Am I a cyborg?
Ten weeks ago, I thought that the word cyborg means advanced robots as the pronunciation is very similar to the word, robot. However, the meaning of cyborg is not such an interpretation. According to Harraway’s theory, cyborgs are a hybrid of machine and organism. It simply means an organism that has both artificial and natural systems. Since I was defined as human beings, I can also be regarded as a cyborg. In recent years, the relationship between technology and us is very close, human beings not only rely on technology for survival such as prosthesis but also build the environment, which is full of technology for themselves. We are surrounded by technology. For this point of view, I agree that all things surround us which are almost the production of technology like the electronic products as mobile phones, computers, digital cameras and televisions in this era of increased technological advances. They are all continued development and evolution. And they have already become our necessities of humankind, even a symbol of civilization. We take any kinds of transportation to travel from place to place. We cannot go out without a mobile phone. When we go back home, we used to using a computer or other electronic products as well. For my personal life, I used to switching on my laptop and entering the button to automatically log in my MSN account. Then, I open the browser and click the website, Facebook. It seems natural and common to me joining my own social network to communicate with friends through the internet. Yes, I am a cyborg. I am just into the technology in the technology-driven world.
Evaluation of the blog
I have an experience of blogging before. But this time is different as I have never used a blog for learning purposes. It is a great information centre for us to have an interaction between our classmates by replying the comment and have a clear concept about our presentation beforehand. Besides, the blog is very useful that can gather all the information about the unit, since there are enormous amount of information about this unit. Furthermore, I can recapture the knowledge more specific and more deeply about the topics that I learn in the lectures in a fast and convenient way by reading the posts.
Evaluation of the unit
In fact, I am quite interested in the unit that contains philosophical and cultural aspects. During these twelve weeks, I know more about our identity in this digital age and the relationship between gender and technology that I like most. Besides, the unit of Posthuman leads my thinking on the development of our future. In the future, will there have a possibility that we can see robots everywhere to provide services for us? Do they like the robot in the film, I-Robot? That is an interesting question to explore after studying the unit.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Evaluation of Self.Net by Abe Lo
Am I a cyborg?
The question that whether human beings and technology can be separated had already came into my mind before I get in touch with this unit. As in nowadays, compare to the past, we are now all dependent on technology in most of the moments of our lives. Once a technological device is ruined or missing, for example, mobile phone or Internet, humans live will be seriously affected, as well as the organization of our economic and social system. With this unit, the concept of Cyborg was first introduced into my mind, while at the same time, it did helped me to think more in-depth about the relationship between human and technology.
I regard myself as a cyborg, for the situation that I am currently engaging in an environment surrounded by the high-technology. As in the past and places that are under-developed, humans dependency on the advanced technology will not be that high. In this situation, the line between human and technology is very obvious that they are two separate things. The influences bring to each other are quite little as well. So if I am in that situation, I think there is still a distance for me to see myself as cyborg. However, it is already too difficult for me to don't interact with technology, either intentionally or vice versa. My social network is connected by mobile phones, blogs, facebook and emails. My knowledge and information of society and the outside world are based on the Internet, TV, radio broadcast. Without technology, one is not participating with the society that he is in. Here at this point, I do agree and inspired a lot from the cyborg concepts of Katherine Hayles.
The use of blogs for learning purposes
It is the first time for me to use a blog as a part of learning process in a unit. The blog was quite useful for students to have discussion on each other's work. It provide students a platform to study and share opinions on different topics.
About the unit
This is definitely a great unit for me in this semester. Personally, I love to study unit that contains cultural, sociological and philosophical aspects, which exactly this unit fits. It is interesting to learn and explore more about cyborg, as it was an unknown concept for me before the lessons. Among the 12 topics in this unit, I like and get more inspiration from the post-human one. But, I do realise that some concepts/ arguments in some particular topics are quite difficult and unconcrete for year 2 students to understand, especially when some of the students do not have any contact with relevant aspects.
The question that whether human beings and technology can be separated had already came into my mind before I get in touch with this unit. As in nowadays, compare to the past, we are now all dependent on technology in most of the moments of our lives. Once a technological device is ruined or missing, for example, mobile phone or Internet, humans live will be seriously affected, as well as the organization of our economic and social system. With this unit, the concept of Cyborg was first introduced into my mind, while at the same time, it did helped me to think more in-depth about the relationship between human and technology.
I regard myself as a cyborg, for the situation that I am currently engaging in an environment surrounded by the high-technology. As in the past and places that are under-developed, humans dependency on the advanced technology will not be that high. In this situation, the line between human and technology is very obvious that they are two separate things. The influences bring to each other are quite little as well. So if I am in that situation, I think there is still a distance for me to see myself as cyborg. However, it is already too difficult for me to don't interact with technology, either intentionally or vice versa. My social network is connected by mobile phones, blogs, facebook and emails. My knowledge and information of society and the outside world are based on the Internet, TV, radio broadcast. Without technology, one is not participating with the society that he is in. Here at this point, I do agree and inspired a lot from the cyborg concepts of Katherine Hayles.
