The "Will to Virtuality" is a concept embraced by non-other than Arthur Kroker. However an article written by Yusuf Progler has a different insight on the Will to Virtuality. The article written by Yusuf Progler is entitled "The Will to Virtuality in a post-Christian World."
In Progler's article he claims that "It is a virtual journey, seeking virtual knowledge, in a cold virtual world." The article reveals how western culture praises technology claiming that technology allows for easy access. Progler continues to talk about how Arthur Korker is an advocate of the will to virtuality, and how in his eyes, humans are evolving into electronic species and that they are becoming "half-flesh and half-data." This notion is rejected in a post-Christian world because in a post-Christian world the idea of the separation of the body and soul is embraced. The idea that the soul is more important than the body is embraced, which is not paralell with the notion of the "will to virtuality."
According to Progler, "Fascism, violence and pornography are other symptoms of the will to virtuality in a post-Christian world." This quote is one of the most intriguing quotes in the entire article because it definitely reveals a somewhat detailed description of a post-Christian's analysis on the virtual world. In my opinion, Progler presents how Christians are disgusted with the virtual world and the ideology of the "will to virtuality" and this, want, need, and crave to be in another world and out of your own body. This techno-obsessed society, in a Christian's point of view, incorporates recurring themes of sex and death in the virtual world.
Furthermore, Progler also states that "the devil is not in the detail, but in the form and the structure," thus, continuing to diss this will to virtuality, inevitably showing absolutely no sign of respect for the virtual world. In my opinion, this post-Christian world sees this will to virtuality as a sin committed by all indivudal users of western society who embrace this desire to leave the physical world behind and experience some kind of virtual environment.
In my opinion, Christian or not, I think wanting to have an out of body experience does not hold a devlish or sinister manerism, but just a curious one. I mean, we live in these bodies every single day, so who are we to judge those who would just like to feel like they can escape reality for once?? Some people may have too much stress from work, school, or kids and would just like to feel like they are not themselves for a day. Is it wrong to dream?? And is it wrong to try to virtually live out this dream?????? .....I think not!
signed,
g.i.a.c.w.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
The Machine Stops- By E.M. Forster
In class, we viewed the movie adaptation of "The Machine Stops" by E.M. Forster. This movie was an extremely interesting piece devoted to technology.
Although the movie was central to the development of technology, I definitely saw a central theme based on technologically enhanced communication; particularly the telephone. After watching this movie, I could not believe that it was written in 1909. It just seemed like a 2009 movie that was re-formatted to black and white with the effects of an older camera. As Vishta and Kuno communicated through the mirrors,which seemed to be the new technologically enhanced telephone, it reminded me of the semantic web. The idea that the semantic web design will allow for the web to "understand" and satisfy the requests of people and machines to use the web content was directly portrayed in the Machine Stops. An example of this can be seen as Kuno asks the machine to send him oxygen masks and the machine is able to respond to his request.
At the end of The Machine Stops, Vishta (who is a lover of technology and a lover of the machines) claims that "fear is out of date" when Kuno tries to tell her that he has something frightening to tell her. Such a metaphor designed by E.M Forster is intriguing because I really get a strong understanding of how humanity might turn out if we continue to depend on technology. Because we are so dependent on technology, there is a chance that some of us may actually embody Vishta's habbits and begin to serve the machine, and follow a "machine bible." One of the more scarier scenes in The Machine Stops was presented when Vishta claims she is sick and calls, or shall I say "requests" a doctor, and this machine doctor drops down ready to operate on her.....I mean REALLY??.....That is extremely disturbing!
Another interesting concept presented in The Machine Stops was Vishta's repetitive comments and excuses of not wanting to visit earth because it will not give her "ideas" and that the machines give her "ideas." What Vishta fails to realize though is that these ideas are secondary ideas, and that the ideas the machine gives her are not her own ideas, however she behaves as if they are. This is a clear representation of today's society because as we surf the web we gather information, and embody it and embrace it as if it were our own, but many of us fail to realize that the ideas obtained are not our own ideas....they are someone elses!
