Journal Entry #7 on [Rise of the Planet of the Apes] film 2011

The movie Rise of the planet of the apes, is a fascinating movie on how scientific advancements for cures including Alzheimer’s disease which is the people who suffer memory losses occasionally and have no idea what they are doing at the moment. It shows a doctor who works for an organization which obviously is trying to create a cure for the disease. Animal testing is prominent throughout the film and this brings a lot of controversy throughout the few aspects of the film. It particularly shows how the evolution of apes becomes revolution and the advancement made in the scientific world. This movie shows and tries to convince and portray their idea of how the future of cures and animal testing can result in.

We are shown how some of the genetic cure of the mother ape which was tested on, carries on through genetic abilities and is passed on to the younger one [ape]. The intelligence of the younger ape is incredibly boosted and this changes everything the plot overview of the film.

During experiments to find a cure for Alzheimer's disease, a genetically-enhanced chimpanzee uses its greater intelligence to lead

other apes to freedom.

The film over all shows many characteristics developed by the chimpanzees and interestingly enough what i noticed in the movie is the actions and moral behaviour of the chimpanzees becoming similar and more like those of the humans. And this can be an idea and view point of the film which shows how the evolution of monkeys can bee seen and felt in the future.

Joseph Hassan 11A 

Journal Entry #6 on [Terminator 2: Judgement Day] film 1991

Reflection on the movie:

Terminator the second, Judgement Day is one of the most significant and descriptive film I have seen on what may occur in the future world. Many people and in fact humanity itself knows there will be a day were mankind and all living things will be destroyed, the end of the world, more commonly called Judgement Day. In the movie it shows a huge robot which has travelled back in time from the future to help and protect the person who can help prevent the end of the world. Interestingly enough from many other films and books I’ve seen and read about how the world will end, this may be the most convincing for me. It is so descriptive and the film shows how the world will end in war, but it shows that mankind itself will cause the end of the world instead of God or Big Bang theories created by scientists.

The main theme and idea introduced in the film about the end of the world is robotic technological advancements and how they will destroy mankind and continue ruling the world. It shows how a chip can improve the intelligence of robotics and eventually outsmart the human race and the effects that can have on the human race. But the biggest problem for the human race in the film is that every country in the world has a navy system which is basically run by computers and technology, and that will eventually lead to access of nuclear power which can lead to massive destruction and huge amounts of casualties.

Overall, the movie was a considerable effort which evaluates the future of the world and how the world will end in a fashionable and convincing style. It shows the steps of how robots will outsmart mankind and take over the world being able to access nuclear power.

Joseph Hassan 11A

Journal Entry #5 Article on technological advancments

Big Dog robot gets an even bigger brother

13:57 4 October 2011

Robots

Technology

MacGregor Campbell, consultant

Big Dog, the incredibly agile quadruped robot from Waltham, Massachusetts-based Boston Dynamics, has a big brother...and a burly-looking humanoid cousin.

Like BigDog, AlphaDog is a DARPA-funded robotic pack-mule designed to carry all the heavy gear that a modern soldier lugs into the field. It can carry a payload of just over 181 kilograms a distance of 32 kilometres, as opposed to 154 kg and 19 km for BigDog.

Part of BigDog's appeal is its uncanny ability to balance itself. AlphaDog is no different, but whereas BigDog can be upset by a stiff kick to the side, it takes the best efforts of two adults to knock AlphaDog off its game.

It also boasts some new innovations, such as a rounded body frame that allows it to right itself if it tips over and it could potentially be outfitted with a robotic arm where its head would be.

Videos from a keynote address by Boston Dynamics President, Marc Raibert, last week at the International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems in San Francisco, showed AlphaDog in action. He also showed a video of the latest version of his company's humanoid robot, PETMAN. The project started as an attempt to make a two-legged BigDog but has evolved into a much more human-like form.

Raibert says the robot was designed to have the height and stature of an average human, and is meant to serve as an active test dummy for chemical and biological warfare protective gear. In videos, the bot has some of the same agility as its four-legged cousins, able to recover from light shoves and adapt its stride to varied terrain and speeds.

