Our Lives, Controlled From Some Guy’s Couch

Student submission

After searching through many articles about futuristic computers and such, I came across this article from the New York Times that I found to be quite fascinating. The article is called “Our Lives, Controlled From Some Guy’s Couch,” by John Tierny. It discusses Dr. Bostrom’s theory that we are all part of some intricate computer simulation “that advanced humans, or “posthumans,” could run “ancestor simulations” of their evolutionary history by creating virtual worlds inhabited by virtual people with fully developed virtual nervous systems.” I found the theory to be far-fetched, but very interesting nonetheless. The article went on to discuss the possibilities that “some computer experts have projected, based on trends in processing power, that we will have such a computer by the middle of this century.” While I do not disagree that virtual realities will continue to become more lifelike; I would question the possibility of such a simulation that the participant would be unaware of their own reality.

I am a huge fan of the movie, “The Matrix,” so I found the arguments for this theory to be amusing. The second page of the article went on to discuss in detail how one might act in a virtual world and the moral issues associated with it. One philosopher stated that, “Dr. Bostrom’s simulation hypothesis isn’t a cause for skepticism, but simply a different metaphysical explanation of our world.” So, we are in a world where we are just a computer simulation for someone else’s amusement? I hardly think so, but I still found the idea of realistic computer simulations to intriguing. I think that there are many enjoyable possibilities for such simulations. You could take a trip on a “virtual vacation” or maybe try out a new career as a surgeon in a “virtual operating room.” Now those are virtual simulations that I might want to visit, but living in one….No thanks! --JS

Putting electronics in a spin

Student submission

I read this article that discusses a new technology called “spintronics”. Spintronics is basically a new way to harness the power of electrons. Traditionally, the flow of electrons in a computer is the basis for transmitting data across the microchips. With spintronics, the data would be captured with just the rotation of the electrons. These rotations would create almost an infinite number of bit positions. Also, this would eliminate the heat produced by electron flow. Theoretically, this will allow computers to be built which will far surpass the speed of current systems and eliminate heat issues.

I believe this technology will revolutionize much more than just computers in the traditional sense. I think everything electronic will benefit from this technology. No longer will we be measuring data in gigabytes, but terabytes will be a household storage measurement. The size of electronic devices we are currently familiar with will become much smaller and portable. Not only will they be smaller, but much faster as well. We already live in a society looking for instant gratification, so, this new technology will only bring us one step closer to that expectation. --WM

Privacy Rights of Employees Using Workplace Computers in California

CIS2 student submission

I came across a rather interesting site, Privacy Rights of Employees Using Workplace Computers in California, that discusses privacy rights of employees using workplace computers in California. I found it interesting because as I post my discussion topic, I am using my work computer. The site mentioned that employers worry that their employees create liability by searching certain sites. I know at one of my client's locations certain websites like myspace and facebook are blocked. --KS

CERT® Coordination Center - Home Network Security

CIS2 student submission

I came across this website CERT® Coordination Center - Home Network Security. I particularly liked this site because instead of just talking about privacy and computers it actually helps you out with computer terms, literacy. It also takes the precaution that you are a new computer learner and offers steps to become an intellectual computer user. The site's categories ranges from computer security, technology to risks and accidents. This is an important site for people to learn and be able to feel safe at home or in the office when dealing with personal information that goes out into cyberspace. --JM

Internet Attorney - Privacy

Student submission

"Some users of the 'net wish to shield their identities while participating in frank discussions of sensitive topics. Others fulfill fantasies and harmlessly role play under the cover of a false identity in chatrooms, MUDs or the IRC. But there are the eternal "bad apples," and on the Internet, they are the people who use anonymous servers as more than a way to avoid responsibility for controversial remarks. Cases of harassment and abuse have become increasingly frequent, aided by a cloak of anonymity."

