Black Glass

In our last class we discussed the episode “15 Million Merits” from the Black Mirror television series.  The lives of the people living in the world of “15 Million Merits” interact with a screen on a daily basis for a majority of their lives.  It is the norm in their world and does not seem to be something that is very exciting.  After class I came across this article on my Twitter feed.  It is discussing how interactive glass surfaces and touchscreens will be the way of the future.  This reminded me instantly of the Black Mirror episode.   The way that this article is presented along with the assurance of the video, makes it seem that we soon may be living our lives in a similar way; always attached to a screen.  However, in the television show this seemed like a bad reality but in the article and video it seems like an exciting future.

This second video is also mentioned in the article above.  It is the first part of Corning’s “A Day Made of Glass” series.  While the technology in these videos seems amazing and the host seems charming and honest, I wonder what the intentions behind the video actually are.  The videos are produced by Corning Incorporated who manufactures the glass and technology which they are showing off.  They are obviously trying to show what they are working on and how amazing this technology of the future will be.  But I have a hard time seeing this technology fully incorporated into our lives anytime soon.  I believe that this technology, incorporated into households and everyday lives, may be in the future but a future that is very distant.

So what do you think?  Is this kind of technology a bad reality hurtling towards us or a bright new future full of limitless possibilities?

IRL?

IRL – In Real Life

In our last class we were discussing video games and how they differ from real life situations, especially those which deal with war or fighting using weapons.  Using these weapons in video games and the situations that are presented seem fun and challenging but with no real risk to the players’ real life.  However, in real life these combat situations can in fact be very intense and have deadly consequences.  So, just how much do these games affect the way that we live our lives?  Are we desensitized?  I found some interesting examples of this.

The first one is a music video I remember seeing a while ago and immediately thought of.  The premise of the video is kids playing with toy guns.  However, it is much more than just that.  The kids, who all appear to be under 10, are recorded playing and recreating very adult and intense situations.  To make this more real, effects have been added in to make it look more like a video game.  There is copious amounts of blood splatter and smoke.  The most shocking part of this video is the age of the kids.  It makes me wonder if they even realize what they were filming.

The second video is similar to the first in that a real life situation is being dramatized and effects have been added.  In the same way it makes a gun battle seem fun in a video-game-like situation.  There is also a futuristic element to the “dubstep” weapons being used.  The video is a bit of of parody on the genre of dubstep music, but nonetheless it is still interesting to look at and a great video to watch.

Both of these videos show how “real life” and the virtual world are merging.  We use our imaginations to play games as kids, but once special effects are added it becomes something else entirely.  We can now imagine in a whole new space which is limitless. Now the question is, will these two worlds really merge in the future or has it already begun?

Turn Me On

turn·on verb  \ˈtərn\ \ˈȯn, ˈän\  – 1: to activate or cause to flow, operate, or function by or as if by turning a control  2: to excite sexually
(Merriam-Webster)

This music video deserves its very own post.  It brings up many questions regarding technology, robots, and society.  The technology being portrayed in this video is steampunk where David Guetta is creating, essentially, robots which look like mannequins or plastic Barbie dolls.

 

In the beginning of the video as his singing creation is coming alive, Nicki Minaj sings the lyrics: “Make me come alive, come on and turn me on.”  Before watching this music video and simply listening to the song, these lyrics take on a sexualized meaning.  But in the context of this music video these lyrics now have a double meaning.  David Guetta is literally making this robot of Nicki Minaj “come alive” and he is working to “turn her on” so that she can function as a living being.

Once the creation is finished Minaj walks through a gate singing “Oh you make it, make it right.”  She continues to walk down a street lined with more mannequin-looking robots. They all stare at her with jealousy as she looks different, and assumedly, more beautiful than them.  Perhaps her lyrics here allude to how she was made “right” as compared to the others.  She continues walking and sings, “If I scream, if I cry it’s only ’cause I feel alive”.  Still alluding to her existence as a robot and continuing on the double meaning of the lyrics.

The other robot-mannequins are now very jealous and go to attack their creator, Guetta, for making them so inferior to Minaj.  It is revealed that he is not completely human as well, but some sort of robot. Minaj then escapes as the robot-mannequins chase after her.

This video raises questions about robots and the ever popular theme of a robot revolution. Will robots start making other robots?
Will they fight with each other or have emotions such as jealousy?
Will they be able to tell that one is more advanced than the other?
Will they rebel against themselves?

Overall, a very interesting and recent commentary on robots and technology through the medium of a music video.  This video was released only a few days ago on January 31st, 2012.  This really emphasizes how popular and exciting the idea of technology and a robot revolution is.  The idea keeps being replayed over and over again in the popular media and popular culture.