Session 12

Today there were 5 groups presenting.

1. The future of Prosthetic
Interestingly, war is the factor that drives the research and development of this technology. In the past, prosthetic were used to provide a replacement to soldiers who have lost their limbs during combat. Much has improved since the first prosthetic was created. In the past, the prosthetic were made of wood. Compared to the present situation, where the materials used now are alloys that ensure that the prosthetic is light and portable. Moreover, there are more functions added to the prosthetic limbs. The arms for example are able to rotate 360 degrees around the wrist to make it look more like the actual arm. However, one problem that the group pointed out is that the user cannot control the amount of strength they exert while they hold items. This may lead to them destroying the items. A technology advances, users of prosthetic are able to have a sense of touch with the addition of mind controlled prosthetic. This also allows for better coordination. The group pointed out a good point that although, this technology may seem only accessible to the rich, over time, the cost of producing these prosthetic limbs will fall. Hence, the poor would still be able to access to it. Good and funny presentation!!

2. Trans humanism
The presentation was really interesting as i have not heard of this term before. Trans-humanism are when the humans are implanted with artificial prosthetic that enhances their ability.  This allows the disabled to be able to function normally as if they are normal. However, as technology is being used, sometimes the technology was so advanced that it gives the disabled a huge advantage that a normal human would not have.

3. Food for the future
The introduction to the presentation was really funny and relevant to the topic. The group then started to explore about the problem of world hunger. The situation is actually quite bad in countries like Africa and those underdeveloped countries where as many as 1 in 8 people go to bed hungry at night. There were a few ways in which the group proposed to eradicate world hunger. Currently, bio-technology, good food preservation techniques and agriculture are some methods that are implemented. Personally i feel that it is the wastage of food in wealthy nations that is worsening the problem of food shortage. If there was better food division, there would not be so many starving people in countries like Africa. This presentation also reminded me of the lesson where prof showed the video where farmers in India are committing suicide. Multinational companies are encouraging the use of genetically modified seeds and promised high yield of the crops.

4. Sex and advertising
This group focuses about how technology has affected advertising. They talked about the different types of advertisements. They mentioned that the advertisements are projected women as sex objects and some products have no relation to the advertisements whatsoever. I feel that these type of irresponsible advertisement would cause the a rise in problem of teenage pregnancy. Some advertisement also portray women as a weaker sex. This would give a wrong impression to young children. The future of advertisements are also interesting as there may be 3D advertisements.

5. Virtual reality
My group presented on virtual reality while focusing on 2 types simulation virtual reality and augmented reality. We looked at the current examples, future and implications of simulation virtual reality and augmented reality.

It is the last day of TWC lesson! I will miss the nice people i met there and I would always remember the things we learnt in class. Thank you for widening my horizon and helping me to understand the different perspectives! :)

Personal Rating: 10/10