Writing Assignment 12/ Future Technology

I don’t agree with either of these articles. They both seem too out of line. The Kurzweil article is really far out there and exaggerated. In fact I almost thought it was a joke. “By 2009 there will be no computers” is what he remarks in his article. This just seems to soon- that’s about two years away from now. How will companies be able to afford all of this new technology- especially within two years? This statement was just a little too radical. Maybe the possibility of having programs being written into our retinas will be possible at some point but even if it were- not everyone would do it or could afford it. I personally wish I had the money to correct my vision with laser surgery. If I can’t afford that- why would I spend money on putting a program into my retinas- especially when I can’ even afford a new laptop. I think that it could be possible to display laser images- such as keyboards or virtual reality and I also agree that technology keeps getting smaller and smaller but I don’t think that it will occur too soon. Perhaps some people may obtain this new technology- but not just yet.

The second article seemed to focus a lot on machines and people allowing them to make decisions for us. If this does occur- I don’t think that it will be within twenty years. This goes back to what we discussed in class- these robots can be programmed to be at a certain level of intelligence- but they aren’t street smart to make some decisions for us. One tiny error in the programming and it can cause a problem.

I think that both articles were giving technology more credit than it deserves. Yes, we have great and advanced technology, but we aren’t going to be warping into different dimensions any time soon.

Writing Assignment 11/ Intelligence

I don't think that these chatbots qualify as intelligent the same way that we consider humans to be intelligent. In class we used the example of the language translation services and they completely destroyed a simple sentence such as "hello, how are you doing."

In order for a machine to be considered as intelligent as humans I think that it would require much advancement. The slides that we viewed in class featured chatbots that based their response on your previous sentence but these programs seem like they could encounter many problems revolving around details.

I think that it's hilarious that some people "porn-text" and are actually fooled by machines. I think that if those people need dirty talk that badly, what they don't know can't hurt them.

Writing Assignment 10/ Net Addiction

I think that it's very easy for someone to be addicted to the internet. People can get addicted to anything- substances, gambling, electronics... You name it and I'm sure there is someone out there who can be considered an addict.

I've encountered many people who get caught up in websites such as myspace and facebook. While I admit that they can be fun and a great way to avoid homework, some people can't live more than a few hours without logging in. During many classes I see people surfing these networking sites rather than paying attention. People just get too addicted to checking "their comments".

I think it's ok that some people use these sites as their hobbies, but I also know people who become far too anti-social and let these sites interfere with their lives. Some people get mad if you "don't post a comment" on their page and I even know couples who have broken up due to things such as their "top 8". This is all pretty ridiculous if you ask me, which is why I do believe that people can be addicted to the internet. They are letting these sites control their lives and feelings- just the way any other destructive behavior would do.

I don't know anyone who has dropped out of a class or school to spend more time on the internet but I do know people who let the internet affect their grades and study time. I get distracted on the internet too but I know when there is a stopping point. However, not everyone has the strength or self-control to just stop surfing the net and get to work, which is why I do believe that there is such a thing as internet addiction.