2012年12月1日 星期六

Should technology become apart of human life?



 “Should technology become apart of human life?”
As our societies begin to realize that using technology benefits us in many ways, we are starting to incorporate more and more technologies into our lives, and beginning to become an e-society. By assisting humans and non-human animals with artificial limbs and organs; developing faster and more efficient ways of transferring data; and making communication devices much more accessible and cheaper. These are all ways that are transforming the lives of everyone around the world. “These technologies can make life easier, can let us touch people we might not otherwise. You may have a child with a birth defect and be able to get in touch with other parents and support groups, get medical information, the latest experimental drugs. These things can profoundly influence life. (Jobs, Wired, February 1996)” Just like Steve Jobs, many of us also believe that the advancing technology, our lives have been more convenient and changed dramatically. In this research paper, I will cover some easily neglected, but extremely important technological advances. The examples will vary from outer body to inner body technological uses. Throughout this paper, I will be presenting benefits and advantages those technologies will bring us.
        An artificial heart is a device that is used to replace the heart when a heart failure occurs. Heart failure, defined by the condition in which the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet your body’s need in order to make your body work properly. The more common case in which a person would need to have an artificial heart is to keep your heart functioning while they are waiting for the heart transplant. These artificial hearts function by attaching to the atria, which are the heart’s upper chambers. Between the artificial heart and the atria, there are mechanical valves that control the flow of blood in the heart to work properly. Currently, there are two main types of artificial hearts. The differences between these two types of artificial heart are the power source. CardioWest has tubes that run from the inside chest to an outside power source to keep it functioning. On the other hand, AbioCor stays inside human chest completely and charges through the skin with a special magnetic charger. It is intended for use with patients who suffer from pertaining to both ventricles of the heart failure and also people who have no options for heart transplant. After the advent of CardioWest and AbioCor, Dr. Rober Jarvik came up with a more advance artificial heart device called Jarvik 2000. It is the first ventricular assist devices that were meant to be the sideline for the failing biological heart for the heart failures. Jarvik 2000 was just about the size of a thumb. Within this tiny device, there is a direct-current motor that supported by two ceramic bearings. It operates by a rotary impeller, which suspended in the bloodstream and spins on a ceramic bearing. The pump blade is adjustable based on the user’s physical activity level, which it spins in the range between 8000 to 12000 rpm. Jarvick 2000 can simply utilize user’s remaining heart strength and keeps everything work in shape. Besides, the pump of Jarvik 2000 is designed to minimize patient’s reliance on mechanical support and assist the patient have the best chances to recovered. Fifteen years old Italian boy received his first permanent artificial heart implant after a ten-hour surgery at Bambino Gesu Hospitial in Rome. And now is said to be in a stable and good condition. Few years ago, this young man was suffered from Duchenne syndrome, which is a condition where the muscle tissues were degraded. And, even worse about this syndrome, it is ineligible for any heart transplant. In order to safe and continue this young boy’s life, doctors decide to install a Jarvick 2000 Venticular Assist Device into his left ventricle in order to assist his heart to pump regularly. What makes this case special is that these kind of artificial hearts that base on permanent used have only been used in adults from the past record. What challenge the surgeons from this operation is placing this complex heart implant into a patient with a more younger and delicate heart. As there is no examples case from the past, any unexpected accident might happen during the operation. However, the operation had gone through successfully and without any necessity of removing the devices afterwards. As this artificial heart was implanted into this boy’s body, its power supply is routed to a plug behind his ear and connected to a battery that he will be worn on his waist. And the battery and simply be recharged overnight. Jarvick 2000 has successfully brought this young man back to his normal life. After this succession, using heart implants as permanent solution have become a more widely accepted technique. Nowadays, there are more and more different types of artificial heart been prototype and develop. Hopefully, in future we can expect this heart device to become more self sufficient, complete and be able to last in the patient’s body for their entire life.
As the human race progresses towards a more advanced world, we are required to absorb in information as a much faster and more efficient rate. As brain-sensing chips are being more and more improved, this is one of technologies that will allow us to go beyond what we can do nowadays. Even with today’s microchips, we can access the computer using thoughts alone. This type of connections can be used from controlling a wheelchair to prosthetic limbs from just brainwaves. Besides of using this chips as for controlling machines by human’s brainwaves, this chips can also be used it as a tracking assistance device. People can simply implant these microchips with just a pinch of a syringe, and the microchips will be inserted under the skin within 20 minutes with no stitches. Just by silently pass over the patient’s microchips over scanner pass, patient’s specific information can be easily accessed. People are able to track and login into everything from your medical and financial history and even your day-to-day movements. A decade ago, huge amount of people have decide to inserted chips inside their pets in order track their pet’s movement if they get lost. Besides tracking pets with microchips, we have also fully expected to have tracking chips intergrade within the human society. An example would be by helping to track the patient with Alzheimer's. According to Alzheimer's Community Care, they supports and strongly recommend Alzheimer’s patients to implant chips base on the safety concern. This is due to that Alzheimer’s patients are unable to speak for themselves during an emergency without any caregivers accompany. In such a case, the patient might receive an inappropriate treatment. Therefore by implanting chips in Alzheimer’s patient, staff from the hospital can use RFID (Radio- frequency indentation) interrogator to scan over patient’s arm and get their medical information directly and wirelessly. But so far, it was still not legal for patients to insert chips in their bodies, because of the problem such as invasion of people’s privacy and high risk of outflowing personal information. Since microchips creates problem such as invasion of personal privacy. VeriChip is another types of chips been develop for medical use. The Verichip itself contain no medical records, it is basically just codes that can be scanned and revealed in doctor’s office. By using that code, the health providers can be able to unlock the secure database that holds people’s medical information. And in order to protect patient’s privacy the device will only provide vital medical information such as blood type and allergic reactions. As soon as the laws and regulations on the chips are passed, the chips will be able to release their potential contribution to the society.
