Chapter 1
Summary
This was simply an introduction to B.F. Skinner and the author first meeting him. The author goes into his home and learns about the man who cam up with operant conditioning
Discussion
This chapter was simply an intro into who Skinner is and what he has generally done.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Book Reading #6 - Coming of Age in Samoa
Chapter 2
Summary
This is truly a day in the life of Samoan people. The author describes what happens starting from the first moments of the day.
Discussion
There is not much to discuss about this chapter except that it simply shows the developing nature of this community and how they all work together
Appendix II
Summary
This particular appendix brings up the topic of how the study came about and the particular methodology of getting the data.
Discussion
The author speaks of her decision to focus on the specific stories of a couple of girls in the Samoan culture because this would be more insightful than a widespread survey asking them generic questions.
Appendix V
Summary
This appendix with specific data that the author used to base all of her assumptions off of. Laying out who everyone is that the author is studying and how adolescent each one is.
Discussion
Not too much to discuss since this is just simple displaying the raw data of the study.
Summary
This is truly a day in the life of Samoan people. The author describes what happens starting from the first moments of the day.
Discussion
There is not much to discuss about this chapter except that it simply shows the developing nature of this community and how they all work together
Appendix II
Summary
This particular appendix brings up the topic of how the study came about and the particular methodology of getting the data.
Discussion
The author speaks of her decision to focus on the specific stories of a couple of girls in the Samoan culture because this would be more insightful than a widespread survey asking them generic questions.
Appendix V
Summary
This appendix with specific data that the author used to base all of her assumptions off of. Laying out who everyone is that the author is studying and how adolescent each one is.
Discussion
Not too much to discuss since this is just simple displaying the raw data of the study.
Book Reading #5 - Design of Everyday Things
Chapter 2
Summary
This chapter talked about the design of products and what to keep in mind when designing. There will always be some misconceptions about people that the designers must be aware of. Subtleties in language and human thinking will happen to where the user will make mistakes even though they know the correct way of doing something. This also causes the user to misconstrue the direct cause of the problem It is the designers job to work around these situations.
Discussion
The chapter is actually a really important for everyone to understand and implement. When designing a project what may seem obvious to the designer may not be very intuitive to the user. Also, adding many practical features may in turn clash with each other and cause new problems.
Summary
This chapter talked about the design of products and what to keep in mind when designing. There will always be some misconceptions about people that the designers must be aware of. Subtleties in language and human thinking will happen to where the user will make mistakes even though they know the correct way of doing something. This also causes the user to misconstrue the direct cause of the problem It is the designers job to work around these situations.
Discussion
The chapter is actually a really important for everyone to understand and implement. When designing a project what may seem obvious to the designer may not be very intuitive to the user. Also, adding many practical features may in turn clash with each other and cause new problems.
Paper Reading #4 - Layered Surveillance
Comments
Jeremy Nelissen
Jacob Lillard
Reference Information
Celine Latulipe, Annabel Manning, CHI 2010 Atlanta, GA April 2010
Summary
This article combines a lot of artistic aspects and how technology plays a crucial role in that aspect. Annabel Manning is an artist who attempted to combine technology and audience interaction in order to make a piece that could be shared and allowed for people to get involved in the process. She took images from US border cameras of people trying to illegally immigrate into the country and break down these images into layers that could be affected in a number of different characteristics (brightness, contrast, level of detail, etc.) This was displayed at the art installation and audience members were given two gyroscopic mice in order to manipulate the image. Different people were assigned different layers of the image that could be affected by the moving of their mice. When multiple cursors were crossed, a localized screen shot was taken and uploaded online. The article also goes into detail about what program and basic hardware she used. symShow and symTone allowed her to each most of the project.
Discussion
The idea of this project is a very interesting one. Getting people involved in the process can produce many unique styles and versions of this same image that Manning got from a simple infrared camera. Having multiple people change different layers and characteristics could produce many different styles. However, I do not believe that I would consider this art. The mere act of involving your audience I think takes away that label. The artist should provide the viewer his or her interpretation of a work or idea. When the viewer interacts with that, I think it ruins that aspect. On the other hand, you could make the argument that the artist is giving the viewer only a limited scope of interaction that will therefore push the viewer in the right direction of his or her interpretation. Once again art is pushing the envelope on what is and is not art.
