A little bit more on environment...

I got cs3 off a friend this morning so I had a play and made this environment example of a futuristic community still in touch with the environment (plus a dragon)

you'll probably have to enlarge to see the house, it's small

My Avatar

I would like to make my Avatar an animal morph that is like a wolf... but I don't know what else to do with it! helphelphelp

The Environment

If the environment was my environment it would not be a futuristic environment. It would be a simplistic environment, with an abundance of land matter. This may be more trying on the human kind, but perhaps this is a positive. While technology would exist, and th society would most likely be relying on it, it would not spill out from homes and encompass the world. It would be a clean energy source, probably uranium powered, and people would spend a lot of time involved in the environment, not imagining the environment. A lot of the technology employed would not be for games, but for bettering the world.

Artificial Intelligence

What are the dangers of the creation of artificial intelligence or models like David?
I don't think that jealousy is the issue in question, but fulfilling what we program it to do. David is designed to love, and receive love and there is a malfunction when he feels there is a threat to his programmed duty, I think. Jealousy could be more of a factor when considering the way humans feel toward the models. They could survive nuclear warfare, unlike us, and have the ability to do all kinds of things. Other dangers such as extended lifetime and overpopulation is a big factor in considering the environment, and as metals, etc, grow fewer, it may become a waste of our limited resources as a planet. The malfunctions that occur may destroy the population, or they may be used for warfare as killing devices, indestructability is a factor too. The moral obligations are endless, and the notions of 'who programs the robot in terms of morals' and whose morals does it follow (does it follow Muslim, Christian, Aboriginal beliefs? Who calls the shots on how it lives its life? It can't make it's own moral decisions, so which morals are more prevalent and 'better' in society?

What are some of the positives of artificial intelligence?
People are given more capabilities if partially enhanced by the intelligence, and we can explore and venture into more unknowns, but whether this constant urge for new information is a positive is a relative concept as well. Some people definitely believe that a society who venture more safely is a better society.

Steven Spielberg created a dark look at the subject... how could he have changed the film?
Well, why change it? Having an understanding of Spielberg's work, it would be too 'safe' for him to look at the positive light. Less controversial. Also, it is perhaps a less accurate portrayal of the afflictions of artificial intelligence.

Can we trust computers as much as humans?
I believe this question is what Buddhists would describe as 'a question wrongly put'. I think the real question to be asking is, can we trust humans as well as computers, or computers as well as humans?

Can you envisage a time when we will be fused with technology?
We are, and the moral concerns are already popping up around us. The new technology of cyborganetic arms can fulfil 22 of the primary 27 arm functions. Cyborganetic hearts, lungs or even brains... where will this take us? I think it is safer to stop, and have a look at the world around us for 10 seconds without thinking about where we'll go or technology will get ahead of us.

Are we already transhumanists, in that we have technology extensions off our bodies?
As a question with multiple interpretations and meanings, I will say just this: is there a difference between the people who are constantly in flux with new technology and attach it to themselves constantly, and those who have no choice? It's like a magnetic pole. I don't know much about magnetic sciences, but opposites will attract. The orga and the mecha in us will always feel the need to fuse. Does this not make us transhumanists from the dawn of time, and perhaps THIS is why technology advances as it does?

What are some extensions that you think may be more common in the future?
The human race is unpredictable, and no matter what I say will be overthrown with a million more inventive and unnecessary ideas of the future. Hopefully it will be primarily for the benefit of people who suffer injuries and limp palpitations- but then this raises other questions.
An Olympic runner loses his leg in an accident and is given artificial limbs. Is he still eligible to compete?

Do you see this as a positive for human kind?
Ah, no.

Cccccyberspace

These capabilities generate a virtual interactive experience which can be accessed for the purpose of communication regardless of location.

While cyberspace should not be confused with real Internet, the term refers to objects and identities which exist within the communication network itself.

A Blood Elf Warlock.

Ana Ward in the Virtual World

Well, for a long time I played a whole lot of Neopets (sometimes my boyfriend and I still do go on Neopets ... hang out in our Raymond E. Feist Guild or share our money). I never really talked to anybody I didn't know, except for people I bought things off in the auctions. I remember chatting to a couple of people, but only about their 'Snail Slushies' and stuff.

The psychology behind it?

There are probably a lot of pedofiles on Neopets, since it's generated for kids, and pedofiles like kids (well, I can gather, anyway).

I also played World of Warcraft for a lenghty six month period during my early teenage years. I had a nice Blood Elf Warlock (girl, of course). I don't think there are too many pedofiles on WoW, because I generally associate pedofiles wanting young girls and there aren't many young girls on WoW. But there are some.

Also, one time I was on Omegle.com (or it might have been ANiceChat.com) and I met "Sandra", who is actually Michael - an anime-loving design student who loves to 'troll horny teenage boys'.

I see that everybody has very different motives for making up a personality online.

Exploring Cyberspace!

