool on helping ones living, as technology itself contains numerous concepts and implication. And this is what I have learned from the unit the most.
May 4, 2009
Reflective Post by Chan Tsz Wai Crystal
After taking this unit, I have got a new angle of view towards the relationship of human and technologies. Before, I just thought technologies give us convenience but never thought very deeply about the changes that technologies have brought to human. I have learnt that we should re-think about the traditional boundaries that we have taken for granted for many years, for example, human/machine. Also, I have learnt about the possible dangers that Internet brings to us, such as, online rape.
I quite believe that I am a cyborg as everyday I wear glasses or contact lens. I cannot have good eye-sight without them. Glasses and contact lens are just like a part of me.
By writing this blog, I can have more interactions with other students. Other students left comments to my posts and I could comment on their posts. This gives me a chance to communicate to the students who I seldom talk to during classes. I think it is good to our learning.
Overall, I think this unit is interesting because I could learn new aspects in viewing the relationship between human an technologies and enables students to read others work on blog.
I quite believe that I am a cyborg as everyday I wear glasses or contact lens. I cannot have good eye-sight without them. Glasses and contact lens are just like a part of me.
By writing this blog, I can have more interactions with other students. Other students left comments to my posts and I could comment on their posts. This gives me a chance to communicate to the students who I seldom talk to during classes. I think it is good to our learning.
Overall, I think this unit is interesting because I could learn new aspects in viewing the relationship between human an technologies and enables students to read others work on blog.
May 3, 2009
Reflective Post by Donna Fung
When I first started this unit, I wasn't really acknowledged clear what it was all about. However, I liked the fact that I had a unit which only orbits around computers plus digital culture. I am sure that I am not the most computer literate people in the earth, but this unit has assisted me to realize more about virtual world and cyborgs.
Do weblogs use for learning purposes?
I think the use of weblogs is practical and useful for those who are new to the topics which are discussed in the units. For instance, if you did not have much previous exposure to discussion of ‘cyborgs’ and other digital culture ideas then weblogs enable you access to an ground where these thoughts are explored and discussed, therefore it surely contribute to a better understanding. The weblog also a useful device to get to know the classmates, as people often find it easier to write their judgments rather than to say them out. In my opinion, I found they worked fine for me as I didn’t have much understanding prior to the unit of the realms of digital culture and the complications and ideas that arise from digital culture, so the weblogs helped me to further my understanding.
Nevertheless, I didn’t like much the focus on the weblogs and the compulsory weblog postings, even if I discover the weblogs useful for me, I can enjoy and understand the unit much more. However, if I get without the weblogs, I often found it hard to realize the unit concept.
Am I a cyborg?
I don’t believe I am a cyborg, I still feel cyborg is a term, which is more closely related to a robot, a computer simulation or something highly technical. I think this unit has helped me understand more about whole concept, and it perhaps pushed me a little more towards becoming one. Although I do survive in a world completely surrounded by technology and I closely rely on technology, I don’t feel as though technology as consumed me to the point that I suppose myself to be a cyborg.
What I most liked?
Since I did have a little previous experience with computers and blogging, and I also enjoy with various technologies and analyzing social trends, I found the readings and discussions motivating. I particularly enjoyed the week about online communities. I found this interesting and fascinating in reading about individuals connecting to each other from all over the world passing through digital technology.
What I most disliked?
I feel that the course had a very narrow, constricted focus. Maybe, if I had looked at the construction of identity in the digital age, and it have not assumed first we're cyborgs, or maybe we had used a wider variety of technologies or used the blogs in more depth than we did, therefore, we finally may find the course would be more precious educational opportunity.
Do weblogs use for learning purposes?
I think the use of weblogs is practical and useful for those who are new to the topics which are discussed in the units. For instance, if you did not have much previous exposure to discussion of ‘cyborgs’ and other digital culture ideas then weblogs enable you access to an ground where these thoughts are explored and discussed, therefore it surely contribute to a better understanding. The weblog also a useful device to get to know the classmates, as people often find it easier to write their judgments rather than to say them out. In my opinion, I found they worked fine for me as I didn’t have much understanding prior to the unit of the realms of digital culture and the complications and ideas that arise from digital culture, so the weblogs helped me to further my understanding.
Nevertheless, I didn’t like much the focus on the weblogs and the compulsory weblog postings, even if I discover the weblogs useful for me, I can enjoy and understand the unit much more. However, if I get without the weblogs, I often found it hard to realize the unit concept.
Am I a cyborg?
I don’t believe I am a cyborg, I still feel cyborg is a term, which is more closely related to a robot, a computer simulation or something highly technical. I think this unit has helped me understand more about whole concept, and it perhaps pushed me a little more towards becoming one. Although I do survive in a world completely surrounded by technology and I closely rely on technology, I don’t feel as though technology as consumed me to the point that I suppose myself to be a cyborg.
What I most liked?
Since I did have a little previous experience with computers and blogging, and I also enjoy with various technologies and analyzing social trends, I found the readings and discussions motivating. I particularly enjoyed the week about online communities. I found this interesting and fascinating in reading about individuals connecting to each other from all over the world passing through digital technology.
What I most disliked?
I feel that the course had a very narrow, constricted focus. Maybe, if I had looked at the construction of identity in the digital age, and it have not assumed first we're cyborgs, or maybe we had used a wider variety of technologies or used the blogs in more depth than we did, therefore, we finally may find the course would be more precious educational opportunity.
Refective Post- Shermaine Chung
Actually I seldom read blogs, this is the first time for me to use weblog as learning purpose. This experience inspired me that how useful a blog can be. As there are many essay and outline shared by classmate, it makes me more understand about the course and the chapter. Even I haven't finish the readings before the lessons, i can get a brief idea through this web. It helps me alot. Also I can upload my essay and get the comments from classmates, this is an interection on sharing of knowledge.
Am I a cyborg? There is no answer on this question as the investigation never ends. Indeed I haven't heard this term before this course. I think there is no definition on cyborg. But I think we are becoming a posthuman as we are living in a technology world.
Indeed I think this course is quite interesting, although it is quite difficult to get the idea. This course really bring me to understand more about human being and what we are. What am I? This is a basic question but it is not easy to answer. It helps me to bringstorm on myself. But the workload is quite heavy and sometimes make me only concentrate on the essay but neglect the full understanding on the topics.
That's what I want to share. Thanks!
Am I a cyborg? There is no answer on this question as the investigation never ends. Indeed I haven't heard this term before this course. I think there is no definition on cyborg. But I think we are becoming a posthuman as we are living in a technology world.
Indeed I think this course is quite interesting, although it is quite difficult to get the idea. This course really bring me to understand more about human being and what we are. What am I? This is a basic question but it is not easy to answer. It helps me to bringstorm on myself. But the workload is quite heavy and sometimes make me only concentrate on the essay but neglect the full understanding on the topics.
That's what I want to share. Thanks!
course reflection by vivian cheung
Did weblogs work for my learning purpose?
Because of the lecture, we all have an opportunity to set up an account in Blogger. However I found it is not as user friendly as Xanga. It is because I have been using Xanga for 4years and already get used to its layout and format. It is the first time that I use weblog in academic purpose. I found it beneficial to our learning, since we wrote an introduction post in the first few weeks of the lecture which helps students getting known of each others. Also we submit essay in weblog which classmates can make use of the comment function to give feedback to our classmates. Besides, it is easy for classmates to understand the presentation as the presenters of each week have uploaded the outline in the web.
Whether I believe myself as cyborg?
I would define myself as cyborg since I rely on technology very much. I used mobile phone and computer everyday. I can not remember most of my friends’ number as I saved in mobile phone. Also, I feel insecure if I don’t check email account everyday. Most importantly, I cannot separate with glasses/contact lens. Thus, you can see the boundary between man and machine become blur.
Like or dislike the course?
I think the course is interesting and unusual because it lets students submit essay online. It is more interactive as students can communicate with other classmates through weblog. And we can receive comments from peers but not only from lecturer. Also, this course did help students rethinking of issues of the relationship between technology and self-identity.
However, I think some of the concept in this course is not easy to digest in a short period. As the concepts are quite debating, such as gender, race and virtual ethics, they are not easy to define right or wrong, good or bad. It is because there is no absolute answer for these topics.
Because of the lecture, we all have an opportunity to set up an account in Blogger. However I found it is not as user friendly as Xanga. It is because I have been using Xanga for 4years and already get used to its layout and format. It is the first time that I use weblog in academic purpose. I found it beneficial to our learning, since we wrote an introduction post in the first few weeks of the lecture which helps students getting known of each others. Also we submit essay in weblog which classmates can make use of the comment function to give feedback to our classmates. Besides, it is easy for classmates to understand the presentation as the presenters of each week have uploaded the outline in the web.
Whether I believe myself as cyborg?
I would define myself as cyborg since I rely on technology very much. I used mobile phone and computer everyday. I can not remember most of my friends’ number as I saved in mobile phone. Also, I feel insecure if I don’t check email account everyday. Most importantly, I cannot separate with glasses/contact lens. Thus, you can see the boundary between man and machine become blur.
Like or dislike the course?
I think the course is interesting and unusual because it lets students submit essay online. It is more interactive as students can communicate with other classmates through weblog. And we can receive comments from peers but not only from lecturer. Also, this course did help students rethinking of issues of the relationship between technology and self-identity.
However, I think some of the concept in this course is not easy to digest in a short period. As the concepts are quite debating, such as gender, race and virtual ethics, they are not easy to define right or wrong, good or bad. It is because there is no absolute answer for these topics.
Reflective Post - Fung Melody
Can't believe it's already the very end of this semester. Using weblogs for learning purposes is a totally new idea for me at the beginning as I only use weblogs for expressing my personal feelings. But now look at this weblog; I am exchanging academic ideas with my fellow classmates! To me, using weblog for learning purposes helps me to get more chances to interact with classmates even we are all at home, sitting in front of the computer. This is really nice.
Frankly speaking, before taking this subject, I will never know what is a Cyborg. Now if you ask me if I would consider myself as a cyborg or not, I would answer yes. You can see that I wear a pair of glasses, which is a product from technology! Without my glasses (technology), my life would be a lot more difficult.
About this course, since I have no basic ideas about this course before studying it, this course is rather difficult for me. All those jargons... are all new and quite difficult for me to have an in-depth understanding within a short time. However, I do enjoy using the weblog to communicate with my classmates since I like sitting in front of the computer once I’m at home lol.
Frankly speaking, before taking this subject, I will never know what is a Cyborg. Now if you ask me if I would consider myself as a cyborg or not, I would answer yes. You can see that I wear a pair of glasses, which is a product from technology! Without my glasses (technology), my life would be a lot more difficult.
About this course, since I have no basic ideas about this course before studying it, this course is rather difficult for me. All those jargons... are all new and quite difficult for me to have an in-depth understanding within a short time. However, I do enjoy using the weblog to communicate with my classmates since I like sitting in front of the computer once I’m at home lol.
Reflective Post- Cherry
After a semester of studying, I found that learning with the assist of weblog is quite useful. As this is my very first time to learning through I weblog, I found that it is convenient and easy to handle, though I was not familiar with it at the very beginning. Through the weblog, I can submit assignment and review my classmates’ understanding of this course. Also, the post we made, such as uploading presentation outline, which can improve the understanding and reminding my interpretation of classmate’s presentation.