Jeremy Nelissen
Jacob Lillard
Reference Information
Celine Latulipe, Annabel Manning, CHI 2010 Atlanta, GA April 2010
Summary
This article combines a lot of artistic aspects and how technology plays a crucial role in that aspect. Annabel Manning is an artist who attempted to combine technology and audience interaction in order to make a piece that could be shared and allowed for people to get involved in the process. She took images from US border cameras of people trying to illegally immigrate into the country and break down these images into layers that could be affected in a number of different characteristics (brightness, contrast, level of detail, etc.) This was displayed at the art installation and audience members were given two gyroscopic mice in order to manipulate the image. Different people were assigned different layers of the image that could be affected by the moving of their mice. When multiple cursors were crossed, a localized screen shot was taken and uploaded online. The article also goes into detail about what program and basic hardware she used. symShow and symTone allowed her to each most of the project.
Discussion
The idea of this project is a very interesting one. Getting people involved in the process can produce many unique styles and versions of this same image that Manning got from a simple infrared camera. Having multiple people change different layers and characteristics could produce many different styles. However, I do not believe that I would consider this art. The mere act of involving your audience I think takes away that label. The artist should provide the viewer his or her interpretation of a work or idea. When the viewer interacts with that, I think it ruins that aspect. On the other hand, you could make the argument that the artist is giving the viewer only a limited scope of interaction that will therefore push the viewer in the right direction of his or her interpretation. Once again art is pushing the envelope on what is and is not art.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Paper Reading #3 - Robotany: Breeze
Comments
http://436chi-lounge.blogspot.com/2011/01/paper-reading-3-recognizing-shapes-and.html?showComment=1296147523929#c4502274204639712124
http://detentionblockaa32.blogspot.com/2011/01/paper-reading-4-hard-to-use-interfaces.html?showComment=1296147989473#c7026137774589555673
Reference Information
Jim Coffin, Georgia Institute of Technology, CHI 2010 Atlanta, GA April 2010
Summary
This article's main focus is on a device that was built by the author. It is a combination art piece and robotic entity that was shown off to see what reactions were received by the audience. This piece was called Breeze and was a robotic Japanese maple that could move about from various input from the environment. The audience would come in and "dance" with the maple which would in turn respond to their movements. The author then goes on to write several narratives to describe the experience of the interaction
Discussion
This was an interesting article to say the least. The purpose was much more on the artistic aspect of the piece rather than focusing on the quantifiable aspect of the human-robot interaction. The author would repeatedly talk about how people "felt" something when they would be around the maple and he would continue to try and find a deep meaning through these interactions. Not to say that this isn't true, but I believe that humans are essentially just curious by nature and that is simply what the audience was going off of. The different people were surprised to see a robotic tree respond to them when they thought it was nothing more than a regular tree. I think the author falsely attributes this interaction as some sort of deep connection when in reality it is simply curiosity. The narratives he later provides are actually interesting in how the describe the connection that people have with trees and nature in different aspects of life. He makes references to anthropomorphism of trees in many movies and art pieces of our culture. I think there is something to be said about a connection being established with this piece, but maybe not as much as the author makes it out to be.
