DDFU001 - PERSONAL RESEARCH
Each of your 4 x posts should include reference to one item (such as another text, an image, a website, a video, a news article, a scholarly source) that relates to the topic. You are encouraged to use visual, audio and video materials in your ePortfolio, including materials produced during class. These resources need to be correctly referenced. You must make clear in your post why you have included the additional material(s) you have selected, and you must relate clearly and explicitly to the topic of the post.
Post #1: Literature Review/Horizon Scanning. Outline a research topic from one of the lectures that interests you, and explain why.
A research topic delivered as one of our class lectures that really struck my attention was the Anthropocene and Climate Change. “The word Anthropocene comes from the Greek terms for human ('anthropo') and new ('cene'), but its definition is controversial” (Pavid, n.d.). However, it is often described as the period of time where humans have intervened with the Earth’s natural order to allow for advancements in multiple fields including: technology, settlement, the sourcing of resources, and warfare. As a result, the Earth’s biodiversity, climate, and environment have greatly been impacted. The fact that we are still facing the devastating negative effects to this day is the main reason this subject matter piques my curiosity. It is interesting that the mid-1900’s seems to have been a time where humans managed to create a high level of devastation all while seemingly not thinking or valuing the flow on effects. The mushroom cloud is a poignant example of this (see Figure 1). Another example of how climate change is affecting the Earth and its atmosphere includes the Australian bushfires which occurred in the year 2019, that were triggered by temperature changes and lack of water and moisture in the air. Moreover, other factors such as the Industrial Revolution increased the risks of the exponential decay of our planet’s environment, “created [by] the world’s first fossil fuel economy” (Pavid, n.d.). As the world progresses and sea levels rise, instead of being vocal attempting to save our poor land, many of us are choosing to ignore all the warning signs. Due to humanity’s disinclination to action, we are failing to be motivated or to even admit that stopping the continual development of climate change is to a certain extent in our power. Speaking of taking action, I found Silent Spring (1962) by Rachel Carson to be an extremely intriguing point from the lecture. It was made to offer us knowledge about the government’s lack of concern about nature and the effects of pesticides on the health of all human beings. The sole thought that a book was capable of creating a little systemic change in the use of pesticides is an incredible accomplishment that indicates that positive moments can actually be seen.
Figure 1
Mushroom Cloud
Note: From End Times Truth (2021).
Post #2: Human technology relationships. Analyse at least one example of new technology that influences how we live (for example, how we work, play, eat, love or sleep).
Last year, I looked into DataCamp’s Data Scientist with Python Track on paper, which is a large collection of lectures. Python is an interpreted programming language with a design philosophy that emphasizes code readability. These courses cover some artificial intelligence and machine learning concepts that I find extremely interesting. Based on my experience, the track first lists both the advantages and limitations of Python for data science, and then presents some strong statistics that explain the importance of open-source libraries when it comes to making the overall work more efficient. Throughout the entire track, the platform proposes a few thought-provoking assignments and projects to complete in order for me to test how much knowledge I was truly able to grasp. I did gain a lot of significant insight; however, I believe that no matter how much I try, this topic will always be beyond me. Therefore, I can now only speak about all the possible ways artificial intelligence, or “the capability of a machine to imitate intelligent human behavior” (Maloo, 2018), may continuously be influencing our lives as human beings. It closely examines the primary ways a human brain thinks and how we as creatures learn new things, make decisions, and react to tough situations using specific problem-solving techniques. It is only able to perform these tasks with the help of features such as speech recognition and optical perception. I believe artificial intelligence is leaving a large mark on our society today. Like everything else in life, it does with no doubt have challenging disadvantages, including the loss of jobs to machines or other dangerous incidents with personal information being leaked. However, that does not necessarily need to outweigh all the benefits. “According to a study by Accenture”, AI can easily increase productivity levels by at least 40% (Carter, 2018). On top of that, it aids in data collection. It is said that big data fuels this artificial intelligence, and I think the opposite may definitely apply as well. Owing to its access to understanding universal languages, companies are able to simplify the act of customer service, leading to better feedback in general. As I reflect on our world’s newest technologies, a few questions I am often asking myself are: Will machines reach the stage where they become superior to humans, driving us to lose control? Or, is it possible for us to entirely prevent the crossing of legal and ethical boundaries? I have illustrated an image to represent a surreal and unusual future scenario (see Figure 2). I purposely decided to depict bots in the form of a typical man and woman walking down the streets, with myself being ignored in the background to portray our fear of machines robbing us of our previously authentic lives. Regardless, I actually sense that with the correct close monitoring, AI will dramatically serve our workplaces and augment science’s current discoveries as we slowly but surely lean into our unknown future.
Figure 2
By Boulos, J (2021).
Post #3: A review of a future scenario (this could be a film, a piece of fiction, an exhibition not shared in class): What is the scenario being proposed? Is it possible? Plausible? Probable? What objects, spaces, outfits help us visualise this scenario? Do a STEEP analysis on the scenario.
