Human Genome Project & its Controversy

An international research effort to sequence and map all of the genes (genome) of humans. Since the start of the Human Genome Project's establishment, thousands of genetic disorders have been linked to their specific gene sequences allowing for specific, helpful treatments and allowed us to better understand our genetics as a whole. In accordance with this, the "good" genes can be separated from the "bad" genes. However, the ethical controversy lies with this mindset in the sense that, who is really the decider or which genes are "good" and which genes are "bad"? For example, in a highly, extreme, conservative time period, could different sexual preferences be considered a "bad gene" and have our personal genome altered? The Human Genome Project tries to address the situations and enforce regulations accordingly as discussed in this link. 

Why So Few?

Women, technology, and science are often words that people do not normally put together and has a social stigma around it. People do not think women are smart enough to go into these fields, but there are a few who are extremely intelligent and very successful with it. But why so few? Here is an article about women in science and engineering.  It talks about why there are so few women in the field and promoting women to get interested in it. 

  

Women and Eugenics

This article is a web of different topics on feminism and how they all connect to each other, then lead to one major discussion. This article is important to read and become educated on it. I like this article in particular because it gives a different perspective on women and their roles. It summarizes the key components about eugenics and gives a good explanation. Everyone should take a look!!  

Aspects of Modern Totalitarianism

Totalitarianism is a political system "in which the state holds total authority over the society and seeks to control all aspects of public and private life wherever possible." In today's world, where society is essentially self-controlled by the means of technology, it would be rather easy to carry out a totalitarianism regime just by controlling the population's technology usage. Technology surrounds us in our everyday lives, representing who we are and where we live. If the government were to get there hands on technological use and control, the people could be completely controlled and mentally manipulated, in my opinion. All online activity and exchanges of personal matters through virtual means would be absolutely controlled and overseen by the government. However, because we as people, prioritize the usage of technology so highly, we would likely be okay with this degree of monitoring as long as we continued to have access to the virtual world in general.

This image of the world map represents the many countries in the world that censor internet websites and applications such as FaceTime (on your iPhone) and YouTube. As you can see, the western countries force little to no censorship upon the people (represented by green). All other colors represent various degrees of censorship with pink representing the strongest level of censorship. where a large portion of content in several categories is blocked, without any say from the large populations living within. I feel as though this is representative of totalitarianism nature and can lead to larger conflict if the people are not able to be independent and make their own choices even in the simplest ways, like using YouTube. North Korea is a prime example of a totalitarianism regime where there is absolute, total control of all media and access to Internet. In a world so dependent on technology, we must be consciously aware of our rights and enforce the representation of the people, especially as we are Americans. 

                  Totalitarianism & Technology 

                               

A totalitarian society includes aspects of both a dictatorial and centralized civilization. But did you know that totalitarian is still very much alive in today's world? Technology is one of few advancements that has become critical to the daily lives of civilians on a global standpoint. The media utilizes the internet to spread stories and more often times then not, false propaganda. Countries much like our own, enjoy the freedoms of being able to have current events within arms reach. Yet an argument can be made that we are ONLY able to see or interpret what the government ALLOWS us to depict. Many Americans have no knowledge of the horrific events that occurred in Panama during the late 1980s, that is now being deemed as the "Panama Deception." Not everything is what it may be made out to be; and though we may enjoy rights as Americans such as freedom of speech and press, we are still subjected to a totalitarian government. Down below is a video link for a more in depth detailing of the Panama Deception; being that this may still be "news" to so many and a demonstration of the society that we live in today. 

The Panama Deception : 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zo6yVNWcGCo

Totalitarianism - Total control of a country

*Week 7
Totalitarianism was born in the 1920's. This is when authority was in complete control and abused their power. Not only did they have total control of the country they had total control over the mind. They used propaganda throughout mass media to get the people on their side and to think it was ok. They did succeed with their power too, below there is a picture of a cartoon showing how the brainwashing worked and people fell for what the leaders were saying. There is no individual freedom under this control, they swept away all the social, legal and political traditions. It was sad how it became cult-like and nobody stood up for themselves and spoke out for the people. Everyone kept quiet, for example when Hitler was in power and created dozens of concentration camps. These were happening in the backyards of the village people. They calmed they did not hear, see or smell what was going on. Were they too scared to stand up or were they brainwashed into thinking it did not happen?  