http://436chi-lounge.blogspot.com/2011/01/paper-reading-3-recognizing-shapes-and.html?showComment=1296147523929#c4502274204639712124
http://detentionblockaa32.blogspot.com/2011/01/paper-reading-4-hard-to-use-interfaces.html?showComment=1296147989473#c7026137774589555673
Reference Information
Jim Coffin, Georgia Institute of Technology, CHI 2010 Atlanta, GA April 2010
Summary
This article's main focus is on a device that was built by the author. It is a combination art piece and robotic entity that was shown off to see what reactions were received by the audience. This piece was called Breeze and was a robotic Japanese maple that could move about from various input from the environment. The audience would come in and "dance" with the maple which would in turn respond to their movements. The author then goes on to write several narratives to describe the experience of the interaction
Discussion
This was an interesting article to say the least. The purpose was much more on the artistic aspect of the piece rather than focusing on the quantifiable aspect of the human-robot interaction. The author would repeatedly talk about how people "felt" something when they would be around the maple and he would continue to try and find a deep meaning through these interactions. Not to say that this isn't true, but I believe that humans are essentially just curious by nature and that is simply what the audience was going off of. The different people were surprised to see a robotic tree respond to them when they thought it was nothing more than a regular tree. I think the author falsely attributes this interaction as some sort of deep connection when in reality it is simply curiosity. The narratives he later provides are actually interesting in how the describe the connection that people have with trees and nature in different aspects of life. He makes references to anthropomorphism of trees in many movies and art pieces of our culture. I think there is something to be said about a connection being established with this piece, but maybe not as much as the author makes it out to be.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Book Reading #3 - HCI Remixed Microblogs
Chapter 1 - My Vision Isn’t My Vision: Making a Career Out of Getting Back to Where I Started
Summary
This story was about one man's experience of creating music with a computer for the first time. The tools given were intuitive and possible for him to use with minimal training
Discussion
The point of this chapter was basically just to show that the computer in question was quite complicated a device in order to digitally synthesize music for him. However, he found that even not knowing about the computer, he came for a weekend and wrote a piece
Chapter 4: Drawing on SketchPad: Reflections on Computer Science and HCI
Summary
The author talks about the many innovative ideas that came out with SketchPad that were badly needed and are used in the evolution of programming to today. He lists several examples such as human's need to point to things, object oriented programming, etc.
Discussion
I do not disagree with the author in the slightest. I agree that the examples he gives are severely important to the future of computer interfaces as long as he correctly attributed these characteristics to this program.
Chapter 5: The Mouse, the Demo, and the Big Idea
Summary
This article was about one man's experience when it came to the idea and showing that idea off. He relished the original mouse and how good the demo was.
Discussion
The author talks up the idea that hype need not be in a pitch, only proof. I think he just wants these demos to inspire the one's watching and get fired up by the presenter's idea.
Chapter 18: Observing Collaboration: Group-Centered Design
Summary
This was another list of the different ideas that were thought of when creating different collaboration based products.
Discussion
I think this article just reveals the flaws that exist in trying to make collaboration software. There needs to be some evolution in this regard before work can get better. However, it is good now in that sharing can be done much quicker.
Chapter 20: Taking Articulation Work Seriously
Summary
Again this chapter continues to talk about group work and how software will work in the mix.
Discussion
CSCW is talked about and discussed. I don't have any disagreements with this article however.
Chapter 23: Video, Toys, and Beyond Being There
Summary
The article makes the analogy of how technology is a wonderful surrogate to a lot of things but does not break into the real life experience of an event.
Discussion
The author will repeatedly talk about how these technologies are awesome in their own right but they are not "being there". This I could not agree with more as I believe there is just different processing when it comes real life experiences and watching video.
Chapter 24: A Simulated Listening Typewriter: John Gould Plays Wizard of Oz
Summary
Chris Schmandt talks about his experience working with new speech processing systems in the early days and what it was like.
Discussion
This paper was simply to show what the early research was like with speech processing and recognition. In the early days it was harder for research to be done because the price for hardware was quite high.
Chapter 25: Seeing the Hole in Space
Summary
In this article, the comparison of video telecommunication to art was proposed and the similarities and benefits it brings forth.
Discussion
The comparison in this article is an interesting one how the creative side meets the technical side. I liked the idea of the comparison but did not quite agree fully with the overall argument.
Chapter 26: Edward Tufte’s 1 + 1 = 3
Summary
A simple article in which fixes are proposed in order to create a space of neatness and cleanliness.
Discussion
Again the proposed fixes are good ones and much time should be spent on how layouts should be done to please the audience.
Chapter 27: Typographic Space: A Fusion of Design and Technology
Summary
Jodi Forlizzi writes about the synergy with early technology and design products. How the first design systems came about before technology was thought of in that way.
Discussion
She researched the psychological aspect of different typographies and various other design objects with the help of technology. This brought much help in the HCI world.
Chapter 28: Making Sense of Sense Making
Summary
This article is the discussion of how computers are past memory banks but also another task must be achieved to have this be helpful, sense making from this data.
