“Wisdom alone
is true ambition's aim,
wisdom is
the source of virtue and of fame;
obtained
with labour, for mankind employed,
and then,
when most you share it, best enjoyed.”
- Alfred
North Whitehead -
I particularly like the quote above. In other words,
you’ll make the biggest difference if you share your wisdom and insights with
others. This quote is relevant to the two presentation weeks we have for the
last two sessions of the module. By sharing what we learnt and applied to the
class, it builds a collaborative setting for one and all to learn from each
other J
Presentations:
1.
Futuristic buildings
I really like this group presentation
on Futuristic buildings! What a great way to kickstart presentations week with
their self-built model to take on the concept of underwater living in the
future due to land scarcity, given growing populations. With increasing
urbanization, there is undeniably a sacrifice made between the environment and
economic growth, leading to the drastic drop in vegetation in the world, which
are being replaced by tall skyscrapers and buildings. Therefore, it is a good
to restore this by incorporating nature into these futuristic buildings. The group
proposed sustainable technologies in these buildings as well. I really like the
following two innovations: transparent solar cells and space solar station.
Currently, solar panels are usually built on roofs of buildings to capture the
maximum amount of light in the day but with transparent solar cells, these
cells can be incorporated as a layer outside the windows for example and
capture energy without blocking out the view outside. A win-win situation, I must
say. Space solar station, which is still undergoing development in Japan is
also a useful invention. Currently, solar panels are dependent on the seasonal
weather but with Japan’s emerging innovation, this consideration is eliminated.
The solar stations which consist of geostationary satellites sitting 36 thousand
km above the Earth, would transmit collected energy back down to Earth in the
form of laser beams or microwaves. The last point on I want to touch on is
underwater living spaces, which is pretty related to Glenda’s individual
presentation. I believe that this new living spaces will definitely create a
new diversity of jobs underwater. Wave action can also be utilized as a
sustainable form of energy to power the spaces underwater. However, one
important aspect that needs to be look into is safety. There ought to be
comprehensive and feasible plans on how to deal with emergency evacuation for
example.
2.
Clean technologies
The group covered a wide scope on
clean technologies, covering various renewable energy sources such as biofuels,
hydroelectric energy, solar energy and nuclear energy, their advantages and
disadvantages, case studies as well as future implications. They also shared on
the need for efforts to make to switch from non-renewable energy sources to
renewable ones. Generally, I found this pretty similar to the session on energy
and world change few weeks before this session.
3.
Nanotechnologies
Nanotechnology is an interesting
topic which is pretty related to my individual topic paper on Claytronics! One
useful application of nanotechnology is the use in the medical field today. Given
that cancer is one of the leading causes of deaths in Singapore, this may be
the start of its reversal. Nanoparticles, which are small, are able to
penetrate into the outer layer of the skin and into the blood to the specific
target cancer cells. This allows the use of nanotechnology for diagnosis and
treatment of cancer or even prevents it by detecting the possibility of cancer
beforehand. A great technology, with useful applications indeed.
4.
Mind-controlled prosthetics
I believe that the disabled or
amputees, are grateful towards such an invention, of mind-controlled
prosthetics as it makes life more convenient for them, as by simply thinking of
an action, there is no need for the hassle of physically or manually moving the
respective parts, but this is made automated just by thought. One relevant area
for improvement though, is the need to incorporate the sense of touch and the
resulting force exerted. Perhaps, the regulation of the amount of force exerted
could be made controllable through use of pressure sensors and linked motors.
5.
Food for the future
After my group presented on
transhumanism, the other group proceeded to present on the future of food. They
highlighted that even though there is enough food to the global populations
today, there persists a problem of unequal distribution of food, which results
in the disparity between the rich and the poor, as well as, extreme cases of
obesity and malnutrition. This phenomenon relates to food aid and poverty. An interesting
point brought up by their group which I find a real problem is the fact that
dumping food to the poorer nations such as free, subsidized or cheaper food,
actually undercuts local food producers, who cannot compete which this food
aid, and therefore, driven out of jobs and into poverty. How paradoxical.
6.
Sex and advertising
The group presented largely on the
negative implications of sexual advertising. They include the increase in the
acts of violence due to advertisement suggesting sexual violence or rape. I personally
find this not directly causational, reason being, I feel that cultural
influences plays a higher role in such behaviour as compared to sexual
advertisements. Another point was made on body image, where women suffer from
eating disorders due to the exposure to advertisements with women of ideal body
or ultra-thin physiques. This is a sad phenomenon, where women tend to be
influenced by such advertisements and societal ideals and pressures, leading to
superficial beauty.
7.
Virtual reality
The last group talked about virtual
reality. What an interesting way to introduce the topic on virtual reality
through their live demonstration!!! Really enjoyed it J
They then continued on the history of virtual reality and augmented reality,
which was actually touched on during class for several times, I believe. There are
many applications of these realities, but one application that I fancy is the
one on telecommunications. Imagine saving all the time and trouble of
transport, when project meetings for example, can be held in virtual worlds
instead!
Thoroughly enjoyed these two weeks
on presentations. Really interesting topics with innovative methods used to
interest the class as well! 10/10 for these two weeks! JJJ
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