In general, I think this course is interesting as this course discussed the recent influences on our live and self identity introduced by technology, but sometime it is too abstract which is quite difficult to understanding comprehensively.
After study this course, I believed that myself is a cyborg. In Donna Haraway, "A Cyborg Manifesto: Science, Technology, and Socialist-Feminism in the Late Twentieth Century," she came up an idea that human could not live without technology, which as a human, we are highly depending on technology. To take an example, we have clothing; we wear glasses if we have short eye-sight, which is produced artificially and non-organism. Also, we cannot live without computer, internet and mobile too, as these are the very important and main ways of communication between us. Because I am highly depend on these technologies, I think I have became a cyborg as well.
In general, I think this course is interesting as this course discussed the recent influences on our live and self identity introduced by technology, but sometime it is too abstract which is quite difficult to understanding comprehensively.
After study this course, I believed that myself is a cyborg. In Donna Haraway, "A Cyborg Manifesto: Science, Technology, and Socialist-Feminism in the Late Twentieth Century," she came up an idea that human could not live without technology, which as a human, we are highly depending on technology. To take an example, we have clothing; we wear glasses if we have short eye-sight, which is produced artificially and non-organism. Also, we cannot live without computer, internet and mobile too, as these are the very important and main ways of communication between us. Because I am highly depend on these technologies, I think I have became a cyborg as well.
Reflection by Zion Cheng
This web-blog actually does work for me. As using this blog, I can know more about my school-mates by rading their introductory post. Moreover, reading their presentation outline helps me to understand mobout their reading. Also from the comment others leave for me, I can get to know more about how I did for my works.
After these 12 weeks, I realized the online-games I played in daily lives actually have many sterotyping in them. These sterotypings are nomalized, and got used to by me. This course let me have a new understanding of the games. Other then online-game, I learned the term cyborg, and found that everyone of us is becoming a cyborg. Most of us really cant live without technology and machines.
Thx~
After these 12 weeks, I realized the online-games I played in daily lives actually have many sterotyping in them. These sterotypings are nomalized, and got used to by me. This course let me have a new understanding of the games. Other then online-game, I learned the term cyborg, and found that everyone of us is becoming a cyborg. Most of us really cant live without technology and machines.
Thx~
Reflection post by Carrie Chan
The use of weblogs
Using weblogs for learning is a novel idea for me. It is different from my personal blog. But it works for me; the most advantage is that I can receive the feedback from my classmates about my presentation and my homework. As usual, we seldom give feedback to each other face to face. So it could be a good tool.
Whether I believe myself to be a cyborg or not?
I think most of the people in Hong Kong become cyborg now, so how can I to be an exception? I must be one of the cyborg in Hong Kong. Technology around all my daily life, such as computer, mobile phone, NDSL……Those things cannot separate from my life. In addition, I must learn more about technologies, for example, the film editing. For my future career, technologies may help a lots.
About the course
I think the theories of this course are not care to handle. Although some topics are stick to our daily life, such as cyblogs, virtual communities, it is hard to understand the theories. Those theories are not similar to the other subjects that I have taken.
But this course teach me thinking in other aspect, it is quit interesting for me.
At last, thanks everyone here. : )
Using weblogs for learning is a novel idea for me. It is different from my personal blog. But it works for me; the most advantage is that I can receive the feedback from my classmates about my presentation and my homework. As usual, we seldom give feedback to each other face to face. So it could be a good tool.
Whether I believe myself to be a cyborg or not?
I think most of the people in Hong Kong become cyborg now, so how can I to be an exception? I must be one of the cyborg in Hong Kong. Technology around all my daily life, such as computer, mobile phone, NDSL……Those things cannot separate from my life. In addition, I must learn more about technologies, for example, the film editing. For my future career, technologies may help a lots.
About the course
I think the theories of this course are not care to handle. Although some topics are stick to our daily life, such as cyblogs, virtual communities, it is hard to understand the theories. Those theories are not similar to the other subjects that I have taken.
But this course teach me thinking in other aspect, it is quit interesting for me.
At last, thanks everyone here. : )
Reflective post – Cheyenne
I think the use of weblogs for learning purposes did work for me. I used to use my weblog to tell my friends what happened every day (even though I do not really update it every day). This is my first time to use weblog to submit my assignment. It seems like that I am talking and leaving comments to my friends when I was writing my own introduction and reading other classmates’ work. Also, I can use some symbols and texts on weblog that I could never use for writing my assignments. I feel it is interesting and more relaxable to do so.
As you ask me if I am a cyborg, I would tell you “Of course! I am not!” before this course. But, I need to rethink of myself after I have finished this course. Through this course, I know more about cyborg and it is not only a hybrid of human and machine that I used to think. Now, I think I am a kind of cyborg, which someone is relying on technology. I can’t live without my glasses, computer, TV, cell phone, MP3 player, etc. So, I became a cyborg already. LOL.
For my opinions of this course, I do think it is one of the difficult subjects that I have never studied before. All of the stuff, like theories, terms and ideas, etc. is very new for me. It is quite hard for me to understand. But to be honest, I do learn a lot from this course. For example, I never know there are many problems hide in the internet and we should consider and study. This course inspires me in different thoughts in different topics, although it is really difficult. Thank you. ^^
As you ask me if I am a cyborg, I would tell you “Of course! I am not!” before this course. But, I need to rethink of myself after I have finished this course. Through this course, I know more about cyborg and it is not only a hybrid of human and machine that I used to think. Now, I think I am a kind of cyborg, which someone is relying on technology. I can’t live without my glasses, computer, TV, cell phone, MP3 player, etc. So, I became a cyborg already. LOL.
For my opinions of this course, I do think it is one of the difficult subjects that I have never studied before. All of the stuff, like theories, terms and ideas, etc. is very new for me. It is quite hard for me to understand. But to be honest, I do learn a lot from this course. For example, I never know there are many problems hide in the internet and we should consider and study. This course inspires me in different thoughts in different topics, although it is really difficult. Thank you. ^^
Reflective post by George Chung
Actually, the weblog is a quite useful “place” to understand more about this unit. As all of us sharing our works online, we can learn some new concepts that we have never imagined.
From the 13-weeks of learning, the term “cyborg” becomes a familiar concept from an unusual word in my mind. Towards this term, I strongly believe I am a cyborg as technology is nearly dominates my daily life. I think I cannot live alone without any technology goods, from personal computer to mobile phone.
In this unit, what topic that I like most is about the gaming. Because I am a game lover, but I never think about there are such theories within a game. Therefore, it evokes my interest to observe the games that I play. Generally, it is an attractive and meaningful unit, but the critical annotated webliography was too difficult to do it well…
From the 13-weeks of learning, the term “cyborg” becomes a familiar concept from an unusual word in my mind. Towards this term, I strongly believe I am a cyborg as technology is nearly dominates my daily life. I think I cannot live alone without any technology goods, from personal computer to mobile phone.
In this unit, what topic that I like most is about the gaming. Because I am a game lover, but I never think about there are such theories within a game. Therefore, it evokes my interest to observe the games that I play. Generally, it is an attractive and meaningful unit, but the critical annotated webliography was too difficult to do it well…
May 2, 2009
Reflective post - Kathy Ho
I've been using blogs for years; however, this is the first time for the learning purposes. I think it's quite workable that I can get to know how my classmates think about the topics in tems of their webligraphies, presentation outlines as well as their comments.
Er.... I believe I am a cyborg. It's mostly because I can't live without technology. For me, digital devices are the channels to receieve informations; by which I can communicate with others....in the most instant way. It helps me expend social nerworks as well. In fact, the distinction between human and technology is getting blurred and blurred nowadays, but for one thing, we should bear in mind that we have the will to make use of those digital devices wisely for different purposes, but not be controlled.
This unit is useful because it gives me the chance to think about who we are in this digital age as well as the relationship between us and the technology. However, the theories are quite difficult to understand and the coursework is somewhat quite harsh. Anyway, ....... add oil together la! bye bye.
Er.... I believe I am a cyborg. It's mostly because I can't live without technology. For me, digital devices are the channels to receieve informations; by which I can communicate with others....in the most instant way. It helps me expend social nerworks as well. In fact, the distinction between human and technology is getting blurred and blurred nowadays, but for one thing, we should bear in mind that we have the will to make use of those digital devices wisely for different purposes, but not be controlled.
This unit is useful because it gives me the chance to think about who we are in this digital age as well as the relationship between us and the technology. However, the theories are quite difficult to understand and the coursework is somewhat quite harsh. Anyway, ....... add oil together la! bye bye.
Reflective Post by Benson Kwok
After 13 weeks in here, I think using weblog as a learning medium is quite new to me. Although everyone can make contributions and share their work or idea to others, I feel these contributions are quite passive. Why do I say that? Weblog, to me in the normal day, I only use it to write something personal and share with circle of friends. But it is the first time for me to use as an academic purposes. I think the original of this weblog is to enhance the discussions and interactions among classmates, however, I feel a bit passive at last because this is a part of the course assessment. Nevertheless, weblog is really helpful in my learning process. It can let me know what others’ idea on the cyborg.
I believe I am a cyborg. Honestly, I already cannot live without my mobile phone, my computer with the Internet access and the Octopus Card. These three electronic items daily use rate are extremely high to me. If I forget to bring one of these when I go out, I really feel anxious. No mobile phone = lost contact from family and friends. No computer with Internet access = lost contact from my oversea friends and all the updated news in this world. No Octopus Card = lost my wallet to pay for lunch and transport fee + my key (to open the front door of my building). So, I think they are good evidence to prove I am a cyborg.
Let talk something about the course in general. I think the course contains many issues about the relation between human beings and the virtual space. Like gender, ethics, digital divide, internet’s utopian… Cover lots of things. The most challenging task in this course, I think, is the research essay. It takes a lot of time for me to find material and then digest. I feel the questions of the essay are difficult to me because I feel lost. Maybe I don’t have deep understanding on the reading. But, in general, the course has many new topics that I have not met before.
At last, happy to meet every classmates and lecturers in here.
I believe I am a cyborg. Honestly, I already cannot live without my mobile phone, my computer with the Internet access and the Octopus Card. These three electronic items daily use rate are extremely high to me. If I forget to bring one of these when I go out, I really feel anxious. No mobile phone = lost contact from family and friends. No computer with Internet access = lost contact from my oversea friends and all the updated news in this world. No Octopus Card = lost my wallet to pay for lunch and transport fee + my key (to open the front door of my building). So, I think they are good evidence to prove I am a cyborg.
Let talk something about the course in general. I think the course contains many issues about the relation between human beings and the virtual space. Like gender, ethics, digital divide, internet’s utopian… Cover lots of things. The most challenging task in this course, I think, is the research essay. It takes a lot of time for me to find material and then digest. I feel the questions of the essay are difficult to me because I feel lost. Maybe I don’t have deep understanding on the reading. But, in general, the course has many new topics that I have not met before.
At last, happy to meet every classmates and lecturers in here.