The use of blogs for learning purposes
It is the first time for me to use a blog as a part of learning process in a unit. The blog was quite useful for students to have discussion on each other's work. It provide students a platform to study and share opinions on different topics.
About the unit
This is definitely a great unit for me in this semester. Personally, I love to study unit that contains cultural, sociological and philosophical aspects, which exactly this unit fits. It is interesting to learn and explore more about cyborg, as it was an unknown concept for me before the lessons. Among the 12 topics in this unit, I like and get more inspiration from the post-human one. But, I do realise that some concepts/ arguments in some particular topics are quite difficult and unconcrete for year 2 students to understand, especially when some of the students do not have any contact with relevant aspects.
Evaluation of the Self Net/ Identity in the Digital Age by Jason Hung
Evaluation the use of blog
Actually, this is my first time authentically to use blog to communicate with others. For me, I think that to use the blog to share our opinions is very fresh and I never imagine that weblog can be used for learning purpose. In fact, living in 20th century digital era, use pen and paper or type it in computer and print it out can be replaced by this weblog platform? Same as us, to hand in the homework is let our lecturer to see our understanding in the course, no matter using what methods to hand in the homework also can show our participation in the lesson. Therefore, I think that using weblog to give our comments and share with other is really useful and it can have an immediate communication with others, so that it will not waste many times to wait for the reply by others. As the development of the internet is used to help people to have a quickly and effective communication, why don’t we fully using this technology? Furthermore, the environmental pollution is very important around the world, reducing to use the paper and inks is very useful to protect our world. Therefore, weblog is a great idea for academic used, rather than only share our own experience.
Am I a cyborg?
According to Donna Haraway who published a book called “A Cyborg Manifesto” in 1985. It mentioned that “A cyborg is a cybernetic organism, a hybrid of machine and organism”. Actually, the name “cyborg” is mean cybernetics plus organism. I totally agree with Donna Haraway said. Because of the development of technology is very ferocious in nowadays, it is not exaggerate to say that people cannot live without technology. For me, I really think that I am a cyborg, since I really cannot lose and very depends on technology. When I was young, I started to play Gameboy, until I studied in secondary school, I played Play-Station, after the development of internet, I played online game, until I get into university, I always using computer to help me to do the research and find information. To now, I always use iPhone to connect with others and I also drive car for transportation. Everything is inseparable with the technology. Mary Shelley had written a book called “Frankenstein” that said the general people will separate their own and technology, but it is impossible to say it now. In nowadays, human create technology and it influence our environment, but at the same time, the environment also influence the technology that affect human. Human is now being combined with technology. Therefore, I deeply believe that I am a cyborg.
What I most liked or not about the unit
Actually, I do not dislike anything about the unit, this course has deepen the concepts between me, technology and environment in nowadays, that is I never expected to gain it, so that I really thank you Franco and Alison to provide an interesting topic to our classmates. But for one things that is make me doubt is why the proportion of the research is so heavy, but the workload of weblog participation also very heavy, it only occupy 15%. I think it may need for adjust. Anyway, I really gain a lot in this course, Thank you:)
Joey's reflection post
Do I regard myself as a cyborg?
In the past, “cyborg” means robot in my dictionary, something part human part machine, characters that we can find in the science fiction. However, I get a totally different concept and meaning of this word after studying this unit. Although, I am a human with with flesh and blood for no doubt, I actually am a cyborg, and I guess everyone around is all cyborg. Nowadays, to survive in this scientific and technological world, we all have no choice but to become a cyborg starting from our childhood days when we started to learn. Things that we use and things that surround us are all most likely related to technology, telephones that we use to connect and communicate with others, computers that we use to let information in and out, and digital devices like Ipod which kids and adults are nearly addicted to, I can say that these are all things we can’t live without with. Like the last discussion we had on the topic post-human, boundary between human and technology, technology is already part of our lives, part of us. Technology doesn’t take place only in reality, it occurs in our mind. Just take myself as an example, every morning when I wake up, whenever I have free time or even I don’t, I will automatically switch on my computer and go online check my facebook account, I am so addicted to facebook and it’s my most preferred medium of communication to others. And after checking facebook I would sign in to my MSN account and check my emails and news and stuff. Everything is just so perfectly natural, and if anyone out there happened know not how to use one of those digital stuffs I have mentioned, he/she would be considered as weird or even abnormal in this digital age. So, I am a cyborg, I accept technological progress but I would allow myself to be over relied on it.
