The new reading, "Why the Future does not need us" is one about the dangers of human's advancements in technology. Joy's thesis is that with the current rapid rate of improvements in technology and science, humanity could be in danger. He suggests that robots could easily take control over human beings, or that human beings will become useless, and therefore go into extinction. Joy offers only a couple of solutions to this pressing problem. One is for humans, especially scientists, to become aware of this threat before it is too late and nothing can be done to change anything.
Both Huxley and Orwell would agree that the future can be very dangerous and bleak for the human race if action is not taken right now. Huxley, in his novel BNW, also warns against the threat that advancing science may cause. In BNW Huxley uses tragedy to show that the genetic manipulation and control may result in the end of humanity, just as Joy suggests. In an intriguing conversation between the two like minds, they would very likely discuss the faults of humans, their science, and their dependence on science. Such a conversation would be very interesting since the subjects are so closely related. However, Joy only refers to genetic science in a general sense, while Huxely's entire novel is based on the dangers of genetics. So, Huxely would agree with a lot of what Joy explains in this article, but he would probably stress the genetics problem as being more important than the possible overrun of the human race by robots.
Joy is not a fear monger, but a concerned person for the future. True, he does seem very enthusiastically afraid of what could occur centuries from now, but this is just what he happens to be passionate about.
Joy uses the first person throughout the story, making it seem more of an informed stream of conciousness. It is as if he is writing to a friend of his thoughts. This approach makes the piece much less formal and takes away from the credidentials of it. Joy spent a lot of time off task describing his accomplishments, which delude from the impact of the story as well. In all, this article had very good ideas, but if it was executed in a more formal way then the impact would have been much stronger and would have had an easier time convincing the reader of the problem's urgency.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Harrison Bergeron
Kurt Vonnegut's "Harrison Bergeron" tells of a society forced to be equal in every way. Vonnegut makes the government control so strong that it satires the path the U.S government is heading toward. In the U.S different organizations try to make people equal in practically every way, which is what Vonnegut is ridiculing. For example, affirmative action has been created to get minority groups equal to caucasian groups, equalizing their chance at oppertunities. Recent efforts have been made to restrict affirmative action because people believe minority groups are getting too much of a handicap, making the playing field unequal once again. It is a game of tug of war trying to make every single citizen equal.
In "Harrison Bergeron" Vonnegut tries to explain that all things are not always meant to be equal. People are different and it is in these differences that create an interesting and creative world. Without it, life would be like it is in the society Vonnegut describes. "They weren't really very good-no better than anybody else would have been, anyway" (Vonnegut pg.1 par. 3). With everyone handicapped to be the same, talent is not able to be expressed, or even exist. Life is bland and without thought stimulation there is not room for progress. Art, thought, talent, innovation, are all repressed. But, atleast everyone is equal and no one is left envious of another person.
His purpose is strengthened by making the story told in third person instead of in first. By doing this he makes the situation more official, as if it is probable that the world could become as it is described. Had the story been in first person it becomes more fiction and the meaning and intensity is lost. It keeps its formality and allows the reader to think and even to worry.
In this story Vonnegut further states that "...men and women remaining fundamentally the same, no matter what technology surrounds them” . This is the whole basis of Vonnegut's story. Both women and men are given handicaps as a way to make everyone equal to one another. This makes the statement true. In "Harrison Bergeron" George is said to be smarter than his wife, Hazel. Because he is more intellectual, he is forced to be subjected various noises in his ears which prevent any extensive thought. Thus making Hazel and George to be equal in every way.
In "Harrison Bergeron" Vonnegut tries to explain that all things are not always meant to be equal. People are different and it is in these differences that create an interesting and creative world. Without it, life would be like it is in the society Vonnegut describes. "They weren't really very good-no better than anybody else would have been, anyway" (Vonnegut pg.1 par. 3). With everyone handicapped to be the same, talent is not able to be expressed, or even exist. Life is bland and without thought stimulation there is not room for progress. Art, thought, talent, innovation, are all repressed. But, atleast everyone is equal and no one is left envious of another person.
His purpose is strengthened by making the story told in third person instead of in first. By doing this he makes the situation more official, as if it is probable that the world could become as it is described. Had the story been in first person it becomes more fiction and the meaning and intensity is lost. It keeps its formality and allows the reader to think and even to worry.
In this story Vonnegut further states that "...men and women remaining fundamentally the same, no matter what technology surrounds them” . This is the whole basis of Vonnegut's story. Both women and men are given handicaps as a way to make everyone equal to one another. This makes the statement true. In "Harrison Bergeron" George is said to be smarter than his wife, Hazel. Because he is more intellectual, he is forced to be subjected various noises in his ears which prevent any extensive thought. Thus making Hazel and George to be equal in every way.
Sunday, October 7, 2007
Why the future doesn't need us
...Robots taking over the world... one way or another...
1. As humans are becoming more reliant on machines, do you think that a time of robot consciousness and their control over humans is in the near future.
2. Why are the machines becoming more powerful and persuasive in human lives?
3.How could humans allow such a take over occur? Are they even aware of it happening?
4. Is human birth rate threatened by this robot advancement?
5. In such a controlled society will humans be "free"? Will life be better than it is today?
6. If Asimov and Billy (and even Ray) were to get together, what would they agree on or disagree one [if anything]?
7. In what ways would the machines take over humanity?
8. Will they have enough consciousness to call themselves, or at least see themselves, as humans (like Elvex had in his dream)? Would this be more threatening?