Melody Chan's Reflective Post
Weblogs for me…
In fact, my personal weblog is always for “chit chat” purpose, say something about my recent or current situation and get comment from my several close friends. In a way, it can be regarded as a kind of interaction and communication as it helps to establish a link between the two people in different places, but apparently this kind of connection, you know, as it can’t give an immediate message, it can’t be seen as a kind of effective communication.
Undoubtedly, this tutorial weblog also contains the above trait. Well, luckily, for learning purpose, this weblog is worked for me, through the introductions of my classmates at the very beginning of the course, I know more about them, and I have clarification on who is xxx and who is yyy finally (I have great difficult memorizing names of people, my weakness sigh Orz).
Besides, I think it’s very great that we can share our works here. For one thing, I can find that different people have different interpretations for one discussion/topic, observing this is one of my enjoyments. For the other, as people may leave comment, in such a delicate situation, I have to weight my words.
Thus, for learning purpose, this weblog is worked for me.
I am a cyborg or not
I think the answer is obvious. All stuffs fill in my daily life are my cell-phone, my computer, my NDSL, my i-pod; all things I do everyday are updating my dairy in website/ xanga, chatting with friends via MSN/ email, browsing forums/ blogs of people…..Well, if all these things that I’ve done are not enough to be regarded as cyborg, I think I am turning cyborg-ese. B-)
About this course…
I like this course in that I like gender studies. Most of the readings in this course gave me an inspiration of the relationship between cyberspace and women. To be honest, I am not familiar with “cyber rape”, “cyber punk”…..I just have an indistinct idea of these topics at the very beginning. This course arouses my interest in examining the relations of sexual binary in relation to the development of cyberspace.
There is a blemish in an otherwise perfect thing which is we should learn these interesting topics under pressure (essay, presentation…)….well…just kidding xD
Thank you Alison, thank you Wesley, thank you all my classmates, thank you for so many good comments.
In fact, my personal weblog is always for “chit chat” purpose, say something about my recent or current situation and get comment from my several close friends. In a way, it can be regarded as a kind of interaction and communication as it helps to establish a link between the two people in different places, but apparently this kind of connection, you know, as it can’t give an immediate message, it can’t be seen as a kind of effective communication.
Undoubtedly, this tutorial weblog also contains the above trait. Well, luckily, for learning purpose, this weblog is worked for me, through the introductions of my classmates at the very beginning of the course, I know more about them, and I have clarification on who is xxx and who is yyy finally (I have great difficult memorizing names of people, my weakness sigh Orz).
Besides, I think it’s very great that we can share our works here. For one thing, I can find that different people have different interpretations for one discussion/topic, observing this is one of my enjoyments. For the other, as people may leave comment, in such a delicate situation, I have to weight my words.
Thus, for learning purpose, this weblog is worked for me.
I am a cyborg or not
I think the answer is obvious. All stuffs fill in my daily life are my cell-phone, my computer, my NDSL, my i-pod; all things I do everyday are updating my dairy in website/ xanga, chatting with friends via MSN/ email, browsing forums/ blogs of people…..Well, if all these things that I’ve done are not enough to be regarded as cyborg, I think I am turning cyborg-ese. B-)
About this course…
I like this course in that I like gender studies. Most of the readings in this course gave me an inspiration of the relationship between cyberspace and women. To be honest, I am not familiar with “cyber rape”, “cyber punk”…..I just have an indistinct idea of these topics at the very beginning. This course arouses my interest in examining the relations of sexual binary in relation to the development of cyberspace.
There is a blemish in an otherwise perfect thing which is we should learn these interesting topics under pressure (essay, presentation…)….well…just kidding xD
Thank you Alison, thank you Wesley, thank you all my classmates, thank you for so many good comments.
Reflective post – Lily
I think using weblogs for learning purposes worked for me. For instance, the first weblog that required us to introduce ourselves helped students knowing each other. It is a quick and simple way for me to know more about my fellow classmates. Since all of us need to post our Webliographies on the weblog, this gives us a chance to look at others’ works and to learn from others.
I consider myself as a cyborg because I rely on technology a lot. I turn on my computer immediately after I wake up, and I play PSP and NDSL during my leisure time. Well, I even tried to talk on the phone for more than 16 hours! I just can’t imagine how I could live without technology! :P
As for my opinion towards this course, I think it is interesting, yet difficult. There are many theories and concepts that I have never learnt before, and they are really difficult to understand. The readings in the reader are also very difficult, so I need to spend a lot of time reading them over and over again.
I consider myself as a cyborg because I rely on technology a lot. I turn on my computer immediately after I wake up, and I play PSP and NDSL during my leisure time. Well, I even tried to talk on the phone for more than 16 hours! I just can’t imagine how I could live without technology! :P
As for my opinion towards this course, I think it is interesting, yet difficult. There are many theories and concepts that I have never learnt before, and they are really difficult to understand. The readings in the reader are also very difficult, so I need to spend a lot of time reading them over and over again.
Reflective Post by Hey
Through using blogging as a network revolution.On the other hand, it is easy to usen and create a time and space constraints from the collaboration model.the results of self-expression also led to a new social patterns. So ,they are explosive growthing in recent years.
However, the emergence of blog, which everyone can become independent of the main body of the Internet, and personal strength to challenge the forces of the media group.
Am I cybor? When I was take this course of the frist lesson, I have begun to consider the critical issues.Initially, I think Cybor is simply people who wear armored machinery.But when the time during the lesson, that let me know Cybor can be presented in various forms, like the human habit of using the computer internet, this behavior is the presentation of Cybor. Now, because of my homework, I need to typing on the computer, so I must face to face with computer over the night. In the long run , I will be training to become a Cybor (it is joking ^ ^)
For this lesson, I submittion in the relationship with love and hate. BY the way , it is
indeed a good opportunity for me to try use the critical way to understand all things and farewell the simple thinking .
Last, think for Instructors teaching
However, the emergence of blog, which everyone can become independent of the main body of the Internet, and personal strength to challenge the forces of the media group.
Am I cybor? When I was take this course of the frist lesson, I have begun to consider the critical issues.Initially, I think Cybor is simply people who wear armored machinery.But when the time during the lesson, that let me know Cybor can be presented in various forms, like the human habit of using the computer internet, this behavior is the presentation of Cybor. Now, because of my homework, I need to typing on the computer, so I must face to face with computer over the night. In the long run , I will be training to become a Cybor (it is joking ^ ^)
For this lesson, I submittion in the relationship with love and hate. BY the way , it is
indeed a good opportunity for me to try use the critical way to understand all things and farewell the simple thinking .
Last, think for Instructors teaching
Reflective Post by Kenneth Cheng Lai Hang
Through using blogging as a learning tool and method, I could get more familiar to the characteristics of blogging habits. It is a quite interesting experience as I could know more about my classmates from the blog other than just inside the classrooms. Also, it give us a preparation to the points of the corresponding classmates before their presentation as they would post the outline a day before. Though I found that there is a lack of interaction between students inside the weblog. Generally, advantages appear more than disadvantages.
Am I a cyborg? I have considered that during the lectures. I think I am! I merge with my PSP, NDSL, laptop and even my cell phone. I could not live without them. In some sense, I depend on the technology a lot. Therefore, I would be so desperate if any of them was out of order.
This course is really interesting though I have encountered a few difficulties in my presentations or even essays. Honestly, I could tell that I love this course as it enlarges my visions. Improvement is still required for the coherence of the topics of modules. Also, more detailed explanations and elaboration of theories are needed as lecturer rush through the points sometimes.
Not matter what, thanks my professor and lecturer.
Am I a cyborg? I have considered that during the lectures. I think I am! I merge with my PSP, NDSL, laptop and even my cell phone. I could not live without them. In some sense, I depend on the technology a lot. Therefore, I would be so desperate if any of them was out of order.
This course is really interesting though I have encountered a few difficulties in my presentations or even essays. Honestly, I could tell that I love this course as it enlarges my visions. Improvement is still required for the coherence of the topics of modules. Also, more detailed explanations and elaboration of theories are needed as lecturer rush through the points sometimes.
Not matter what, thanks my professor and lecturer.
May 1, 2009
Reflective Post by Samson Ho Ka Lok
Cyborg is somehow a big piece of cake in this unit; we have watched movies and did assignments based on this topic, even the unit coordinator spent much time in the visiting lecture to discus this issue with us. After knowing the concept of what cyborg is, I would like to say I believe myself have become a cyborg, I am quite sure that I cannot live without my computer which help me to jot down all of the schedules and since all of my homework have to be typed into the computer before print out and submission. Another good example is the usage of mobile phone, I am sure that most of the people would be very inconvenience without this electronic device. Therefore I attempt to believe many people, at least I, have become cyborg.
My feel toward this course, in general, is not that a special course. The contents of this unit are quite abstract sometimes, for example the concepts of cyborg and the topic of the webliography are hard to understand. I have to spend much time on these issues in order to get a clearer picture. Meanwhile, I feel that lecturer should raise more local samples which can help students easier to get the core points of the topic and make it become more solid.
On the other hand, it is fresh for student that we have to submit work onto the weblog. It may help students to know more about each other through the web communication and students could comment on others work. But I wonder how many of us are really willing to go to the weblog if it is not compulsory to make entries on it. Anyways, this step is fresh to students and I think it is fair to be kept.
Presentation Outline by Samson Ho Ka Lok
Introduction:
Discuss the reading, “Diary of a Webdiarist: Ethics Goes Online”, and attempt to have an exploration to the study topic: Online Ethics. To introduce the meaning and rising of the new term “Webdiary” and see what should the owner of webdiary do in order to guard the freedom of speech as well as to secure the online ethics.
Content:
1. Give a general background introduction of the reading’s author,
2. Generally give some information of the webdiary. To see the main differences between
webdiary and traditional journalism
3. Problem faced by the author when he is running his own webdiary because of many people posting different comments on it, including positive and negative manner.
4. Case study: to see how the administrator deals with these problems
5. Another problem faced: NOM DE PLUMES (Anonymity in English) and the solutions
Conclusion
Connie’s reflective post
I think using bogging to be a learning method can have both good and bad way for me. For the good way, through this weblog, it seems like giving me a communication channel to know the classmate of communication studies whom didn’t have any interaction before. We can know the opinion of other classmates to our presentation to see what can or do better next time, likewise, I think it is a motivation for us to listen more carefully to other presentation to give our own comment to others. It really helps us to have more interaction to different people through this platform. However, the bad way is that as I am not really interesting in surfing internet as usual, I always forgot that I had to come post something. In many cases, despite I remember to post it, but what I type out is just like a assignment for a topic rather then really expressing my own feeling. In my point of view, I do think that I am a cyborg because of my reliance on technology in the daily live. Being a new generation that live at a digital age, especially living in Hong Kong, I already get used to live at a environment that full of the support by different technology product, I can’t imagine what it be without them. I do think that this unit had taught us to use a critical view to think of the relationship between the technology and human being in this modern society.
Jane's reflective post
The effectiveness of using weblogs for learning purpose
I think it is easily to understand other people’s, especially for those who are not my friends, thoughts as I do not know much friends who are taking the bachelor degree of communication studies. But, for me, I think here is something missing. Maybe is the interaction. This weblog, in some way, cannot stimulate, at least me-myself, interaction much.
