In order to even begin to pass a Tourig Test, I feel like a computer would yes, need to have an extensive knownledge of the human dialect (all languages, grammatical rules, etc) but there would have to be so much more than that. For instance, I can detect sarcasam. I can understand humor, and I can get "vibes" from people I talk to on AIM or facebook or any other computer based communication tool. A computer would have to be able to understand and process all of those things just to begin to even pass a Turig test. I guess that means that I am saying it would need to understand or at least be able to process human emotion, which is going to be a problem, seeing as how most humans have little or no control over that aspect of their lives. In addition to that, it would also need to understand common sense. I don't want to ask a computer if i should drive my car into the lake, and have it say yes. I see that being something that might almost be impossible to program into a computer. Another thing, that I mentioned earlier, is humor. Just like I wouldnt want the computer to tell me to drive into a lake, if I made a joke about doing the same thing, I would expect it to understand that I was joking and respond approprietly.
But on the other end, if the computer was too smart, that also would be a problem. I feel like asking a computer a really difficult question, and getting a immediate answer would give everything away. But how do you do that? How smart is too smart? I mean i know that know alot about music, and could give you a list of the top 100 billboard hits of 1971, but couldn't tell you what year the Crusades were fought. How can you create a thought process like that?
Basically, and yes, I know this is completely naive and juvinile, but unless a computer can communicate with me like a C-3PO or an I-Robot, then I am not falling for it. After the discussion we had in class, I dont even see how it would be possible to create a computer that could pass the class. Humans are SO complex, and we dont even understand it. Just trying to understand the intelligence and skill a PERSON would have to have to create a computer that could pass that test blows my mind. It does interest me to hear though, that the thought of a humanoid robot/computer program may only be 10-15 years off. That is a pretty big deal.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Education
-The digital divide is a problem in education for several reasons, the most important being the lack of internet and technological access in many parts of the country. (mainly those in minority and lower income regions) If people are not trained or educated on how to use computers and the internet from a younger age, they will become lost once they get to the work place in our incresingly technology based society. So there is an issue there. The other issue is in communitys where there ARE computers avalible to be a part of the education experiance. Who is going to teach it? People are still learning to use computers and operate in this culture we have going on right now, and I know for a fact, that many of the teachers in elementary school are often more computer illiterate than the students they are trying to teach. Who is going to teach the teachers? Interesting.
Government
-I thinkthe biggest problem in government in terms of the digital divide will eventually be voting. Yes, it will not be an issue for a while I think, it seems like there are a lot of bugs to work out in that system, but eventually I am almost positive that voting will be done completely electronically and online. This will cause problems for people who again, do not have access to the internet or computers, and also will open up the game for hackers and all kinds of things to go wrong in an electorial race. I see that being a huge mess. Another issue, which I did not know about, was the fact that the government used the internet to get people help after Katrina. If only slightly more than 50% of African American's have access to the internet, and even less have a computer, how can you offer aid to a community that is largely African American that way? That means that one out of every two people couldnt get the benifits they needed after that disaster. Rediculous. Widespread internet for entire cities needs to be instituted before something like that could even remotely begin to work out.
Health
-This is kind of a stupid reason, but it is something that I have experianced. WebMD is a very interesting website, and it has (I think) some reliable information on it. As a student without health insurance, I use this website all the time because going to the doctor is a very expenisive and often useless expidition. For me, I have been able to use this website to "diagnose" my self to decide if a doctor is really neccesarry, and save money. For people who may not have this option, alot of money could be spent going to the docotors for nothing. And in many of the communities where internet access is not availible, alot of money is not something people have. So for me, that is an issue. Silly, yes, but I think its important.
Entertainment
-I do not really see a problem happening in entertainment regaurding the digital divide. Any issue i think that would come up here would relate back to education. The movie, music, and even the fine arts industries are becoming incresingly technologically dependant. Movies need more special effects. Music needs better mixers and sound boards. Plays and dance performances need more visual aids in the form of computer assistance. And for all of these, marketing is going to involve the internet. If people are not educated on how to use the computers that will make all of this possible, then no one will be competent enough to keep these industries moving. But as a consumer, I see no problem with the digital divide...as a matter of fact, I don't see one in this category. Even if I didnt know how to use a computer, I still can read a news paper to get sports scores or see a movie.
Work
-This again ties directly into education. Its simple- in this day in age, if you do not have basic knownledge of computers, you are going to find it somewhat difficult to get a job, or to perform one well. I also think that in the next couple of decades, it will become impossible to get a job if you do not know how to use a computer. So, if people do not get trained, then they dont get hired, and then we have an unemployment problem. Again- it all ties into education.
-The digital divide is a problem in education for several reasons, the most important being the lack of internet and technological access in many parts of the country. (mainly those in minority and lower income regions) If people are not trained or educated on how to use computers and the internet from a younger age, they will become lost once they get to the work place in our incresingly technology based society. So there is an issue there. The other issue is in communitys where there ARE computers avalible to be a part of the education experiance. Who is going to teach it? People are still learning to use computers and operate in this culture we have going on right now, and I know for a fact, that many of the teachers in elementary school are often more computer illiterate than the students they are trying to teach. Who is going to teach the teachers? Interesting.
