Module 13

Before taking this class I never really though about all the opportunities that computers and technology has provided us with. I think I was most amazed at how many things have created a more equal opportunity to people all over the world. It is amazing that you can live in a less developed country but because of the internet and other programming creations we are able to have the same opportunities and businesses can be ran from anywhere in the world. It is crazy to see how much the world has already changed in the short period of time that computers have been accessible to everyone. Reading the stories that we did it is easier and easier to see how people can believe that eventually computers would be able to control us, since they already are so much more powerful than when they were first developed. This was probably one of the most interesting classes that I took, because it really opened my eyes to all the opportunities that technology provides me personally with. I was able to see the huge influence that it has on my life every single day. I believe that computers and the world becoming flat is a good thing because there is a lot more freedom to do the things that you want wherever you may be. There are no longer limitations from working from the same computer in the same spot, you can hook up to just about any computer and network and with the right use of programs you can access files and data from another computer. It is amazing to me all the progress that we have already made and that we are continuing to make. I never realized how wide of an effect and influence computers, networking and programming have on each and everyone of us. When I learned about all the ways that it helps companies, like Walmart, work more efficiently I realized that there isn't really one person in this world that isn't using technology in some way, it has a huge influence on everyone even if you aren't actually sitting down at a computer everyday, when you are shopping at stores it is what keeps them running efficiently. I want to just say thank you for having us read this book, it was something I would have never read on my own, but really opened up my eyes and am glad I took the time to read it. 

Module 12

This article that related to GNRs was quite fascinating. GNRs are Genetics, genetics, nanotechnology, and robotics which are all 21^st century technologies. They are believed to be so powerful that they can spawn whole new classes of accidents and abuses. These things are all becoming closer in reach to people, which is scary for some people to comprehend. The author even believes that we are on the edge of a new evil. People believe that with the development of robots then we will be able to live life more leisurely. I think that with the advancement of robots that we will become less and less needed. If people had no purpose then why would we continue to exist? If we had nothing to work for or give us purpose in life then it is most likely would become lazy and inadequate individuals in which society has no need for. People also believe that eventually we could live forever because of advancements with robotics, we would be able to replace vital parts of ourselves with robotics to keep us alive and maintain our health. If we are giving up the things that make us human and individuals to computers and technologies then yet again we will cease to exist. Yes robotic, computeristic forms of us would exist in our place, but life would be nothing like it is now. There would be no use for human life if computers were to take over the world, eventually they would be smart enough to maintain themselves and keep everything running smoothly, therefore there would be no need for us. People like to believe that we would coexist and ultimately control them and make sure that they are not taking over, but really in the end they will outsmart us and have no need for us. I believe that once there is no need for humans than they will cease to exist due to lack of need. People wouldn’t have a purpose to continue living, therefore they most likely wouldn’t. 

Module 11

A movie that sticks out to me when it comes to technology and computers is Eagle Eye. In this movie a young man and woman are put together to help fight against  technology. There is a mysterious phone call  and money that shows up in Jerry's (the main character) bank account. All of this sets him off and makes it so that they have to fight to figure out what is going on. There is a woman on the phone who helps him through all sorts of terrible events, and makes it so that he doesn't get caught by the FBI. Come to find out in the movie the whole basis is based around a computerized machine called "ARIIA", Autonomous Reconnaissance Intelligence  Integration Analyst, a device that is brother had been monitoring before his death. ARIIA is used to track all the movements of people and things and keeps records of everything. His brother starts to notice weird behavior about ARIIA but later dies and so Jerry is brought in to help stop ARIIA from thinking on her own and taking control over things. She is supposed to help prevent bloodshed, but doesn't function properly and ends up creating more problems and messes for the government. I think that this movie is realistic in the fact that obviously there are computers and machines that are able to gather information from all different networks and categorize them and keep record of them. It gets a little extreme when she starts acting in on her own and is able to "think" on her own and take over control, it becomes a mission for them to override her. She controls cameras around the city instead of them just filming how they are set up. I also think another absurd  part is when she can pick up conversations and record them simply from the vibrations of the person's coffee cup. I do think that computers play a huge role in our government and help them keep track of things and figure out some threats, but I don't think that we will ever actually let computers take over full control of determining threats without people being more involved then just sitting and watching.