England-2011-bill

Bill's Journal

First question.

• First response.

1. Racism/prejudice: Born from ignorance and fear, false constructs of identity based around skin color, nationality and gender have perpetuated violence and oppression over the past three hundred years. This issue is by no means absent from our present lives, seeping in though advertisement, culture, and almost every imaginable facet of social media. I would argue that Education, science and technology being vital to its success, is the only means by which prejudice and racism can be dispelled from our lives.

       In the past, science has been a double edged sword. We have seen that when placed in the hands of those who would propagate injustice, “scientific findings” have been used to justify some of the most violent and horrific events yet known to man. However, as scientist have moved away from bias, the false claims utilized by Nazi, and eugenic scientist have been dispelled. The clarity we  have attained through studies of human DNA prove conclusively that there is no justification for judgments of value between different phenotypes.  

Technology offers us a chance to spread these findings, and in fact, to further examine the positive qualities shared by all peoples. Not only does technology offer us a chance to refine our study of DNA, but further gives us the ability to disperse information and improve education. Computers, as they become cheaper and portable, offers a comparable proliferation of knowledge last seen after the invention of movable type in tandem with the printing press. Of course, both science and technology must be kept in check so that their findings and creations are not interpreted for the sake of the privileged and malicious.

2. Labor: Of the many arguments facing those who advocate communism is how to find a way to insure the freedom to pursue greater callings while at the same time assuring the supply of food and goods are maintained. I would argue that although one could not be more alienated from Labor then by the replacement of the man by machine, technology offers up the possibility of reducing labor requirements in sectors such as agriculture and production allowing for the discovery of humanity's greater potential.

       Thanks to technology, namely Global positioning satellites and artificial intelligence, tractors can plant, water, and harvest without a farmer.  Assembly plants likewise can be automated and left almost unmanned. If we can execute a metal shift that stresses that our strength is not found in the excess we can produce, but simply in our capacity to insure our survival, technology can offer us freedom from consumerism.  
       We cannot make man into a machine, as capitalist have attempted to do,  but instead we must simply free him from labor that generates the alienation brought about by the need for mass agriculture and industrial production . Hence, though technology we may finally free humanity in order to bring out those products that only humanity can offer; scientific, political, artistic and philosophical thought.

3. Drug addiction: Addiction is, of course, nothing new to humanity seeing as narcissism was born along with identity. New designer drugs however, bring to the fore a nemesis to health and wellbeing never before conceived. Meth is just one of the long line of drugs who’s origin rests comfortably with, ironically enough, medical science and technology. Although we can blame science and technology for the proliferation of drugs in recent years, we must admit that science and technology are amongst the few human endeavors which can indeed, dig themselves out of their own shit.

       The study of the human body gives us insight into how and why a drug works. By studying the process by which the brain and body become addicted we can come to a better understanding of how to counter it.
       Drugs, (although methadone and cocaine are in fact, the result of such a process) can embody our scientific understanding of addiction. We can develop new methods of treatment in order to counteract the effect of various hard drugs. Technology's shortcoming is that it can never overcome the stupidity inherent within man.

Atmosphere 1: Which specific aspects of climate change did the designers of atmosphere choose to focus on?

       Our exploration of the "Atmosphere" exhibit at the Science museum had a total of five major areas. The first area was a semi-comprehensive explanation of how climate works. They provided and interactive model of the earth that demonstrated how the earth's rotation and sunlight were affects involved in the generation of various climate zones. They also offered various geological segments demonstrating the effects of varying climates. Sequentially, the designers presented what this meant and how we could bare witness to it in our immediate environment. next they gave a review of the scientist who noticed the effects of industry and pollution, and offered a slight review of the consequences.  the final two sections focused on how the world, people, and life in general would be affected by climate change and the overconsumption of fossil fuels. then they demonstrated various methods via various means of as to how we would counter and reform our modern tenancies.

How well sourced was the science and technology discussed in the kiosks?

      For some displays, we were offered little to no recourse to who or when information was formulated and accepted. Although, for each kiosk, a computer was provided that offered observers a chance to explore further, let me just say that MLA format was not employed. Only the section focusing on contributers to the scientific revelations, which predicted the risks at hand, were in any way provided for.

What was the most surprising thing you learned?

       One can measure temperature, carbon levels in the atmosphere, and major events by examining ice core samples taken from the Antarctic.

Which of the interactive kiosks did you find most engaging? Why? The games, which were prevalent and associated with almost every section of the display, offered the surreal opportunity to participate in every level of climate change and atmospheric science. Being able build a successful climate and at the same time rain destruction upon it, and then correct it in an simulation of the political world brought a feeling of investment and interest. When i was made to care for my own investment, i was also inspired to care for the science behind what i was fighting or propagating.

Which of the interactive kiosks did you find least engaging? Why? Unfortunately there were two kiosks that were typically disengaging. At every kiosk, one could explore the encyclopedia of information that supported the section. Although you could see a tree of data, the display failed to engage the user for there was no reason to look deeper. the display was too passive. In a way, displays which merely fed information without asking from the viewer failed to gain attention. Waving my hand does not ask that my intelligence or understanding be applied. Clicking on various characters and choosing the simulation that foretold their doom does not entice me, for what is at stake? Games, on the other hand, gave me something to care about.

Second question.

• Second response.