Reflection on the Article" Big Dog robot gets an even bigger brother"

This article really reflects the advancement in technology and how science keeps on improving through the years and will continue to advance as long as humans live on this planet. We are introduced in this article on the Big Dog robotic project which seems to be in good progress. The dog is fully designed by scientist and is going to be used in the U.S navy force against the Taliban's.


In the video it shows how the robotic dog can manoeuvres through many different courses and the abilities the dog can perform. it is specifically designed to withstand any sort of situation confronted by the dog in war conditions. It is shown to have the capabilities of pushing of two male adults which are pushing against it, this is really impressive.


This article shows us how technology has advanced over the years and how many situations can be confronted and solve without the use of manpower. It kind of reflects that back in the days it was very hard to travel and to create things that can effectively help man with no use of manpower at all.  And it was extremely hard to create something that could withstand almost any kind of situation which can be confronted in reality.


The thing I find puzzling, is apparently in the video, the robot is missing the very critical energy recovery and surface adoption mechanism that is the usual digigrade animal foot. Wonder how much extra engineering would be involved, but how much improvement in performance.


By Joseph Hassan 11A

"Technology can byte my arse" Newspaper article

[The technological revolution has electronics manufacturers out doing each other almost on a daily basis. What is the best and fastest today will be ancient technology tomorrow. It is a global game of 'King of The Hill.' Who is the best? Who offers more for less? Who can get it done the fastest? Electronics manufacturers are at war with one another and we reap the benefits of it and, at the same time, we are also casualties of that war.

Companies are downsizing because technology now does a job that a person once did. Good bye to the age old concept of people serving every function within a company. Consumers demand more for less, and the only way for companies to answer that call is to stay competitive by saving money and to fatten up the bottom line. This usually means a company must reduce it’s manpower as an effort to achieve this goal.

Still, with all of what today’s technological advancements have to offer, there are some areas that need improving, such as the automated phone system. I really get annoyed with some of these systems. They bombard you with a vast array of options and menus to choose from. "If you would like to speak to a customer service representative, please press one now." Beep. "I’m sorry, but no humans work here. Please choose another option." Beep. "I’m sorry, but that option is not offered. Please try again." Beep, beep, beep... "You seem aggravated and this system isn’t designed to address that. Please call back later when you aren’t so hostile." Doesn’t anyone just answer the phone anymore?

I also get annoyed with the pre-screening that some of these automated phone systems do. They ask for your phone number and when you are able to speak to a real life person, the person asks for your phone number again. What was the point in the system asking me for my phone number if it didn’t do the live person any good? Should I be expecting this automated system to call me someday and say "Hi, Mike. How’s the wife and kids? If they are fine, please press one now"]

Article review on "Technology can byte my arse"  By Joseph Hassan

Technology has obviously played a huge effect on the human existence itself, and has strolled through many of the ethical morals in which humans protect gradually. Humans have mixed opinions and emotions showed to technological advancements and their rightful place in society. In the article above it explores the negative opinions and emotions towards technology and it advancing with no benefits, going through the ideas of technology taking human place in society e.g. jobs..

It seems that technology has taken over the human race, as exploited in the article consumers want there products much faster and more efficient so in order for a company to succeed in this challenge they must reduce man power and go with cheaper, more efficient technology. This has obviously created tension between the range of technological advancements and the effect they can have on society. 

There are a few positive effects however which accompanies the idea of technology. More consumers are happy and many humans really dont care where there food or products have been consumed from and who has helped produce them, but are more satisfied at the product range and the ability provided by the technology. Many people say that the human race cannot survive without technology throughout there daily lives, mobile phones the internet, computers and much more help as they say"put money in the pocket, and food on the table".

