When we think of Rachel Eldon, we think of an android that has cross the boundaries of modern day science and has transcended into a humanistic lifestyle, pack with emotions and feelings like the average human. However, Gelernter says that, "The natural correspondence between computer and brain doesn't hold between computer and body. Yet artificial thought will require a software model of the body, in order to produce a good model of emotion, which is necessary to artificial thought."(Gelernter236). In other words, what a computer or android feels, is nothing more but a predetermined cache of ones and zeros which will simulate a reaction according to the type of "emotional" trial the bot is put through. In Rachel's case however,she has no idea that she is among some of the many 'droids who are aware of their dispositions as artificial life. Does this put to question whether or not Rachel is a genuine "conscious" being? I would say yes, Rachel consciousness was not that of fiction but was absolutely genuine from the get go. The graphic novel for Philip K. Dicks, "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" on pg. 318, depicts Rachel's dealing with her discovery of being a 'droid. She wallows at the mere thought of her life being a complete lie and remains silent for the remainder of the chapter. How could a robot, even now aware of her disposition react so strangely? She is merely a robot no? No, I believe that Rachel has surpassed her robotic shell and has accepted herself as a human.
Despite faced with the truth she reacts the way she does.Even if she were in denial, wouldn't that signal some type of emotional stress? Us Humans deny things that won't accept as true because either we know we've done wrong or we won't accept the hard evidence which proves some type of lie we've based our lives around.
Monday, April 29, 2013
Sunday, April 14, 2013
Critical Thinking Blog Assignment #3
I've been having a hard time trying to find a scientist to write about. A lot of my searching has been inconclusive, however, I think I may have found a particular scientist I would like to report on. Carl Sagan, was known for his hypothesis of other life on other planets outside of our system. I haven't dug deep enough yet but I find to be Sagan a promising choice for this paper.
I have a lot of interest in Astronomy and though a lot of the knowledge that I use to have on the subject is gone now, I still find space intriguing and wondrous. It brings a kind of awe and wonder, we so fondly speak of in class and I want to play on that wonder and awe by researching on Carl Sagan. I hope to find a Graphic Novel I can use, however I was hoping I would still be able to follow up on this idea without the use of a graphic novel and that all other criteria's could be met for this paper. In any event, I definitely have a back up plan.
Although I love Astronomy and an excuse to get back into it is tempting, if I can't find any other controversial and well known astronomers than I don't mind going for something related to Robots. I am not the biggest science fiction fan. I am still a fan non the less. Though at the moment I have no idea what I want to write about in regards to Robots, I have a few lingering ideas. One idea is to write the paper revolving around the fear of integrating cybernetics with us synthetic beings, a topic that is explored in a video game called: "Deus Ex: Human Revolution" and an anime called: "Ghost in the Shell", which is very cyber punk at best.
I hope I could get away with some of these ideas for the paper because though I am fully aware of the criteria of the paper, I can't help but want to write about the things I've mentioned. I have a huge interest in writing up on the things that obviously interest me because not only will it make this paper more tolerable but I can pick up a few things from it (I'm sure) and just enjoy writing it up overall. I feel this is most important. I hope to receive some feedback from you, Professor and from anyone else who may have any advice they could lend me or even ideas.
I have a lot of interest in Astronomy and though a lot of the knowledge that I use to have on the subject is gone now, I still find space intriguing and wondrous. It brings a kind of awe and wonder, we so fondly speak of in class and I want to play on that wonder and awe by researching on Carl Sagan. I hope to find a Graphic Novel I can use, however I was hoping I would still be able to follow up on this idea without the use of a graphic novel and that all other criteria's could be met for this paper. In any event, I definitely have a back up plan.
Although I love Astronomy and an excuse to get back into it is tempting, if I can't find any other controversial and well known astronomers than I don't mind going for something related to Robots. I am not the biggest science fiction fan. I am still a fan non the less. Though at the moment I have no idea what I want to write about in regards to Robots, I have a few lingering ideas. One idea is to write the paper revolving around the fear of integrating cybernetics with us synthetic beings, a topic that is explored in a video game called: "Deus Ex: Human Revolution" and an anime called: "Ghost in the Shell", which is very cyber punk at best.
I hope I could get away with some of these ideas for the paper because though I am fully aware of the criteria of the paper, I can't help but want to write about the things I've mentioned. I have a huge interest in writing up on the things that obviously interest me because not only will it make this paper more tolerable but I can pick up a few things from it (I'm sure) and just enjoy writing it up overall. I feel this is most important. I hope to receive some feedback from you, Professor and from anyone else who may have any advice they could lend me or even ideas.
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