Story

This week, we were asked to get into small groups/pairs to produce a creative outcome containing what we have learned thus far in the Elements course. For this, I chose to work with Karen; we decided to write a story incorporating clones, futuristic technology (holograms to be specific) and the spread of a deadly virus.

So far, we have finished the introduction for the story - this can be seen below.

Pear
The room was darkly lit by one open window, letting in a sickly stench. Delicate white shirts piled across a spoiled mattress; underneath, a slim female lay, lightly snoring. Her bare feet twitched.

A gust of wind shut the window and enclosed the girl in darkness. Her slanted eyes were lit by hazy graphene display lights, illuminating an advertisement in which a boy spoke solemnly.

“Zombla is catching us. Today you’re healthy, but tomorrow the doctor will find the poison seeping through your blood. It’s killing all of us, one by one. Zrist is here to save you.” He paused as the word ‘ZRIST’ appeared, glowing incessantly, followed immediately by a cascade of photographs depicting mangled, blood-stained bodies.

“Zombla can only kill your body,” the boy continued. “But we can save your mind. Zrist, a new technology. Upload your mind for free. All you need to do is sign up for Zrist.”

The words echoed ominously in the bare room as the screen flickered a dark blue. Almost immediately, the loud blaring of music filled the void, the words “Breaking News” flashing across the screen briefly before a woman stepped into the shot.

“Breaking news from CBC,” she stated monotonously, brown eyes gazing dully at the teleprompter in front of her. “Latest reports have found that there has been over 28,000 casualties from Zombla today, while an additional 113,000 have been admitted to intensive care units. Hospitals are overfilled at the moment, and simply do not have enough resources nor the manpower to provide sufficient treatment.”

Several shots of large crowds angrily waving signs appeared on the screen as the woman’s voice continued to drone on. “As a result of this, protests are erupting, with many demanding for better medical care. However, hospitals have not responded, which leaves the question - how long until Zombla kills us all?”

A hushed buzz of worry came from behind the camera before the screen faded to black.

Creating a Robot (p3)

This week, we were asked to describe the behaviour of a fictional robot. In addition to this, we were also asked to brainstorm what their strengths and weaknesses would be, as well as any catchphrases they would say (every iconic character has a catchphrase!).

Link to Document

Creating a Robot (p2)

After last week's lesson on the ideal dimensions for a robot, we were asked to decide on what the robot featuring in our video would look like. First of all, we had to draw out three sketches of our vision of a domestic robot and then share our ideas - we soon found out that everyone's robots shared similar traits, such as two eyes, arms and legs, just like that of a human.

Using our sketches as a reference, our group came up with a "checklist" of qualities for our robot:

• Should be humanoid (uncanny valley)
• Inspired by science-fiction - should look "cool"
• Thin waist - aesthetic beauty (tradition since Victorian era [corsets] + looks like intimidating)
• Two eyes - wide, 200˚ vision, should look human (eyes that move and blink)
• Camera on top of head - 360˚ vision, GPS system

We also looked into the Phantom 4 drone, and in particular, its optical system. Its camera system enables it to dodge obstacles and track humans - done using five cameras (two on the front, two on the bottom and the main, 4K camera - all with enhanced corner sharpness and less distortion). The images captured by these are run through computer vision software, allowing it to construct a 3D model of the world around it so it can easily navigate and avoid crashes (see *). In addition, its visual system also allows it to intuitively track and follow moving objects.

The bottom vision of the Phantom 4 has been greatly improved. An additional bottom optical sensor is integrated into the system, and enables the drone to track its location relative to the ground from 33 feet in the air. This also allows the Phantom 4 to detect objects within 50 feet of itself - when it is this distance apart from the object, it will begin to slow down, and when it is within 6 feet of the object, it will either stop or fly around the object*.

Creating a Robot (p1)

As part of an introduction to robotics, we were asked to decide the perfect height, weight and strength for a robot:

Height
A robot cannot be too short nor too tall. If a robot is too short, then it will be unable to work to its full potential (it will be unable to place things on shelves, open doors and etc.), and if it is too tall, then it will seem far too intimidating. A suitable height range would be from 140 cm to 165 cm.

Weight
A robot cannot be too light nor too heavy. If a robot is too light, then it will easily tip over, and if it is too heavy, then it have a large strength to weight ratio (the larger the mass, the larger the force), and will also have a high energy consumption (the robot will need to use a lot of power in order to maintain its balance). The perfect weight for a robot will be around 50-60 kg.

