Understanding New Media: Chapters 47-49

Chapter 47 involves virtual reality and simulations. VR is described as "any medium that imitates another medium"and "an environment hat is simulated by a computer". VR technology fulfills these definitions through the use os special stereoscopic googles and speakers in order to encompass all the users senses to create the illusion of a realistic environment. This is a powerful aspect of VR because when you are immersed in the program, you are not simply an observer but a participant. This interactive nature of VR has led to the creation of RPG games and VR reality platforms.
Chapter 48 describes robots as a "hybrid technology consisting of a computer and a electromechanical mechanism that can automatically perform tasks. The creation of robots, bots, and agents have made many tasks much easier and safer for humans. The use of robots has played a huge role in space exploration as well.
Similar to robots is the creation of Artificial Intelligence and Expert systems. Weak AI is defined as the use of computers to perform automated tasks that need human intelligence. On the other hand, there is strong AI which is an area of research working on ways to make computers intelligent beyond human capacity. This is difficult or impossible to achieve given that AI are only extensions of our own intelligence. A human cannot create something that is beyond them.

Chapters 47-49

Chapter 47 talks about the most recent discussion we had in class known as Virtual Realities and simulations.  Wikipedia defines virtual reality as “an environment that is simulated by a computer.”  Based on the picture in class that professor Strate showed us, virtual reality is like a video game, in that a headpiece is worn showing objects and backgrounds that are not seen in real reality.  Although this type of technology has been around for a few decades, progress with it has not been extremely fast.  The immersion that you are in while using virtual reality makes the experience feel so real.  Many of the uses for virtual reality involve games and role-playing.  The most important part of virtual reality that we discussed in class was the article named “A Rape in Cyberspace.”  Although we did not read it in class, one of my communication professors last semester had us read it.  The debate will most likely never be solved, claiming if it is considered rape if the person in the virtual reality has severe emotional side effects?

     Chapter 48 discusses robots, bots, and agents.  A robot is a hybrid technology containing a computer and an electromechanical mechanism that automatically performs tasks.  Although this seems like a far-fetched idea, robots are more common in households more and more.  One example is the robot vacuum, which vacuums on its own without the help of anyone but for the “on” button.  But the most useful of the robots is used for space exploration.  Instead of sending people into space, robots are completely capable of being sent and are capable of taking many pictures.  A bot is a software agent (proactive and reactive computer software).  Artificial intelligence is used by chatterbots, which stimulate human conversation.  One bif company that has used bots is Google, which is why Google is such a great and successful company.

     Chapter 49 discusses artificial intelligence and expert systems.  AI is the use of computers to automatically perform tasks requiring human intelligence.  AI is also use for sophisticated tasks in which judgment is required.  An example is a program that has been taught to make inferences for a given set of data in a particular problem domain.  The Web is a form of AI because it is a storehouse of information and human knowledge, having over 100 million websites.

Logan, Chaps..47-49

There are many different ways to display virtual reality. The one that I found most interesting was the "CAVE", which was a cube where images were posted on every side making the environment completely immersive. Self driving cars or Mariner Rovers have made it easier to snap pictures on Mars or discover a world that could not be seen before. All of these advancements only lead to the yearning of more and more knowledge. Creations like the bot have revolutionized the use of technology and the WEB. We can search for information without the help of any outside source or aid of any human being. It is the bots sole duty to connect you with information that you are seeking. These bots are only as efficient as any intelligent or well practiced web surfer. Without a form of AI or artificial intelligence we will always have to be well versed in what we are doing, but with AI all information would become more of a hands on guide instead of an encyclopedia. There are many critics of Artificial Intelligence and the dangers it can bring, but putting the movies aside all of this has only created more good through out society. Jimmy Wales, the founder of Wikipedia, applauds googles' accomplishments as a web browser and hopes to create a similar version by entering information that is essential to the user. With individuals like Jobs, Wales, and Alan Kay are world of technology will flourish and hopefully continue in the advancement of helping people through out all parts of their daily lives