I thought this was interesting as to how everyone thought the government always has it's eye on everything. Wouldn't you think that may be a good idea sometimes to weed out the "wrong doers" on the net? I've heard numerous cases of harassment on Myspace.com. But those are just small fries. What about the big hackers going after confidential files or records and such? --AN

Computers in the Classroom: Uses, Abuses, and Political Realities

Student submission

This web-site article “Computers in the Classroom: Uses, Abuses, and Political Realities” focuses on the claims and promises –both positive and negative– that were expected to result from the introduction of computers into the (public school) classroom. As it turned out, the best hopes and worst fears did not effectively materialize. Instead, the realities are many: one segment of this paper describes how networked computers are good tools for collaborative project work, because, by definition, the information age requires immediate access to and use of information to be shared by many. --CK

Experts Discuss Computer’s Impact on Education

This website talked about the impact of computers in school's classrooms. Some experts believe that computers hurt kids' learning in school. The author made a point that when kids didn't have computers, they would use pencil to write out what they know. Right now, what kids are learning is a procedure. The computers certainly blocked the kids from utilizing knowledge. I agree with the author. For example, when kids are learning a word, if they write it with pencil for 5 times is definitely better than type the word on the computer screen for 5 times. Our brain simply doesn't work that way. When we are writing it, we remember the strokes and orders of the letter. When we type the words on the computer, we only remember which button we press. Thats why the expert are against putting computers in elementary schools especially. --TZ

Webcast.Berkeley is growing!

Ever since UC Berkeley started to allow the public to access our school lectures, people all over the world have been tuning in and watching and learning. It really shows the power of the internet and computers -- it can help educate the world anytime and anywhere. Especially in a world with undeveloped countries and poor educational systems, these webcasts allow everyone a fair chance to develop skills and knowledge that might prove to be useful in the future. A more educated society will give a more efficient and productive society. --JH

Cisco Announces Education Initiative for Rebuilding Schools throughout Hurricane Katrina-Affected Areas

Improvement Efforts Take a "21st Century" Educational Approach Starting in Mississippi

Here is an example article about Cisco Systems and how they perceive education and technology as intertwined and in our current society, learning about technology is just as important as learning about science or math, especially since nearly all our tools revolve around computers these days. Computers and technolgoy act as the "glue" to what Cisco calls the "Human network" and education will only be enhanced with such technology. -- HL

IBM Research Unveils 3D Avatar to Help Doctors Visualize Patient Records and Improve Care

In September 2007, IBM researchers unveiled a prototype visualization software that allows doctors to interact with medical data the same way they interact with their patients: by looking at the human body. This is like Google map in a human body. Although this software does not show the actual body composition of the patient, the doctor can show the patient the 3D diagram in order to explain to the patient. This is a milestone of medical. Probably we will have 3D x-ray in the future. --HC

Computer-Based Medical System

This article is about a system called s2000, I thought it was cool how "Patients will see their health problems and therapy explained in full color animation and surround-sound, with their lab and radiology information retrieved instantly and projected on a large-screen TV or wall screen..." and how the system can get access to the latest medical information out there. -- RV

Warning on e-government 'risks'

Governments need to work harder to ensure that trust is preserved as services move online, says a report.

--BBC News
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/-/2/hi/technology/7108967.stm

Concern at pupil data microchips

Pupils' school records are stored on a microchip embedded in their uniforms which teachers can scan.
-- from BBC News

CIS 2 Computers and the Internet in Society - Syllabus

Computers and the Internet in Society : A critical examination of the capabilities and uses of modern computers and how they are changing business, law, politics, and society. Course format is question-based student-led discussions and collaborative group projects.

CIS 2 Computers and the Internet in Society is a GE course. This is the online distance learning section. The course includes lots of reading, discussing, critical thinking, and web-based research. CIS 2 is concerned primarily with the uses of technology (good and bad) and issues for society. We cover everything from accessibility for people with disabilities to identity theft. We discuss and research the impact of technology on computer crime, copyright, education, medicine, business and ethical issues.