    

Technology against Humanity?

*Week 6 pt.2
Coming across this passage it does not fall into any weekly topic we have had. But this is such a great article to read because it fits well in the class argument. I think it is important to be able to recognize what technology is doing to us. Even though we are living within this horrible society, at least we know it is bad. Most people do not realize their lives are slowly being taken over.

Is Empathy Innate?

This article discusses the biological and psychosocial aspects that play a role in the presence of the ability to feel empathy for others. So many horrible things have taken place in history relating to death, torture and mistreatment. One may think, how is it possible to partake in such terrible acts as a human? Do they lack empathy? Have they lost their ability to empathize or did they never have it? Violence should be eradicated with the positive human social interaction and morality, but it is not this way, unfortunately. 

Technology & Warfare: Social Media & Terrorism

In today's world, technology (specifically social media and instant technology) has a huge impact on the lives of every person (regardless of age). It can be understood that the best/most effective way to influence a massive population would be via technology. Perhaps, this is why terrorist organizations like ISIS are using social media to recruit young adults all over the world. It is concerning to see how heavily people can be manipulated by social media and virtual communication. This article highlights the various ways that they are able to connect to people as young as 13 years old in countries such as the United States, Canada, England, Spain, etc. ISIS recruiters are advanced in their abilities to get close to and essentially "brainwash" people by befriending them and persuading them through media such as Twitter and Facebook. It's scary to see how our own digital, personal platforms can be used against us and ultimately determine your morals.

                             Technological Warfare    

 

                                                          

Throughout time we as a civilization have thrived through technological advances. So much so that we have begun to utilize for military purposes. Correction; we have always utilized technology throughout military warfare, but as we progress there is seemingly no limitation as to what can be achieved, and how technology can be used as weapons. I found an article that perfectly highlights and compares mans' desire to to use technology for war-like means throughout history, and urge those who find this blog to take a look. The article served to give me a better understanding of technological warfare, and how man may be on a path destined for their own self-inflicted destruction. 

The Article: New Technologies and Warfare 

Was I "I, Robot" correct about our future?

Yesterday's talk about technology's impact on our relationships and how it will severely affect warfare, human sensitization and society in general made me think about how the media depicts technology. There have been many films romanticizing the concept of humans and robotics (i.e., cyborgs, transformers, robots)
"I, Robot" is a 2004 dystopian, science-fiction, action film starring Will Smith setting in 2035 where America is primarily dependent on robots and robotic technology for mundane human tasks like getting groceries, cleaning the house and running other errands. Will Smith's character, Spooner, is skeptical of the robots because he believes that with enough advancement of technology, they may have the ability to take over and rule the nation with aggression and lack of emotion. Nobody believes him because they are blinding by the degree of comfort and convenience that comes with the robots (technology's positive advancements that are seen in positive light always).
I believe that the robots represent the degree to which humans can possibly become desensitized with the aid of technology advancements. With enough dependency on modern technology, we as humans lose the ability to feel emotion and properly register when things are wrong and immoral.
Later in the plot of the movie, Spooner turns out to be right about the robots as certain robots have corrupt malware causing them to have the ability to inflict harm on the human species, even though their software says that they should not be able to do that. They begin to create robotic clans against the human species causing chaos and destruction. Ultimately, we can learn from this that we should not be so dependent on technology that it blinds us from seeing the clear truth. We should not let technology desensitize us and strip us of our emotions, feelings and ability to empathize with one another.

Technology and Warfare

*Week 6
When I was searching around, I came across this article on Live Science. This talks about topics and starts with The Evolution of War, Drones, Fly-By-Wire technology, Submarines, Tomahawk Missiles, Stealth Aircraft, Space Weapons, and Nulcear Weaopns. It gives a summary on how each of these technologys are used. This is a extremely helpful article becasue it gives dates and reasons to why these inventions are helpful to warfare. You guys should check it out and let me know what you think! I think it was a well structed article.


https://www.jstor.org/stable/30011834?seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents


  

The New Nationalism

This article highlights the implications of Trump's America-only political stance, and how this new form of nationalism could endanger our country, as well as other nations worldwide.

http://www.economist.com/news/leaders/21710249-his-call-put-america-first-donald-trump-latest-recruit-dangerous