It wasn't until this class, that I realized how significant Cyborgology is to our society. I always imagined cyborgs as being these unnatural type creatures on movies and television. A huge fad in the Xbox gamer’s world is Halo. The main character and hero in this game is a cyborg. The main character in the game is a cyborg. Until recently I have not given much thought to anything other than those things as being cyborgs. I thought of cyborgs as things in my imagination created by entertainment sources. While having tunnel-vision, I did not realize all of the cybernetic occurrences that are taking place around me . I did not correlate them with the prosthetics, implants, and other technological advances that our culture benefits from.
We are developing more advanced ways of creating artificial body parts or implants in the real life. A cyborg is “the melding of the organic and the machinic, or the engineering of a union between separate organic systems” (Gray, Mentor, and Figueraa-Sarriera 2). I find it interesting how people, including myself, will buy futuristic games that have these cyborgs and feel as if it is an escape from real life. Yes, we may not be taking over the world, I hope not, but we do share some of the same technological advances that the games do. Just surviving in real life is a game in itself. Like we mentioned in class, there are games that we sometimes have to play, such as college, if we want to graduate or win. Life is like a game that we have to play if we want to survive, and if that means us taking advantage of our technological progress to repair our bodies, then playing the game becomes a little easier and I am always for making life a little easier than it has to be. We have developed into these cyborgs over time so, what will we evolve to next?
Gray, Chris Hables, Seven Mentor, and Heidi J. Figueroa-Sarriera. "Constructing the Know ledge of Cybernetic Organisms." Cyborgology
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Friday, February 2, 2007
Media and its Influence on the Criminal Justice System
The Fargason case was much publicized throughout the state of Georgia, and the media had an immense impact on this local murder case. At this time, Charles Fargason, Teresa’s ex-husband, believed without a doubt, that Teresa would never kill their child. Shortly after believing this, Charles called for an immediate press conference. He used this media to voice his support of his wife, a suspected murderer. Surprisingly, Charles changed his mind about Teresa’s innocence and expressed to the public that he believed Teresa was responsible for Taylor’s death. Ultimately, the press conference in itself can shape people's opinions of the case. The public watches a sad father publicly admit that he believes his ex-wife killed their child. Viewers have the tendency to sympathize with one person and convict the other. The press conference sets the tone for the whole case. The media was at his convenience to relay his message to the public, therefore influencing opinions. This information and further information pertaining to the case can be found in the Macon Telegraph archives.
The media played a big role in reporting new evidence that was found in the case. While this is an important role that the news reporters have, it is also an influential tactic in how the media portrays the evidence. For example, reporters can use different words and tones in a report that can steer the viewer to a definite viewpoint. It can also be argued that the entertainment industry likes drama and controversy. If this industry can present new factual evidence in which the tone depicts drama, it will, and the viewers are sometimes sucked into the hype. If the story is not dramatic or interesting, people are not going to watch. This is why the media thrives on controversy. I am writing this paper because I was intrigued by the case, because it is a controversial one.
Almost everywhere you looked, there were news reports on press conferences and new evidence. The local people of central Georgia could even get tickets to observe the trial as an audience. This just emphasizes the point that this murder case turned into a show. Like a movie, the audience went ahead and made up their minds about the case, based on what was seen through the media. The public already made their minds up and may have perceived Teresa Fargason as the antagonist and Charles Fargason as the protagonist as if the case is that of a movie or a novel.
Ed Papazian has found that “the average household in the United States has a television turned on for almost eight hours a day” (McNeely 3). Ed Papazian has also found that a substantial amount of television being viewed by our country: “the average individual watch[es] it for approximately four hours a day” (McNeely 3). With that many hours of viewing, the media has become deeply influential in our culture. “Television penetrates almost 99 percent of the population” (McNeely 3). This can shape the opinions in our society. “ Research has suggested that a majority of people in the United States receive much of their impressions and knowledge of the criminal justice system through the media, especially through entertainment television viewing” (McNeely 3). For instance, big news channels such as CNN and Fox have reputations of shaping people’s opinions from one extreme to another. This can be compared to a news program reporting on a specific case, in which the reporters subtly force their opinions on the viewers. Most people do not have a good understanding of the criminal justice system for the reason that they do not have first-hand experience. Most citizens have never been convicted of a crime. Also, many citizens only have direct contact with the criminal justice system through jury duty. It can be argued that people suppose that they have a good understanding of the criminal justice system due to the media’s approach to presenting the news. “Most members of the population actually have few opportunities for direct interaction with the criminal justice system” (McNeely 2). The only interaction is through the media therefore, resulting in the media having much influence over the way people believe about any given issues.
