Questions And Topics We Can Help You To Answer

Throughout the course, we have looked at the ways in which technology has affected human society and culture, in both positive and negative ways. But underneath this discussion is the presumption that technology will, on balance, improve human physical well-being (if not ethical and political well-being). This week, we consider some more ways that technology could help humans, but we also look at some ways that technology could destroy humanity. At the end of the Readings, a third possibility is discussed, that life as we know it is actually one big computer simulation. Make an argument asserting which one of these outcomes is most likely. Your reasoning must make reference to the other two possible outcomes.

Bill Joy:  Why the Future Doesn’t Need Us - http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/8.04/joy_pr.html

Virtual Worlds:  Perfect for Studying Humans? - http://www.newscientist.com/blog/technology/2007/07/computer-games-perfect-for-studying.html

Diane J. Cook: Providing for Older Adults Using Smart Environment Technologies - http://www.todaysengineer.org/2007/May/smart_homes.asp