#8 Final course Reflection

After reading, analyzing and learning about all the different material that we have for the LIB200 class, I have learned a lot about sciences, technology and humanities. Before taking this class I used to think that science has nothing to do with humanities however after reading different novel and stories I realized that sciences, humanities and even technology can be placed into the same circle because most of the nonfiction and fiction books that we have covered during the class showed us that most of the times those writers and scientists are normal persons that understand and try to transmit emotions through scientific methods and theories and vice versa. Moreover, I can lie that I still into humanities more than sciences and technology however, now I feel more open minded about the concept and the meanings behind the promise and peril of sciences. In addition, during this class I have learned a lot about the different things that are going on around us and we aren’t ready or even know about it. For example, the clones experiments, global warming, the increases in technology and the different points of views between many scientist and writers when it comes to science, humanities and technology. Last but not least one of the topics that most catch my attention during this class was the story of "Us or Me" this story made me think a lot about human behavior and how selfish and selfless we can be depending of the situations that we are involved. Also, I really like this story because it shows the different aspect of sciences, technology and humanity through the writing of one magnify author.

ASSIGNMENT # 6

             The idea that I chose for my research paper is about “Portraying robots in films” I selected this idea because I’m very curious about what the future hold for us when it comes to technology. Also I selected this topic because I believe that technology is playing a very important rule in our society since the first time that it was invented. However, it could affect our society in the near future in a negative way if we keep depending so much on it.

            For this topic I found two very interesting articles, one of these articles in by Duong and Wendy "Effect Of Artificial Intelligence On The Pattern Of Foreign Direct Investment In The Third World: A Possible Reversal Of Trend." Denver Journal Of International Law & Policy 36.3/4 (2008): 325-334. Academic Search Complete. Web. 5 June 2013.  In this first article the authors explains how IA could destroy society by taking over people jobs and limiting humans to perform certain tasks. Also, in this article the authors discuss how unemployment will increase in the near future if we keep depending too much to it. Moreover, in this article the authors mentions that AI are making “Third World Countries poor” because they are minimizing jobs opportunities for people.  Another article that I found very interesting for my topic is an article by Breazeal, Cynthia . " “Role of Expressive Behaviour for Robots That Learn from People” ." 02 December 2012: n.pag. Web. 5 June 2013. <>. In this article the writer explains how robots can be part of the society but could never be as humans being. The writer mentions that robots are playing a very important rule in our society but we have to keep a control between them because its can harm us in the near future. These two articles (sources) that I found are really important for my research paper because it support a lot of the information that I provided in it.

Assignment #5

I strongly disagree with Darwin’ ideas that opposes humanistic values like altruism and generosity because even though  it is true that humans tend to be competitive and selfish, it is also true that humans could not have survived in nature without the charity and generosity that each society offers.  Moreover, something that we should all keep in mind is that without charity, love and all the good things there wouldn’t be compassion and harmony. In addition, in our daily day life we can see how people help each other when there are in trouble or when someone really needs help. For example, as Olivia Judson mentions in her book “Selfless Genes” “Humans often risk their lives for strangers—think of the firemen going into the World Trade Center—or for people they know but are not related to.”(Judson 1) when others are in danger humans express generosity and care for others just as they care for their family members.

Similarly, in the "The Selfish Gene” by Richard"Dawkins, Dawkins discuss many of the Darwin’s ideas about humans natural selection, by discussing this Dawkins says that Darwin’ ideas are right; however we can override biology with free will and  we should see Darwinism as awful warning for how we should not organize our societies. Also, in the story of “Us or Me” by Ian McEwan we can see how a group of people get together to safe a person that they don’t even know and this action proof that Darwin’s only see from a “scientific” method and don’t really see how humans can show compassion for others without expecting something back. In conclusion, it is true that sometimes humans are “selfish” when it comes to our own interests however; we can also be selfless when it comes to protect and help those in needed because by the end of the day it’s what makes us human.

Assignment #4

It is more than clear that day by day our societies are changing. Some people think that these changes are for the best because it is a process of evolution and we have to pass through it if we really want to survive and grow as societies. However, other people think that changes aren’t always for the best and even though these changes seem helpful the cruel reality is that these are affecting and destroying us. In addition, when it comes to new/future technology release such as robots people always have their opinions. Some people consider robots machines that aren’t able to feel emotions as humans do. For example, Professor David Gelernter is one of those persons that challenge the idea that machines could think like humans. In his book “Dream-Logic, the Internet and Artificial Thought” Professor Gelernter mentioned that “The natural correspondence between computer and brain doesn’t hold between computer and body” by saying this Gelernter is saying that no matter how many thoughts will be achieved in a computer, it will never have a real soul. Also, another example that machines could never be and feel as human is reflected in the YouTube click in where our LIB class was able to see a small and cute robot named “Nao” interacting with a person and acting as a human would be act in front of certain situations however it is more than clear that the robot is just a machine full of sensors, control systems, manipulators, power supplies and software all working together to perform a task and all his actions are controlled and programed.