The media does take part in an important role in today’s culture. It is heavily relied on because it is a great source for information. A lot of the information that we as a society retain, is from all the media outlets. The point is not to express that the media is not crucial for the society, but rather to demonstrate how the media can sometimes twist around specific aspects of cases or even politics for its own personal gain, without the consideration of the influential behaviors it holds. Is television coverage and constant updates about cases and worldly news important? Yes, it sure is, however, people are sometimes influenced unnecessarily in ways that they should not be.
Works Cited
McNeely, Connie. “Perceptions of The Criminal Justice System: Television Imagery and Public Knowledge in the United States.” Journal of Criminal Justice and Popular Culture 1070-8286(1995) 1-20. 28 Jan 2007 <http://www.albany.edu/scj/jcjpc/vol3is1/perceptions.html.>
Post, Audrey. “Slain girl’s dad believes child’s mom was involved.” The Macon Telegraph 28 September 1991, 1A.
The media played a big role in reporting new evidence that was found in the case. While this is an important role that the news reporters have, it is also an influential tactic in how the media portrays the evidence. For example, reporters can use different words and tones in a report that can steer the viewer to a definite viewpoint. It can also be argued that the entertainment industry likes drama and controversy. If this industry can present new factual evidence in which the tone depicts drama, it will, and the viewers are sometimes sucked into the hype. If the story is not dramatic or interesting, people are not going to watch. This is why the media thrives on controversy. I am writing this paper because I was intrigued by the case, because it is a controversial one.
Almost everywhere you looked, there were news reports on press conferences and new evidence. The local people of central Georgia could even get tickets to observe the trial as an audience. This just emphasizes the point that this murder case turned into a show. Like a movie, the audience went ahead and made up their minds about the case, based on what was seen through the media. The public already made their minds up and may have perceived Teresa Fargason as the antagonist and Charles Fargason as the protagonist as if the case is that of a movie or a novel.
Ed Papazian has found that “the average household in the United States has a television turned on for almost eight hours a day” (McNeely 3). Ed Papazian has also found that a substantial amount of television being viewed by our country: “the average individual watch[es] it for approximately four hours a day” (McNeely 3). With that many hours of viewing, the media has become deeply influential in our culture. “Television penetrates almost 99 percent of the population” (McNeely 3). This can shape the opinions in our society. “ Research has suggested that a majority of people in the United States receive much of their impressions and knowledge of the criminal justice system through the media, especially through entertainment television viewing” (McNeely 3). For instance, big news channels such as CNN and Fox have reputations of shaping people’s opinions from one extreme to another. This can be compared to a news program reporting on a specific case, in which the reporters subtly force their opinions on the viewers. Most people do not have a good understanding of the criminal justice system for the reason that they do not have first-hand experience. Most citizens have never been convicted of a crime. Also, many citizens only have direct contact with the criminal justice system through jury duty. It can be argued that people suppose that they have a good understanding of the criminal justice system due to the media’s approach to presenting the news. “Most members of the population actually have few opportunities for direct interaction with the criminal justice system” (McNeely 2). The only interaction is through the media therefore, resulting in the media having much influence over the way people believe about any given issues.
The media does take part in an important role in today’s culture. It is heavily relied on because it is a great source for information. A lot of the information that we as a society retain, is from all the media outlets. The point is not to express that the media is not crucial for the society, but rather to demonstrate how the media can sometimes twist around specific aspects of cases or even politics for its own personal gain, without the consideration of the influential behaviors it holds. Is television coverage and constant updates about cases and worldly news important? Yes, it sure is, however, people are sometimes influenced unnecessarily in ways that they should not be.
Works Cited
McNeely, Connie. “Perceptions of The Criminal Justice System: Television Imagery and Public Knowledge in the United States.” Journal of Criminal Justice and Popular Culture 1070-8286(1995) 1-20. 28 Jan 2007 <http://www.albany.edu/scj/jcjpc/vol3is1/perceptions.html.>
Post, Audrey. “Slain girl’s dad believes child’s mom was involved.” The Macon Telegraph 28 September 1991, 1A.
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Nicholas Negroponte and VR
“VR can make the artificial as realistic as, and even more realistic than, the real” (Negroponte 116). “VR started as far back as 1968, when none other than Ivan Sutherland built the first head-mounted display system” (Negroponte 118). The military would use this interactivity to give the soldiers hands-on experience in times of attack. When Negroponte says that virtual reality can be more realistic than the real, he is making the point that with so many simulations being utilized, more scenarios can be looked at and prepared for. “In the simulator, a pilot can be subjected to all sorts of rare situations that, in the real world, could be impossible, could require more than a near miss, or could rip apart an actual plane” (Negroponte 117). With this technological advancement, virtual reality can be used as a more cost effective way of training than actually training in an expensive piece of aircraft, or any other type of machinery. For instance, a pilot can get more hours practicing at a cheaper cost for the government. Not only that, but it is a safety precaution. Instead of an amateur pilot controlling a real aircraft for the first time, he or she can control a simulator safely in all types of scenarios.