Generally about the unit
Honestly, I don’t have much good feelings on this subject at the first place, I don’t really care about what cyborg is and to me it is sort of troublesome to post comments and evaluations online time to time. However, unexpectedly I found the topic actually can be quite interesting, presentations and discussions we had in the tutorial classes inspired me as well. Every week, after we have certain understanding of that week topic in lecture, classmates take turn to present us a very thorough presentation in tutorial lesson. The discussions in class is really an excellent platform for us to express our thoughts and somehow once or twice I expressed my opinion in class which I rarely do so in the past. The atmosphere of learning is really important and I have to say that asking students to comment or post evaluation online is quite effective in order to make student like me to be more into the unit. And about the unit, I think it covers really well on a wide aspect and motivates me to think deeply in the relation or connection between human and technology. I’ve especially learnt a lot more on values and privacy, and I think under this digital age, I will keep exploring on this topic in my daily life.
In the past, “cyborg” means robot in my dictionary, something part human part machine, characters that we can find in the science fiction. However, I get a totally different concept and meaning of this word after studying this unit. Although, I am a human with with flesh and blood for no doubt, I actually am a cyborg, and I guess everyone around is all cyborg. Nowadays, to survive in this scientific and technological world, we all have no choice but to become a cyborg starting from our childhood days when we started to learn. Things that we use and things that surround us are all most likely related to technology, telephones that we use to connect and communicate with others, computers that we use to let information in and out, and digital devices like Ipod which kids and adults are nearly addicted to, I can say that these are all things we can’t live without with. Like the last discussion we had on the topic post-human, boundary between human and technology, technology is already part of our lives, part of us. Technology doesn’t take place only in reality, it occurs in our mind. Just take myself as an example, every morning when I wake up, whenever I have free time or even I don’t, I will automatically switch on my computer and go online check my facebook account, I am so addicted to facebook and it’s my most preferred medium of communication to others. And after checking facebook I would sign in to my MSN account and check my emails and news and stuff. Everything is just so perfectly natural, and if anyone out there happened know not how to use one of those digital stuffs I have mentioned, he/she would be considered as weird or even abnormal in this digital age. So, I am a cyborg, I accept technological progress but I would allow myself to be over relied on it.
Generally about the unit
Honestly, I don’t have much good feelings on this subject at the first place, I don’t really care about what cyborg is and to me it is sort of troublesome to post comments and evaluations online time to time. However, unexpectedly I found the topic actually can be quite interesting, presentations and discussions we had in the tutorial classes inspired me as well. Every week, after we have certain understanding of that week topic in lecture, classmates take turn to present us a very thorough presentation in tutorial lesson. The discussions in class is really an excellent platform for us to express our thoughts and somehow once or twice I expressed my opinion in class which I rarely do so in the past. The atmosphere of learning is really important and I have to say that asking students to comment or post evaluation online is quite effective in order to make student like me to be more into the unit. And about the unit, I think it covers really well on a wide aspect and motivates me to think deeply in the relation or connection between human and technology. I’ve especially learnt a lot more on values and privacy, and I think under this digital age, I will keep exploring on this topic in my daily life.
A reflective post by Ava
Am I a cyborg?
Whether I am a cyborg or not, if I strictly follow the definition suggested by Donna Haraway, well, I am not, definitely not! At least, besides the braces in my mouth, you can hardly ever find any machine in my body. In general, I am not a “hybrid of machine and organism”. But, as we continuously discuss in this unit, the concept of cyborg seems can be re-defined regarding the case of JenniCAM, virtual community and posthuman for example. Well, then I forced to admit that I am a cyborg! Not that I can’t live without technology, but I can’t break away from machines. In fact, Hayles voiced out most people’s view. Technology, in a way, changes our bodily experience. Just like the existence of smartphone, both schedule and contact list are “memorized” inside its memory card, but not human brain. I guess many of us once lost the smartphone and turned out that, we are “cleared”! No friends, no meetings, no mind! Only body is left. It illustrates that human are now “customized” by machines, maybe say in this way, we are “customized” by machines which are “customized” by us. Finally, as a matter of fact, I, as a human, involve myself in this complex relationship. I guess, “Am I a cyborg” would no longer a core question to this unit in the future, but “Am I a human” instead!
How did the blog work for me?
To any fresh students who first hear the term “cyborg”, this blog would definitely provide a brilliant platform for UWA students to discuss cyborgs. It is quite interesting to hand in assignments on the weblog and in a way gather all students’ analysis for review. However, the most effective function of the weblog, I guess, is that it makes me reinforce my feeling that I am unable to escape from the complex relationship between machines and eventually forced to recognize myself as a cyborg!
Evaluation of the unit
Honestly speaking, what is cyborg? Why I am asked whether I am a cyborg? They are the questions I raised up after my first lesson. It is because I am asking something which I take for granted for nearly more than 10 years. It is quite shocked when I was told maybe I am a cyborg just because I create an online identity in forum. However, after the introduction of Donna Haraway, Katherine Hayles and Kate Moss (cover page of unit guide), I admit that there’s a close relationship between machines and me, and it is worth to study it academically and critically. Before I become a slave of machines, I should first understand the correlation between us in this digital age. Self.Net undoubtedly gave me time for reflection.
Self-reflection and evaluation by Renile
Am I a cyborg?