Am I really a cyborg?
I was once working on a project which was related to computer addiction. During the research, I agreed with my great granny says, “Nowadays, youth are driven by technology, sigh.” At that time, I just believed computer is equaled to technology as I thought I was one of those youth.
After having the seminors and toturial classes of the course, I started to rethink my own relationship with the technologies, like my personal computer, my cell phone, my lovely NDSL and even my electronic dictionary! And then, the sense which is able to make the distinction between me and technologies is vanishing. So, I cannot deny I am not a cyborg as my ability to define this distinction is getting weak.
This course in general...
To be honest, I do not like it!! (Just kidding, LOL)
My feeling toward this course is complex. The theoretical contexts of this course, like “cultural jamming” and “cyber punk” are little bit tough for me because I did not study anything relevant before. However, some of the seminars did raise my interest, like “JenniCAM”, Frankenstein, playing games and Ad-busters. I did gain something from this well-organized course.
And, lastly, thanks a lot to Alison and Wesley.
Presentation Outline by Kenneth Cheng Lai Hang
Introduction:
Discuss the relationship between the topic of the reading, "the good, the bad and the virtual" and the movie "the good, the bad and the ugly" in order to bring out the idea of Mark Poster that "the virtual may not fit into existing definitions of the good and the bad".
Content:
1. Ethics as a Problem: INTERNET blur the lines between real relations and virtual relations
2. The domain of the ethical was context-specific to cultures that at one end of a time scale were secularized and at the other end had not yet been immersed in virtual media
3. Difference between GOOD and BAD: individuals and political and religious authorities (for the individual to raise the question of the nature of the good)
4. Boundaries between public and private
5. Example: a sex change operation performed for everyone to see on a webcam
6. Nietzsche’s utopia
Conclusion
Discuss the relationship between the topic of the reading, "the good, the bad and the virtual" and the movie "the good, the bad and the ugly" in order to bring out the idea of Mark Poster that "the virtual may not fit into existing definitions of the good and the bad".
Content:
1. Ethics as a Problem: INTERNET blur the lines between real relations and virtual relations
2. The domain of the ethical was context-specific to cultures that at one end of a time scale were secularized and at the other end had not yet been immersed in virtual media
3. Difference between GOOD and BAD: individuals and political and religious authorities (for the individual to raise the question of the nature of the good)
4. Boundaries between public and private
5. Example: a sex change operation performed for everyone to see on a webcam
6. Nietzsche’s utopia
Conclusion
Apr 30, 2009
Presentation outline by Shermaine, Chung Pik Yu
" Interactive Audiences" by Henry Jankins
Interactive Audiences are no longer passive, thery have got various form of identities, which is a new form of participatory culture.
Three trends of participatory culture:
- New tools and technology
- The D.I.Y ideas
- Economic trends: good for horizontal media integration
Collective intellignece:
- New knowledge commodity: which are voluntary, temporary and tactical affiliation through common intellectual enterprises and emotional investment.
- Example of online fans community: interactive knowledge
- Differences between shared knowledge and collective intelligence.
How computers changed fandom:
- Levy: inflection of computer: example on Matthew Hills ‘ Just in time fandom’.
- Have a broader range of perspective compare with the past: speed and more frequency.
- Digital technologies have enable new forms of fan cultural production, e.g share of fictions on the web.
Knowledge culture meets commodity culture:
- 4 potential sources of power: nomadic mobility, control over territory, ownership over commodity and mastery over knowledge.
- Creative activity: a shift of production of text and meaning to dynamic environment.
- Horizontal integration and the logic of synergy is one of a marketing strategies.
From jammers to bloggers:
- Cultural jammers: give out a negative concept of culture, to jam the dominant media and destroy the media power.
- Bloggers: to change and share.
-‘Blog’ is a new form of personal and sub-cultural expression.
Interactive Audiences are no longer passive, thery have got various form of identities, which is a new form of participatory culture.
Three trends of participatory culture:
- New tools and technology
- The D.I.Y ideas
- Economic trends: good for horizontal media integration
Collective intellignece:
- New knowledge commodity: which are voluntary, temporary and tactical affiliation through common intellectual enterprises and emotional investment.
- Example of online fans community: interactive knowledge
- Differences between shared knowledge and collective intelligence.
How computers changed fandom:
- Levy: inflection of computer: example on Matthew Hills ‘ Just in time fandom’.
- Have a broader range of perspective compare with the past: speed and more frequency.
- Digital technologies have enable new forms of fan cultural production, e.g share of fictions on the web.
Knowledge culture meets commodity culture:
- 4 potential sources of power: nomadic mobility, control over territory, ownership over commodity and mastery over knowledge.
- Creative activity: a shift of production of text and meaning to dynamic environment.
- Horizontal integration and the logic of synergy is one of a marketing strategies.
From jammers to bloggers:
- Cultural jammers: give out a negative concept of culture, to jam the dominant media and destroy the media power.
- Bloggers: to change and share.
-‘Blog’ is a new form of personal and sub-cultural expression.
Presentation Outline by Cherry Kwong.
"PostHuman Possibilities" in Cyborg Citizen by Chris Hables Gray.
Cyborgrization related to polotics and citizenship:
- No simple left-center-right political stand point of cyborg.
- Totalitarianism might not good to cyborg citizenship.
- Using diverse perspectives to understand cyborgrization.
Cybogrization- Piercing:
- By the reason of beauty, respect or "Primitive” traditional.
- Possibilities of re-interpreting one-self and human’s freedom to take such act.
Subjectivities of posthumanity
- Cyborgrization due to medical reason. Such as Christopher Reeve
- It is about technoscience incorporation into body.
- It is taken place demographically.
Carnival Cyborg
- Technocarnical with permanent consequences.
- Cyborgrization is possibly good or bad.
- Human have became a cyborg system.
The Future is not yet written
- Cyborg politics are about power
- Knowledge is power
- Meanings are constructed
Conclusion:
- Using diverse viewpoints towards cyborgrization might reach greater democracy of human and posthuman possibilities.
Cyborgrization related to polotics and citizenship:
- No simple left-center-right political stand point of cyborg.
- Totalitarianism might not good to cyborg citizenship.
- Using diverse perspectives to understand cyborgrization.
Cybogrization- Piercing:
- By the reason of beauty, respect or "Primitive” traditional.
- Possibilities of re-interpreting one-self and human’s freedom to take such act.
Subjectivities of posthumanity
- Cyborgrization due to medical reason. Such as Christopher Reeve
- It is about technoscience incorporation into body.
- It is taken place demographically.
Carnival Cyborg
- Technocarnical with permanent consequences.
- Cyborgrization is possibly good or bad.
- Human have became a cyborg system.
The Future is not yet written
- Cyborg politics are about power
- Knowledge is power
- Meanings are constructed
Conclusion:
- Using diverse viewpoints towards cyborgrization might reach greater democracy of human and posthuman possibilities.
Presentation outline by Vivian Cheung
Helen McCarth, Paul Miller & Pual Skidmore(eds), Network Logic, Londin:Demos, April 2004, pp. 191-202
Smart mobs: the power of the mobile many by Howard Rheingold
1. The concept of smart mobs which was introduced by Howard Rheingold.
2. Used two examples to illustrate that smart mobs have begun to have an impact in current events, as mobile phones and text messages have empowered people.
3. The concept of netwar coined by John Arquilla and David Ronfeldt.
4. Given example of other non-violent smart-mobbing, e.g. Lovegety and ENGwear
5.Four characteristics of Swarm systems
Smart mobs: the power of the mobile many by Howard Rheingold
1. The concept of smart mobs which was introduced by Howard Rheingold.
2. Used two examples to illustrate that smart mobs have begun to have an impact in current events, as mobile phones and text messages have empowered people.
3. The concept of netwar coined by John Arquilla and David Ronfeldt.
4. Given example of other non-violent smart-mobbing, e.g. Lovegety and ENGwear
5.Four characteristics of Swarm systems
Apr 29, 2009
Presentation Outline by Chan Tsz Wai Crystal
Harvey O. (2005) Identity Politics and technological change: Two different models. TASA [The Australian Sociological Association] 2005 Conference Proceedings.
URL: http://www.tasa.org.au/conferencepapers05/papers%20(pdf)/humans_harvey.pdf
The cyborg:
- Human consequences of scientific and technological development
The posthuman:
- Changes on how we think about traditional categories of identity
Donna Haraway:
- Traditional political arguments based on‘the integrity of natural objects’ can no longer be sustained
Catherine MacKinnon:
- Men’s constitution and appropriation of women sexually
Donna Haraway:
- Feminism must develop a political framework
The cyborg:
- ‘Matter of fiction and lived experience’
- Political model
Donna Haraway:
- ‘By the late twentieth century… The cyborg is our ontology; it gives us our politics’
Judith Halberstam and Ira Livingston:
- Posthuman: open ideological assumptions traditionally made about human identity
Conclusion:
- Connections between Haraway’s and Halberstam’s and Livingston’s arguments:
~ Ontology is the anchor for any discussion of human identity
- Their common beliefs:
~ Qualities we usually attribute to the human are no longer easily identifiable
- Differences:
~ The cyborg: political project based on reconfiguring alliances between different material objects
- Human consequences of scientific and technological development
The posthuman:
- Changes on how we think about traditional categories of identity
Donna Haraway:
- Traditional political arguments based on‘the integrity of natural objects’ can no longer be sustained
Catherine MacKinnon:
- Men’s constitution and appropriation of women sexually
Donna Haraway:
- Feminism must develop a political framework
The cyborg:
- ‘Matter of fiction and lived experience’
- Political model
Donna Haraway:
- ‘By the late twentieth century… The cyborg is our ontology; it gives us our politics’
Judith Halberstam and Ira Livingston:
- Posthuman: open ideological assumptions traditionally made about human identity
Conclusion:
- Connections between Haraway’s and Halberstam’s and Livingston’s arguments:
~ Ontology is the anchor for any discussion of human identity
- Their common beliefs:
~ Qualities we usually attribute to the human are no longer easily identifiable
- Differences:
~ The cyborg: political project based on reconfiguring alliances between different material objects
~ The posthuman: epistemological project, re-think of the nature of matter itself
Apr 23, 2009
Presentation Outline by Joe Chan Chung Wai
The reading Hot Dates and Fairy-Tale Romances by Mia Consalvo is an article studying videogames sexuality issues and norms.