As explained in the article, people are very frustrated with technology and think that there is still huge room for improvement, e.g. phone systems and others. I myself think that there is still much more room for improvement but i am with the fact that we use technology everyday to survive and to get around. You couldn't talk to family overseas back in the days, you had to send mail, which took many months or never even got there, now we are a 20 sec call from overseas 5 sec away from sending an email which includes much more detail than a normal mail. Back in the days you couldn't migrate overseas without it taking you a couple of months to get their through stress tiredness exhaustiveness and frustration, however now we can use technology advancements and use an aeroplane which will take you there in hours making traveling much more convenient and comfortable

Technology is a very important thing in our live, we use it everyday regardless if we have a few ethical issues with technology it gets the job done and makes life simple and much more convenient. Its a part of life and it will continue to grow and spread through many more branches in society, who knows one day the world will be run by technology only.

Journal Entry #2 Reflection piece [One Funny Day]

Last week as I took my usual train to home I had the most delightful
meeting. I use the word delightful for two reason; one, because this experience
was really delighting (in the sense that you feel a giddy sort of pleasure) and
two, because this man cannot be described as anything else but delightful.

As usual the tram was full and so I was standing close to an old man sitting
opposite two teenage girls. His smile to me was what caught my attention and as
I tentatively smiled back (I am really shy) I moved closer to hear the
conversation between the girls (just shows the extent of my boredom). Anyway
the old man notices the girls’ fascination with their iphones and other
technological devices and says (jokingly of course):

"One day they will create a box that will allow you to talk to the
spirits...you can just dial and you will be able to speak to anyone who’s
died...watch it'll be the next thing out"

With that I started laughing it was just so clever. Ha-ha. However the girls
did not see the humour and tried to pacify him with the usual "oh right
sure". (Eye rolling). The minute these girls got off at their stop I took
their seat and began talking to the man. Turns out this man was not only
wickedly funny and but he can speak 13 languages (perfectly) and likes to talk
about the "good old days" and also has an odd fascination in knitting
and crochet He was really something and his
charisma captured anyone that sat next us.

He did say something which made me think. "These people these days all
have their heads down on this little box just pressing it...they don’t look up
just sit there on it for hours. They don’t want to talk to anyone and they don’t
even smile. Back in my days it was different."

Looking around I realised just how true this was. We really are a
technological society and rely on technology for everything. Instead of asking
someone for directions, we pull out smart phones and map it. We've completely
dislodged ourselves from the physical society and have turned the cyber world
into a reality. We don’t go to our local shopping strip anymore, we internet
shop. We don’t send letters, we email. We don’t talk anymore, we 'chat' now. We have even reached the stage of meeting people online.

Moral of the story: There’s more to life than technological boxes. Seriously,
the next time you see a person (yes a real life human) willing to converse with you go for it.

Joseph Hassan 11A

Jouranl Entry #1 [ I Robot ] Movie review

"I Robot" is a movie about the future which is based on the technological advance of robots and the world in the future. The movie shows many characterized views on how the World is going to be in 2035 which was the time format the movie was based on. Will Smith stars as the main character Detective Spooner, who was assigned an investigation on a murder case which involved robots which he isn't to trustful with. He has a sense of hatred towards the robots and thoroughly anticipates superiority  over the robots. As previously recognized in many of Asimov's ideas and concepts about the three laws of robotics, it was established in the movie and they were strictly set upon the robots, considering them faulty or broken if they did not practice the three laws of robotics. The movie in my opinion successfully adopts and reasonably considers what the world might look like and feel like in the future [2035].  It shows many ideas and concepts about future worlds, the idea of flying cars was introduced in the movie, this idea specializes the film and makes it more interesting for the viewers, considering that the car looked so realistic. The robots that were introduced throughout the film was very amazing, it clearly had human characteristics and features. They were also very strong and  smart almost like a super human. The main concept of the film was that one specific robot had a specific capability of performing the ability of dreaming. Sunny which was one specifically made robot originally designed and created by the professor, had an ability of dreaming and conducting decisions on its own with out the duty of accepting the three laws of robotics. Overall the theme of the future worlds was clearly and reasonably introduced thoroughly in the film, and many ideas and concepts about many aspects which people think may be established in future worlds.

Joseph Hassan 11 A
Word Count:  369words


The robots which were introduced in the movie, notice the human like features and characteristics, makes the movie much more interesting.







   The car which was introduced in the movie, the car has many special characteristics and can reach incredible speeds with auto driving.