I’ve decided to collate the blogpost for the previous
session and this last session together as both of the posts are about our group
presentations. The lessons learnt from them both are fairly similar and are not
mutually exclusive. In this final blogpost before the submission, I’m going to
pen down my thoughts and key takeaways for the whole course and the group
presentations.
Group Presentations:
The group presentations, aside from teaching us all how to
think from the side of the website reader had thought us that presenting using
websites is a whole different ball game. By working on the websites, it dawned
on me just how much of this great technology we’ve taken for granted. By being
able to present using videos, eye-catching graphics and carefully arranging our
text so as not to turn the reader off we were able to learn how the makers of
websites do it. Without realizing it, we’ve been exposed to an exciting and
practical new method of presenting data to other people. Nobody really mentions
it because many of us believe it’s common sense, but websites and website
design completely revolutionized the way we receive information in our
generation.
Technology aside, the group presentations had given us all
time to bond. All the long nights that we spent trying to get the website in
order (due to us needing to change topics at the 11th hour) gave us
opportunities to learn about each other and to grow closer. Among the many experiences
I gained from the Technology and World Change class, my group mates and friends
are among the most treasured.
[EDIT: I've added my feedback for the group presentations below]
Session 11’s groups
Futuristic Buildings
This group’s topic was on futuristic buildings. Their method
of breaking down the information was interesting, they split the info into 5
categories which were Speed, Sustainability, Susceptibility, Space and Smashing
Design. The group had done a lot of amazing and in-depth research into what is
necessary for the buildings of the future. What interested further was their
choice of an ocean home, which incorporated all of their 5 principles right
down to the way the home was powered. Overall, the website’s design is easy to
navigate and not cumbersome. Very well done to this group!
Clean Energy
The next group that presented had their case studies all
prepared. The one feature of this presentation that sets it apart from the
other groups is that a lot of effort went into the data collection. Their case
studies on the various methods of clean energy had details covered from the way
the energy was produced right down to the method’s shortcomings and detriments.
While the team’s presentation method and website came across as wordy and a
tad-long winded, their detailed studies on their subject matter is commendable.
Nanotechnology
Nanotechnology is a type of technology that shows much
promise. It is also a technology that has many possibilities and may come across
as a very broad topic. With that, kudos to the team that managed to package it
into a neat and simple to understand package in their website! Their emphasis
on the conventional future uses of nanotechnology especially in the field of
health was an eye-opener for me. Nanofibres? Usually whenever I think of
nanotechnology, the first (and usually only) thing that comes to mind are the
little nano-robots that move about getting things done at a molecular level. Aside
from the content regarding the background of the technology, their impacts
section is also quite detailed and comprehensive. The team was also able to
answer questions well and overall were quite prepared for the presentation.
Session 12’s groups
Mind-controlled prosthethics.
Here’s an interesting topic, mind-controlled prosthetics.
The group’s main focus was on the direction the world would take depending on
how prosthetics technology would be handled. They started with a brief look at
the history of prosthetics before bringing us up to speed with the current
developments in the prosthetics field. They brought up that DARPA had been able
to create the RE-NET interface that is actually able to convert nerve impulses
into computer commands that controls the prosthetic limbs; that is something
quite special. In their effects section, they brought up interesting points,
especially the ones on economic feasibility. On one hand, these prosthetics
would cost (pun not intended) an arm and a leg. On the other hand, 3D printing
helps to shave the costs of such technology to a mere fraction of the original!
We truly are living in a time of converging technology! Another interesting
point they brought up was that advancements in the prosthetics line could lead
to the development of robots. One of their opinions on this would be that
humankind may get lazy and let the robots do all the work. My perspective on
this would be that if the world’s population ends up being smaller and older,
these robots may play quite an integral role in society. Pretty good
presentation!
