Monday, February 23, 2009

Should we be afraid of artificial inteligence?

Not too long ago I saw the movie, Eagle Eye. It provoked me to contemplate advanced artificial intelligence.

Is the creation of a free thinking artificial intelligence a peril or a blessing? Science and medicine already achieve better science and safer medicine using robots.

Also, should the world's ethicists be discussing and establishing rights to protect artificial intelligence from misuse and abuse? If we do give protection to such artificial life forms, where do we draw the line? How would we define artificial intelligence vs. artificial life? There have been numerous movies and sci-fi novels that deal with this topic. How do you feel about it? I will look forward to reading your comments. Linda

Thursday, February 19, 2009

What is love?

Well, I successfully posted my first log for anthro class. Unfortunately, not without a formatting error in the title, of all places, flawed because I inserted a formatting guide from wiki...my bad. The formatting rule must not apply to titles.

As this adventure continues, I am still optimistic. I find this blog a great place to use my stream of consciousness techniques, after all I am an English major. Yet, I do want to enlist responses, so I suppose I should ask questions rather than practice my stream of consciousness technique and bridge topics other than relay drivel that fills the non synaptic recesses of my wandering mind.

O.K., virtual land, how do you feel about true love? For starters, how many takers will comment on what they think true love is? Now, this may sound out dated since Valentine's Day was last week, but why not? It is still February, after all. Philosophers have tussled with the definition of true love throughout the ages. Lets hear from those cyber-philosophers that read this. What is true love, in the highest sense? Are there any takers out there in cyber land that could comment with insight and passon? I will be grateful and enlightened, perhaps even edified by your responses. Please, let your insights role, but keep it clean and esthetically elevated.

Also, have we contemplated what true love is in virtual land? Can we share true, lasting, abiding and enduring love in the cyber realm? Is cyber "true love" even possible? If so, is it a deeper and truer than love found in the physical world? Is it counterfeit love? How do you define virtual, true love? Is virtual true love superior or inferior, preferred or abhorred? Please, remember that we are talking true love, not cyber sex. Again, keep your comments elevated. Comments please.

===level Linda Yearns to Explore Cyber Realm

Thanks to Professor Norvell, I can now navigate to my blog and the limitless cyberspace beyond. Indeed, this is an exciting prospect. I am filled with a sense of adventure and excitement similar to what one experiences at the outset of a spontaneous, unplanned, cross-country road trip. I am open and eager to visit new lands, view the scenery, meet new people, and embrace their culture. I'm an optimistic "newby". With this perspective, the possibilities seem endless and inviting.

It is my initial intention to accomplish much, though I don't exactly know what that is and even less about what to expect along the way. I am naive, and at this departure, totally unabashed. My only plan is to observe, then communicate and enlist spontaneously interactions with fellow cyber beings that will create a log of sorts that I can later analyze. I fear my real test will be communicating in fast conversations that will engage others so I become a worthy player, and not a voyeur who will go down in flames.

As I contemplated maneuvering through the virtual realm, the thought stuck me that I will most probably encounter "bots" from time to time as I travel the virtual highways. Will I recognize them as "bots" or think them to be typing, disembodied humans? At this point, I can only conjecture. So here goes my first attempt at blogging as an anthropological researcher. All comments and communications are welcome, classmates as well, and especially all others. Bon Voyage to me!

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Anth 68 - First Post

I have set-up this blog site for my Anth 68 class to gain experience in Internet Research.