It is definitely yes! Before studying this subject, I have no idea of what is a cyborg. According to Dr. Donna Haraway, Cyborg is referring to a cybernetic organism which is a hybrid of machine and organism. After exploring much more in lesson, I can announce to the world that I am a cyborg. Since I was a high school student, I could not separate with the internet --- the amazing digital world. Even still now, I cannot live without my iphone or computer. I do my shopping online, I communicate with my friends online, I watch television online, I order KFC online and I even learn online. Once my mum scolded me that if I lived with my computer I would died. Until then, I finally come to questioning myself whether I am living in a real world or digital world. Sometimes, I cannot tell what is real and what is unreal. As the things we did in the digital world is closely related with the real world. For instance, you order food in the digital world. Then after an hour later, the food will really be arrived to your home in the real world. And I think the tie between it is so amazing.
Besides, it seems that as technology becomes more advanced, we are more addicted to and cannot get rid of technology. That is why David Tomas believed that “cyborg represents a radical vision of what it means to be human in the late 20th century”. Furthermore, I think that on one hand, technology can facilitate our life but on the other hand it looks like we rely too much on it. Hence, it makes me wondering about whether human beings really take control of the technology or is the technology takes control of us? Does technology actually do more good or harm to us? Though these questions are really hard to answer but as a self net students these really worth discussing.
Evaluation of the weblog
As the unit is related to technology and I think it is such a match, fun and new idea to use weblog as an aid to the course. Also, I have never thought of using a weblog as a mean to share and discuss our opinions on certain topics with an academic purpose. As it is a weblog, it provides a more relax and free atmosphere for us to express our opinion in which it is so different from the traditional one. Thus we are more willing to voice ourselves more in this way. But if the weblog is not for the purpose of marking, I think it will be more meaningful to create a weblog.
Evaluation of the Unit
I enjoy and learn so much in this unit. The topic of “cyborg” is so new to me and I am glad to explore more about it. Besides, this unit provides me a lot of angles to perceive our identity in this digital world from different aspects. Also, after studying this unit, it makes me come to contemplate more about the relationship of human and technology. As we are already soaked into the digital world, we seldom come to realize our relationship with technology. Studying this unit is exactly a good timing for us to confront with it. Therefore, I enjoy the lesson very much.
It is definitely yes! Before studying this subject, I have no idea of what is a cyborg. According to Dr. Donna Haraway, Cyborg is referring to a cybernetic organism which is a hybrid of machine and organism. After exploring much more in lesson, I can announce to the world that I am a cyborg. Since I was a high school student, I could not separate with the internet --- the amazing digital world. Even still now, I cannot live without my iphone or computer. I do my shopping online, I communicate with my friends online, I watch television online, I order KFC online and I even learn online. Once my mum scolded me that if I lived with my computer I would died. Until then, I finally come to questioning myself whether I am living in a real world or digital world. Sometimes, I cannot tell what is real and what is unreal. As the things we did in the digital world is closely related with the real world. For instance, you order food in the digital world. Then after an hour later, the food will really be arrived to your home in the real world. And I think the tie between it is so amazing.
Besides, it seems that as technology becomes more advanced, we are more addicted to and cannot get rid of technology. That is why David Tomas believed that “cyborg represents a radical vision of what it means to be human in the late 20th century”. Furthermore, I think that on one hand, technology can facilitate our life but on the other hand it looks like we rely too much on it. Hence, it makes me wondering about whether human beings really take control of the technology or is the technology takes control of us? Does technology actually do more good or harm to us? Though these questions are really hard to answer but as a self net students these really worth discussing.
Evaluation of the weblog
As the unit is related to technology and I think it is such a match, fun and new idea to use weblog as an aid to the course. Also, I have never thought of using a weblog as a mean to share and discuss our opinions on certain topics with an academic purpose. As it is a weblog, it provides a more relax and free atmosphere for us to express our opinion in which it is so different from the traditional one. Thus we are more willing to voice ourselves more in this way. But if the weblog is not for the purpose of marking, I think it will be more meaningful to create a weblog.
Evaluation of the Unit
I enjoy and learn so much in this unit. The topic of “cyborg” is so new to me and I am glad to explore more about it. Besides, this unit provides me a lot of angles to perceive our identity in this digital world from different aspects. Also, after studying this unit, it makes me come to contemplate more about the relationship of human and technology. As we are already soaked into the digital world, we seldom come to realize our relationship with technology. Studying this unit is exactly a good timing for us to confront with it. Therefore, I enjoy the lesson very much.
Evaluation of the Self Net/ Identity in the Digital Age by Kit Chan
The use of blogs for learning purpose
As the advanced technology of the internet, people usually express what they think on the internet. Blog is one of the ways to post your articles and notes online. This makes blog is now so popular in the world. However, I don’t think blog is suitable for learning purpose.
First, in my opinion, blog is only used in our leisure time. It is strange for me that using weblog to hand in and do my assignment in such an informal way. No one would like to discuss their homework or assignment on their blog. People prefer to show their happiness or interesting thing that they have rather than discuss their assignment on their blog. Also, if people want their blog to be more popular, they should post something exciting or stimulating on blog, but not school work.
