Week 3: Robotics + Art

            This week I gained insight on how artists came to visualize mechanization in correlation to science. The advancement of such technology has transformed the speed of production. Things that were once hand made and required a great amount of time are now part of an assembly line and can be produced in massive amounts and in less then half the time. The innovations and advancements of technology have had an overall positive impact on society. For example, Apple products such as the iPhone have become an extremely popular owned product. This technologically advanced phone allows countless of things to be done at the touch of a button. Though, some may say that due to the popularity it causes society to “log out” of the real world and live in a digital one.

           

           As stated in Professor Vesna’s lecture, Walter Benjamin analyzes how mechanical reproduction destroys the authenticity or the idea of uniqueness. It affects the “aura,” the idea of the original is broken down. For example, the idea of photography is being able to take a moment in time or portrait and capture it with exactness providing evidence and accuracy. Benjamin goes on to explain that industrialization has affected the transformation and understanding of art. Prior to modern technology of reproduction art was unique and could not be duplicated or experienced unless one was present in the moment it was created. When an art piece is reproduced it loses its originality and value.

            Society is responding positively to the idea of robots and they are tied to being friendly. Just as portrayed in Big Hero 6, Baymax is a big white friendly robot that plays the hero in a very popular Pixar film and is the product and innovation of medical technology. He also portrays real emotion and connection to the characters in the fictional movie. Also in reality, robotics have progressed to affect the medical field with positive results and is an on growing process.

            Robot industrialization has grown and advanced through the decades and has come to be known to mimic the idea of humans and human actions especially in a work place to lesson human error and increase productivity. While watching Rodney Brook’s Ted Talk lecture on Robot’s I found the thought that robots can exist as living creatures is very intriguing; As I never thought technology would have advanced that far. But then the question is posed as to whether robot industrialization would take away from human interaction?  

            

Works Cited:

Benjamin, Walter, and J. A. Underwood. The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical         Reproduction. London: Penguin, 2008. Print.

Brooks, Rodney. "Ted Talk." Robots Will Invade Our Lives. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Apr.          2015.

Pelletier, Dick. "Jobs, Humans, and Machines: Implications for Society." Ethical Technology. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Apr. 2015. 

"Rise of the Mobile Machines: Handheld Devices Driving Us on the Exciting Road Ahead!" N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Apr. 2015. 

Vesna, Victoria. “Robotics Pt1, 2, 3.” Online video. YouTube. UC Online, 15 April 2012. Web. 18 April 2015.

Week 1: Two Cultures

         

        In CP Snow’s lecture, he explains that he believes it is the curricular of universities that create the separation of these two disciplines, art and science. I was not completely aware of this until I related this to my own experiences here at UCLA. Though UCLA is a very diverse campus, there is a very evident separation amongst the students. The most obvious being the distinct divide between north and south campus majors. We seem to be categorized and segregated according the subject of choice we are studying, whether it be the arts or the sciences. Due to this gap, stereotypes are created.

       I am currently a 2^nd Biology major and I am also a part Greek life on campus. Stereotypically, one wouldn’t put these two together. Because I am in an organization such as greek life, people assume studies is not my first priority and I enjoy the party scene. When in reality, I have a good balance between my academics and social life. People seem to judge those in greek life without realizing the benefit one has from being a part of such an organization.

        After learning about this week’s topic, I will do my part to bridge the gap between these two cultures. Just as professor Vesna stated in her lecture, we tend to pick a side. It may be due to a bad teacher you had growing up or your interests in something just kept you from exploring the other. Growing up I was not very exposed to art as I feel that’s not a main focus of curriculum as it used to be. Though I did enjoy an art class I took my first year fall quarter here at UCLA my lack of exposure to the subject affected my interest in it. I can do my part while maintaining my studies in the sciences; while also stepping out of my comfort zone (south campus) and take a few art-based classes to not only break the stereotype but to also broaden my knowledge.

Works Cited:

Eger, John M. "Right Brain/Left Brain Thinking." The Huffington Post.   TheHuffingtonPost.com, n.d. Web. 17 Apr. 2015.

Snow, C. P. “Two Cultures and the Scientific Revolution.” Reading. 1959. New York:

            Cambridge UP, 1961. Print.

Vesna, Victoria. "TwoCultures Part 1, 2 & 3." YouTube. YouTube, n.d. Web. 18 Apr. 2015.

Williams, Christopher M. "Academy EBriefings." A Dangerous Divide. N.p., 24 July       2009. Web. 18 Apr. 2015.