CYBERSPACE is the global domain of (to avoid the irritating Wiki-jargon) a virtual space that encompasses people and ideas, brings them together on a worldwide scale and helps interaction and sharing.

I like this picture as an example of cyberspace... like cyberspace, it appears to be completely endless.

Nicholas Negroponte (my favourite modern Greek architect and science braniac) once said:

This is just the beginning, the beginning of understanding that cyberspace has no limits, no boundaries.

How to animorph?!

I was pretty inexperienced when it came to photoshop, and I ask a lot of questions about how to use it, but I think I am slowly working it out.

The first thing we needed to do was find two animal images to combine. I choose the ocelot and the eagle because I think they are quite intriguing animals and they have very different textures.

We mostly used the magnetic lasso tool and the soft eraser to manipulate the second image to fit neatly onto the first. Some people had to play around with the hue and saturation of the two images as well. The most difficult tool to use was the clone tool, and I ended up just doing all of my clones on new layers... because otherwise I made a big mess.

I found that the history tool was really helpful (after remaining adament that I would definitely NOT need it).

I think I will improve over time... Ocegles for the win!

Animorphology!

An ocelot combined with a bald eagle to create the bold and fearsome ocegle.

Maybe not so fearsome... but definitely with the courage and tact of the eagle, and the stealth and effeminate beauty of this panterinae subspecies. Possibly quite a force to reckon with... I'm also enjoying the long neck- perfect for prying around corners deep within the cityscape.

Animal Psychology Quiz

What is your favourite animal?
The Black/White Wolf

An animal that is a little bit different, a little bit dark, and a little bit understood but very intelligent and very majestic. Also intuitive and strong in nature.

This is how you see yourself.

What is your second favourite animal?

The Lion

An animal that is quick-witted, strong and very stealthy. One that is clever and ancient in attribute; one that demands respect in majesty and in style. The King of the Jungle.

This is how others see you.

What is your third favourite animal?

The Eagle

An animal that is a high-flyer, sometimes a predator, but not for the fun of it. Smart and bestowed with beautiful wings for the things it does best. A bit of a dreamer, and soft at heart. One to be adored and revered, in the kindest of senses, for it is unlike any other animal.

This is how you really are.

I also like pandas, ocelots, old cats, Wookies and tigers.

If I were a tree...

If I were a tree, what tree would I be?
I asked Christie what kind of tree I would be, and she said, 'that tree from the Lion King'. Below is the closest I could find.
I like this tree because it branches out and covers all the little African animals who wish to hide there when it rains, or when they need some shade. Some animals could live in there, like a baboon or a cheetah. It stands by itself. It's rather short, but look at the way it branches out- I don't think it's height gets in its way of reaching for the stars.

If I were a shoe, what shoe would I be?

I adore Doc Martens! Except for the sandals, they're ugly.

Boots? Definitely. Generally 14i at the highest, but here you go.

They aren't your typical Doc, (which aren't your typical shoe, really) because the leather is in strips. It looks like it may even fall apart at any second. That is, of course, if it wasn't for the sturdy strap holding the shoe together up the top. I don't think that strap is me. There are a few people it could be... Lucky them :P

The colour is warm, which is handy because the shoe isn't really.

If I were a car, what car would I be?
Immediately I thought, A 1957 CHEVROLET CORVETTE (beautiful car), then I thought I was more of a truck. Straight lines, direct, faster motor- quicker on the uptake, you see.

A firetruck? Always there to save the day?

An ice cream truck? Delivering sweetness (you know, unless they break down)?

Or a sexy, square '68 Mustang in metallic ice blue? (beautiful car)

I asked my mother, 'Mum, is this car me?'

'Yes,' she said, 'a bit traditional, sometimes it comes across like it's had its time, but it's the kind of car that's always around and always pulling out new beauty and new tricks.'

If I were a flower, what flower would I be?
This was tricky too.

'Christie, what flower would I be?'

Orchid?

'Ms Hampton, what flower would I be?'

Magnolia (yuck, no offense)

'Shae, what flower would I be?'

Bird of Paradise?

'Mum, what flower would I be?'

Black Hollyhock.

Rumoured to be poisonous (aren't- quite beneficial to your health actually)

A symbol of fertility and growth, and often used in animalistic spiritual rituals to enhance growth

Where named so because they were 'the colour of black blood'

If I were a chair, what chair would I be?

I'm not much a fan of chairs. I don't see what a chair can do that a rug and a cushion can't. I have a little boudoir stool in my bedroom that I sometimes sit on when I'm reading, and those squashy couches can be nice, and tub chairs too, but they aren't me. They're too rigid, I think.

I like pouffes. Mouldable, comfortable, relaxed and are just as good for your feet as to sit on.

If I were a pair of glasses, what would I look like?

Glasses style change with the fashions, they alter as quickly as the weather, to find any pair in particular would not look like me.

One thing I can say though... bifocals- I see the world in more ways than one.

Have a good day Ms Makin.