On the other hand there are people who strongly believe that robots are very important to society’s evolution and that they could be very helpful on people lives. For example, there are a lot of commercial on YouTube that show useful robots that help people live more independently by helping maintaining their homes and doing dirty or dangerous tasks. However, from my personal point of view this could be a positive think but at the same time if robots start doing people duty then humans would be more dependent of it and would be fewer actives. In addition, another example of how robots could destroy humans or take over societies is reflected in the movie IRobot in which everything seems perfect but then something goes wrong with the robots and these machines start taking over the human society. In conclusion, there’s no doubt that machines could be very helpful to the human society however there should be a limit when it comes to its functions and duty.

Assignment #3

There are many interesting topics for our first research paper that really captures my attention however the two topics that interested me the more are “A ‘Close Reading’ and analysis of a work or film that used science or technology” and “Evolutionary Psychology and everyday life”.

The first topic that I selected from idea#1 is the short story “Us or Me” by Ian McEwan’s because I already used it to do our first essay; however I would love to analyze and explore the different sciences and points that are under the author writing that I didn’t cover and mention before. Moreover, I want to explore the different aspects of science that the writer mentions indirectly in order to describe humans and nature actions. Also, I would love to look closer to the author writing styles and to the type of message/messages that he is trying to deliver through the story. In addition, the second topic that I selected from idea#3 is the one based on “Theory of Mind (ToM)”. I would like to know more about this topic because I have heard a lot of stories about how some animals and humans are capable of knowing how those around them are feeling, what they are thinking and what they may do next without knowing that this is a special ability that they have. Moreover, I would like to explore and get more knowledge about it and I would like to know how humans acquired it? How they can keep this ability? And how they lose it?. Also I would like to know how evolution has influenced on theory of mind, what type of sciences and scientists are related to it?

After reading and analyzing the topics that I selected I noticed that I have more questions about “Theory of mind” and I want to learn and increase my knowledge about human behavior and everyday life by exploring even more the things that we are capable of doing with our minds. However, I can’t lie that I have a special interest in reading and keep analyzing one more time the short story of “Us or Me”. In addition, I think that the right topic for me will be the “Theory of mind”.

Assignment #2

          It is more than clear that we are living in a very diverse world in which every society think different about certain things. However, when it comes to sciences and technology most people believe that popular science and technology are taking over and that everywhere they go and look there is technology involved and to be honest I agree with it! For example, nowadays we are able to see how directors, producers, movies maker or every single individual involved in the entertainment industry are somehow creating stories based on the most famous scientits, sciences or technological advances of all times.  

Source:TheBlaze.com

Most of the time that I go to the movies theater, I always see previews that show the advances of sciences and how it becomes what it is today by using and developing new methods and technological devices. For example, in the movie “G.I Joe” which is a science fiction movie, sciences and technology is always presented. In the movie, the viewers are able to see how in one of the parts they showed two humans bodies inside of two capsules full of water with a temperature of -250 degree which somehow keep them alive but unable them to dream or feel. These capsules had different technological equipment connected to these which permit the “scientist “to keep track of the pulse and body stated of the persons inside of these. Also, weapons used in this movie are highly and technologies never seem, for example, they had robots capable of doing anything. In conclusion, it is more than clear that sciences and technology are always presented when it comes to new invents and when it comes to transport people minds to another level of imagination.

Welcome! #1

Hi! My name is Nidia Suriel; my major is Theater and Communication. I expected to graduate from LaGuardia Community College this summer. After I graduated I’m planning of going to Lehman College to obtain a bachelor’s degree and then a master’s degree in Mass Communication or Journalism. I'm the type of person who believes in everything related to art and entertainment. I definitely believe that without entertainment in our lives everything would be boring and insignificant because by the end of the day we as humans deserved to have a way of escaping from our reality. In addition, it is more than obvious that I'm more into humanities than sciences. However, I strongly agree that sciences play a very important rule in our societies. For example the career that I have chosen draw on traditions from both the social sciences and the humanities