In my opinion, I do depend on technology. For example, because I don't have a printer, when I have finished my assignment I will 1) e-mail a document attachment to my york e-mail account 2) e-mail a document attachment to my hotmail account 3) post it in the body of both e-mails 4) save it on a USB and 5) bring my laptop incase none of 1-4 work. So in a sense, I do depend on technology, however I am always prepared with a backup plan, inevitably not letting technology control me, and not controlling technology, but as a user, using technology as a cognitive tool. Although I don't depend on technology, I do love it. I own a blackberry and it is definitely a way I keep in touch with my friends through e-mail, sms, blakcberry messenger, facebook on my phone, msn messenger on my phone, and I can even browse the web. Sometimes I misplace it and I suddenly get that "disconnected" feeling....do you know what I mean? It's kind of like...your world has come to an end (LOL). However, I did go a long while without having internet...almost 4 months, and when I got it back, things were the same old...but I think that is only because I had my blackberry as a backup plan, so I was up to date. However, returning to The Machine Stops, according to Kuno....the machine DOES stop. So, what would happen if I didn't have my internet on my laptop, and also lost my blackberry.....then what??????????? ....It's a scary thought indeed. HOWEVER, being a slave to technology is even scarier........
signed,
g.i.a.c.w.
Although the movie was central to the development of technology, I definitely saw a central theme based on technologically enhanced communication; particularly the telephone. After watching this movie, I could not believe that it was written in 1909. It just seemed like a 2009 movie that was re-formatted to black and white with the effects of an older camera. As Vishta and Kuno communicated through the mirrors,which seemed to be the new technologically enhanced telephone, it reminded me of the semantic web. The idea that the semantic web design will allow for the web to "understand" and satisfy the requests of people and machines to use the web content was directly portrayed in the Machine Stops. An example of this can be seen as Kuno asks the machine to send him oxygen masks and the machine is able to respond to his request.
At the end of The Machine Stops, Vishta (who is a lover of technology and a lover of the machines) claims that "fear is out of date" when Kuno tries to tell her that he has something frightening to tell her. Such a metaphor designed by E.M Forster is intriguing because I really get a strong understanding of how humanity might turn out if we continue to depend on technology. Because we are so dependent on technology, there is a chance that some of us may actually embody Vishta's habbits and begin to serve the machine, and follow a "machine bible." One of the more scarier scenes in The Machine Stops was presented when Vishta claims she is sick and calls, or shall I say "requests" a doctor, and this machine doctor drops down ready to operate on her.....I mean REALLY??.....That is extremely disturbing!
Another interesting concept presented in The Machine Stops was Vishta's repetitive comments and excuses of not wanting to visit earth because it will not give her "ideas" and that the machines give her "ideas." What Vishta fails to realize though is that these ideas are secondary ideas, and that the ideas the machine gives her are not her own ideas, however she behaves as if they are. This is a clear representation of today's society because as we surf the web we gather information, and embody it and embrace it as if it were our own, but many of us fail to realize that the ideas obtained are not our own ideas....they are someone elses!
In my opinion, I do depend on technology. For example, because I don't have a printer, when I have finished my assignment I will 1) e-mail a document attachment to my york e-mail account 2) e-mail a document attachment to my hotmail account 3) post it in the body of both e-mails 4) save it on a USB and 5) bring my laptop incase none of 1-4 work. So in a sense, I do depend on technology, however I am always prepared with a backup plan, inevitably not letting technology control me, and not controlling technology, but as a user, using technology as a cognitive tool. Although I don't depend on technology, I do love it. I own a blackberry and it is definitely a way I keep in touch with my friends through e-mail, sms, blakcberry messenger, facebook on my phone, msn messenger on my phone, and I can even browse the web. Sometimes I misplace it and I suddenly get that "disconnected" feeling....do you know what I mean? It's kind of like...your world has come to an end (LOL). However, I did go a long while without having internet...almost 4 months, and when I got it back, things were the same old...but I think that is only because I had my blackberry as a backup plan, so I was up to date. However, returning to The Machine Stops, according to Kuno....the machine DOES stop. So, what would happen if I didn't have my internet on my laptop, and also lost my blackberry.....then what??????????? ....It's a scary thought indeed. HOWEVER, being a slave to technology is even scarier........
signed,
g.i.a.c.w.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Consequences of a Networked Society
Hello, Hello.