Transhumanism
Transhumanism is a concept where the human race augments
itself to transcend average humanity. The method of transceding the ordinary
chosen by this group was using hi-tech mechanical augmentations. I felt that
the main focus of this group’s website and presentation was very similar to
that of the prosthetics presentation, but theirs was different in the sense
that they looked at other methods of augmenting humanity such as ocular
implants and methods to enhance one’s cognitive abilities. I can imagine a
world where the rich happen to better off than the average person, not just
because of their economic standing but also physically and mentally. Money
really would translate to power of a literal kind where the richer you are, the
more powerful you can afford to be, in more ways than one. This group had
covered most of the grounds, touching on mental capabilities, physical ones
(arms, legs and exo-skeletons) and even eyesight. Overall, quite a relevant and
interesting presentation.
Food for the future
Food for the future appears to be a professionally made and
well-prepared website. It covers methods that are able to combat world hunger
such as biotechnology, agriculture and food preservation. There is logical consistency
in their approach as all the methods they list out are linked to their main
conclusion that world hunger can be eradicated with the help of technology.
Their quality of research is there as their data is well presented, concise and
to the point. Well done!
Sex and advertising
Now this is something that nobody expected. I never would
have imagined a link between sex and advertising and the fact they managed to
pull it off and make it relevant to the course is simply mind-blowing! Their
link was that technology had made advertising possible along with the
implications of using technology this way. They wrapped up with how technology
may be able to advance the use of these advertising methods and what’s in store
for us for the future of these things. It was quite an illuminating experience
as they even touched on some of the basics of advertising theories and their
(obvious) social effects. One thing I found rather interesting in their
presentation was the ability for billboards in the future to identify the age
of their viewers, allowing the billboards to display the right ad to the right
person at any given moment. Google ideas anyone? Congratulations to this team!
Virtual reality
Our group presented this topic. What can I say? I thought
that our approach worked as we managed to touch on the present applications of
both virtual and augmented reality. We also moved on to talk about the future
uses of the two technologies and what effects we can expect from these two.
Overall, it was all quite fun!
That’s all for my feedback on the websites and presentations
for our TWC groups. Since we won’t be seeing each other this way anymore, all I
can say now is keep up the good work and all the best in all of your endeavors
in the future! J
The Course:
The TWC course itself helped me to start learning to read
between the lines. I used to be a person who was hung up with details and would
allow the small things to derail me off the main point. The things that used to
interest me would be “How does it work?” rather than “Imagine the
possibilities!” The course had shown us that most of us didn’t really have the
right mindset when approaching technology. It’s time to ask “Why Not?” instead
of “Why should we?” It’s time to see how everything adds up to the big picture
instead of getting lost; not seeing the forest from the trees.
By taking this class, I had forced myself into a paradigm
shift. If I was going to contribute something in class it had better be
interesting and thought-provoking. I had to see the big picture of whatever it
was that we did, whether it was the questions pitched in class or the readings
we had to do everyweek. While I never actually reached this level during the
course, it’s still a long-term goal that I’ll be working towards, even if there
isn’t class participation rewards for doing so.
Another key takeaway of the class would be the rising and
falling star categories. It just goes to show that to be successful, one must
be aware of one’s actions and thoughts. If we were to push away any and all
opportunities to reinvent ourselves, if we continue to resist change and think
that the way we do things is fine, we will be swallowed by time. If we remain
humble, learn from others, dare to experiment and dare to fail, we will have a
bright future ahead. In this situation Steve Jobs famous quote comes to mind “Stay
Hungry, Stay Foolish.”
The requirement of blogposting forces us to think back and
reflect on what we learned in class (thus my blog’s name). It required us to
think of fancy ways of getting our ideas across even if very few people are
going to read them.
Overall, I know that this class has been a challenging and
enlightening class. Possibilities for change are everywhere. Every problem is
an opportunity for change. When you see the world suffering one way ask not “Why
does the world have to suffer?” Ask “Why don’t we do something about it?”
I’ll also take this opportunity to also say how much I
appreciate the hard work and effort put in by the Professor Gurinder Shahi and
the Teacher’s Assistant, Victor Looi.
Have a blessed year and all the best for the finals
everyone!
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