In a world in which good design is increasingly used as a means of differentiating objects of mass production, creative design skills are highly desired in the labor force. As a result, entrance into a topnotch MFA program has now become more competitive than getting into Harvard Business School. Howard Gardner cites “the creating mind” as one of the five minds we’ll need in the future. To cultivate such a mind, he says, we need an education that features “exploration, challenging problems, and the tolerance, if not active encouragement, of productive mistakes.” Justin Roiland is the creator of an adult, science fiction animated sitcom called Rick & Morty (see Figure 3). Rick often works with sci-fi gadgets, some of which could cause danger. 'The Vat of Acid' is an episode that makes a statement for the bigger picture in the future. Roiland has claimed for years that time travel would not be utilized in Rick & Morty because he believed that every possible story that could be made out of the concept has been done already. But what if they broke their time travel rule for a reason because of what this episode sets up for the future? Rick & Morty is no stranger to giving Rick a victory only to reveal things are not as peachy for him as initially portrayed. This would be a great way for them to re-hatch this trope for the show on a large scale without it coming completely out of left field. Now, about the proposed scenario, Rick & Morty’s cynical, nihilistic take on time-loops explores the darkest of implications of that concept. Morty is shown falling in love, struggling in love and ending in a heartbreaking, deadly scenario. Morty makes it through and things seem great but a few external factors cause Morty’s sacrifices to be for nothing. Morty ends up sitting on the time button and dooming himself. In terms of technology, it is continuously evolving. Rick then reveals the whole experience was a cruel trick to make Morty hate the idea of time resets; he says “if ant-man and the wasp can do it, I’m not interested”. Rick shows that each reset forced the horrible murder of some other alternate universe Morty, and the only way to fix everything is to condense all of these realities so that this Morty has to live with all the horrible consequences of what he has done and the trouble he has caused. Morty now has to deal with haters asking him to pay and the only way to escape from that is by jumping into a vat filled with acid. However, there is dramatic irony here since it tricks the haters into refraining from judging Morty and feeling sympathy for his ‘suicide’ temporarily absolving him of his sins, but it requires no real contrition from the sinner. On a social and ecological level, it is very corrupted in a sense that it teaches us to accept immortal characters faking their suicides to make Supreme Court justices feel bad for them, giving viewers far less hope for humanity in the long run. Economically, people may actually fall into the trap of investing in such a device, ignoring both its sadistic and masochistic features. And finally, politicians may begin using it to their advantage in certain situations to gain popularity.
Figure 3
Rick & Morty
Note: From Adult Swim (2013).
Post #4: Primary Research. This post will analyse an interview you do (i.e. it is not simply a transcript of your questions and answers). Choose a participant carefully and find out their views of possible, probable and preposterous futures. Interviews can be conducted in any language but the post must be in English. Interviews must include signed consent forms uploaded to Canvas.
I have conducted an interview with my grandfather, Samir (see Figure 4), to learn about his views of possible, probable and preposterous futures. I began by asking him to brief us about himself as well as his passions, accomplishments, and fears. He replied:
"First, I should like to mention that I grew up in a beautiful mountainous area in Lebanon which brought me very close to nature. I have always been a great admirer of nature. Later on in my life, as I grew older and continued my studies at university, I developed an interest in literature, poetry and music. I am so grateful to have my wife, children and grandchildren whose futures I deeply care about. I only hope that I have accomplished a few things throughout my life... Despite being in poor surroundings, I felt supported by my humble family. I worked hard to reach my PhD. I am also proud that I have had an interreligious marriage in a country where religion still plays a crucial role. I am happy to see that my grandchildren can now coexist with other communities and grow up to be openminded. When it comes to the things I fear, well, I would not enjoy growing too old and becoming dependent on others, as I have been independent all through my life. In addition, I would hate to keep on living in a country where good people are disregarded."
I then proposed three key questions for him to ponder over. His answers moved me.
1. Do you think humanity has a future beyond Earth?
"To put it concisely, I don't think so. In fact, I don't hope so, because man has destroyed our Mother Earth. I hope man does not get the chance to do the same to any other planet."
2. Could dinosaurs be reborn?
"I have never actually thought about this before. But I can simply say that the circumstances - whether historical, environmental, etc - that brought dinosaurs into existence are the same circumstances that sent them back to nothingness. In spite of all the technological advancements with DNA, I don't believe there is a possibility for dinosaurs to come to life again. Besides, we already have enough dinosaurs living among us now."
3. Will we get control of intractable brain diseases such as schizophrenia or autism?
"I have very little knowledge about this domain but I do wish that one day science will be able to find a solution for these diseases that deprive people of living life as normal human beings."
I immediately knew I wanted my grandfather to be my interviewee. I assumed he would be the type of person to be able to give me answers that were quite concentrated regardless of my questions being broad. The fact that I started the interview asking him to introduce himself was very important as it reminded him of some of his values, which in turn made him more confident about his overall opinion. Providing him with an overview about this futuring course helped him know how to make relevant connections to the real world. After the interview was over, my grandfather told me he noticed his perspectives have shifted overtime. For example, his reply to my first question about humanity was quite rigid and straightforward, whereas before he would have spoken on a much more scientific level.
Figure 4
My 'Jiddou'
Note: From Boulos, J (2017).
References
Carter, S. (2018, May 9). How Artificial Intelligence Increases Business Productivity. Business 2 Community. https://www.business2community.com/tech-gadgets/how-artificial-intelligence-increases-business-productivity-02059942
Maloo, J. (2018, October 18). Artificial Intelligence ,Machine Learning & Deep learning. Medium. https://becominghuman.ai/artificial-intilligence-machine-learning-deep-learning-df6dd0af500e
W. (2018, February 14). The Mushroom Cloud. End Times Truth. https://endtimestruth.com/mushroom-cloud/
What is the Anthropocene? (n.d.). Natural History Museum. https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/what-is-the-anthropocene.html