Second, I must say that blog is not so popular in Hong Kong. One of the reason is that blog is not functional enough to fulfill the users. Compare with other social network, like Facebook, you may see the big difference between them; the functions of Facebook are variety and convenient. That is why Facebook is popular for the younger generation in Hong Kong. Therefore, blog is used rarely by me.
I admire that using blog for learning purpose, because this created a modern and technological way for students. Nonetheless, blog is not common to be used in Hong Kong. Students are now compulsive to use the blog in order to hand in their assignment. Thus, it is quite ineffective for me to use the weblog for learning.
Am I Cyborg?
Am I a cyborg? Definitely yes. Admittedly, we can live without lots of technological equipment. Our cell phone, our personal computer; we may get lost if they do not stay with us. There exist more and more cyborgs in Hong Kong. Due to the development of smart phone is advanced, people can deal with their dear all the time. The functions of smart phone are variety. You can almost do everything that you want, such as, listening to music, watching clips, playing games, checking email. Chatting with your friends is not the only function that mobile phone can offer. Therefore, it is no doubt that people can become a cyborg easily.
However, I am sure that I do not addict to be a cyborg or I might say I do not enjoyed become a cyborg. Although my mobile phone was broken, I did not buy any smart phone. The reason is I don’t want to be controlled by any technological equipment. I know that I have become a cyborg already. It is dangerous to fall deeply with a cyborg identity, because this would be harmed our normal living. That is why I don’t enjoyed to be a cyborg , though I am definitely a cyborg.
My view of this unit
When I attend my first lesson of this course, I think the topics are really interesting for me. The topics that we discussed in the tutorial class are so critical. There are great motivations for me to think more about the theories and the examples from the readings. Unfortunately, to be honest, this course is quite difficult for me. I admit that my mind is not dynamic enough to analysis the arguments sometimes, but I still like this couse.
As the advanced technology of the internet, people usually express what they think on the internet. Blog is one of the ways to post your articles and notes online. This makes blog is now so popular in the world. However, I don’t think blog is suitable for learning purpose.
First, in my opinion, blog is only used in our leisure time. It is strange for me that using weblog to hand in and do my assignment in such an informal way. No one would like to discuss their homework or assignment on their blog. People prefer to show their happiness or interesting thing that they have rather than discuss their assignment on their blog. Also, if people want their blog to be more popular, they should post something exciting or stimulating on blog, but not school work.
Second, I must say that blog is not so popular in Hong Kong. One of the reason is that blog is not functional enough to fulfill the users. Compare with other social network, like Facebook, you may see the big difference between them; the functions of Facebook are variety and convenient. That is why Facebook is popular for the younger generation in Hong Kong. Therefore, blog is used rarely by me.
I admire that using blog for learning purpose, because this created a modern and technological way for students. Nonetheless, blog is not common to be used in Hong Kong. Students are now compulsive to use the blog in order to hand in their assignment. Thus, it is quite ineffective for me to use the weblog for learning.
Am I Cyborg?
Am I a cyborg? Definitely yes. Admittedly, we can live without lots of technological equipment. Our cell phone, our personal computer; we may get lost if they do not stay with us. There exist more and more cyborgs in Hong Kong. Due to the development of smart phone is advanced, people can deal with their dear all the time. The functions of smart phone are variety. You can almost do everything that you want, such as, listening to music, watching clips, playing games, checking email. Chatting with your friends is not the only function that mobile phone can offer. Therefore, it is no doubt that people can become a cyborg easily.
However, I am sure that I do not addict to be a cyborg or I might say I do not enjoyed become a cyborg. Although my mobile phone was broken, I did not buy any smart phone. The reason is I don’t want to be controlled by any technological equipment. I know that I have become a cyborg already. It is dangerous to fall deeply with a cyborg identity, because this would be harmed our normal living. That is why I don’t enjoyed to be a cyborg , though I am definitely a cyborg.
My view of this unit
When I attend my first lesson of this course, I think the topics are really interesting for me. The topics that we discussed in the tutorial class are so critical. There are great motivations for me to think more about the theories and the examples from the readings. Unfortunately, to be honest, this course is quite difficult for me. I admit that my mind is not dynamic enough to analysis the arguments sometimes, but I still like this couse.
Reflection by Samantha Chan
1) The use of blogs for learning purpose
At the beginning, I have not idea why does the course require student to use weblog to submit homeworks or presentation summary. I found its benefits gradually. (1) First of all, it provides chances for viewers to understand different angle from one topic. (2) Secondly, it is convenient for viewers to review each summary anywhere any moment. It is so great that knowledge will not be bounded by time and place as the discussions are held in the different tutorial classes. (3) It encourages students to interact with other schoolmates. It is quite interesting to know each others different perspectives.
2) Whether you regard yourself as a cyborg or not?
