Diversity

The diversity seminar was very entertaining. Unlike most seminars I have been to, it was able to keep my attention. I thought the ways in which she conducted the activities, in order to keep the audience involved was very cool. I would have never thought to do something like that. She seemed to know alot about what she was talking and sure of what she had to say. I wish all seminars were as easy to enjoy as this one was. Over all I was very satisfied with the presentation.

Futurist Response #2

In Genetics We Trust

“They used to say that a child conceived in love has a greater chance of happiness. They don't say that anymore.” If the things that both James Martin and David Freedman wrote about came true, then this quote could possibly become the norm. This quote, from the movie Gattaca, serves as a great example of what could possibly happen in the near future if the biological and genetic advances in science continue in the same direction. In the movie, genetic engineering of humans is common and DNA plays the primary role in determining social class. Though Martin said, “In reality, at least for the next few decades, the most effective forms of human modification will not be genetic” we must not put genetic alteration out of the realm of possibility (Martin 196).

Throughout both readings, all I could think about were the possible implications of what all of this new science/technological innovation could bring. If people today could, before having a child, choose the traits that they wanted their children to exhibit then the repercussions could be catastrophic. As Freedman said human beings would be like “show dogs and racehorses – [having someone else]…decide which” traits to pass on and which traits to eliminate, “in order to improve the breed” (Freedman 189).

This scientific innovation of “tailor-made…genes” could lead to a number of good things such as children being born with fewer and fewer genetic diseases (Freedman 192). If we could reduce the possibility of diseases such as Down syndrome, Turner’s, and such, many people’s lives could be better. However some might say that this could lead to a G-d complex. This could contribute to humans trying to play G-d thus fate would not play an important part in genetic makeup. The advancements in science/technology could also lead to a homogonous species. If people could choose the traits that they wanted their children to have, such as eye and hair color, height, weight, intelligence, athletic ability, then most people are going to choose what has been put in front of them in the media. Television dictates the physical traits that we desire and as such, people would be more inclined to choose those same traits for their own children. As a result of this, the next generation could become more and more similar, leading to an increasingly homogonous population. Taking this theory even further, it could be said that this could lead to less natural talent.

In all reality, it makes sense that most people would want their children to be the best that they can be. As this holds true it can be said then that most people, if given the choice, whether or not to make their child smarter or more athletic in general most people would do it. With everyone being the ‘same’ and nobody being unique, everyone would be on a level playing field. If more and more of the ‘newly created’ generation were smarter and more athletic, then those who are naturally smart or athletic no longer exist. We would have no Michael Phelps, Michael Jordan, or Albert Einstein. This would go against the survival of the fittest theory. The strongest would no longer be weeded out, just their genes would be. Which in effect could lead to overpopulation.

Overpopulation in India is a great example of the effects of the existing scientific/technological advance made in genetics. In India, though, social reform has swept the nation; women are still not regarded as equal to men. There are still many arranged marriages. In arranged marriages, the female’s family is expected to pay a dowry to the male’s family, making female children more expensive. Men are also thought to be superior, and for these two reasons girls are unwanted. So when even technology as arbitrary as ultrasounds was introduced in India a major problem was created. With the population growing faster and faster, and more and more of the population being made up of women and not men, the ultrasound was a way of changing this. What started to happen was when women would find out that they were pregnant with a girl and not a boy, and either they already had a girl or could not afford to have a girl (dowry) or just did not want a girl due to the social stigma, they would abort the baby. This has become a major political issue in India today. People are turning to abortion as a solution to the problem of having a daughter. This is a great example of how even the best intentions for the greatest advancements in technology can have negative effects.

All advancements in science/technology, in my opinion, started out with the best intentions. Even with the ultrasound example, though it is used in the wrong way in some cases, it is still used to help many people. There is a good and bad side to anything. One of the defining quotes used in Martin’s paper can be used to explain why, though many negative results may occur from innovations, we still keep on innovating. “We’re not defined by our limitations. We’re defined by the fact that we are the species that seeks to extend beyond our limits”(Martin 197). This quote is the epitome of scientific innovation. Without us wanting to take science further and further, nothing would ever be accomplished. It is human nature to want to be better and better and naturally stretching the boundaries or limits of science goes hand in hand with innovation. This quote from Gattaca shows again how extreme things can get “I'll never understand what possessed my mother to put her faith in God's hands, rather than her local geneticist.” After thinking about this movie, I think Martin does bring up the fundamental question, “Should we, or should we not, use technology to fundamentally modify the human creature” (Martin 197)?

Futurist Response #1 - Go Green

Fell the Urgency

I have never really considered myself an environmental nut. After reading just the first page of this book though, it reinforced my belief that we need and should do everything that we are capable of doing to improve our current situation, with specific reference to our current environmental problems.