The question I am going to address today is:
Are the consequences of a networked society positive or negative?
In Manuel Castells' article, "Why Networks Matter," he outlines various positive consequences to a networked society. Some of the positives include:
In my opinion, some negative consequences of a networked society may be:
signed,
g.i.a.c.w.
The question I am going to address today is:
Are the consequences of a networked society positive or negative?
In Manuel Castells' article, "Why Networks Matter," he outlines various positive consequences to a networked society. Some of the positives include:
- networks are the organizing form of social life.
- networked societies expand on a global scale and know no boundaries, thus societies can become interconnected throughout the world.
- networked organizations outcompete all other forms of organizations.
- the networking of political institutions answers the call for global governance.
- networked societies answer the need for sharing and co-experiencing.
- networked societies allows for social practices (both global and local) to communicate in the media space.
In my opinion, some negative consequences of a networked society may be:
- there may be online bullying from teens to other teens.
- there may be images easily accessible by minors; images that they should not be seeing at a young age.
- articles provided for free via the Internet does not allow authors to take full profit for their work, inevitably losing out on money.
- in a networked society, people may create virtual identities of themselves and these virtual selves may have positive or negative affects. Also, individuals may start to believe these virtual selves are themselves "real."
- a networked society may increase the number of multiple personality disorders.
- a networked society may isolate some individuals who begin to design some sort of 'second life' and these individuals inevitably forget about their real life.
signed,
g.i.a.c.w.
"Guidelines" for a Virtual Community?
I'm back, and the questions I'm going to address today are as follows:
Imagine you and your peers are to establish your own (virtual) community,
or even that you are part of a voluntarily joined (virtual) community,
one you have some impact in potentially shaping:
what rules would you want? what rules would you need?
what kind of relationships, with or without rules, would you want/need?
how would you enforce them? how would you punish them?
Well.......some may argue that virtual space is not the same as physical space so why should rules even be considered??? However, because I am part of a virtual community myself (facebook) I will definitely stress that there NEEDS to be rules in virtual communities.
Although there are many users who are looking to join virtual communities to "escape" the physical world, there are many users, like myself, who are interested in just expanding their social network through virtual communities such as Facebook. Many of us still strive to be ourselves in virtual communities, thus rules enforced in physical communication settings should be enforced in virtual communication settings. They say, "sticks and stones will break my bones but names will never hurt me," however for some, names hurt MORE! Because of this, guidelines enforcing appropriate online language need be applied.
Property rules need to be enforced as well. Individual users may post pictures of themselves and loves ones and I just don't feel that every, and any, person should be aloud to save and keep these photographs. With property rules comes privacy, thus saving someone else's pictures to do god knows what with it will turn into an issue of privacy. However, I'm yet to come up with a way that this would be able to enforced as ANYONE can save almost ANYTHING to their computers (in terms of pictures) ...and even if they can't right click and save that picture, the "print screen" command is still available via their keyboard, so this problem needs to be addressed. Everyone in the community should feel comfortable enough to believe that the information, pictures, or videos they post will not be stolen and tainted.
In terms of relationships, like any castle needs a king, every community needs a leader. The leader would have to be agreed upon by all individual members that belong to the community and should be open minded when issues and concerns are brought to their attention and they should be willing to address these issues and concerns so that members feel comfortable. A manual would also need to be designed for the leader so that all rules are applied equally to all members. Kind of like the "rule of law" .....sorta....but for the virtual world.
After reading, "A Rape In Cyberspace," it is clear that banning members only works for the short term, as they can just come back with another identity. When dealing with members who do not abide by the "terms of use agreement" set out for the virtual community, I think they should have some sort of "flag" or "notice" displayed across their profile in a banner style so that members know they are "troublesome."
Well, these would be some of the rules for my virtual community that I have come up with thus far....if I come up with more, I'll let you know, k? and if you have any ideas of your own, tell your people to call my people, k?
signed,
g.i.a.c.w
Well.......some may argue that virtual space is not the same as physical space so why should rules even be considered??? However, because I am part of a virtual community myself (facebook) I will definitely stress that there NEEDS to be rules in virtual communities.