Yes, I am! Using internet is very common in nowadays, no matter the purpose is academic or personal. Everyone contains an online identity. For example, through using the webct unit, eveyone/ student has to log-in with its assigned usename, Teachers could check the student attendance via its sequence of log-in. That code /reference is our identity, not only the reality identity, but also a representation of the online identity.
On the other hand, like using the MSN, the online status represents one;s existance. Therefore, we are all mixed with the online and offline identity. Therefore, I think I am a cyborg no matter in which aspect.
3) What you most liked or not about the unit in general?
I think the topics that has taught is quite organised and co-related. The topic have helped us to develop angles on understanding the reality and virtual reality.
Self-Reflection and Evaluation on Weblog and Unit by CarmenlamXD
What is a cyborg? It is interesting that this question is being asked during the whole unit. In our readings, Haraway explains that cyborg is a hybrid of machine organism. Moreover, she believes that there would be no separations between bodies and objects while suggesting that people should undermine the dualities by actively exploring the possibilities of blurring the boundaries.
In this digital age, honestly, it is true that we are highly relying on technology nowadays. As for me, it is really a tough question that if I am a cyborg. Or, am I totally a cyborg? In fact, I can hardly live without the technology already. For instance, I tried to be stopped my network service due to delay of handling my payments. Suddenly, I felt so lost because it seemed to be losing the connection among my friends and family. I indeed felt that it was so insecure without the technology. Also, when I am using the technology, I believe that they are useful and also beneficial to my life. For example, when I use the digital camera, I can zoom to where I cannot normally watch. This is really good for us when attending the concert. At that time, I actually used camera as my eye and also my brain. Since it captured what I want to focus, it can also save in the memory card for my future use. Thus, the advanced technology really help me a lot and just like what Haraway said that I am a cyborg that is a hybrid of machine organism.
In this digital age, honestly, it is true that we are highly relying on technology nowadays. As for me, it is really a tough question that if I am a cyborg. Or, am I totally a cyborg? In fact, I can hardly live without the technology already. For instance, I tried to be stopped my network service due to delay of handling my payments. Suddenly, I felt so lost because it seemed to be losing the connection among my friends and family. I indeed felt that it was so insecure without the technology. Also, when I am using the technology, I believe that they are useful and also beneficial to my life. For example, when I use the digital camera, I can zoom to where I cannot normally watch. This is really good for us when attending the concert. At that time, I actually used camera as my eye and also my brain. Since it captured what I want to focus, it can also save in the memory card for my future use. Thus, the advanced technology really help me a lot and just like what Haraway said that I am a cyborg that is a hybrid of machine organism.
Certainly, with the advanced technology, it has already developed an influential relationship between the human. However, is technology as important as in developing country when compared with the developed countries? It seems that cyborg is better described a relatively privileged and advantaged class. Then this leads to a good question that does this term already imply the message of duality? It still clearly shows the power imbalance in the digital age. Thus, can it successfully break down the boundary of the dualities in the future? It is still in a huge controversy.
On the other hand, usage of blogs is a feature of this unit. It creates an alternative learning opportunities to us. It also can prove that how important the technology is. If we do not have a computer or laptop, as well as without the internet access, we can hardly participate in this learning community.
In fact, I had the habit of writing blog in Xanga. Gradually, the daily post turned to the monthly and even seasonally posting. Today I almost forget the password of Xanga. However, I am addicted to playing Facebook. I read the news feed of my friends every day rather than writing blog these days. Thus, this unit provides me a good chance to rewrite the blog and a great platform of sharing the ideas among my classmates. This leads to more understanding about me as well as my classmates. In fact, it is believed that learning from sharing. It is then a good way to learn more through the sharing on the blog. In addition, blog provides a place for us to express our idea freely of which enhance our confidence and creativity. Thus, I can gain a lot from writing blogs here.
Apart from the blogging, I have some new experience in this course. It has offered a number of issues of identity, gender and regulations in cyberspace during the learning. The most interested me should be the difference of performativity of gender in cyberspace communities. It is pleased that I am participated in the presentation of week 11 which talked about work and play. Our group focused on the topic of work. In the reading of Gregg, she suggested that women’s sense of self and identity have been changed with the help of technology such as the scheme of “working from home” and “We See” in the Microsoft advertisements. However, she finally pointed out that so-called flexibility and choice to the women still are so limited. The power imbalance in cyberspace is still so obvious. This leads to disappointment among our classmates that the duality in gender could hardly break down even if there is a more advanced technology.
Of course, the lectures have inspired me in some specific issues. It has provided an opportunity to explore my identity in a new way. Besides, there are some discussions during the lecture as well as the tutorial class. It enhanced the communication between the schoolmates while sharing our opinion openly and freely. In some issues, for example, virtual ethics, this can lead to a vigorous debate due to different ethical stand among the people. Thus, sharing different ideas, in a certain extent, can let more understanding ourselves while creating a good learning atmosphere. Thus, I indeed enjoy this unit.
Source:
Gregg, Melissa. “The Normalization of Flexible Female Labor in the Information Economy” Feminist Media Studies 8.3 (2008): 285-99.