Discussion
The author goes through some key points about what would and wouldn't help with this process. The inundation of data in this time is ridiculous and there needs to be processing of it to make it beneficial.
Chapter 34: Revisiting an Ethnocritical Approach to HCI: Verbal Privilege and Translation
Summary
This article spoke about the ethnography and the author's pursuit of it in relation to Native Americans. Also it revealed problems when it came to dealing with smaller less organized cultures when it came to the HCI realm.
Discussion
I found this article to be interesting on his relating to HCI.
Summary
This story was about one man's experience of creating music with a computer for the first time. The tools given were intuitive and possible for him to use with minimal training
Discussion
The point of this chapter was basically just to show that the computer in question was quite complicated a device in order to digitally synthesize music for him. However, he found that even not knowing about the computer, he came for a weekend and wrote a piece
Chapter 4: Drawing on SketchPad: Reflections on Computer Science and HCI
Summary
The author talks about the many innovative ideas that came out with SketchPad that were badly needed and are used in the evolution of programming to today. He lists several examples such as human's need to point to things, object oriented programming, etc.
Discussion
I do not disagree with the author in the slightest. I agree that the examples he gives are severely important to the future of computer interfaces as long as he correctly attributed these characteristics to this program.
Chapter 5: The Mouse, the Demo, and the Big Idea
Summary
This article was about one man's experience when it came to the idea and showing that idea off. He relished the original mouse and how good the demo was.
Discussion
The author talks up the idea that hype need not be in a pitch, only proof. I think he just wants these demos to inspire the one's watching and get fired up by the presenter's idea.
Chapter 18: Observing Collaboration: Group-Centered Design
Summary
This was another list of the different ideas that were thought of when creating different collaboration based products.
Discussion
I think this article just reveals the flaws that exist in trying to make collaboration software. There needs to be some evolution in this regard before work can get better. However, it is good now in that sharing can be done much quicker.
Chapter 20: Taking Articulation Work Seriously
Summary
Again this chapter continues to talk about group work and how software will work in the mix.
Discussion
CSCW is talked about and discussed. I don't have any disagreements with this article however.
Chapter 23: Video, Toys, and Beyond Being There
Summary
The article makes the analogy of how technology is a wonderful surrogate to a lot of things but does not break into the real life experience of an event.
Discussion
The author will repeatedly talk about how these technologies are awesome in their own right but they are not "being there". This I could not agree with more as I believe there is just different processing when it comes real life experiences and watching video.
Chapter 24: A Simulated Listening Typewriter: John Gould Plays Wizard of Oz
Summary
Chris Schmandt talks about his experience working with new speech processing systems in the early days and what it was like.
Discussion
This paper was simply to show what the early research was like with speech processing and recognition. In the early days it was harder for research to be done because the price for hardware was quite high.
Chapter 25: Seeing the Hole in Space
Summary
In this article, the comparison of video telecommunication to art was proposed and the similarities and benefits it brings forth.
Discussion
The comparison in this article is an interesting one how the creative side meets the technical side. I liked the idea of the comparison but did not quite agree fully with the overall argument.
Chapter 26: Edward Tufte’s 1 + 1 = 3
Summary
A simple article in which fixes are proposed in order to create a space of neatness and cleanliness.
Discussion
Again the proposed fixes are good ones and much time should be spent on how layouts should be done to please the audience.
Chapter 27: Typographic Space: A Fusion of Design and Technology
Summary
Jodi Forlizzi writes about the synergy with early technology and design products. How the first design systems came about before technology was thought of in that way.
Discussion
She researched the psychological aspect of different typographies and various other design objects with the help of technology. This brought much help in the HCI world.
Chapter 28: Making Sense of Sense Making
Summary
This article is the discussion of how computers are past memory banks but also another task must be achieved to have this be helpful, sense making from this data.
Discussion
The author goes through some key points about what would and wouldn't help with this process. The inundation of data in this time is ridiculous and there needs to be processing of it to make it beneficial.
Chapter 34: Revisiting an Ethnocritical Approach to HCI: Verbal Privilege and Translation
Summary
This article spoke about the ethnography and the author's pursuit of it in relation to Native Americans. Also it revealed problems when it came to dealing with smaller less organized cultures when it came to the HCI realm.