Introduction:
- The author made brief examples on videogames normalized heterosexuality and Fairy-Tale like romance
Body:
- Introduced a game, Final Fantasy IX
- Studied not only surface level
- Shows the game is over-normalized heterosexuality
- The game's main focus could break if the player's interest is different from the character
- Introduced The Sims
- Naming it as a radical case to stuy
- Could freely have relationship with both same or different sex
- Still norms like the default of characters is still middle-aged white man
Conclusion:
- Different theories could lead various understanding on a game
- Shows needs of studying a game on beyond the surface level
Introduction:
- The author made brief examples on videogames normalized heterosexuality and Fairy-Tale like romance
Body:
- Introduced a game, Final Fantasy IX
- Studied not only surface level
- Shows the game is over-normalized heterosexuality
- The game's main focus could break if the player's interest is different from the character
- Introduced The Sims
- Naming it as a radical case to stuy
- Could freely have relationship with both same or different sex
- Still norms like the default of characters is still middle-aged white man
Conclusion:
- Different theories could lead various understanding on a game
- Shows needs of studying a game on beyond the surface level
Presentation outline by Jane Ng
As we Become Machines: Corporealized Pleasures in Video Games, by Martti Lahti
Introduction
- Gibson and Lahti
~ to understand Lahti's point and her inspiration came from
Lahti’s purpose
- Connections
- Contrast with “cyberspace”
~ to show Lahti's exploration that she wants to share in this piece
Being in the “Third Place”
- History of video games
- Development of video games
~ to give a brief for audience know more about games
Immersion
- 2 Quotations (Pg 159+160) which are related to the history and development of games
~ to show the examies of how history and development make games become influencial to the players
Representation as part of the player’s body
- 1 Quotation (Pg 164)
~ to view how the avatar funcions on gamming
Kick-ass experience
- Avatar – matrix of characters of different gender and race
- Games
~ to reveal the relation of the avatar and games
Cyborg consciousness
- Player
~ to understand the player's act on creating avatar
Lahti’s suggestions
- Games
~ to show Lahti's view on gamming
Conclusion
- 1 Quotation (Pg 169)
~ to give Lahti' strance at the end
Really sorry for this "late-posted" outline.
Introduction
- Gibson and Lahti
~ to understand Lahti's point and her inspiration came from
Lahti’s purpose
- Connections
- Contrast with “cyberspace”
~ to show Lahti's exploration that she wants to share in this piece
Being in the “Third Place”
- History of video games
- Development of video games
~ to give a brief for audience know more about games
Immersion
- 2 Quotations (Pg 159+160) which are related to the history and development of games
~ to show the examies of how history and development make games become influencial to the players
Representation as part of the player’s body
- 1 Quotation (Pg 164)
~ to view how the avatar funcions on gamming
Kick-ass experience
- Avatar – matrix of characters of different gender and race
- Games
~ to reveal the relation of the avatar and games
Cyborg consciousness
- Player
~ to understand the player's act on creating avatar
Lahti’s suggestions
- Games
~ to show Lahti's view on gamming
Conclusion
- 1 Quotation (Pg 169)
~ to give Lahti' strance at the end
Really sorry for this "late-posted" outline.
Apr 22, 2009
Presentation Outline by Melody Chan
Reading: From Quake Grrls to Desperate Housewves: a decade of gender and computer games
Henry Jenkins and Justine Cassell
Outline
1.Introduction
- Conference
- Book
2.The Girls' Game movement
- Development
- Five Factors
Economic, Political, Technological, Entrepreneurial, Aesthetic
3.The gender role of girls
4.The Sims™
- Introduction
- From Game Culture to Fan Culture
5.The Diversification of Game Content
6.Fringes
- Introduction
- Genres
Casual games, Serious and educational games, Advergaming
7.Desperate Housewives Game
Henry Jenkins and Justine Cassell
Outline
1.Introduction
- Conference
- Book
2.The Girls' Game movement
- Development
- Five Factors
Economic, Political, Technological, Entrepreneurial, Aesthetic
3.The gender role of girls
4.The Sims™
- Introduction
- From Game Culture to Fan Culture
5.The Diversification of Game Content
6.Fringes
- Introduction
- Genres
Casual games, Serious and educational games, Advergaming
7.Desperate Housewives Game
Apr 16, 2009
presentation outline by Carrie Chan
Why youth(Heart) social network sites: The role of networked publics in teenage social life by Danah Boyd
This is a research about teenage social life in social networks
Aim at finding some of the common ways about teenagers experience social network site.
1.) Methodology of the research:
-Ethnograph, the practices of “participant observation” and “deep hanging out”
-focus on 14-18 age group
2.) The making of social network site
-most social networks include profiles, friends, comments
3.) Define “networked public
-Four properties separate unmediated publics from networked public
4.) The start of My space
-Profile creation
-Identity performance
-Writing identity and community into being
5.) Privacy
-fabricate key identifying information
-avoids their parents and teachers
6.) Conclusion
-impression management is key factor of developing a social identity
-adults are not policemen for teenagers, but a guide.
This is a research about teenage social life in social networks
Aim at finding some of the common ways about teenagers experience social network site.
1.) Methodology of the research:
-Ethnograph, the practices of “participant observation” and “deep hanging out”
-focus on 14-18 age group
2.) The making of social network site
-most social networks include profiles, friends, comments
3.) Define “networked public
-Four properties separate unmediated publics from networked public
4.) The start of My space
-Profile creation
-Identity performance
-Writing identity and community into being
5.) Privacy
-fabricate key identifying information
-avoids their parents and teachers
6.) Conclusion
-impression management is key factor of developing a social identity
-adults are not policemen for teenagers, but a guide.
Presentation outline By Zion Cheng Ho Yan
My reading is ' A Rape in Cyberspace; or How an Evil Clown, a Haitian Tickster Spirit, TwoWiards, and a Cast of Dozens Trned a Dtabase into a Society" by Julian Diabell
Intro:
1) The author decribed the whole raping incident
2) Introduce the man that raped the women "Mr Bungle" and the victims
Body:
1) One of the victims opened a discussion
2) People add opinions and abuse Mr Bungle
3) The outcome of Mr Bungle
4) how different group of people ( The wizards, anarchist, technoliberstarians)
think of the abuse
Conclu:
How the author thinks of the whole issue
Intro:
1) The author decribed the whole raping incident
2) Introduce the man that raped the women "Mr Bungle" and the victims
Body:
1) One of the victims opened a discussion
2) People add opinions and abuse Mr Bungle
3) The outcome of Mr Bungle
4) how different group of people ( The wizards, anarchist, technoliberstarians)
think of the abuse
Conclu:
How the author thinks of the whole issue
Apr 15, 2009
Tutorial Presentation Outline by Donna Fung
“The Virtual Community” by Howard Rheingold
-Introduction
Aim :
1. Inform people that the potential importance of cyberspace to political liberties
2. The ways virtual communities are likely to change experience of real world
-Define Viirtual communities
-Define cyberspace
-Define WELL
Examples of WELL
WELL--> Authentic community (grounded in our everyday physical world)
-Activities that people do in virtual communities
Examples
-Virtual communities bring enormous power to ordinary citizens at relatively little cost
Examples
-Reasons for the newest communications technologies
~More & more informal public spaces disappear from our real life
~CMC enables people to do things with each other in new ways, & to do altogether new things
-Potential influences of people’s lives
-Conclusion
We inhabit in virtual communities
~Mix up with real life & virtual communities together
~Being colonized
~Being virtualized
Apr 8, 2009
Fung Melody's Presentation Outline
- Always Coca-cola?
- Do you ever get to know that coca-cola’s workers got killed because they want a better conditions?
- What is Adbusters?
Founded in 1989 in Canada
a global network of culture jammers and creatives working to change the way information flows, the way corporations wield power, and the way meaning is produced in our society
- anti-consumerist
- launch campaigns like
- Buy Nothing Day
- TV turnoff week
- Spoof Ads – subvertisement
- Culture jamming campaigns
- Aim: to create an obvious contrast between the corporate image and the real consequences of corporate behavior (e.g. Coca cola)
- Blackspot
- Started selling in 2004
- Aim to cut into Nike’s market share
- Attack the brand idolatry and sweatshop production methods
- What makes Adbusters different
- Not just simply brainwashing
- Allows supporters getting involved too
- E.g. Buy Nothing Day, TV turnoff week
Apr 7, 2009
Presentation Outline - Lily
“Consumption and Digital Commodities in the Everyday” by Mark Poster
“Consumption has been reconfigured as significant in its own right, as a complex, articulated area related directly to culture.” (Poster 409)
In this article, Poster argues that consumers are no longer passive individuals who receive information submissively. With the development of digital media, consumers can participate in their consumption actively, and they can even become the producer or creator of the cultural object.
1. Introduction
- Differences between USA & Slovenia
2. Consumer theory & the media
- Theory in the modern era (Firat & Dholakia)
- Theory in the postmodern era (Michel de Certeau)
3. Issues of consumption
- Changes in consumption
4. Digital media & consumption
- Cultural object & subject position of consumer
- Threat faced by culture industry
- Resistive consumer practices (TV commercials)
5. Conclusion
“Consumption has been reconfigured as significant in its own right, as a complex, articulated area related directly to culture.” (Poster 409)
In this article, Poster argues that consumers are no longer passive individuals who receive information submissively. With the development of digital media, consumers can participate in their consumption actively, and they can even become the producer or creator of the cultural object.
1. Introduction
- Differences between USA & Slovenia
2. Consumer theory & the media
- Theory in the modern era (Firat & Dholakia)
- Theory in the postmodern era (Michel de Certeau)
3. Issues of consumption
- Changes in consumption
4. Digital media & consumption
- Cultural object & subject position of consumer
- Threat faced by culture industry
- Resistive consumer practices (TV commercials)
5. Conclusion
Apr 5, 2009
The presentation Outline by Hei
Summary of "Culture Jamming: Hacking, Slashing, and Sniping in the Empire of the Signs"
1 Critical point of view – culture jamming, to analyse the relationship between media and culture.
2 What is Media channels for example television
3 Analysis of all article views of Dery
4 Contend with the media and public
5 Conclusion
1 Critical point of view – culture jamming, to analyse the relationship between media and culture.
2 What is Media channels for example television
3 Analysis of all article views of Dery
4 Contend with the media and public
5 Conclusion
Mar 23, 2009
Kathy Wong's Critical Annotated Webligraphy
3. Frankenstein continues to occupy the popular imagination as a monstrous scientist. Analyse some of the ways in which Frankenstein haunts discussions of recent technologies.
In 1818, the first novel of the now-popular mad scientist genre was published which is called Frankenstein written by Mary Shelley[1]. Frankenstein refers to a crazed scientist who designs to create a life by combining the parts of different died bodies, at last, he makes a monster. This monster is the “successful product” of Frankenstein, although Frankenstein is afraid of it. Nowadays, Frankenstein is still imagined as a monstrous scientist. Then, how would the public discuss the recent technologies related to Frankenstein? I am going to analyze by the following articles which are reached through google scholar.
In the “Commentary on Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein”, the conflict between science and religion is showed. The author mentions that “Frankenstein” is an icon of this conflict by two points. First, people will have desert for trying to surpass the ability of god with the “unnatural technology”, such as Frankenstein tried to “create” a human, at last, he died. Moreover, “Frankenstein” is also called “The Modern Prometheus”, as the name show, the core concept of Frankenstein is related to the legend of Prometheus[2]. Again, human must obey to the God, if anyone tries to obtain the ability of God, he will be punished. Second, knowledge is only used “for the purpose of allowing God to run the world”. He mentions that religious has obstructed the development of the scientific concepts, for example, when the Italian physicist Galileo pointed out that “the earth was not at the center of the universe”, he was forced to recant this concept by the Catholic Church, just because it seems that he challenged the “truth”. If anyone tried to cross into the God’s domain, it was sin and needed to be punished. From the point of the author, God sometimes abandons human since religious blocks the development of technology.