Strength
The robot cannot be too weak nor too strong. If a robot is too weak, then it will be unable to perform to its full ability (it will be unable to pick up luggage or heavy items), but if it is too strong, then it may accidentally harm a human being (thus going against the First Law of Robotics). A robot should be able to pick up around 60-80 kg (for domestic use).

Speed
A robot cannot be too slow nor too fast. If a robot is too short, then it will not be able to work efficiently, and if it is too fast, then it will seem far too intimidating. A robot should travel at approximately the same speed as humans (+/- 10%) - ideally, a human should be able to outrun it.

After this activity, we looked at several examples of robots, such as ASIMO, NAO and WildCat.

The Three Laws of Robotics

According to Isaac Asimov, there are three laws of robotics:

1. A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm
2. A robot must obey orders given it by human beings except where such orders would conflict with the First Law
3. A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law

The Concept of Utopia

This week, our class started to look at the idea of an utopian future. First of all, we defined utopia, coming to the general conclusion that it is when society is in a state of perfection:

Utopia - An imagined place or state of things in which everything is perfect

After this, we were asked to describe what our vision of utopia would be like. I wrote that mine would be one where the economy would be based on sustainability and renewable resources. Agriculture would be managed successfully by machines*, and transportation would be quick and efficient. Furthermore, synthetic biology would be used extensively by all - because of medical advancements, there would be treatments for all disease (should there be an outbreak in an otherwise "perfect" world), and limbs and organs would be very easily replaced. There would also be no suffering in this future, as suffering is not considered perfect.

In addition to this, we were asked to consider the political aspects of our utopia. After some discussion with other members of the class, we agreed that a "perfect" future would be one where there is no crime - the law would be enforced by the police through peaceful means, leading to zero conflict. In general, mankind would be united by common goals and ideals, working with technology to build a better society and world.**

*After some brief debate with myself, I considered that technology would not necessarily create a positive future. If technology and machines were to be responsible for all forms of scientific breakthroughs and essentially "manage" society, then there would be no need for human employment. This would lead to the displacement of entire human workforces, successfully cutting off all sources of income for workers. In turn, this would create poverty and suffering, contradicting the definition of utopia.

**Although utopia is considered to be a goal for mankind to strive towards, the concept of utopia itself is too unrealistic. Utopia will never occur - "perfection" is not something that can be achieved easily. Humans are driven beings, and assuming that we could achieve utopia (highly unlikely), we would eventually redefine the term and change "utopia" once again. Moreover, history has shown us that leaders do not have the power to change the lives of the people under them - for example, Mao had millions of people under his control, but failed to transform society, let alone for the better.

Programming a Robot

In order to gain a better understanding of robots, our group organised a workshop as part of the learning carousel. There were three workshops in total:

1. The Three Laws of Robots 
2. How to Programme a Robot 
3. Siri 

Our group was in charge of the second workshop - how to programme a robot. Following the guidance of the teacher, we organised an activity that demonstrated the steps to programming a robot:

1. Ask for a volunteer - the volunteer can only extend their arm and respond to commands with the following phrase: "What do you mean?" 
2. When told to do something, the robot cannot perform the action unless taught the action associated with the command itself (e.g. if you ask the volunteer to pick up a pen, it does not know the command, and so will need to be guided physically) 
3. This process then repeats over and over again until the robot recognises all the necessary commands

We also briefly discussed HDR (high dynamic range) and ISO.

They're Made Out of Meat

As part of our investigation into the future of robots, the class was asked to watch four videos of robots demonstrating sentience:

• The scene in which HAL (from 2001: A Space Odyssey) is disconnected 
• Robbie
• NEWMEDIA, which portrays a future in which robots control the world
• They're Made Out of Meat, in which two robots discuss the absurdity of human existence

After this, we were told by the teacher to create a role-play revolving around one of these videos seen previously - our group decided on They're Made Out of Meat. In order to re-enact the scene accurately, however, we first had to research the human condition to make sure we portrayed the characters correctly. Below is the definition discussed:

Human Condition: The portrayal of human characteristics through aspects of human existence such as growth, emotionality, morality and aspirations

We then started work on the script for final production.

How Have I Used the Internet in the Past Week?

Over the past week, I have used both my phone and laptop a lot outside of school. I primarily use my phone to keep in touch with my friends over WhatsApp and SMS, as well as FaceBook to keep updated with the world. I also use it to listen to music and read the news whenever I am travelling from one place to another (e.g. going home from school).

