http://www.entertonement.com/clips/qhyznmcfzf--Immortality-Take-itBrad-Pitt-Troy-Achilles-
I have posted the web address to a sound clip that is from the movie Troy with Brad Pitt as Achilles. In this very short sound bite, the conquering Greeks are approaching the beach of Troy. We all know that this goes down as the most famous war in the Greek mythology.
The reason I am posting this is because in one of the definitions of 'immortality' it is posed as enduring fame. We all know the mythological progression but I would like to emphasize that Achilles went to the city of Troy in seek of fame and subsequently immortality despite his certain death. I think this is a phenomenal representation of human will.
I thought of this as an excellent concluding blog post because we as a group may not have found immortality by posting pieces of our lives on the internet, but we most definitely created the POSSIBILITY of one day becoming famous in the eyes of our our species. Therefore, Project Immortal holds potential for absolute success. If only we were better at making ourselves famous forever....
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Monday, November 22, 2010
Imagine this
A computer system that has the capability to completely synthesize a human brain; this would mean a completely post-human being. After physical death, a machine will be operated by the brain of the deceased human. All thought processes, learning methods, and acquired information would be in full progression and operation. The question begs: are we in fact trying to accomplish this in an inefficient sense? Using what we are able to, we record and exchange our cognitive processes. Would we not use artificial intelligence to achieve immortality despite the fact that we will have no awareness or control over the processes that are taking place?
Here is a link to the Science Daily Artificial Intelligence web page. In articles such as these, we are able to realistically examine the availability and progression of such technologies. We can also get a sufficient idea of our willingness to use and exploit such technology.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/computers_math/artificial_intelligence/
This leads me to what we discussed in one of our group meeting for this project. Since the introduction of fast advancing technological systems, our culture has placed a higher focus on the less humanistic forms of leaving a piece of our legacy behind. This draws a closer connection to our beloved technology. A week away from our children our loved ones is all of a sudden much easier than a day without our cell phones or internet connection. The idea of conceiving and raising children becomes more of a burden as technology eases the effort of every day tasks.
Just a concluding idea
Well this project is practically done for me and well I feel so confused and exhausted. My mind is weak from all the thinking and realizations I have come to figure throughout all of this work. But one idea I wanted to leave is what happens in the future? By this I mean that if our posts don't get read now or if no one reads them then why should we believe that anyone will read them later? Is this like those time capsules that we did as freshman upon entering this university? I mean I thought my target audience would be my own peers, but I guess they were all too busy to listen. I understand due to finals and projects such as this one. Time begins to play against us. So who is our audience? Are they the college students of 2030? Who do you think we are talking to?
I think our posts will be seen one day but not until the very late 2000's. It does make me feel sad to know that my own peers won't look when these 20 hours were spent attempting to speak to them. Oh well life goes on.
I think our posts will be seen one day but not until the very late 2000's. It does make me feel sad to know that my own peers won't look when these 20 hours were spent attempting to speak to them. Oh well life goes on.
Technology that saves us from technology....
When it comes to the attempt to immortalize our selves using technology we are able to start with pen to paper. Our handwriting, ideas, and thought patterns are represented with symbols and material. While striving to immortalize ourselves we are more so placing a higher dependency and personal value on technology.
http://criticalcommons.org/Members/CTCS505/clips/Windows%20Phone.mp4/view
We recognize the problems that technology has presented and with this, we look for a source of technology that can save us from the burdens of technology.
Above I have posted a link to a commercial that I have been seeing all over TV. I think it unintentionally poses an extremely evident theme within augmented reality that I have just summarized.
This applies greatly to the desire to immortalize ourselves. Now our personal hand held devices are means for taking and posting pictures to Facebook and blogging on Twitter. We text and exchange personal information. We have been striving to make the concept of immortality arise from the tips of our fingers. It is difficult for us to see this with the current application of our technology, but when we are able to look at a broader direction we can see the underlying motive that we have been describing in this project.
Immortalizing Ourselves
(I'm really bad about posting my blog posts here, so I decided to post here and THEN post on my blog. Every other post is at http://kayrote.wordpress.com/)
It's easy to think that we haven't immortalized ourselves, or at least not enough. I'm pretty sure that, at the time I'm writing this, the only views on my blog are myself and the occasional Google bot. But, I think it's worth noting that even though people haven't read us now, they will in the future.
II remember a couple years ago I had an interview for a big internship. Aside from being my first interview, it was also done by a panel of 4 different department heads. I was nervous as hell, but I'd done pretty well preparing and only two questions caught me off guard:
1.) What would you describe as the difference between a mission statement and a vision statement. (I'm applying for a minimum wage internship, not your CEO position!)
2.) Do you like paintball?
I knew I had no shot with the first question, and told the panel that I would happily entertain them with something I thought of on the spot, but truthfully I didn't (still don't) know. The second question was really weird, though. I didn't understand why they'd ask me that, but I responded along the lines of "Never tried it, but it looks like fun", they smiled, and we moved on. As I was driving home, I asked my parents why I'd be asked about paintball. Turns out that when one searches for "Kyle Rota" in a search engine, they get a bunch of football articles, the usual twitter/facebook/LinkedIn/etc profiles, and a lot of profane, entertaining, but unprofessional posts on a paintball forum.