In the beginning of James Martin’s The Meaning of the 21^st Century, Martin touches on how in the near future if we do not drastically change the way in which we use (or waste) our resources then we could be in grave danger, not only as a country but also as an entire planet. In the more recent years I have heard this more and more. It has become more of a hot topic in society today. People are now being educated on practices, which could greatly help sustainability in the future.

After reading the first couple pages of Martin’s book, I was quickly reminded of my AP Environmental class. In the class we were educated on the effects we had on the planet. One specific activity that we did that truly put into perspective the effects that we have on the world was calculating our carbon footprint. We were told to record the amount of time spent using various items such as phones, computers, vacuums, dishwashers, refrigerators, and freezers. Once this was done we were told to use this information to calculate the amount of energy it took to do our everyday activities. Along with this came the amount of unnecessary energy used in our homes. While doing this I not only learned how much I was using and wasting but I also was able to understand the cost financially of what I do everyday. We were able to see the amount of carbon we were using and how this affects the planet. If we used ourselves as the average person or model and multiplied our carbon use by the amount of people there are on the planet it was calculated that all of the resources might be gone by now, and it would take 3.4 earths to sustain us. After thinking about this Martin’s quote, “Sooner or later, we must realize that we have to live within the planet’s means” really hit home (page 11). We need to take into account that we are not the only people on the planet. We need to be aware that by protecting the environment we are not just helping ourselves, but we are also helping future generations.

This activity portrayed the environment in an entirely new light. I had an understanding for how much I was using and wasting, but never the extent to which I was doing it. In this class we also were able to see how advanced the environmental problem is in today’s society. Though many people might not show or voice their concern it is definitely there. While discussing the environment in class the big debate over water consumption and use came up. While thinking back about this it made be think about Sarah’s article the she presented in class on Thursday. If we were able to financially manufacture a filter that could create clean and safe drinking water out of any liquid, we could solve so many problems that have been plaguing the environment. It could possibly mean a world where everyone could have access to water. In general like Martin has mention in various ways, if we were able to invent technology along the same lines as the filter, we could and would be able to help the planet in more ways than one. With these new innovations in technology we would be able to solve more of the environmental problems that we have today. Like for example carbon emissions from cars buildings and other various sources.

One of the other various programs that we also discussed in our environmental science was the carbon emission program. We discussed how the government is now taking more action to create programs to prevent carbon emissions from becoming even worse, such as the cap and trade program. The program just says that there is a limit on the amount of carbon a company can produce and if they go over they are penalized, and the companies that do not use their entire quota can sell their shares to larger companies. This is all done to maintain a balance of pollution. With these programs being implemented we can make a huge difference, which is what I believe Martin is conveying throughout his entire book. If people looked at the situation objectively then we might be in a better situation than we are in now.

With our country the way it is today and with the way things are progressing, if we don’t do something soon it might be too late. We need to feel the urgency. We need to see the importance. With new technologies such as the water filter discussed in Sarah’s article, we could make the planet a better place. As corny as it might sound we just need everyone to go green.

Summary #1

Computer Security Threats

The techniques and behaviors the hackers employ to gain personal information are constantly changing to find weaknesses, so they can avoid getting caught. In the textbook Operating Systems: Internals and Design Principles (Chapter 14) the author, William Stalling, goes into great detail about computer security threats. Stalling addresses every detail possible, as to ensure that no question is left unanswered. However if a closer look is taken at this chapter, it is easy to see that, in order to truly understand ‘how hackers hack’ only a few important details are needed. In this chapter, Stallings was able to successfully address security threats through identifying the classifications of people who hack and the various programs they use to do so.

In today’s society, people talk of hackers extensively, as they are interwoven into our everyday lives. Though most know the general concept, few can go into detail about the subject. Stallings effectively explains the term in detail; he states that there are two major classes of intruders: Masquerader and Misfeasor. A masquerader is a person who is not authorized to use a certain computer, but “penetrates” the system to exploit the, “legitimate” user’s account (Page 643). Masquerader hackers are generally outsiders who have to gain access to the computer from an outside source. In contrast, a Misfeasor hacker is a legitimate user who accesses data, programs, or other information that they are allowed to access, but misuses their privileges. Misfeasor hackers are usually insiders who already have access, but who misappropriate preexisting access to the computer system.

Once Stallings set a basis for what the different classifications of intruders are, he was then able to easily transition into the various programs that hackers employ to ‘hack’. The major programs that hackers use to gain access to sensitive information are viruses, worms, and Trojan horses. Although there are many other programs that can be used to gain access into computer systems, these three are the best known and the most used.