RedTacton is a new technology, which functions by using the human body as a digital transmits path. It is an electronic network device that interfaces based on physical human interactions, such as touching, holding, sitting, walking or stepping on a particular spot. The speed of the data transmission can be up to 10 Mb per second. Instead of using cables to connect camera to the computer, people can simply transfer pictures by touching the PC while the camera is around the user’s neck. And since the data can be passed to one to another, users can easily trade music files by kissing, exchange electronic business cards by shaking hands and swap phone numbers by hugging each other. In order for the RedTacton to function, however, requires three levels of connectivity. The connections are Wide Area network (WAN), Local Area Networks (LAN), and Human Area Networks (HAN). There are many technologies of course that connects and exchanges data, but this the RedTacton was introduced to solve the “last meter” connectivity problem. This type of technology might seem trivial now, but imagine the efficiency this device will allow us to have. The current speed mentioned above is 10 megabits per second, which is, admittedly, not very fast. But as this technology improves in the future, we will be able to exchange not only small amount of data, but libraries and libraries of information with a simple touch. This technology, of course, is not limited to just human to human contact. It can also be used at public transportation stops, classrooms, tourist sites, and more! With a configured metal plate placed in certain spots, people can touch the surface of it and receive the information provided.
Google (Project) Glass is a near complete wearable electronic device design that was conceptual planned to let the user interact with the environment around them without disconnecting from it. The first look at the glasses might give an odd impression, since it looks like a pair of normal glasses without the lenses with an additional small square block on the right side of it. The titanium-framed glasses headset comfortably light, it even weightless than a pair of sunglasses. On the side, there is a touch pad for control and a top button for shooting photos and videos for the built-in camera. There is also a small information display that will be visible through a head-ups display (HUD). Google Glass basically is designed to take all the functionality of a smartphone and placed into a wearable device. The see-through lens on the top right corner could display everything from text messages, mapping, to reminders. Besides, they may also have the function of having video chats or taking photos and record notes. For all its utility, though, Google Glass is the least distracting computer ever. Thad Starner, one of the main testers for Google Glass, said, “One of the key points here is that we’re trying to make mobile systems that help the user pay more attention to the real world as opposed to retreating from it,” in an interview on June 19, 2012.
Technologies not only convince human life, they also support people to give himself or herself a second chances from accidents or incompleteness that happened in their life. Most of us might not fully comprehend the situations, but we all know that having “missing body parts” is not the ideal choice to live life. The progresses made in prosthetics limbs are simply incredible. From the early, heavy, and clunky artificial limbs to the light weighted, brain-powered, and smooth prosthetic limbs today just makes everyone breathe easier. The prosthetic limbs today have even allowed people to skydive, climb mountains, run marathons, participate fully in sports, and even be on active duty in the military. The prosthetic limbs give people a chance to live without limitations. It brings motivation to everyone who knows the gravity of the situation. Oscar Pistorius, the first amputee blade runner who runs the world record holder for the 100, 200 and 400 meter event. He uses his prosthetic legs to overthrow the sport world to rethink and have a brand new impression with being as a disabled athlete. Pistorius was born in South Africa in 1986. Both of his leg was born without the fibula, which are the long thin bone that form and supports the calf muscle of the outer part of the ankle. About a month before Pistorius’s first birthday, his parents decide to amputated both of his legs below the knee and let him learn to walk on prosthetics instead of wheelchair. Within six months, Pistorius successfully accommodate his new pair of prosthetic legs. Although Pistorius lived with a pair of prosthetic legs, this innate incompleteness didn’t stop him from his large interest in sports. In his young ages, Pistorius was interested and in many kinds of athletic activity, especially water polo and rugby. But due to his knee injury, he was unable to compete in a rugby career. But soon he got introduced to track during his knee rehabilitation. Meanwhile, he began to start running. While he starts his life on track, he changes to another pair of carbon fiber and steal blade. This new pair of steel blades is very different compare to the prosthetic legs that Protrius has been living with for the past sixteen years. Although he suffer from accommodate his new pair of failed of time during the training and practices, but it didn’t drown Pistorius down. The new pair of prosthetic legs gave him new hope of achieving what seemed like an impossible feat. It gave him the confidence to stand up again and strive towards his goal. “I don’t see myself as disabled. In the final of the race I tell myself: I wouldn’t be here unless I qualified, and I know I can do this.” (Postorius, WebCite, June 9th, 2012).
In conclusion, the technological breakthroughs mentioned above are crucial points for the society to move forward. Many people might not feel the significance of those devices because it doesn’t directly involve them, but not every technological breakthrough fits in perfectly with everyone’s lives and needs. It’s these considered small, mundane, and continual improvements that are the building blocks for our society. Even though not all of the technological advances mentioned above are currently available to the general public, all those devices are greatly influencing our lives. The most contribution these technological devices to society is helping us achieve what was previously not possible or accessible to the common people. The technologies can offer us so many second chances and opportunities. They will offer new ways that we can communicate with each other. All the technologies mentioned above is finding a way to use technology that works with human behavior. How to use all the breakthroughs and incorporate them with the society and use them to their full potential.