Although there are many users who are looking to join virtual communities to "escape" the physical world, there are many users, like myself, who are interested in just expanding their social network through virtual communities such as Facebook. Many of us still strive to be ourselves in virtual communities, thus rules enforced in physical communication settings should be enforced in virtual communication settings. They say, "sticks and stones will break my bones but names will never hurt me," however for some, names hurt MORE! Because of this, guidelines enforcing appropriate online language need be applied.
Property rules need to be enforced as well. Individual users may post pictures of themselves and loves ones and I just don't feel that every, and any, person should be aloud to save and keep these photographs. With property rules comes privacy, thus saving someone else's pictures to do god knows what with it will turn into an issue of privacy. However, I'm yet to come up with a way that this would be able to enforced as ANYONE can save almost ANYTHING to their computers (in terms of pictures) ...and even if they can't right click and save that picture, the "print screen" command is still available via their keyboard, so this problem needs to be addressed. Everyone in the community should feel comfortable enough to believe that the information, pictures, or videos they post will not be stolen and tainted.
In terms of relationships, like any castle needs a king, every community needs a leader. The leader would have to be agreed upon by all individual members that belong to the community and should be open minded when issues and concerns are brought to their attention and they should be willing to address these issues and concerns so that members feel comfortable. A manual would also need to be designed for the leader so that all rules are applied equally to all members. Kind of like the "rule of law" .....sorta....but for the virtual world.
After reading, "A Rape In Cyberspace," it is clear that banning members only works for the short term, as they can just come back with another identity. When dealing with members who do not abide by the "terms of use agreement" set out for the virtual community, I think they should have some sort of "flag" or "notice" displayed across their profile in a banner style so that members know they are "troublesome."
Well, these would be some of the rules for my virtual community that I have come up with thus far....if I come up with more, I'll let you know, k? and if you have any ideas of your own, tell your people to call my people, k?
signed,
g.i.a.c.w
Who Holds The Power...?
So it's me again, and the question I am going to address today is:
Does the power lie in the "Power Elite" creating and shaping technology or in the individual using technology for their own purposes? Can these be separated?
In my opinion, the answer to this question is BOTH. Thus, the power does lie in the "Power Elite" and it also lies in the individual using technology. In terms of technology, I want to focus on the Internet specifically. After a discussion in tutorial, we now know that the Internet originated from the military and ARPANET and was only used for educational and research purposes. Today, ANYONE has access to the Internet. The "Power Elite" defined as internet service providers (ISPs) and the government definitely play a huge role in creating and shaping technology. If the government does not allow Internet, then.....there will be no ISPs...and inevitably no Internet. Because the government has the power to control whether or not Internet access is available, then the power does lie in the hands of the Power Elite. However, the power lies in the hands of the users as well. Everyday people like you and I can access the Internet as long as we can find a connection. Once using the Internet, we can join communities, create communites, create websites, create blogs, play games, and even create virtual selves! The cognitive tools used for the Internet lie in the hands of the users. The tools are like an extension of the user. Therefore, if the tools lie in the hands of the users, the users can do anything they want with these tools. Because technology, the Internet specifically, allows the user so much freedom, the Internet empowers the user.
In the physical world, individuals must abide by rules and regulations set out by the government, or in this case we can refer to them as the "Power Elite." In the virtual world, users also have to abide by certain "terms of use agreements" before using a service. Thus, it can be seen that there is regulation both in the physical world and in the virtual world. HOWEVER, in the physical world, I must blatantly state that, the Power Elites hold most of the power, but when discussing the Internet, this is not necesarrily the case. Users have the power to join and create various different virtual communities, upload videos, pictures, express opinions just to name a few.......and the most intriguing part is that they can do this FREELY! All in all, in my opinion, both the Power Elite creating and shaping technology and in the hands of the individual users who are using technology (specifically the Internet) for their own purposes. Furthermore, who said the individual users can't belong to the Power Elite group??? What if they do?? Thus, the Power Elite and the user can't be separated. Without consent from the government, Internet access would not be available, and when it does become available, without the users, the Internet would be useless.....
signed,
g.i.a.c.w.
