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