Religious affects the development of technology, on the other hand, what the problem of technology is. We will have a look on this topic in the essay of “Shelley’s Frankenstein and the Problems with Technology”. In this essay, the author leads us inside how the knowledge and its effects are harmful to individuals and all of humanity. When Shelley wrote the Frankenstein, there was an industrial revolution in
For supplementing the theme of the previous article – problems causing by technology, I am going to analysis another article written by Shari Popen which is called “Thinking Though Technology: Frankenstein’s Problem (or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Technology)”. In this article, we would understand more about the problems of technology and how to solve these problems. At first, Popen is a philosopher who wants to confer the technical education and how to teach the students to criticize the advantageous or not of the technology. Then, he points out the same point of the previous article, he thinks that it is really very wrong that Frankenstein use the technology to achieve his aim without thinking the morality and the terrible consequence. He has said that, “Technology – for good or for ill – permeates all aspects of our lives”. Also, Donna Haraway[3] has pointed that “We are all cyborgs now”. Therefore, if we do not use the technology morally, our lives are dangerous. What we should do now is teaching the students about the morality of technology. However, Popen believes that neither Frankenstein nor his “product”, monster, are not the deep villain, since they have no idea to use technology evilly. The real villain is person who aims to use the technology to commit something wrong immorally.
Since the first three article are also showing the problems of technology generally, I will have a look on how the situation of being “human creation technically” in the fourth article – “Re-Engineering the Human: New Reproductive Technologies and the Specter of Frankenstein” which was written by Brian P. Bloomfield and Theo Vurdubakis. As Mary Douglas[4] said, the human body is “commonly functions as a conceptual model or symbolic stand-in for the social collectivity as a whole”. The “human creation technically”, is also called the “human clone”, signs a biotechnological revolution. Because of the human clone, there are the “various philosophical antinomies and moral conflicts characteristic of occidental modernity”. Being a representative, Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is being discussed intensely with the reproductive technologies. Originally, Frankenstein is planning to perfect the world, such as some scientists want to invent more “products” to improve the human life. However, everything is uncontrolled, if the technology, such as the human clone, is uncontrolled, the world will be in disorder. Therefore, the conflict between human clone and morality is existed, and the authors think that “moral and intellectual failure often accompanies techno-scientific success” which is difficult to be controlled.
As told before, human clone is a controversial topic, special though the media. In the “Cloning in the Media and Popular Culture”, the author Giovanni Maio believes that it “often features unreal scenarios that are not based on scientific fact, but rather express a diffuse sense of uneasiness”. This article is showing us how the media transfers the messages of human clone to the public, and one of the examples is Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. Same as the previous article, Maio thinks that the interesting and discussing point of human clone is because of the religious, the public always related human clone to blaspheme the God and Frankenstein is one obvious example. There are four main messages from the media transferring to the public. First, the clone is potentially evil; second, the creator is punished at last; third, it takes place in a civilized result; fourth, order is eventually restored because of the destruction of the human clone. Since human clone is unable to be a “perfect” human, it is an “anti-image”, which wants to be a human but without a soul. However, is the human clone really blaspheming the God?
To conclude these articles, the conflict between technology and religious still exists. Somebody believes that the scientists will be published if they try to surpass the ability of God. Therefore, religious may be a barrier of the inventions, and knowledge is only for God. If we want to improve the technology correctly, we must use it morally. One of the most controvertible topics is human clone and it represents the revolution of technology, as well, if we try to disorder the world though technology, it is immoral and seems to be against the God. However, if the technology affects the religious is still confused.
Bibliography.
ü “Commentary on Mary Shelley's Frankenstein”, 123 help me, http://www.123helpme.com/view.asp?id=10497
ü “Shelley’s Frankenstein and the problems with technology”, Essay Sample, http://www.essaysample.com/essay/002053.html
ü Shari Popen, “Thinking Though Technology: Frankenstein’ s Problem”, North American Association for Community of Inquiry (NAACI), July 1998, http://www.viterbo.edu/analytic/Vol%2019%20no.%201/thinking%20through%20tecnology.pdf
ü Brian P. Bloomfield and Theo Vurdubakis, “Re-Engineering the Human: New Reproductive Technologies and the Specter of Frankenstein”, International Journal of Social Sciences, Winter 2006, http://www.waset.org/ijss/v1/v1-1-4.pdf
ü Giovanni Maio, “Cloning in the media and popular culture”, European Molecular Biology Organization, 2006, http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=1456881&tool=pmcentrez
[1] “Shelley's Frankenstein has been called the first novel of the now-popular mad scientist genre.” from Toumey, Christopher P. "The Moral Character of Mad Scientists: A Cultural Critique of Science." Science, Technology, & Human Values. 17.4 (Autumn, 1992) pg. 8
[2] “In Greek mythology, Prometheus is a Titan known for his wily intelligence, who stole fire from Zeus and gave it to mortals for their use. Zeus then punished him for his crime by having him bound to a rock while a great eagle ate his liver every day only to have it grow back to be eaten again the next day.” from Wikipedia ,U.S., 2009, retrieved 20 March 2009, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prometheus
[3] “Donna J. Haraway (born September 6,
[4] “Dame Mary Douglas, DBE, FBA (25 March 1921 – 16 May 2007) was a British anthropologist, known for her writings on human culture and symbolism.” From
Mar 11, 2009
Presentation Outline - Benson
“Hong Kong Cyberculture: A Case Study” by Amy Lai Tak-yee
1. Introduction
- Highlight what John Perry Barlow statement about Jurgen Habermas’s "public sphere” can applies in the Internet. People can express freely without restriction.
2. Case: Amy Lai provides ICERED case to criticize Barlow’s statement through:
- “Your English sucks!” --> the poster’s English standard
- "The Unbearable ‘White-ness’ of ICERED” -->the races, gender problems
- "Man are after sex, woman, after money” --> gender battle
- Issues of homophobia
3. Analysis
- Marginalization exist online same as offline
- Public sphere fail to exist in the Internet
- Impacts from virtual world may bring to the real world, or even co-exist
1. Introduction
- Highlight what John Perry Barlow statement about Jurgen Habermas’s "public sphere” can applies in the Internet. People can express freely without restriction.
2. Case: Amy Lai provides ICERED case to criticize Barlow’s statement through:
- “Your English sucks!” --> the poster’s English standard
- "The Unbearable ‘White-ness’ of ICERED” -->the races, gender problems
- "Man are after sex, woman, after money” --> gender battle
- Issues of homophobia
3. Analysis
- Marginalization exist online same as offline
- Public sphere fail to exist in the Internet
- Impacts from virtual world may bring to the real world, or even co-exist
Presentation outline – George
"Ruminations on cyber-race" by Jerry Kang
1. Background research
2. Race categorizing and mapping people
3. Abolition
4. Integration
5. Transmutation
6. Conclusion
Hope you will enjoy the presentation
1. Background research
2. Race categorizing and mapping people
3. Abolition
4. Integration
5. Transmutation
6. Conclusion
Hope you will enjoy the presentation
Kathy's Presentation Outline
Hi, here is my outline of the coming presentation:
Reading: "Menu-Driven Identities: Making Race Happen Online" by Lisa Nakamura
1. Intro. - 2 different views on web. :
Lisa’s view Vs. Cyberutopian’s view
2. Web Portals -“Extremely limited & constricted view of the world” ???
(with the "menus")
3. The case of Excite - to prove "Cybertyping"
4. Social net-work websites (also with the "menus")
5. E-mail joke lists : "Covey racial identities online in a genuine, complicated & nuanced way" ???
6. Conclusion - (in)visibility racial identity online
See you guys on Thursday! ^^"
Reading: "Menu-Driven Identities: Making Race Happen Online" by Lisa Nakamura
1. Intro. - 2 different views on web. :
Lisa’s view Vs. Cyberutopian’s view
2. Web Portals -“Extremely limited & constricted view of the world” ???
(with the "menus")
3. The case of Excite - to prove "Cybertyping"
4. Social net-work websites (also with the "menus")
5. E-mail joke lists : "Covey racial identities online in a genuine, complicated & nuanced way" ???
6. Conclusion - (in)visibility racial identity online
See you guys on Thursday! ^^"
Mar 9, 2009
Annotated Webliography by Shermaine
Until the 21th century, Frankenstein is still a famous story which is a combination of horrific and scientific. Through this story, it shows the eager on exploration and control of technology through our human ability. The story of Frankenstein shows an expert scientist who challenge the nature and made a ‘human’ using dead body. It is not only shows that the behavior of a mad scientist but also tells the fatal result of human who misuse technology and science. Which is foresee of nowadays world of science. Because of human mind’s selfishness and neglect the result what they do. Our world is now badly affected by our over use of technology.
What will our world becomes when the technology lose control? Alisa Burns’s “Frankenstein of the Future” gives out questions on this scenery. Through the human intelligences, we invented many new machines and things which used to fulfill the dreams of a better living standard. Start from the invention of computer in 50’s, the technological boom brings the science and technology environment into the sharp. We give the machines human mind using the bases of human intelligences, will those machines replace our power on our society? We can’t be blind by the benefit and quality of the machine but take control of them, we should try to more independent on ourselves rather then machines. She also takes “AI” as an example on what the situation will be when we neglect the gradual occupation by the machine.
Frankenstein is not only a literature creation, it also tells many questions which related to science and brings out consideration of the on behind problems when we misuse science. Frankenstein is treated as a monster. Why it is a monster but not a technology invention? We may think that technology and human are two different hales, just like the man and the monster in the story. But indeed they are closely related with each other. The scientist- Victor was fascinated by the miracle power of electricity and science to relive a once living organism. Apart from the science invention and the seeking of knowledge in technology, the standard of moral should be the most important part to concern. Both of them should be balance, other wise disadvantage may come out. Just like Victor Frankenstein, he may not predict the danger and bad effects because of his monster creation. When we neglect the hidden result of over use of technology, bad effect will feedback to us. Just like nuclear weapon and cloning, which rise out a lot of problems to out society.
On the other hand, there is no doubt that technology invention gives convenient and better lives for us. There are various things and products which are really benefit to our lives. Such as i-phone and computer. They develop a fast and convenient way to skip away the distance between our communication. If we haven’t got computer, imagine we can’t communicate through MSM and e mail, what will our world becomes? May be our culture development won’t comes to today’s environment. It may become very difficult to share our ideas in a speedy way. If we haven’t got mobile phones, it may become very hard to keep contact with the others but only roughly through letters or verbal. The new technology appears are basically because of our eager to change and learn. What we learn and teach is determine what we invent. As Luke Fernandez said that : “human invention are controlling the way people teach and learn, especially when it comes to media technologies…” ( Luke Fernandez: “Frankenstein in the University” , line 30). The situation is inter-related as we will used to seek more knowledge from the invention. Also what we learn from books will urge us to take more invention as we want to explore from them. The monster in the story was created by the mad scientist Victor Frankenstein, the monster claimed that Victor is his creator but he is the master of him. Which represents the un- control of technology, even we are under control by technology. So how can we maintain a suitable position with technology? That’s the most important question that we need to concern.