                                                                  Work Cited :

"What Is a Total Artificial Heart ?". National Heart Lung and blood Institute. 6th July 2012. Web. 5th November. 2012.
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"Healthy Hearts: Artificial Heart." The Human Heart. 2007. Web. 5th Novembe,2012.

Saenz, Aaaron. "Italian boy receieves permanent "artificial heart" impant." Sigularity HUB. 10th July 2010. Web 29th November, 2012.
<http://singularityhub.com/2010/10/07/italian-boy-receives-permanent-artificial-heart-implant/>

Job, Steve. "The Wired Interview." Feburary 1996.
<http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/4.02/jobs_pr.html>

Craig H. Selzmen, MD. "Off-Pump Insertion of the Jarvik 2000 Left Ventricular assist device." The Cardio Throacic Surgery Network. 21st February, 2008. Web. 29th November, 2012.
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Schaffer, Erik. "Overview of Limb Prosthetics." The Merch Manul Home Health Handbook.. May 2007. Web. 5th November. 2012. 

Bougas, Nico. "Oscar Pistorius: 'The Fastest thing on no legs.' WebCite. 9th June, 2012. Web. 5th November, 2012. 


Miller, Paul. "Project Glass and the epic history of wearble computer." The Verge. 26th June, 2012. Web. 5th November,  2012. 

 
Bilton, Nick. "A Rose-Colored View May Come Standard." The New York Times. 4th April, 2012. Web. 5th November, 2012.

 
Lin, Edwards. "Intel wants a chip implant in your brain." Phys.Org. 23rd November, 2009. Web 5th November, 2012.

 
The Associated Press. "FDA approves computer hip for humans." Health- Health care NBC News. 13th October, 2004. Web. 5th November, 2012. 
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Swedberg Claire. “Alzheimer’s Care Center to Carry Out VeriChip Pilot.” REID Journal. 20th May, 2007. Web. 30th November, 2012. 

Slavo, Mac. “Coming Soon: Computer Chip Implants for Human Tracking.” Theintelhub.com. 1st November, 2011. Web. 30th November, 2012. 
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Good, Robin. “Broadband Networking Via Human Skin: Body- Based Data Transmission Coming Soon.” Robin Good’s MasterNewMedia. 21st July 2005. Web. 5th November. 2012.
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2012年11月2日 星期五

Utopia = the IDEAL world for mankind ?

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According to the social philosopher Thomas More’s definition of the word “Utopia”, it literally means “nowhereville”(Morely), an imaginary community, which refers to that human have overcomes with the social conflict and hardship. 

To investigate the idea of utopia more deeply, I agree with how Maeterlink state that a utopia for mankind should be like in the publication “Utopia & Revolution: On the Origins of a Metaphor” by Melvin J. Lasky and Irving Louis Horowitz. “A world that is noblest, most courageous, most charitable, most devoted, most generous,” (Lasky, Horowitz. 7) peaceful and equal in every aspects of society, such as government, politics, gender and religion. This ideal world eliminates humans from pain, fear, war and hatred. 

On the other hand, the light cannot exist without the dark, just as happiness cannot exist without sadness. So, in the Utopian world, not only have we removed the negative parts of life, but also the positive parts. Ideal as the Utopian concept may sound, from the logical point of view, it seems to be a very emotionless place. There’s no more intimate connection and sense of kinship between human. So should utopia still be consider an ideal society that human should aim for?
 




Sources:

 Lasky, M. J. (2004). Utopia & Revolution: On the Origins of a Metaphor. Chicago, University of Chicago Press.

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Albert Fried and Ronald Sanders, ed., Socialist Thought: A Documentary History, New York: Columbia University Press, 1964), pp. 18-31.

Morelly. Code de la nature, Paris, 184.