Discussion
I found this article to be interesting on his relating to HCI.
Paper Reading #2 - iFeel_IM: Innovative Real-Time Communication System with Rich Emotional and Haptic Channels
Comments
Joshua Penick
Cindy Skach
Reference Information
Dzmitry Tsetserukou, Mitsuru Ishizuka, Alena Neviarouskaya, Susumu Tachi, Helmut Prendinger, CHI 2010 Atlanta, GA April 2010
Summary
This paper goes through the novel idea of allowing physical feedback when instant messaging between clients in order to "feel" what the user's are emoting. They created many different modules in order to experience certain types of emotions. Some include hugging, joy, fear, love, etc. The modules were "hands" that were placed on the user's back and will apply pressure to feel like a hug. A "heart" to send heart beat sounds to the user's chest. Also a "butterfly" to simulate "butterflies in the stomach".
Discussion
While I find that in the world of IM there is a significant gap of emotion when speaking to others, this article was a little silly. It is a good idea because a lot of times things get lost in translation and one user's sarcasm may be interpreted as hostility by the other person. I actually think working on tone inflection in user's messages somehow would be a lot more beneficial. This is because no one can tell when sarcasm is being but into messages or when emphasis needs to be brought to a certain statement.
I would also say that this group is not the first to attempt this type of product. Producing some sort of feedback for computer users when talking to each other has been a topic since the 1990s. Also, I believe this would not have a lot of adoption because of the high cost of producing the modules.
Joshua Penick
Cindy Skach
Reference Information
Dzmitry Tsetserukou, Mitsuru Ishizuka, Alena Neviarouskaya, Susumu Tachi, Helmut Prendinger, CHI 2010 Atlanta, GA April 2010
Summary
This paper goes through the novel idea of allowing physical feedback when instant messaging between clients in order to "feel" what the user's are emoting. They created many different modules in order to experience certain types of emotions. Some include hugging, joy, fear, love, etc. The modules were "hands" that were placed on the user's back and will apply pressure to feel like a hug. A "heart" to send heart beat sounds to the user's chest. Also a "butterfly" to simulate "butterflies in the stomach".
Discussion
While I find that in the world of IM there is a significant gap of emotion when speaking to others, this article was a little silly. It is a good idea because a lot of times things get lost in translation and one user's sarcasm may be interpreted as hostility by the other person. I actually think working on tone inflection in user's messages somehow would be a lot more beneficial. This is because no one can tell when sarcasm is being but into messages or when emphasis needs to be brought to a certain statement.
I would also say that this group is not the first to attempt this type of product. Producing some sort of feedback for computer users when talking to each other has been a topic since the 1990s. Also, I believe this would not have a lot of adoption because of the high cost of producing the modules.
Ethnography Topic Brainstorm
So if this post is simply a place to put new ideas, I will simply list:
- Study the effects that music has on nearly all people
- I am very musically inclined so this would be interesting to me
- Music is something that almost everyone will appreciate in some form
- What forms will it influence the most
- Statistics on whether people know of free forms of programs they need
- The likelihood of people to visit a site based on how long it loads or advertisements getting in their way
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Reading #41 - LiquidText: Active Reading through Multitouch Document Manipulation
Comments
http://jip-tamuchi-spring2011.blogspot.com/2011/01/reading-41-liquidtext-active-reading.html?showComment=1295542690033#c1075053493023987973
http://jnelissen-chi.blogspot.com/2011/01/reading-1-liquidtext-active-reading.html?showComment=1295543212973#c5039208557705344327
Reference Information
Author: Craig Tashman
CHI 2010 Doctoral Consortium, Atlanta, GA April, 2010
Summary
In his paper, Craig is trying to find a suitable way to have active reading activities that would normally be done with paper cross into the digital realm. He is proposing device that will accept multi-touch input because the mouse pointer holds too little bandwidth. He states that paper was poor anyway and that his new LiquidText is the best step forward. Also he gives a status of the current work he is doing on the project and what still needs to be done.
