Click Here for Happiness

Considering the equation time=money, one would assume that in order to increase money, time must be savored. There are many ways people tackle this proposition, most centered around the need to maximize efficiency.  Upon the turning of the century, it has become clear, that the way many people choose to maximize efficiency, is through relying on technology. Like any large societal change, this reliance on technology, although seemingly harmless, has profound effects.

Many people, especially those who have grown up in the technological era, do not notice the effects of technology until consequences arise: the consequence highlighted in this eye-opening video is isolation, leading to a unique sense of loneliness.

The act of being everywhere at once, with anyone and everyone, seems like it would do nothing but open doors. Unfortunately, this is not seen to be the case. Yes, there may be doorways, but these doors are becoming locked. Sherry Turkle considers: “Think of it as ‘I share, therefore I am.’ We use technology to define ourselves by sharing our thoughts and feelings as we’re having them. We used to think, ‘I have a feeling; I want to make a call.’ Now our impulse is, ‘I want to have a feeling; I need to send a text’” (Turkle, Sherry). This is a drastic and impactful change.

For this reason, I question: does technology ‘live’ for us, or are we beginning to live for technology? Does technology aid in our happiness, or does our happiness depend upon technology?

Time=money. Time=money does NOT equal happiness. Professor Yamir-Hamburger reminds us to be conscious, to continue to be aware of what it is we really need. With this in mind, I pose the challenge: “Click here for Happiness”, and then click out.

Turkle, Sherry. "The Flight From Conversation." The New York Times. The New York Times, 21 Apr. 2012. Web. 23 June 2015.  

Understanding Artificial Intelligence

“By far, the greatest danger of Artificial Intelligence is that people conclude too early that they understand it.”

            -Eliezer Yudkowsky

Do you understand Artificial Intelligence?

The phenomena of building Artificial Intelligence is an itch that will not go away.  It has been and will always be a part of entertainment, with several movies coming out that deal with AI.  Such as, 2001: A Space Odyssey, AI: Artificial Intelligence, Metropolis, and Her.   It fascinates and controls us in the pursuit of building something that will ultimately be humanity’s greatest surviving project. 

But should we only concentrate on something that only a human can come up with or should we focus on something that isn’t quite part of this world?

According to Former Astronaut Dan Barry, he believes that artificial intelligence is something that can be found via otherworldly. 

Do we agree with what Dan Barry is saying?  Should we focus more on finding AI that can transcend our world or should we focus on building a ultimate mind or even better is there a way to merge the two ideas into one?

It’s interesting to think that there is more then one possible way to achieve Artificial Intelligence.  However something that hasn't been mentioned yet is the concept of forging Artificial Intelligence to be used as a tool for war.  So far, when AI is discussed most people talk about how it will be beneficial for the human brain, and for human health development.  However, more and more people are starting to see AI can also have a big impact on more disastrous consequences, such as war. 

The latest technology is that of drones.  The little flying machines are only the beginning of what humans could bring forth to make waging war more easy and less taxing on the mind. 

The question that then comes to mind is will we be able to curb our desires when it comes to Artificial Intelligence?  I like to think not, which means that we will find a way to keep AI under control or we will reach out and find AI in the most unlikely of places. 

Ciao!

Sex, Stability and Fulfillment

In our next installment of our video series with renowned relationship therapist Esther Perel describes in this film a new way to view how our connections are changing in today's modern world.  

Rethinking Relationships

“The best feeling in the world is knowing that you actually mean something to someone.”

Relationships are special.  Relationships are meant to mean something worthwhile.  What do you look for in a relationship?  Do you look for someone who will be there for you regardless of the situation or are you looking for someone just so that they are able to provide companionship?  Regardless of what you are looking for in a relationship it’s safe to say that everyone yearns for that certain connection.

Diving into the brain of Esther Perel, in our newest video Couples, Culture and Sexuality, Esther Perel explains how she is starting to see different viewpoints in regards to how we are now starting to view relationships. 

We begin to shift away from what culture dictates as normal and Esther Perel can see that because of this shift in turning away from what we consider normal and are looking beyond then it shows what we as a society truly value.  The real question then is how are we working to join these two different views together so that they can function coherently.  

Esther Perel argues that how we connect gives a glimpse into what our society values.  Often more times then not when thoughts are directed to the future, its always mostly about technology, but what if instead of technology we thought of relationships.  I have to wonder though, if that will end up being true.  Sure, some might think that the future is really all about our relationships but when I see how much power technology has over us…I can’t help but disagree.  In the modern world today it’s a cinch to get what you want whenever you want it.  People are interacting more and more with others through the use of technology more then ever before, in fact almost every time I go out one more person is on their phone somehow interacting with someone else.

So then, can we still have that special connection if we’ve lost that face-to-face interaction?  

Ciao!

Connections and Infidelity

“We need to connect, to live to survive.”  Esther Perel. 

Humans have needed others to survive for as long as we have been on the Earth.  One can’t simply live by themselves.  We are constantly seeking the attention of others, whether it’s a child seeking comfort from its mother or two people invoking in a more intimate relationship.