“People celebrate the act of creating new inventions, but aren’t particularly concerned about what happens next.” “We don't want to take responsibility for our technological innovation, we just want to celebrate our ingenuity in achieving them.” ( Jon Katz: “The Unabomber's Legacy, Part II”) Katz takes the example from Frankenstein. After the ‘invent’ of the monster, Victor Frankenstein feels the successful from being handover the power of technology and the ability to birth a new life. But he didn’t consider any effect that the monster might bring out. He didn’t imagine how the monster will be, what it will do as he given a new life to it. Like the attitude of people on technology nowadays. They just eager to seek the result of their work. They claim that they are seeking the truth for the people, for humanity civilization and knowledge. But they have never consider the effect after their ‘seek of reality’.
People are not use technology properly, they may use their time to produce invention but not for the good of people. Such as the production of weapons for wars to destroy each other’s country. Some people may say that technology is not good for our society. If you consider it carefully, it is not the duty of technology but on the way we use. So it depends on how we use them. But there is no doubt that the story of Frankenstein, the popular culture and imagination of the society helps to explore our technology and imagination on science, thus helps to improve the world technology.
References:
“Frankenstein of the future” Alisa Burns, October 2002, http://www.wsu.edu/~delahoyd/frank.comment4.html
“Frankenstein: The Man and the Monster” Suzanna Storment, October 2002
http://www.wsu.edu/~delahoyd/frank.comment3.html
“Frankenstein in the university” Luke Fernandez,
http://campustechnology.com/Articles/2008/05/Frankenstein-in-the-University.aspx?Page=1
“The Unabomber's Legacy, Part II” Jon Katz,
http://www.wired.com/culture/lifestyle/news/1998/04/11819
“The curse of Frankenstein: visions of technology and society in the debate over new reproductive technologies.” Bloomfield, BP and Vurdubakis, 2003, Lancaster University
http://eprints.lancs.ac.uk/6839/
What will our world becomes when the technology lose control? Alisa Burns’s “Frankenstein of the Future” gives out questions on this scenery. Through the human intelligences, we invented many new machines and things which used to fulfill the dreams of a better living standard. Start from the invention of computer in 50’s, the technological boom brings the science and technology environment into the sharp. We give the machines human mind using the bases of human intelligences, will those machines replace our power on our society? We can’t be blind by the benefit and quality of the machine but take control of them, we should try to more independent on ourselves rather then machines. She also takes “AI” as an example on what the situation will be when we neglect the gradual occupation by the machine.
Frankenstein is not only a literature creation, it also tells many questions which related to science and brings out consideration of the on behind problems when we misuse science. Frankenstein is treated as a monster. Why it is a monster but not a technology invention? We may think that technology and human are two different hales, just like the man and the monster in the story. But indeed they are closely related with each other. The scientist- Victor was fascinated by the miracle power of electricity and science to relive a once living organism. Apart from the science invention and the seeking of knowledge in technology, the standard of moral should be the most important part to concern. Both of them should be balance, other wise disadvantage may come out. Just like Victor Frankenstein, he may not predict the danger and bad effects because of his monster creation. When we neglect the hidden result of over use of technology, bad effect will feedback to us. Just like nuclear weapon and cloning, which rise out a lot of problems to out society.
On the other hand, there is no doubt that technology invention gives convenient and better lives for us. There are various things and products which are really benefit to our lives. Such as i-phone and computer. They develop a fast and convenient way to skip away the distance between our communication. If we haven’t got computer, imagine we can’t communicate through MSM and e mail, what will our world becomes? May be our culture development won’t comes to today’s environment. It may become very difficult to share our ideas in a speedy way. If we haven’t got mobile phones, it may become very hard to keep contact with the others but only roughly through letters or verbal. The new technology appears are basically because of our eager to change and learn. What we learn and teach is determine what we invent. As Luke Fernandez said that : “human invention are controlling the way people teach and learn, especially when it comes to media technologies…” ( Luke Fernandez: “Frankenstein in the University” , line 30). The situation is inter-related as we will used to seek more knowledge from the invention. Also what we learn from books will urge us to take more invention as we want to explore from them. The monster in the story was created by the mad scientist Victor Frankenstein, the monster claimed that Victor is his creator but he is the master of him. Which represents the un- control of technology, even we are under control by technology. So how can we maintain a suitable position with technology? That’s the most important question that we need to concern.
“People celebrate the act of creating new inventions, but aren’t particularly concerned about what happens next.” “We don't want to take responsibility for our technological innovation, we just want to celebrate our ingenuity in achieving them.” ( Jon Katz: “The Unabomber's Legacy, Part II”) Katz takes the example from Frankenstein. After the ‘invent’ of the monster, Victor Frankenstein feels the successful from being handover the power of technology and the ability to birth a new life. But he didn’t consider any effect that the monster might bring out. He didn’t imagine how the monster will be, what it will do as he given a new life to it. Like the attitude of people on technology nowadays. They just eager to seek the result of their work. They claim that they are seeking the truth for the people, for humanity civilization and knowledge. But they have never consider the effect after their ‘seek of reality’.
People are not use technology properly, they may use their time to produce invention but not for the good of people. Such as the production of weapons for wars to destroy each other’s country. Some people may say that technology is not good for our society. If you consider it carefully, it is not the duty of technology but on the way we use. So it depends on how we use them. But there is no doubt that the story of Frankenstein, the popular culture and imagination of the society helps to explore our technology and imagination on science, thus helps to improve the world technology.
References:
“Frankenstein of the future” Alisa Burns, October 2002, http://www.wsu.edu/~delahoyd/frank.comment4.html
“Frankenstein: The Man and the Monster” Suzanna Storment, October 2002
http://www.wsu.edu/~delahoyd/frank.comment3.html
“Frankenstein in the university” Luke Fernandez,
http://campustechnology.com/Articles/2008/05/Frankenstein-in-the-University.aspx?Page=1
“The Unabomber's Legacy, Part II” Jon Katz,
http://www.wired.com/culture/lifestyle/news/1998/04/11819
“The curse of Frankenstein: visions of technology and society in the debate over new reproductive technologies.” Bloomfield, BP and Vurdubakis, 2003, Lancaster University
http://eprints.lancs.ac.uk/6839/
Critical Annotated Webliography by Kenneth Lai Hang Cheng
3. Frankenstein continues to occupy the popular imagination as a monstrous scientist. Analyse some of the ways in which Frankenstein haunts discussions of recent technologies
Frankenstein was “created” by the famous British writer Mary Shelley. The story is about a scientist creating Frankenstein by constructing “his” body by using dead organs, brain and limbs. Then, Frankenstein was given a life by a lightning. Afterwards, he killed the scientist (creator) and started his monster life. It was a shocking idea to the people of the 19th century not only because of the new thought but also it brings out the dark side of technologies.
As technologies those days were expected to be a tool of providing easier and convenient life to people, the horrible idea of Frankenstein made people start to realize new technology could also be a disaster for the society. “Technophobia” seems to become the by-product of the idea of “Frankenstein”. Here, we can define the technologies being tightened with science. Cited by Christa Knellwolf and Jane Goodall in their article named “Frankenstein’s Science: Experimentation and Discovery in Romantic Culture, 1780-1830”[1], Patricia Fara points out in “Educating Mary: Women and Scientific Literature in the Early Nineteenth Century”: “Defining what is meant by ‘science’ at this period is problematic, because the word itself was and is constantly changing in significance. In retrospect, it is tempting to pick out activities of the period that clearly influenced the sciences of the future, an approach that is inappropriately historical”. We can see that people in the 19th century had less concept on what science is. Therefore, the existence of Frankenstein really vibrated their point of views about science.
Technophobia appeared in those years mainly related to the low opportunities of receiving education, i.e. most people had low standard of education level. However, does technophobia still exist nowadays? The answer would be “Yes! ”. Luke Fernandez stated in the article “Frankenstein in the University”[2] that people nowadays also face the problem of “technology out of control”. The American still have technophobia in their mind although they live in such a high technology society. We are encountering a large problem that how much control we really have over the technologies. Technological determinism would be a suitable term to describe our relationship with technology. Relying on the technologies makes us being controlled by technologies at the same time. Examples are raised by the writer to support his point. Some systems(software) are once installed even they might not be good ones, it is difficult for us to use others as they may not be available. The writer concluded that we are put in a “dilemma” between fear and reliable.
Another article named “The Influence of Science on Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and subsequent retellings”[3], the writer talked about the background of Mary Shelley (the author of Frankenstein) and why she had such an idea. Mary lived in a time with frequent scientific discoveries which affected the people’s life. Numbers of scientific fields with regards to “Frankenstein” (anatomy and physiology) bloomed at that period. The article also stated that the modern physiology began while William Harvey published his findings on how to trace the path of the blood throughout the body and the heart. We can see that “Frankenstein” do have a good effect to the scientific field. The writer made a conclusion that we should learn from the Frankenstein to put right things on its place to make real benefits to the society.
What is the right attitude towards new technologies should we have? Shari Popen recalled in a chapter of the article called “Thinking through Technology: Frankenstein’s Problems”[4] with an advising topic of “Caring for our creations” what Frankenstein talked to its creator. Here, Frankenstein said that thought and care must also be given as only empowering and improving a new technology is not enough. At the end of the chapter, the writer pointed out we nowadays use all the technologies uncritically with no attention to the ways these unexpectedly control and arrange our lives.
Scientific ambition in some kind is becoming bigger and bigger. Technologies are not only improved for enhancing the working skills in old days. It is developed into many fields. The article titled “Frankenstein Vs Frankenfoods”[5] stated a lot of relationships between the idea of Frankenstein and nowadays technologies. Examples are listed to help the writer to elaborate certain points. For example, different steroids are injected into tomatoes. In some countries, genomes of tomatoes are altered to provide larger, tastier and better alternative for the consumers. At the beginning, such technologies might be developed for making benefits to people. However, it has been used to make profits from consumers. They have added so many elements to the food but ignored the possible negative effects. The writer cited the scene of Frankenstein requesting his creator to make one more “partner” for him and being refused to compare with the conditions of nowadays scientific technologies.
To conclude, Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein has been a fantastic idea for the scientific technologies both in old days and today. A coin has two sides. Although technophobia may be a worry of the dark side of technologies, it had never haunted technologies development. In fact, the development of technologies “runs” faster and faster. Therefore, we should keep an eye on controlling the technologies rather than being controlled. This would balance the technophobia and would not avoid the growth of scientific development.
Reference
"Frankenstein in the University -- Campus Technology." Campus Enterprise Networking & Infrastructure -- Campus Technology..
“Frankenstein Vs Frankenfoods.” OPPapers.com..
Adams, Patricia D. and Bove, Cheryl. “The Influence of Science on Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and Subsequent Retellings.” Ball State University..
Knellwolf, Christa and Goodall, Jane. “Frankenstein’s Science: Experimentation and Discovery in Romatic Culture, 1780-1830.” Australian Journal of Victorian Studies..
Popen, Shari. "Thinking Though Technology: Frankenstein's Problem." Viterbo University..
[1] Knellwolf, Christa and Goodall, Jane. “Frankenstein’s Science: Experimentation and Discovery in Romatic Culture, 1780-1830.” Australian Journal of Victorian Studies. 04 Mar. 2009.