Discussion
The idea that paper is poor and needs to be improved is somewhat flawed. It is true that when it comes to active reading that paper could be improved upon because computers bring so much more to the table. However, what is not mentioned is the fact that paper is so cheap and one of the fundamental inventions of human kind. Whatever Craig proposes I think must also address the cost issue in order for him to compete at all in cutting down on paper. Also, it seems like his device uses a backlight of some sort and that will require much power to run and also puts eye strain on the user. This will obviously need to be addressed and eliminated to become ideal. I would have liked to have seen more on the topic of the actual LiquidText because much of the paper was just on the implementation of the next steps in the research.
http://jip-tamuchi-spring2011.blogspot.com/2011/01/reading-41-liquidtext-active-reading.html?showComment=1295542690033#c1075053493023987973
http://jnelissen-chi.blogspot.com/2011/01/reading-1-liquidtext-active-reading.html?showComment=1295543212973#c5039208557705344327
Reference Information
Author: Craig Tashman
CHI 2010 Doctoral Consortium, Atlanta, GA April, 2010
Summary
In his paper, Craig is trying to find a suitable way to have active reading activities that would normally be done with paper cross into the digital realm. He is proposing device that will accept multi-touch input because the mouse pointer holds too little bandwidth. He states that paper was poor anyway and that his new LiquidText is the best step forward. Also he gives a status of the current work he is doing on the project and what still needs to be done.
Discussion
The idea that paper is poor and needs to be improved is somewhat flawed. It is true that when it comes to active reading that paper could be improved upon because computers bring so much more to the table. However, what is not mentioned is the fact that paper is so cheap and one of the fundamental inventions of human kind. Whatever Craig proposes I think must also address the cost issue in order for him to compete at all in cutting down on paper. Also, it seems like his device uses a backlight of some sort and that will require much power to run and also puts eye strain on the user. This will obviously need to be addressed and eliminated to become ideal. I would have liked to have seen more on the topic of the actual LiquidText because much of the paper was just on the implementation of the next steps in the research.
 |
| A specific company's implementation |
On Computers
Comments
http://detentionblockaa32.blogspot.com/2011/01/book-reading-3-on-computers.html?showComment=1295543623615#c8376159078620585279
http://alex-chi.blogspot.com/2011/01/on-computers.html?showComment=1295544326471#c8196932942429717565
Reference Information
From "The Complete Works of Aristotle", Edited by Jonathan Barnes
On Plants
Summary
Aristotle's On Plants is simply a narrative on whether something is alive or not. It is just another semantical game trying to find one's definition of life. His definition is obviously different than our current societies definition. Aristotle lists a certain criteria that must be met in order to be stated as alive. In this case he says that plants are only somewhat alive because they do not have movement.
Discussion
These types of arguments are interesting to talk about, but I find them largely unhelpful in the grand scheme of things. Aristotle tries to define what is "alive", but I think that we must ask ourselves whether this makes any difference in regards to what we are concerned with. If a computer was labeled as alive I don't think that anything would significantly change in terms of everyone's point of view (except I guess you can't destroy your computer anymore because of a freezing problem, that would be murder).
According to Aristotle's definition, however, I think that the computer could also be termed as somewhat alive since it uses electricity for "food" and responds to different stimuli.
http://detentionblockaa32.blogspot.com/2011/01/book-reading-3-on-computers.html?showComment=1295543623615#c8376159078620585279
http://alex-chi.blogspot.com/2011/01/on-computers.html?showComment=1295544326471#c8196932942429717565
Reference Information
From "The Complete Works of Aristotle", Edited by Jonathan Barnes
On Plants
Summary
Aristotle's On Plants is simply a narrative on whether something is alive or not. It is just another semantical game trying to find one's definition of life. His definition is obviously different than our current societies definition. Aristotle lists a certain criteria that must be met in order to be stated as alive. In this case he says that plants are only somewhat alive because they do not have movement.
Discussion
These types of arguments are interesting to talk about, but I find them largely unhelpful in the grand scheme of things. Aristotle tries to define what is "alive", but I think that we must ask ourselves whether this makes any difference in regards to what we are concerned with. If a computer was labeled as alive I don't think that anything would significantly change in terms of everyone's point of view (except I guess you can't destroy your computer anymore because of a freezing problem, that would be murder).