I tend to do a lot more on my laptop - apart from communicating with my friends, updating myself on the world and listening to music, I use the Internet to watch movies and TV shows, play games (and be unproductive in general) and reading. Although it is unhealthy to spend long hours by the computer (excluding the school hours spent on my laptop, I generally use it for 4-5 hours per weekday and 7-8 on weekends), I find it quite difficult to distance myself from the Internet - it is full of undiscovered content, and I constantly feel the need to explore it.

If I were to stop using the Internet for a month, I think that I would become very bored with my daily routine - almost every aspect of my life is based around it, and I would find it very hard to pick up my hobbies and interests once again. However, in the long-run, I feel that not using my computer would benefit me greatly - I would spend more time focused on the things I should be focusing on (e.g. my studies), and learn to appreciate the world outside of my screen.

The Ethics of Black Mirror - White Christmas

In the lesson, we looked at the episode White Christmas from the sci-fi series Black Mirror. We studied the ethics of creating artificial clones (called 'Cookies' in the show) of oneself, and using them as a means to gain information and do work. The episode also introduces the Z-Eye, a technological gadget that has the ability to 'cyber-block' others (when cyber-blocked, one appears as a grey silhouette, and will not be able to be heard by the blocker), as well as perform the basic functions of a phone.

The ethics I looked into revolved around the treatment of Cookies, as well as the legal sentencing of Joe's copy within Black Mirror. As depicted in the show, Cookies are generally tortured into submission if they refuse to cooperate: a dire attempt to break their spirit. This is immoral, as although Cookies are artificial, they are still conscious and very much sentient - almost human-like. One does not simply treat a fellow human in this manner, so why do so for Cookies?

Furthermore, Cookies are punished for the crimes of their 'owners' - the "original", as one may say, as seen in Joe's copy's case. In the episode, Joe's Cookie is sentenced by an officer to a never-ending punishment (Cookies are essentially immortal) - 1.5 million years of being confined in the crime scene, with 'I Wish It Could Be Christmas' playing on a continuing loop.

Although it can be argued that the clone is the murderer, the "original" Joe was successfully imprisoned and charged with murder in reality - there is no need to punish someone that has already received their punishment/will receive due punishment. In addition:

• Cookies are harmless - there was never any need for Joe's copy to be punished as there is nothing it could have done either way
• Many prisoners receive second chances, so why can't Joe's copy?
• The extent of punishment is cruel and unnecessary - it would be kinder to kill the Cookie than for it to suffer this fate
• Article 5 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that no one should be subjected to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, and what the officer - a legal enforcer nonetheless - has done is in clear violation of this right
• The Cookie is innocent, as it was not the one who physically committed the crime - Joe's copy is merely the blood and bones of Joe himself and nothing else: it is capable of developing its own thoughts and exhibiting its own behaviour

What Will the Future Be Like?

As part of an introduction to futurology, we had to get into groups and create a mnemonic from the word "future" on what we think the future will be like. In our answer, we had to refer to either the technological singularity or transhumanism:

Technological Singularity - A hypothetical event in which artificial intelligence would be capable of recursive self-improvement (e.g. gaining the ability to re-design its programme, become a super-intelligence, etc.) or become sentient.

Transhumanism - An international movement that aims to transform the human condition by developing and utilising sophisticated technologies to enhance human intellectual, physical and psychological capabilities.

The mnemonic my group came up with is as follows:

F - Finance

• There will be a greater wealth gap between the rich and the poor
• More expensive products - with each technological advancement, it will cost more in order to purchase a particular product
• More industrial

U - Utopia

• Scientific breakthroughs will (hopefully) eradicate natural evil - e.g. hunger, disease
• World will be "perfect"
• No warfare - will be peaceful

T - Technological Advancements

• Creation of new, "tech-savvy" products - e.g. hover boards, virtual reality, time machines
• Technology-based scientific breakthroughs - e.g. medical advancements, agricultural developments
• Everything will be automated by robots and/or remote-controlled

U - Uprising

• At some point in time, there will be an uprising against either a Government or between the rich and poor
• New age in history (beginning of dystopia)

R - Replicants

• Def.: Genetically engineered replicas of a human being
• Artificial clones will be created in order to ensure that there is no shortage of organs

E - Environmental Damage

• Environmental damage is inevitable, whether it takes place in a utopian or dystopian environment
• Consequences of human activity already include global warming, deforestation and pollution, so it is only fair to assume that they will occur in the future as well
• Because of building expansions in the future, there will most likely be a higher rate of extinction