[2] "Frankenstein in the University -- Campus Technology." Campus Enterprise Networking & Infrastructure -- Campus Technology. 04 Mar. 2009.
[3] Adams, Patricia D. and Bove, Cheryl. “The Influence of Science on Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and Subsequent Retellings.” Ball State University. 04 Mar. 2009.
[4] Popen, Shari. "Thinking Though Technology: Frankenstein's Problem." Viterbo University. 04 Mar. 2009.
[5] “Frankenstein Vs Frankenfoods.” OPPapers.com. 04 Mar. 2009.
Frankenstein was “created” by the famous British writer Mary Shelley. The story is about a scientist creating Frankenstein by constructing “his” body by using dead organs, brain and limbs. Then, Frankenstein was given a life by a lightning. Afterwards, he killed the scientist (creator) and started his monster life. It was a shocking idea to the people of the 19th century not only because of the new thought but also it brings out the dark side of technologies.
As technologies those days were expected to be a tool of providing easier and convenient life to people, the horrible idea of Frankenstein made people start to realize new technology could also be a disaster for the society. “Technophobia” seems to become the by-product of the idea of “Frankenstein”. Here, we can define the technologies being tightened with science. Cited by Christa Knellwolf and Jane Goodall in their article named “Frankenstein’s Science: Experimentation and Discovery in Romantic Culture, 1780-1830”[1], Patricia Fara points out in “Educating Mary: Women and Scientific Literature in the Early Nineteenth Century”: “Defining what is meant by ‘science’ at this period is problematic, because the word itself was and is constantly changing in significance. In retrospect, it is tempting to pick out activities of the period that clearly influenced the sciences of the future, an approach that is inappropriately historical”. We can see that people in the 19th century had less concept on what science is. Therefore, the existence of Frankenstein really vibrated their point of views about science.
Technophobia appeared in those years mainly related to the low opportunities of receiving education, i.e. most people had low standard of education level. However, does technophobia still exist nowadays? The answer would be “Yes! ”. Luke Fernandez stated in the article “Frankenstein in the University”[2] that people nowadays also face the problem of “technology out of control”. The American still have technophobia in their mind although they live in such a high technology society. We are encountering a large problem that how much control we really have over the technologies. Technological determinism would be a suitable term to describe our relationship with technology. Relying on the technologies makes us being controlled by technologies at the same time. Examples are raised by the writer to support his point. Some systems(software) are once installed even they might not be good ones, it is difficult for us to use others as they may not be available. The writer concluded that we are put in a “dilemma” between fear and reliable.
Another article named “The Influence of Science on Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and subsequent retellings”[3], the writer talked about the background of Mary Shelley (the author of Frankenstein) and why she had such an idea. Mary lived in a time with frequent scientific discoveries which affected the people’s life. Numbers of scientific fields with regards to “Frankenstein” (anatomy and physiology) bloomed at that period. The article also stated that the modern physiology began while William Harvey published his findings on how to trace the path of the blood throughout the body and the heart. We can see that “Frankenstein” do have a good effect to the scientific field. The writer made a conclusion that we should learn from the Frankenstein to put right things on its place to make real benefits to the society.
What is the right attitude towards new technologies should we have? Shari Popen recalled in a chapter of the article called “Thinking through Technology: Frankenstein’s Problems”[4] with an advising topic of “Caring for our creations” what Frankenstein talked to its creator. Here, Frankenstein said that thought and care must also be given as only empowering and improving a new technology is not enough. At the end of the chapter, the writer pointed out we nowadays use all the technologies uncritically with no attention to the ways these unexpectedly control and arrange our lives.
Scientific ambition in some kind is becoming bigger and bigger. Technologies are not only improved for enhancing the working skills in old days. It is developed into many fields. The article titled “Frankenstein Vs Frankenfoods”[5] stated a lot of relationships between the idea of Frankenstein and nowadays technologies. Examples are listed to help the writer to elaborate certain points. For example, different steroids are injected into tomatoes. In some countries, genomes of tomatoes are altered to provide larger, tastier and better alternative for the consumers. At the beginning, such technologies might be developed for making benefits to people. However, it has been used to make profits from consumers. They have added so many elements to the food but ignored the possible negative effects. The writer cited the scene of Frankenstein requesting his creator to make one more “partner” for him and being refused to compare with the conditions of nowadays scientific technologies.
To conclude, Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein has been a fantastic idea for the scientific technologies both in old days and today. A coin has two sides. Although technophobia may be a worry of the dark side of technologies, it had never haunted technologies development. In fact, the development of technologies “runs” faster and faster. Therefore, we should keep an eye on controlling the technologies rather than being controlled. This would balance the technophobia and would not avoid the growth of scientific development.
Reference
"Frankenstein in the University -- Campus Technology." Campus Enterprise Networking & Infrastructure -- Campus Technology.
“Frankenstein Vs Frankenfoods.” OPPapers.com.
Adams, Patricia D. and Bove, Cheryl. “The Influence of Science on Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and Subsequent Retellings.” Ball State University.
Knellwolf, Christa and Goodall, Jane. “Frankenstein’s Science: Experimentation and Discovery in Romatic Culture, 1780-1830.” Australian Journal of Victorian Studies.
Popen, Shari. "Thinking Though Technology: Frankenstein's Problem." Viterbo University.
[1] Knellwolf, Christa and Goodall, Jane. “Frankenstein’s Science: Experimentation and Discovery in Romatic Culture, 1780-1830.” Australian Journal of Victorian Studies. 04 Mar. 2009
[2] "Frankenstein in the University -- Campus Technology." Campus Enterprise Networking & Infrastructure -- Campus Technology. 04 Mar. 2009
[3] Adams, Patricia D. and Bove, Cheryl. “The Influence of Science on Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and Subsequent Retellings.” Ball State University. 04 Mar. 2009
[4] Popen, Shari. "Thinking Though Technology: Frankenstein's Problem." Viterbo University. 04 Mar. 2009
[5] “Frankenstein Vs Frankenfoods.” OPPapers.com. 04 Mar. 2009
Critical Annotated Webliography by Kwan Yat Hin, Yoshi
Before the discussing of “Cyborg disrupt persistent dualisms and to refashion our thinking”, let me simply explain what is cyborg. The full title of cyborg is cybernetic organism, which part of artificial and natural systems. This term is firstly introduced by Manfred E. Clynes and Nathan S. Kline. The term “cyborg” is used by them to describe a kind of human which needs to be modified in order to live outside the earth.
According to the guiding question, cyborg may disrupt persistent dualisms or to refashion our thinking. However, cyborg is difficult to define. For example, is the one who installed a heart pacemaker or an artificial limb is seen as cyborg? To what circumstances so we can see a guy as cyborg? Even clothes can be seen as artificial skin! Some definition may include artificial human or bio computer, so there is confusion to define cyborg. “The question then arises as to what exactly is and what isn’t a Cyborg. Some could regard a blind man with is cane as a Cyborg, the cane feeding important information on the local environment, to the man.” (Kelvin, 2003) In “Terminator”, T series are modified human, but all of them are seen as robot in Terminator’s world view. However, inside the cartoon “Apple Seed”, there is artificial body with real brain organism. Those organisms always claim for identity and their nationality. “For good or ill, politics has already been cyborged in ways that touch us all: On-line voting promises to change who participates. Wars are won on video screens.” (Chris, 2001) Even politics can also be cyborged. All this questions rise a problem, cyborg is difficult to define and subjective.
From the article “Discussing Self-Consciousness and Body in Terms of Cyborg” by 徐紹強, I can see cyborg may not only defined by the degree of artificial systems within an organism.
“Cyborg of the posthuman is the new type; they tightly connected with the virtual world created by internet. When surfing the net, you are putting your heart and mind into the cyberspace. Many “soul” is interacting in this space and even form a society. For example, people digitalized 911 decedent’s sound or relic and uploaded them to the net in order to memorize. Also some extreme example claims that we can digitalize our mind inside the computer, does it mean body is no longer important? To conclude, cyborg seems to be a new type who can break the boundary of culture, robot and human, different kinds of organisms, real and virtual. May be you think this new type is far from us. However in some circumstances, modern people are all cyborg. If you surf net, wearing glasses or get on the bus, you are cyborg.” (徐紹強, 2005)
Nowadays, internet world is tightly connected with human’s life. So we can see the internet world is a new place that human is going to emigrate. And cyborg can be defined as the internet users. How about the artificial system? Obviously is our computer.
Current internet world is developing in an unbelievable speed. To the people who always participate inside the internet, it is difficult for them to distinguish which one is the real world; everything is so real inside the internet. “Internet is a virtual world; this world includes human’s mind and consciousness. Mark Slouka (1998) believes that human’s identity in this space should be flowed; also the physical space is also flowed, no boundary can be found in that space. The mind you put to the virtual world is your virtual self identity or mirror. Global network becomes an integrated mind system when it is born, many minds interact each other inside the internet. Also, time is not available in the internet work, nothing inside is stable, all are created by imagination.”(徐紹強, 2005) From this article, I can understand cyborg may not be bounded physically. Just like internet, human’s mind can be mixed with internet technology and become cyborg.
I do not agree with the statement of the guiding question. The definition of cyborg should not be bounded by neither technological nor completely organic. If we agree internet users can be defined as cyborg, then the statement “cyborg is still a transgressive figure” can be understood.
In the current society, we can find out many problems rise by the use of internet. Because of the rapid internet development, we have hackers. Because of the sharing ability of internet, some famous people’s sex photos spread very fast. Internet is facilitating us, but it also derives different kinds of crime.
In 1942, an author Asimov created three rules of robot. The first rule is robot cannot harm human, or leave any human alone who is in danger. The second rule is robot must obey all rules from human besides the first rule. The third rule is robot must protect itself but not violate with first and second rule. In this time, computer is the servant and human are the principle part. So it is a big issue in controlling the mind of computer. If we cannot control it, computer may become a big disaster. Such as the movie “Terminator”; inside the story, world is nearly destroyed because the computer is out of human’s control.
Scholar Daniel Bell(1989) believes that after the industrial society is born, human will have power to change their life by using science and technology. But this change will bring out a lot of complex problems. And his belief is correct, the society has many problems which are related to internet. So if we develop more, the problems will become more serious also.
Virtual cyborg, semi-machine cyborg and full-machine cyborg are all focus in the respect to technology. Cyborg is to use technology to fetch up the weak point. And the addict of technology is just like the statement of guiding question, a transgressive figure. From the “Three rules of robot”, technology is only a machine. However, one day it may make a counterattack to human, many scholars have warned it. But according to the rapid technology development, perdition may be a necessary.
References:
Discussing Self-Consciousness and Body in Terms of Cyborg by徐紹強 :
1) Hybrid Cyborg
http://www.nhu.edu.tw/~society/e-j/69/69-01.htm#_1-1混生種的Cyborg
2) Virtual World
http://www.nhu.edu.tw/~society/e-j/69/69-01.htm#_2-1虛擬世界
Cyborg morals, cyborg values, cyborg ethics by Kelvin Warwick
http://www.springerlink.com/content/l20101l3p5625581/
Cyborg Citizen by Chris Hables Cray
http://www.powells.com/biblio?PID=24750&cgi=product&isbn=0415919789
Wikipedia, Cyborg
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