According to Aristotle's definition, however, I think that the computer could also be termed as somewhat alive since it uses electricity for "food" and responds to different stimuli.
Chinese Room
Comments
http://436chi-lounge.blogspot.com/2011/01/chinese-room-argument.html?showComment=1295544602852#c6868972653454445770
http://tamucsce436-2011a.blogspot.com/2011/01/chinese-room.html?showComment=1295544968554#c5550863390407005603
Reference Information
Minds, brains, and programs. Behavioral and Brain Science.
John R. Searle
Summary
This paper proposes a thought experiment to which the author posits that a computer program could never truly "think" in the definition that humans think. The understanding of a machine and what its true potential is gone over throughout the paper and how it will always lack something. Strong AI is argued against which is basically defined as having inputs and outputs to reach the same level as a human brain. The machine would never truly "understand" what is being processed so it would therefore not be a human mind.
Discussion
This idea proposed is interesting in its own right and sounds plausible. However, I believe that the definitions in the paper need to be looked at closer to truly grasp what "understanding" and "thinking" really mean. I think it could be achieved through passing a much more thorough Turing test. Also, if true quantum computers ever come to fruition, this could change a lot of what Searle was saying.
http://436chi-lounge.blogspot.com/2011/01/chinese-room-argument.html?showComment=1295544602852#c6868972653454445770
http://tamucsce436-2011a.blogspot.com/2011/01/chinese-room.html?showComment=1295544968554#c5550863390407005603
Reference Information
Minds, brains, and programs. Behavioral and Brain Science.
John R. Searle
Summary
This paper proposes a thought experiment to which the author posits that a computer program could never truly "think" in the definition that humans think. The understanding of a machine and what its true potential is gone over throughout the paper and how it will always lack something. Strong AI is argued against which is basically defined as having inputs and outputs to reach the same level as a human brain. The machine would never truly "understand" what is being processed so it would therefore not be a human mind.
Discussion
This idea proposed is interesting in its own right and sounds plausible. However, I believe that the definitions in the paper need to be looked at closer to truly grasp what "understanding" and "thinking" really mean. I think it could be achieved through passing a much more thorough Turing test. Also, if true quantum computers ever come to fruition, this could change a lot of what Searle was saying.
Microblogs of Coming of Age in Samoa
Chapter 1
Summary
In this beginning chapter the author starts to explain the difficulty of her research. She is trying to explain the differences in growing up and the problems with trying to isolate variables. She therefore goes to Samoa to see if there are any vast differences.
Discussion
Since this was just a beginning chapter explaining the topic at hand, I had no qualms with it. Everything was fairly straight forward and the premise was set. However, the actual explanation was not said until the end and made for slight confusion
Summary
In this beginning chapter the author starts to explain the difficulty of her research. She is trying to explain the differences in growing up and the problems with trying to isolate variables. She therefore goes to Samoa to see if there are any vast differences.
Discussion
Since this was just a beginning chapter explaining the topic at hand, I had no qualms with it. Everything was fairly straight forward and the premise was set. However, the actual explanation was not said until the end and made for slight confusion
Microblogs of Design of Everyday Things
Chapter 1
Summary
In the first chapter, The Psychopatholgy of Everyday Things, the author begins by explaining many different examples of how different devices complexity are in relation to the user being able to figure them out. He repeatedly makes the point that feature bloat for the evolution of products is a bad thing when costs are also being cut on top of it.
Discussion
Although I see the intentions of the author of this first chapter, I had problems with what he said overall and what he missed. I agree that some technologies are most assuredly complicated for a lot of end users, the author basically only focused on the 1990's landline phone as his main punching bag. I would have like to have seen more products with better problems. I just was not convinced possibly because I was too hung up on the fact that I believe that users at the time chose to take affordability over ease of use. This seems like a natural capitalistic function.
Summary
In the first chapter, The Psychopatholgy of Everyday Things, the author begins by explaining many different examples of how different devices complexity are in relation to the user being able to figure them out. He repeatedly makes the point that feature bloat for the evolution of products is a bad thing when costs are also being cut on top of it.