Does the power lie in the "Power Elite" creating and shaping technology or in the individual using technology for their own purposes? Can these be separated?
In my opinion, the answer to this question is BOTH. Thus, the power does lie in the "Power Elite" and it also lies in the individual using technology. In terms of technology, I want to focus on the Internet specifically. After a discussion in tutorial, we now know that the Internet originated from the military and ARPANET and was only used for educational and research purposes. Today, ANYONE has access to the Internet. The "Power Elite" defined as internet service providers (ISPs) and the government definitely play a huge role in creating and shaping technology. If the government does not allow Internet, then.....there will be no ISPs...and inevitably no Internet. Because the government has the power to control whether or not Internet access is available, then the power does lie in the hands of the Power Elite. However, the power lies in the hands of the users as well. Everyday people like you and I can access the Internet as long as we can find a connection. Once using the Internet, we can join communities, create communites, create websites, create blogs, play games, and even create virtual selves! The cognitive tools used for the Internet lie in the hands of the users. The tools are like an extension of the user. Therefore, if the tools lie in the hands of the users, the users can do anything they want with these tools. Because technology, the Internet specifically, allows the user so much freedom, the Internet empowers the user.
In the physical world, individuals must abide by rules and regulations set out by the government, or in this case we can refer to them as the "Power Elite." In the virtual world, users also have to abide by certain "terms of use agreements" before using a service. Thus, it can be seen that there is regulation both in the physical world and in the virtual world. HOWEVER, in the physical world, I must blatantly state that, the Power Elites hold most of the power, but when discussing the Internet, this is not necesarrily the case. Users have the power to join and create various different virtual communities, upload videos, pictures, express opinions just to name a few.......and the most intriguing part is that they can do this FREELY! All in all, in my opinion, both the Power Elite creating and shaping technology and in the hands of the individual users who are using technology (specifically the Internet) for their own purposes. Furthermore, who said the individual users can't belong to the Power Elite group??? What if they do?? Thus, the Power Elite and the user can't be separated. Without consent from the government, Internet access would not be available, and when it does become available, without the users, the Internet would be useless.....
signed,
g.i.a.c.w.
All About Me ... (Re-Post)
HEY!! My name is Safia and I am third year university student at York U! This is my first blog..so bare with me lol. I'm just re-posting my all about me section because I just don't feel like you guys got to know enough about me in my first blog post (not that you might care...but here goes anyway. lol). Well, when I first came to york in 2007, I started off in the sciences (biomedical science) as I wanted to be a heart surgeon. After thinking and thinking for days at a time...I realized that I was only in it for the money and that it wasn't something that I was really interested in (not right now at least). Sooooo, I ended up switching my program to Law and Society, and thank god I did because I absolutely LOVE IT! (so far...lol), so technically I'm in my first year of the program itself. It's something I'm passionate about, I'm all for the "everyone deserves a second chance" motto. Specifically, I want to be a criminal lawyer in the future..in hopes that everything goes as planned. So enough about my education.......
Here are some other interests I have,
p.s. refer to me as Girl in A Cyberspace World (g.i.a.c.w.) from now on....
signed,
-g.i.a.c.w.
Here are some other interests I have,
- Dance, Cheerleading, Figure Skating.
- Music (all kinds, I respect all genres).
- BET is my favourite tv channel in the wholeeeee wide world! lol
- Facebook (not obsessive though..lol)
- FASHION!!!!.....I'm a sucker for shoes = )
- hmmmm, there's a lot more, I just can't think right now!
p.s. refer to me as Girl in A Cyberspace World (g.i.a.c.w.) from now on....
signed,
-g.i.a.c.w.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Here I am?...I guess???
Hey, so i'm new to blogging...this is my first blog..EVER..so bare with me. Not gonna really reveal my name on this thing...but i'm taking this Networked Imagination course for my law and society requirement...so lets see what it's all about.
-signed g.i.a.c.w.
-signed g.i.a.c.w.
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