Viruses as Stallings defines them are programs that can infect other programs by modifying them; this includes, “injecting” the original program with instructions to make copies of the program, which then creates a chain reaction of infecting more and more programs (Page 651). Worms are similar to a virus, in that, they replicate, however instead of spreading inside the computer, it replicates and sends copies from computer to computer via network connections, thus affecting more computers. The last major ‘hacker’ program utilized is a Trojan horse. It is defined as a useful program containing a “hidden code” that, when opened, performs an unwanted or harmful function (Page 649). These various programs that hackers use to gain entry to a computer allow them to access and obtain sensitive information such as credit card numbers, social security numbers, and other personal/private information.

As time and technology progress more advanced ways of obtaining this personal information will come about. However without the fundamental understanding of how a virus, worm, or Trojan horse work it will become increasingly difficult to keep up with the hackers, who so far always seem to be one step ahead. The objective of the intruder is to gain access to a system. Intruders can gain access to a system by exploiting vulnerabilities that the computer system has. By understanding the ways in which ‘hackers hack’ such as: how worms work, how a virus replicates, or how a Trojan horse virus is used, a better understanding for ways to prevent identity theft, credit card theft, and other such crimes can be obtain,

Stallings, William. "Computer Security Threats". Operating Systems: Internals and Design Principles . 6th . 2009.

Response to The World is Flat #3

The Awkward Conversation

In chapter 14 of his novel, The World Is Flat, Friedman was able to point out how innovations in technology could potentially effect us in ways never thought of before. He brings up the point that we use all of this new technology to buffer us from having to make real human connections. We use it as an excuse to not have the awkward ‘getting to know someone’ conversation. If these tendencies continue they have the potential to hurt us socially, and will inevitably lead to our isolation.

Friedman starts off with a story about how he got in a taxi in Paris, and after he gave the driver his address, not another word was spoken. “Between the two of [them, they] had been doing six different things. There was only one thing [they] never did: talk to each other” (Page 516). With all of this technology that was created to help us, to facilitate mundane everyday tasks, we have lost the innate connection that we have with people. I specifically recall being on a flight to Colorado to visit my aunt and uncle. On the plane I sat next to an elderly woman, who must have been in her early 70s or 80s. As soon as we took off I plugged in and was listening to my iPod and reading this very book, The World Is Flat, and I would occasionally glance over and if our eyes met we would exchange a polite smile. Wanting to take a break from reading I took off my headphones and no sooner had I taken out my headphones out then she started to strike up a conversation with me. Though I politely obliged I would have been happier just listening to my music and learning more about technology. I am the first to admit that I would be most comfortable just going about my own business. Whenever I go to New York and ride on the subway or have to fly on an airplane, I am the first one to plug in to my technology and tune out all others. I don’t want to have to have the awkward conversation with the person next to me. I don’t want to tell them my life story, I just want to get where I am going. This may seem like a strange concept or rude to most, but due to isolation spurred by technology, it may soon become the norm for my generation.

Friedman especially caught my attention when he explained shutting people out (people taking phones out, so they don’t have to talk to people at the ski cabin) inevitably leads to online dating. When people shut each other out, “no wonder people have to do online dating” (Page 518). Though this may seem as a stretch, I immediately saw the connection. I had never seen it this way before, but it all made sense. I remember when I went to the airport to pick up my little sister, we were in the car and she started to tell me how she met this boy, and how they had so much in common. I just remember thinking to myself how weird this was, you never see people talking on planes, everyone is zoned out and doing their own thing. I can barely remember, as bad as it might seem, the last time I engaged in conversation with the person next to me. After reading this passage in the book, every time I would see a match.com commercial I would yell at the television, “well you might have met them if you had just looked around and talked to people.” I remember one commercial in particular; it showed a couple that lived down the street from each other and they never even took the time to introduce themselves. Ironically once they were matched on match.com, they knew it was meant to be and lived happily ever after. It says a lot about our culture and what technology has done when it takes the Internet to tell us that we should or should not talk to people. This goes for not only dating sites but also many other Internet applications.

Technology today and how it is progressing also has a direct effect on our self-confidence. Socially, this affects us in more ways than one. This lack of self-confidence could also explain why we are no longer willing to talk to people next to us, and why we wait to get home and sit at our computers and do it. I know personally that I am more willing to confront someone via text message, e-mail, facebook, or various other similar products rather than a face-to-face conversation. With this becoming the case for more and more people, this could unintentionally affect everything from how we hangout and talk to friends to how businesses are run. And with the way technology is advancing, it might happen sooner than we think.

Though we want peace and quiet when we work and study, when people are around we need to socialize and get to know them and their cultures. If people had never talked or gotten to know each other then the culmination of ideas that melded America would have never happened. With the new advancements being made in technology today, our only hope to maintain the social connection we have with people is to take out our headphones and talk to people. Though this might be awkward or uncomfortable to us, it is integral to social survival.