Discussion
Although I see the intentions of the author of this first chapter, I had problems with what he said overall and what he missed. I agree that some technologies are most assuredly complicated for a lot of end users, the author basically only focused on the 1990's landline phone as his main punching bag. I would have like to have seen more products with better problems. I just was not convinced possibly because I was too hung up on the fact that I believe that users at the time chose to take affordability over ease of use. This seems like a natural capitalistic function.
Blog post 0; The not really blog post
Alright so to start off the brand new blog lets get to some question answering:
Email: lukeroberts (at) tamu (dot) edu
Class standing: 4th year Senior
Why am I taking this class? Well I am glad you asked because to put it technically, I need this elective to graduate. I choose the "Information" track area of electives to complete and I read all the descriptions of the classes I could take. This led me to CSCE 436 which I thought was interesting and frankly different than anything I have taken so far.
What experience do I bring to the class? So far all I bring to the table for this class is some programming knowledge. I am creative when it comes to music and other things, but I have not tried to be creative in the area of interfacing. Very willing to start now though.
What do I expect to be doing in 10 years? I do not believe that anyone can truly plan for a length of time as long as 10 years. However, if I only used the current me as the basis for arguing then I have a certain desire for my future life. I wish to be able to have a job that does not require me to be location specific. In other words I want to travel wherever and whenever I please and work from that place. Also, I hope to have some sort of VC start-up idea to get off the ground and be able to support me.
What do I think will be the next biggest technological advancement in computer science? I have large doubts it will be the next biggest, but I believe that the quantum computer and subsequently quantum programming will be such a huge advancement that it will change the world in every regard to technology.
If I could travel back in time, who would I like to meet and why? Assuming that traveling back in time would not create any paradoxes or change history then I would go back and meet any famous classical composer (e.g. Chopin, Rachmaninov, etc.) I want to see their thought process and also just the "normal" lives they lived.
What is my favorite style of mustache and why? My favorite style would be the pencil thin mustache because something interesting always comes from a person with that kind of style.
If I could be fluent in any foreign language that I'm not already fluent in, which one would it be and why? I would want to learn Mandarin. I think that learning a romantic languages would be relatively easy to do but an asian derivative language would require tireless work. Also, China is the fastest growing location in the world.
An interesting fact: I can play any kind of clarinet, any kind of saxophone, the dijeridoo, and the bagpipes.
And of course a photo; nothing like grape juice in the morning:
Email: lukeroberts (at) tamu (dot) edu
Class standing: 4th year Senior
Why am I taking this class? Well I am glad you asked because to put it technically, I need this elective to graduate. I choose the "Information" track area of electives to complete and I read all the descriptions of the classes I could take. This led me to CSCE 436 which I thought was interesting and frankly different than anything I have taken so far.
What experience do I bring to the class? So far all I bring to the table for this class is some programming knowledge. I am creative when it comes to music and other things, but I have not tried to be creative in the area of interfacing. Very willing to start now though.
What do I expect to be doing in 10 years? I do not believe that anyone can truly plan for a length of time as long as 10 years. However, if I only used the current me as the basis for arguing then I have a certain desire for my future life. I wish to be able to have a job that does not require me to be location specific. In other words I want to travel wherever and whenever I please and work from that place. Also, I hope to have some sort of VC start-up idea to get off the ground and be able to support me.
What do I think will be the next biggest technological advancement in computer science? I have large doubts it will be the next biggest, but I believe that the quantum computer and subsequently quantum programming will be such a huge advancement that it will change the world in every regard to technology.
If I could travel back in time, who would I like to meet and why? Assuming that traveling back in time would not create any paradoxes or change history then I would go back and meet any famous classical composer (e.g. Chopin, Rachmaninov, etc.) I want to see their thought process and also just the "normal" lives they lived.
What is my favorite style of mustache and why? My favorite style would be the pencil thin mustache because something interesting always comes from a person with that kind of style.
If I could be fluent in any foreign language that I'm not already fluent in, which one would it be and why? I would want to learn Mandarin. I think that learning a romantic languages would be relatively easy to do but an asian derivative language would require tireless work. Also, China is the fastest growing location in the world.
An interesting fact: I can play any kind of clarinet, any kind of saxophone, the dijeridoo, and the bagpipes.
And of course a photo; nothing like grape juice in the morning:
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