Not only can virtual reality be a beneficial source for training purposes, it can also be used for gaming. Gaming has become so advanced; virtual games are eagerly anticipated to the point of being expected. While VR may be too expensive at the moment, video game systems such as the Nintendo Wii and the XBOX360 have made much progress in the technological advancements of virtual gaming. These systems may not be the exact thing as virtual reality, but the graphics are advancing with almost every new system that arrives. VR may soon be apart of households all around the world. “Sega and Nintendo will also be extinct if they do not wake up to the fact that PCs are eating their lunch” (Negroponte 115). Nintendo did wake up with the Wii. It is a video game system that has motion sensitive controls. The Wii remotes can be used as extensions of the player’s hands and arms by duplicating the movements of a baseball bat, sword, or even golf club. Personal computers used to be too expensive for the average person to buy, but now computers have a place in millions of homes all over the world. This can be the same for virtual reality one day. Game systems have already made huge leaps towards virtual reality.
Virtual reality in many homes may be just around the corner for virtually every consumer. There are many advantages to this interactivity. It can be used for safety precautions, economic benefits, and gaming. This innovation created years ago is still advancing and will eventually become many of our everyday lives.
Negroponte, Nicholas. Being Digital. New York: Vintage Books, 1995.
Not only can virtual reality be a beneficial source for training purposes, it can also be used for gaming. Gaming has become so advanced; virtual games are eagerly anticipated to the point of being expected. While VR may be too expensive at the moment, video game systems such as the Nintendo Wii and the XBOX360 have made much progress in the technological advancements of virtual gaming. These systems may not be the exact thing as virtual reality, but the graphics are advancing with almost every new system that arrives. VR may soon be apart of households all around the world. “Sega and Nintendo will also be extinct if they do not wake up to the fact that PCs are eating their lunch” (Negroponte 115). Nintendo did wake up with the Wii. It is a video game system that has motion sensitive controls. The Wii remotes can be used as extensions of the player’s hands and arms by duplicating the movements of a baseball bat, sword, or even golf club. Personal computers used to be too expensive for the average person to buy, but now computers have a place in millions of homes all over the world. This can be the same for virtual reality one day. Game systems have already made huge leaps towards virtual reality.
Virtual reality in many homes may be just around the corner for virtually every consumer. There are many advantages to this interactivity. It can be used for safety precautions, economic benefits, and gaming. This innovation created years ago is still advancing and will eventually become many of our everyday lives.
Negroponte, Nicholas. Being Digital. New York: Vintage Books, 1995.
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Writing on McLuhan's The Medium is the Message
McLuhan states that “the medium shapes and controls the scale and form of human association and action.” “The content or uses of such media are as diverse as they are ineffectual in shaping the form of human association.” “Indeed, it is only too typical that the content of any medium blinds us to the character of the medium.”(McLuhan) So, the medium carries the message, which stores the content and without the medium there can be no content and therefore, eliminating the message?
I liked the example he gave of the electric light and baseball at night. McLuhan said that it can be argued that the night baseball could be the content and then he went on in saying that without the electric light, there would be no night baseball. This reiterates the point of without the medium, there can be no content. Although I can see this point, it is possible to play baseball at night without light. Someone may get hurt, but it can be done. But, does this point make the case for the other point? If there is no light (the medium) there can be no night baseball (the content), but if there is no light and there is night baseball, does this mean that the baseball in itself becomes the medium? Later on in the writing, McLuhan states that it is not till the electric light is used to spell out some brand name that it is noticed as a medium. Then it is not the light but the content, which is also another medium. (McLuhan)
So, the medium is the message. Our cell phones, computers, and even possibly the iPod’s are new media’s form of mediums. Without these, the messages or content that we receive are reduced. And just because we are in a culture of new media rather than old media, the concepts haven’t changed according to McLuhan. Without books, there can be no book content. The medium is the message.
I liked the example he gave of the electric light and baseball at night. McLuhan said that it can be argued that the night baseball could be the content and then he went on in saying that without the electric light, there would be no night baseball. This reiterates the point of without the medium, there can be no content. Although I can see this point, it is possible to play baseball at night without light. Someone may get hurt, but it can be done. But, does this point make the case for the other point? If there is no light (the medium) there can be no night baseball (the content), but if there is no light and there is night baseball, does this mean that the baseball in itself becomes the medium? Later on in the writing, McLuhan states that it is not till the electric light is used to spell out some brand name that it is noticed as a medium. Then it is not the light but the content, which is also another medium. (McLuhan)
So, the medium is the message. Our cell phones, computers, and even possibly the iPod’s are new media’s form of mediums. Without these, the messages or content that we receive are reduced. And just because we are in a culture of new media rather than old media, the concepts haven’t changed according to McLuhan. Without books, there can be no book content. The medium is the message.
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