Haraway, Donna.”A Manifesto for Cyborgs: Science, Technology, and Socialist Feminism in the 1980’s, The Haraway Reader, New York and London: Routledge (2003) 7-45.
On the other hand, usage of blogs is a feature of this unit. It creates an alternative learning opportunities to us. It also can prove that how important the technology is. If we do not have a computer or laptop, as well as without the internet access, we can hardly participate in this learning community.
In fact, I had the habit of writing blog in Xanga. Gradually, the daily post turned to the monthly and even seasonally posting. Today I almost forget the password of Xanga. However, I am addicted to playing Facebook. I read the news feed of my friends every day rather than writing blog these days. Thus, this unit provides me a good chance to rewrite the blog and a great platform of sharing the ideas among my classmates. This leads to more understanding about me as well as my classmates. In fact, it is believed that learning from sharing. It is then a good way to learn more through the sharing on the blog. In addition, blog provides a place for us to express our idea freely of which enhance our confidence and creativity. Thus, I can gain a lot from writing blogs here.
Apart from the blogging, I have some new experience in this course. It has offered a number of issues of identity, gender and regulations in cyberspace during the learning. The most interested me should be the difference of performativity of gender in cyberspace communities. It is pleased that I am participated in the presentation of week 11 which talked about work and play. Our group focused on the topic of work. In the reading of Gregg, she suggested that women’s sense of self and identity have been changed with the help of technology such as the scheme of “working from home” and “We See” in the Microsoft advertisements. However, she finally pointed out that so-called flexibility and choice to the women still are so limited. The power imbalance in cyberspace is still so obvious. This leads to disappointment among our classmates that the duality in gender could hardly break down even if there is a more advanced technology.
Of course, the lectures have inspired me in some specific issues. It has provided an opportunity to explore my identity in a new way. Besides, there are some discussions during the lecture as well as the tutorial class. It enhanced the communication between the schoolmates while sharing our opinion openly and freely. In some issues, for example, virtual ethics, this can lead to a vigorous debate due to different ethical stand among the people. Thus, sharing different ideas, in a certain extent, can let more understanding ourselves while creating a good learning atmosphere. Thus, I indeed enjoy this unit.
Source:
Gregg, Melissa. “The Normalization of Flexible Female Labor in the Information Economy” Feminist Media Studies 8.3 (2008): 285-99.
Haraway, Donna.”A Manifesto for Cyborgs: Science, Technology, and Socialist Feminism in the 1980’s, The Haraway Reader, New York and London: Routledge (2003) 7-45.
Self-Reflection and Evaluation on Weblog by Ayaka
Am I a cyborg ?
What is a cyborg? Cyborg is a hybrid of mechanism and organism, like at this moment, I am typing in this weblog, this “me” is a cyborg. For me, I do think I am a cyborg, and I have to admit that I cant live without technology, once I am using those device, I am cyborg, but when I am not using them, I am a human. But with more and more technology take part in your life, you cannot live without it coz it was so convenient, but it also blur the boundary of human and technology at the same time. So , its important for use to separate our human identity and cyborg identity. I do think I am a cyborg, but I think my human identity is far more important and significant than my cyborg identity. Its important to identity what is human and what is machine, coz if we do not do so, we will lose our identity.
Use of blog
To be frankly,, I do not think this blog can help me in learning this unit, it only added my work load. Its good to have a platform to communicate with my classmate on something academic, but only when it was voluntary, especially with that much workload in this semester. If the purpose of this weblog is to encourage to think more and express our self more, then , I think it will be better if we do it in class.
My view in this unit
Before I study this unit , I have no idea what is a cyborg. After the first lesson, I know what is a cyborg and the first word come to my mind is “crazy”, the concept of cyborg were so innovative and freak me out… !! but with this unit , I can have more and more understanding on cyborg, this force me to rethink the world and the way we use the machine. Actually , I don’t think this unit is practical, but I have to admit that it inspire me to think more about what is human and what is machine. The reason I don’t think this course is useful because, no matter what is your stance on the relationship between human and technology, you are still under the exited social norms, like you may be seen as a freak if you say yourself is not a human, but a machines or a hybrid of human and technology. Maybe someday, the technology is so advance that human is a part of technology or technology is a part of human, but not today. Of course we have to be longsighted, but even if our mind do so, our body still live in 21 century, and have to follow the social norms. So in conclude, I think this unit is particle in mind but useless in psychical body.
Self-Reflection and Evaluation on Weblog and Unit by Annnnnnnnnnn
“Are you a cyborg?” I still remember when Franco asked this question in the very beginning of this course. To be frank, I think this was a crazy question! Especially when I was told that “a cyborg is a cybernetic organism, a hybrid of machine and organism, a creature of social reality as well as a creature of fiction. Social reality is lived social relations, our most important political construction, a world-changing fiction.” “Oh my goodness! This is too crazy for me.” (and when I tried to type the word “cyborg” in the Microsoft Word, a red line underlines the word… I was thinking that, “do I need to study a word with red line for the whole semester?...)