9. Does humans' desire and greed to live longer overrun their fears of being taken over by robots and becoming useless?
1. As humans are becoming more reliant on machines, do you think that a time of robot consciousness and their control over humans is in the near future.
2. Why are the machines becoming more powerful and persuasive in human lives?
3.How could humans allow such a take over occur? Are they even aware of it happening?
4. Is human birth rate threatened by this robot advancement?
5. In such a controlled society will humans be "free"? Will life be better than it is today?
6. If Asimov and Billy (and even Ray) were to get together, what would they agree on or disagree one [if anything]?
7. In what ways would the machines take over humanity?
8. Will they have enough consciousness to call themselves, or at least see themselves, as humans (like Elvex had in his dream)? Would this be more threatening?
9. Does humans' desire and greed to live longer overrun their fears of being taken over by robots and becoming useless?
yet another crazy society
"The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas". This article was one of the more detailed out of the ones we have read so far. The story requires more energy and thought in order o find is meaning and purpose. This piece is a little disheartening because it tells of a happy society, were music is always playing and dancing is always being done. But, it goes on to describe a lonely child locked up in a cellar simply deteriorating with every moment. Every single citizen is aware of this child, but nothing is done because to do something runs the risk of ending the city's happiness. But, LeGuin does not leave the reader without hope, because there are a select few people who visit the child and do not return to their old lives, but instead leave Omela in search of something else. This story i an intriguing one that leaves the reader thinking. However, it does not go on my top list of most impressive pieces of literature. I guess it is the ambiguity of its meaning. I am left with too many questions bouncing around in my head.
Honestly, I see this Omela story as a resemblance to Brave New World more than the novel 1984. 1984 talks of a society that was not constructed around a the happiness of a society, but solely on the government's power over its peoples' lives. BNW and Omela take a different approach to authority control. Similar to BNW is the idea that the betterment of society as a whole, as a unit, is much more important thanthe happiness of one individual; "to throw away the happiness of thousands for the chance of the happiness of one" (LeGuin). More imporantly, these two stories talk to a society that is worried mstly about keeping its citizens in a state of extreme happiness. In BNW the government uses a drug called soma to keep people in jolly state. Omela even suggests the use of a drug by saying "drooz which first brings a great lightness and brilliance to the mind and limbs..." (LeGuin), and also suggests beer.
If forced to compare this story to the novel 1984, I would have to focus on the imprisonment of the lonely child. As in 1984, this society has no trouble with the sacrificing of one person's happiness for the assurance of order and happiness of society. Winston, Julia, and this child have this in common. They were the sacrifices of the continuing of society in the strict way.
As in any good or even credible piece of literature, literary devices are important to the meaning of the piece. In Omela, there a a number of literary devices. Imagery is an important and prominent device used. The author uses tons of imagery to show the reader what a happy society he is describing. By building up this sense of beauty, it makes the situation with the child in the cellar that much more appalling. The imagery and the child contrast in such a way that makes it impact the reader that much stronger. Hyperboles are used in the description of the city as a way to heighten the extravagance of the society. Also, similes, metaphors, etc are used.
To end this, I pose these questions:
1. Where do those select people who, after seeing the child, choose not to go back home but leave Omela all together?
2. Who are these people that leave? Are there certain characteristics that they all hold?
3. The is described as perhaps being a boy, or even a girl. Why is the child not given any specific qualities, but they are instead left to the reader's imagination?
4. What was LeGuin's purpose for writing this?
5. are the people of Omela truly happy, or are they only happy because they are brought up to be so and are ignorant of anything else?
... there you have it.
Honestly, I see this Omela story as a resemblance to Brave New World more than the novel 1984. 1984 talks of a society that was not constructed around a the happiness of a society, but solely on the government's power over its peoples' lives. BNW and Omela take a different approach to authority control. Similar to BNW is the idea that the betterment of society as a whole, as a unit, is much more important thanthe happiness of one individual; "to throw away the happiness of thousands for the chance of the happiness of one" (LeGuin). More imporantly, these two stories talk to a society that is worried mstly about keeping its citizens in a state of extreme happiness. In BNW the government uses a drug called soma to keep people in jolly state. Omela even suggests the use of a drug by saying "drooz which first brings a great lightness and brilliance to the mind and limbs..." (LeGuin), and also suggests beer.
If forced to compare this story to the novel 1984, I would have to focus on the imprisonment of the lonely child. As in 1984, this society has no trouble with the sacrificing of one person's happiness for the assurance of order and happiness of society. Winston, Julia, and this child have this in common. They were the sacrifices of the continuing of society in the strict way.
As in any good or even credible piece of literature, literary devices are important to the meaning of the piece. In Omela, there a a number of literary devices. Imagery is an important and prominent device used. The author uses tons of imagery to show the reader what a happy society he is describing. By building up this sense of beauty, it makes the situation with the child in the cellar that much more appalling. The imagery and the child contrast in such a way that makes it impact the reader that much stronger. Hyperboles are used in the description of the city as a way to heighten the extravagance of the society. Also, similes, metaphors, etc are used.
To end this, I pose these questions:
1. Where do those select people who, after seeing the child, choose not to go back home but leave Omela all together?
2. Who are these people that leave? Are there certain characteristics that they all hold?
3. The is described as perhaps being a boy, or even a girl. Why is the child not given any specific qualities, but they are instead left to the reader's imagination?
4. What was LeGuin's purpose for writing this?
5. are the people of Omela truly happy, or are they only happy because they are brought up to be so and are ignorant of anything else?
... there you have it.
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