We seek stability from one person, to provide us with comfort, security, and safety.  However, when it crumbles…then where are we left?

The term monogamy means to be with one person for the rest of your life.  Nowadays the word has a new meaning…meaning that it is more acceptable to be with more then one person…all at the different times.  People are no longer content with one person, they seek that adventure that comes with having an affair for various reasons.  Having an affair was once considered a blot on anyone’s relationship but now ironically in her TED Talk noted relationship therapist Esther Perel states that “staying is the new shame.”  Our society has shifted from where having an affair was one of shame to where now if a person stays the shame is on them.

In her talk Perel explains why people are eager to cheat and how deep down it is a sense of longing and loss.  Can we as a society take what Perel is saying an apply it to our lives?  Or are we stuck in a whirlwind of conflicting emotions that prevent us from breaking free of our restraints?  

What will the future of relationships be?

Stay tuned for a new video from Galactic Public Archives with Esther Perel on the future of relationships.

Ciao!

Google...Our Parasite or Our Savior

There are so many various search engines, that sometimes I find myself asking what’s the point.  In the modern world of today, if we don’t know something the only way we can think to ask is to take it to the internet.

Or otherwords…let’s Google it.

Now I’m not saying that I find Google or any other search engine bad.  I mean it was bound to happen sooner or later and it is interesting when you look and study the pagerank algorithm, that ranks certain pages for you.  However let’s face it…what is really at stake here is what’s known as congnitive capitalism.  Congnitive capitalism is characterized by digital technologies that are combined with high levels of cognitive and cultural labor.  At the heart of Google’s PageRank, Matteo Pasquinelli states that “there are three main arguments in relation to the ‘Google economy’ by focusing respectively: value production, value accumulation and value re-appropriation.”  First off through the use of a machine, we are able to transform simple smarts into “network value.”  Pasquinelli states that this model of cognitive hegemony is based on exploitation of a mediascape for the collective intelligence that is free and open.  Finally he claims that a response can only be organized by reversing the chain of production. 

Due to the PageRank, Google has become unstoppable.  It’s very interesting to note that Pasquinelli states in his conclusion that “the battle against the accumulation of data operated by PageRank reminds the social struggles against the traditional forms of monopoly and accumulation of capitals.” 

Google started out a small inkblot and it is now slowly becoming an impossible stain to remove, a parasite that continues to thrive and live.  However there are things that Google is partaking in that restore faith in humanity.

When I think of life like limbs I can’t help but think of that scene in Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, when Luke Skywalker receives a new robotic hand in place of the one that he lost.  The way it was made, you couldn’t even see that it was really a piece of machine.  It gave off the impression being real. 

With how technology is advancing, it’s plain to see how that can become a reality.  I recently found an article that expresses how Google is doing exactly that…with what is called the Impact Challenge. 

Google has partnered with multiple start up’s and non-profit organizations to research, build and help people with disabilities make their lives better.  World-Wide Hearing, E-Nable, RNIB, Liftware and Mission Arm EXIII to just name a few.

Google Impact Challenge

Google Impact Opportunity

What these scientists and innovators are doing is work that will in the long run, will remain engrained in the hearts and minds of all the people that will be reached. 

Ciao!

Smartphones: a help or a hindrance

Lately I’ve noticed that when people are out and about, they spend a greater part of the time on their phone.  Now I’m not badmouthing, because I know that I do this myself.  However, it might be time for an intervention. 

People are becoming more and more acceptable to having impersonal relationships.  They no longer have a need to have that face-to-face interaction.  However, that comes at a price.  Due to the fact that people are able to disconnect from others, they are able to keep feelings and emotions away and at a distance. I saw a movie once, entitled Sleep Dealers and in this futuristic movie people are able connect on a global network that will join their minds and experiences.  In one scene, the main character’s house is bombed by a drone that is being flown by someone miles away…the futuristic technology allows for the pilot to keep himself at an unfeeling distance.  I couldn't find the specific clip but here's the trailer for the movie:

Thankfully our technology hasn’t involved that far but there’s no telling when we might achieve it at the rate we develop new technology. 

Moving back to how technology is making us become an impersonal world.  I found this interesting blog post on exactly how smartphones is achieving in making us more impersonal, entitled The Depersonalization of Society. 

https://longblogsaboutpracticallyanything.wordpress.com/2015/05/11/the-depersonalisation-of-society/

Smartphones are objects that have the power to control us.  There are good things about smartphones, but there are also things about phones that chain us.  For those who grew up in a technology filled world, you probably don’t think anything of it, but for those who grew up without technology, you probably remember a time when you were actually able to go months without seeing some kind of technology. 

Speaking from experience I don’t remember the last time that I actually sat down and had an actual conversation with someone and not have it interrupted by some alert on my phone.  That being said I’d like to end with a few questions.  Has technology effectively killed off face-to-face communication?  Have humans lost themselves as people to technology?  In the future will technology be more of a help or more of a hindrance? 

Ciao!