Turns out, there is a similarly aged Kyle Rota in Arizona who has quite a mouth on him. Which also explains the question about how long I'd lived in Washington, my best guess is that someone on the panel had searched my name and was trying to figure out whether we were the same person or different, and then which posts belonged to who. My point? Well, assuming there is one, it would be that we've probably immortalized ourselves sufficiently in this project - it may just be a few years before anyone else notices.
It's easy to think that we haven't immortalized ourselves, or at least not enough. I'm pretty sure that, at the time I'm writing this, the only views on my blog are myself and the occasional Google bot. But, I think it's worth noting that even though people haven't read us now, they will in the future.
II remember a couple years ago I had an interview for a big internship. Aside from being my first interview, it was also done by a panel of 4 different department heads. I was nervous as hell, but I'd done pretty well preparing and only two questions caught me off guard:
1.) What would you describe as the difference between a mission statement and a vision statement. (I'm applying for a minimum wage internship, not your CEO position!)
2.) Do you like paintball?
I knew I had no shot with the first question, and told the panel that I would happily entertain them with something I thought of on the spot, but truthfully I didn't (still don't) know. The second question was really weird, though. I didn't understand why they'd ask me that, but I responded along the lines of "Never tried it, but it looks like fun", they smiled, and we moved on. As I was driving home, I asked my parents why I'd be asked about paintball. Turns out that when one searches for "Kyle Rota" in a search engine, they get a bunch of football articles, the usual twitter/facebook/LinkedIn/etc profiles, and a lot of profane, entertaining, but unprofessional posts on a paintball forum.
Turns out, there is a similarly aged Kyle Rota in Arizona who has quite a mouth on him. Which also explains the question about how long I'd lived in Washington, my best guess is that someone on the panel had searched my name and was trying to figure out whether we were the same person or different, and then which posts belonged to who. My point? Well, assuming there is one, it would be that we've probably immortalized ourselves sufficiently in this project - it may just be a few years before anyone else notices.
Solitary Confinement
I just watched a show on Netflicks all about solitary confinement and the adverse effects it has on the psyche. It got me to think about this project and how social networking allows for this new form of confinement. I would imagine that since the internet has become so widely used, individuals spend less time interacting in real life. I know that if I am feeling lonely I do not always call a friend or try to arrange plans, sometimes I will just send a text and communicate solely through technology to meet that psychological need for companionship.
The internet is a tool that we use more and more frequently to feel socially connected. It is ironic because it lessens the amount of time we spend interacting with others physically but increase overall interactions and the possibilities for interactions. I was talking to my friend on Skype last night and I would not have had a chance to see her again for a really long time if it were not for the technological advances and the availability of software.
My roommate was home but I choose to sit alone in my room for two hours talking to my friend from a distance rather than talking to my friend who was actually here in real life. Was that a meaningful decision on my part? The internet is great because it allows for accessible communication in real time which makes maintaining long distance relationships much easier. I spent the summer in the Dominican Republic and it was such an encouragement to receive e-mails from friends and family and to spend time on Skype catching up with them. But it also hindered some of my relationships in the Dominican. Many of the other interns would spend hours talking to their family at home and by doing so they neglected the potential for new relationships right in front of them.
Technology represents yet another area of our lives where balance must be found. Balancing real life interactions and virtual interactions is now a key component to a healthy lifestyle. How do you deal with this balance? Do you find yourself texting when you could be engaging with someone who is physically present? Have you noticed this getting in the way of your actual, person to person interactions?
The internet is a tool that we use more and more frequently to feel socially connected. It is ironic because it lessens the amount of time we spend interacting with others physically but increase overall interactions and the possibilities for interactions. I was talking to my friend on Skype last night and I would not have had a chance to see her again for a really long time if it were not for the technological advances and the availability of software.
My roommate was home but I choose to sit alone in my room for two hours talking to my friend from a distance rather than talking to my friend who was actually here in real life. Was that a meaningful decision on my part? The internet is great because it allows for accessible communication in real time which makes maintaining long distance relationships much easier. I spent the summer in the Dominican Republic and it was such an encouragement to receive e-mails from friends and family and to spend time on Skype catching up with them. But it also hindered some of my relationships in the Dominican. Many of the other interns would spend hours talking to their family at home and by doing so they neglected the potential for new relationships right in front of them.
Technology represents yet another area of our lives where balance must be found. Balancing real life interactions and virtual interactions is now a key component to a healthy lifestyle. How do you deal with this balance? Do you find yourself texting when you could be engaging with someone who is physically present? Have you noticed this getting in the way of your actual, person to person interactions?
How to immortalize yourself
http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2010-08/immortalize-yourself-vinyl
Well here is an interesting link I just found and well I thought it was rather disturbing but neat at the same time. Other than that I really have nothing else to say about it, but I was wondering what your guy's thoughts were on the article?
Well here is an interesting link I just found and well I thought it was rather disturbing but neat at the same time. Other than that I really have nothing else to say about it, but I was wondering what your guy's thoughts were on the article?
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