I have to admit that this subject is just funnier than I expected! I studied a course about “gender” before entered university. I was shocked by the lectures and theories that I have not even thought of “who am I?” before that gender course. I thought my philosophy to lives has already been changed a lot, and when I see and think about myself and my identity is not as simple as before. Although I have a new concept on myself, I have never thought that I might be a cyborg! After 12 weeks, everytime when I think about what Franco asked us whether we are cyborg, my feeling that “I am.” is getting more and more obvious. I remember the concepts of “online and offline identities” in the course, almost everyday I am using these two identities to live; I remember the concepts of virtual ethics, do something about the Internet or other new technologies we youngsters have get used to equal to something ethically right? I remember the concepts of the technologies blurring the boundaries of the public and private space… New theories and concepts taught in this course give me a brand new way to think about myself, my identity(or identities) even identities of people around me. And finally I think that I am a cyborg. I use computer to express my point of views (like now I am typing the reflective blog); I use other virtual identities to log in and play online games; when I use my webcam on my notebook to chat with my friends, I feel like what Eileen and Adam say, my body seems really plug into the machine and is connected to the mechanics of her equipment. This statement must be very horrible for people who read at the first time (like what I feel before) but after studying this subject for 12 weeks, I think it is so real to me. Moreover, in fact many of us could not be live without the technologies like computers nowadays. We use it to send email to friends, lecturers, people we want to contact at once etc. We can shop online, we can pay school fees online, we can buy movie tickets on the webpage of the cinema.... What we look for now is about "instant", we want everything fast and we just could not wait for more than a second. Technologies help us a lot and eventually most of us could not live without them. We are so relying on them, and therefore the boundaries between we and technologies are becoming more and more unclear. I am not saying that we are the same thing, however, they seem to be part of us now.
For the weblog we used in this course, in my opinion, it is quite interesting to use this weblog to “hand in” our assignments. When I was in secondary school, I typed diaries online using social network like “Xanga” or “Yahoo Blog”. That was rather “private place” for me to express my opinion that I set passwords so as to only allow my good friends to read. Moreover, those online blogs were only about my feelings on something in daily life, which were written in an informal ways like tying “oral” Chinese or English to express. However, the weblog used in this subject is just so different from my previous weblogs. We classmate use this weblog to express our views about something which is related to academic, publicly discussing those topics in a serious way. We do not afraid to let other classmates to know what our opinions are, but willing to discuss in a harmonious way. I think the weblog is very useful for our study and it is worth introducing other subjects to use a weblog like this one for students to express their point of views whenever they get accessed to Internet. As it is common for young people to stay late and do not sleep but using computers till midnight. (Maybe our brains function best in this stage? Hahaa..) And if they do, whenever we got some thoughts about this subject, we could post them on the weblog at once to share with all the classmates and do not need to wait until the next lecture! After all, though some concepts in this course are quite difficult and complicated to understand, they inspire me to think again what my identity is.
A Cyborg Speech by Oscar Kwan
A Cyborg Speech
I am a cyborg. According to Dr. Donna Haraway, "A cyborg is a cybernetic organism, a hybrid of machine and organism". Although I am not fitted with a heart pacemaker, intraocular lenses or an insulin pump, I am the human-technology mixtures in the abstract. Hence, I would call myself a “Social Cyborg”. Actually, the full term "cybernetic organism" is used to describe larger networks of communication and control. Cybernetic technologies include highways, pipes, buildings, electrical plants, libraries, and other infrastructure that we hardly notice, but which are critical parts of the cybernetics that we work within. In nowadays internet world, many people have engaged in the online community, we communicate with each other in the social network and absorb new things through internet. Therefore, not only me being a cyborg, but the citizens in contemporary world are all cyborgs.
Evaluation of this Unit
In today’s digital age, it is essential to think twice to figure it out what is our identity in the cyberspace. This unit brainstorms us to identity the 'self' in cyberspace, it helps us to understand the communicative environments of the digital age to examine their impact on identity, with particular emphasis on gender, sexualities, race and class. By applying the theory and practice relating to identity, the unit considers different central issues in nowadays cyberspace such as constructing the self in the digital world, youth, gender and cybercultures and the performativity of gender, sexualities and difference in cyberspace communities.
Self-Reflection on Self-identity in the Cyberspace
After studying this unit, I understand more about the self-identity in the cyberspace. As defined by Hayles in topic 12 “Posthuman”, it suggests that posthuman will not only simply a combination of a flesh body and wires, but having an interaction with the intelligent environment we live and work in. meanwhile, through this unit, I learn more about the gender and difference in online environments. It provides a comprehensive understanding of gender study in nowadays digital world, which enrich my knowledge for my programme of communication studies.
The exploration of my self-identity in the cyberspace would not be end with this unit, this unit is just a guide for me to explore our digital world and I would like to further grope for other aspects of studies in the cyber world.
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