Skip to main content

This Artificial World

Your next essay:

Considering the degree to which virtual realities and simulations have become a part of your daily life, and considering the ideas put forth in “Super-Toys,” “I CAN SPEAK®” and “The Age of Simulation,” do you believe that the developments in science and technology of the last few years are mostly positive or negative (or some of both)? Take into consideration the ratio of utility to entertainment in the functions of the various gadgets, games, appliances, household products, food and music that you own and use regularly. How many of these products are meaningful to you?

Below is a video discussing the concept of the "uncanny valley," which is directly related to the story we read, linked below the video.



Refer also to the handouts "The Age of Simulation" by Jeremy Rifkin, and "I CAN SPEAK" by George Saunders.

Some additional things to consider: robots, mechanized assembly lines, cell phones, facebook, computer/video games (especially the online multi-player variety), films, television, coca-cola, Las Vegas, Disney World, and fast food.

Popular posts from this blog

Homework

English II Read the selections from the Exeter Book, and answer the following questions, using complete sentences and citing from the text: #1-4 on p89 #1-4 on p93 Comp Check, 2-3, and 7 on p96 Try to guess these Anglo-Saxon riddles without looking at the answers... English IV This week, we are working on the "problem" portion of your research paper. Your topic should be a typical problem that is solved by a person in your profession. For example, if I were writing this about being a high school English teacher, I could write about the problem of plagiarism . I would research the problem thoroughly and present statistics and examples. Next week , we will write the "solution" portion of the paper. Until you fully understand the problem (whatever it is), you cannot hope to solve it. In fact, most of your education will consist of these two sides of every issues - the existence and prevalence of various "problems" and the methods and strategie...
Read more

Homework

Sophomores Answer questions #2-5 on 190. Use complete sentences and cite specifics from the text. Juniors Answer questions #3-5 on 137. Use complete sentence and cite specifics from the text. Also, I have posted the Chaucer notes under "assignments" on your Edline page. Seniors You are writing the " This I Believe " essay in class tomorrow. Think about your topic before you come to class, but please do not pre-write it. You will have the chance to revise.
Read more

Senior End-of-Year Schedule!

Seniors, the end is near, and there are a few assignments left to schedule. Here is a list of everything due in the next two weeks: Career Update - a one-page addendum to your research paper, updating your plans for college and beyond. Be sure to include what you originally planned and if that's changed. Whether plans have changed or not, please explain why and what steps you've taken towards reaching your goal -- i.e. where you've decided to attend and what major you've declared. This is due WEDNESDAY 4/24. Letter to Future Self - this is an OPTIONAL assignment, but I encourage you to take it seriously. As discussed in class, this letter will be sent to you in about five years. Think about what you'd like to tell yourself five years from now. For example, maybe it would be interesting to reflect on your plans at the time, what values you held dear, what you wanted to remember. In addition, you might think about your current likes/dislikes related to pop cultur...
Read more