Government
-I thinkthe biggest problem in government in terms of the digital divide will eventually be voting. Yes, it will not be an issue for a while I think, it seems like there are a lot of bugs to work out in that system, but eventually I am almost positive that voting will be done completely electronically and online. This will cause problems for people who again, do not have access to the internet or computers, and also will open up the game for hackers and all kinds of things to go wrong in an electorial race. I see that being a huge mess. Another issue, which I did not know about, was the fact that the government used the internet to get people help after Katrina. If only slightly more than 50% of African American's have access to the internet, and even less have a computer, how can you offer aid to a community that is largely African American that way? That means that one out of every two people couldnt get the benifits they needed after that disaster. Rediculous. Widespread internet for entire cities needs to be instituted before something like that could even remotely begin to work out.
Health
-This is kind of a stupid reason, but it is something that I have experianced. WebMD is a very interesting website, and it has (I think) some reliable information on it. As a student without health insurance, I use this website all the time because going to the doctor is a very expenisive and often useless expidition. For me, I have been able to use this website to "diagnose" my self to decide if a doctor is really neccesarry, and save money. For people who may not have this option, alot of money could be spent going to the docotors for nothing. And in many of the communities where internet access is not availible, alot of money is not something people have. So for me, that is an issue. Silly, yes, but I think its important.
Entertainment
-I do not really see a problem happening in entertainment regaurding the digital divide. Any issue i think that would come up here would relate back to education. The movie, music, and even the fine arts industries are becoming incresingly technologically dependant. Movies need more special effects. Music needs better mixers and sound boards. Plays and dance performances need more visual aids in the form of computer assistance. And for all of these, marketing is going to involve the internet. If people are not educated on how to use the computers that will make all of this possible, then no one will be competent enough to keep these industries moving. But as a consumer, I see no problem with the digital divide...as a matter of fact, I don't see one in this category. Even if I didnt know how to use a computer, I still can read a news paper to get sports scores or see a movie.
Work
-This again ties directly into education. Its simple- in this day in age, if you do not have basic knownledge of computers, you are going to find it somewhat difficult to get a job, or to perform one well. I also think that in the next couple of decades, it will become impossible to get a job if you do not know how to use a computer. So, if people do not get trained, then they dont get hired, and then we have an unemployment problem. Again- it all ties into education.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Web 2.0 Lab - Mashups
www.bandsintown.com
Google Maps/Last.fm
This website is awesome because it can show me not only who is in town playing a show, but because of the google map aspect, can show me where the venue is, and how to get there. Can't complain about that! The site also gives all the information about the show (ie: start time, cost, age), as well as links to the artist.
http://nbamap.landme2.com/
Google ajax feeds/Google maps
I like this site for a couple reasons. Not only does it show all the locations of the teams in the NBA, but hovering over each team gives the most recent news, stats, scores, and blogs of that team. The top bar also offers the same options, for the NBA as a whole. Another thing that is helpful is the traffic option. You turn it on, and it gives the traffic in the vicinity of the arena, so you know what you are getting into before you head out to the game, and for anyone who has tried to drive from the City (SF) to the Town (Oakland) for a Warriors game, this is REAL helpful.
www.everytrail.com
Google maps/ GPS
I like this website because I like to hike with my friends on the weekends. The site uses google maps to show you where the trails are, and then after clicking on a region you would like to explore, gets the GPS information about the trail, and gives you images of the terrain you should expect to encounter. It also provides the length of the trails, suggestions of simalar ones to go on, spots to enjoy the scenery, etc. This site is real helpful.
Google Maps/Last.fm
This website is awesome because it can show me not only who is in town playing a show, but because of the google map aspect, can show me where the venue is, and how to get there. Can't complain about that! The site also gives all the information about the show (ie: start time, cost, age), as well as links to the artist.
http://nbamap.landme2.com/
Google ajax feeds/Google maps
I like this site for a couple reasons. Not only does it show all the locations of the teams in the NBA, but hovering over each team gives the most recent news, stats, scores, and blogs of that team. The top bar also offers the same options, for the NBA as a whole. Another thing that is helpful is the traffic option. You turn it on, and it gives the traffic in the vicinity of the arena, so you know what you are getting into before you head out to the game, and for anyone who has tried to drive from the City (SF) to the Town (Oakland) for a Warriors game, this is REAL helpful.
www.everytrail.com
Google maps/ GPS
I like this website because I like to hike with my friends on the weekends. The site uses google maps to show you where the trails are, and then after clicking on a region you would like to explore, gets the GPS information about the trail, and gives you images of the terrain you should expect to encounter. It also provides the length of the trails, suggestions of simalar ones to go on, spots to enjoy the scenery, etc. This site is real helpful.
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