Homework 7

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Homework 11

1. On trend analysis in relation to my project of data markup and visualization, I think it is very relevant. For, with data markup there needs to be observed certain trends in most cases to effectively markup and later process the data. Also, in data visualization, the goal would be to properly display data so that it can be interpreted well and how it's supposed to be interpreted for the audience. In data visualization, one would want the person who is observing a visualized data set to not only comprehend the data well but also to comprehend it in a manner so that he is not be misguided or deceived by the figures. I.e. the two graphs from the class session on Trend Analysis.

2. On weather prediction, data markup and visualization are very applicable. Already with data visualization organizations and governments enable people to see maps with future, past, or present air pressure, temperature, air current, cloud formations, etc. Visualization will only continue help with reading weather predictions to the public. Also, in the weather agenda data markup is already prevalent. From http://xml.coverpages.org/weatherML.html: ""WeatherML (Weather Mark-up Language) will be the global standard protocol for weather derivatives deal description data. It will enable efficient electronic processing of weather trades, allowing compatibility between systems, reducing trading costs and operational risks. WeatherML will provide increased credibility for the weather derivatives market by signaling to observers that the market is mature enough for standards to emerge." Too, for the public, people could grab specified future weather headlines in an automated fasion, so that one could find the weather and not bother to look specifically for the weather.

Homework 10

1. Nothing in science can be proven, because science is just an attempt to understand unexplainable phenomena which can only be observed in by humans in a limited number of ways. E.g. something can be observed 10^1000 times in a controlled setting and occur exactly the same each time, but on the 10^1000+1th time something could go differently and never occur again for quite some time. Man just forms patterns of what he sees and if an event goes the same for extended periods of time, he will think that it will continue to go that way and perform accordingly. Though, again, not all the variables are controlled, leaving room for error or some unforeseen event; too, not all the variables are known to man, thus leaving even more chance for error. Only in things contrived by man can there be absolute proof or acxiom, for all the bounds are set by man and there are no hidden things from outside which could effect a mischance. Though, in science there can be no proof.

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Homework 12

1. 1. If I had a robot and it could only do one function, I would have its function be to explain to me in human terms the concept of human self and self conscience, so that humans could finally solve many philosophical and metaphysical issues and maybe create an alternate conscience for computers which would surpass that of a human and be a greater intelligence.

Homework 13

1. Toxoplasmosis may appear to not be a threat because of its subtle symptoms, but I think it does need to be addressed due to it being so widespread and the lack of awareness people have of it. To me, having 12.3% or more of the U.S. infected with Toxoplasmosis and there really being no coverage on the news about it seems worrying. It may be that people are trying to cover it up so that there is no panic over it, or that the disease is being used to alter peoples' personalities for unknown reasons. Or maybe people just aren't taking this seriously because of the inclusive tests in humans with toxoplasmosis. Though, if there are no steps taken in trying to prevent and eradicate toxoplasmosis, it will only continue to grow and evolve, causing unforeseen consequences which may be dire. What if the mood altering properties in male humans kept progressing and eventually led to ruin? Society may not form well with males being twice as irritable, angry, less effective with motor skills, etc. Who knows what the future holds with toxoplasmosis, but I don't think a parasite would have any beneficial effect on the future of humanity, certainly not if humans take no notice of it.

Homework 14

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ir8U22_tzu8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OL58ygztOzs&NR=1


The meteor showers in the videos are just a few visible meteors going by every so often.

I think this relates to Earth and the future colonization of the Earth’s inhabitants to other planets in three areas: transportation, safety, and material needs. On transportation, meteors could pose a problem to future space vehicles by collision or path blockage. On safety, meteors could also pose a problem with future colonization on other planets by colliding and breaching colonies or transportation areas or devices on the colonized planets. Concerning material needs, meteors could perhaps be gathered and used, thus eliminating some need for travel back to earth or other planets to retrieve needed materials. As well, meteors could be beneficial in transportation if their momentum could be harnassed and used to assist in travel to far off places. Though, meteors would seem to be an issue against colonization of other planets, because they move at relatively high speeds and are difficult to control and utilize by today’s means.

Homework 8

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• Could this really happen? I don’t think this whole scenario could happen, because mutated humans, I think, couldn’t have the computing capacity to calculate the future. However, many things in the movie could happen.
• What could really happen? One example of what could happen would be with the transit system: automatic cars regulated so that humans cannot make errors with them; streamlined and efficient. Also, there is a lot of physical interaction with humans and computers (e.g. the main character going through the video clips with gestures of his hands), not simply a mouse and keyboard which is what is traditionally used today. There is a large possibility that technologies such as SixthSense may be largely developed and used by future society.
• What if they found genes that make it more likely for someone to commit a crime - what should they do? If someone is found to be more likely to commit a crime, he should be placed under surveillance – the amount of surveillance in accordance with the likelihood of the individual committing a crime. Another thing that could be done is counseling and psychiatric evaluation to see if someone would be up for committing a crime.
• What is the movie "really" about? I think the movie is two-sided. On the one hand it is made out to be a visually pleasing action film. However, it also seems to touch on the moral issue of predestination and if humans have the right to act and change – or try to change – the future.
• What themes found in other movies and stories or in the popular imagination are present? One theme popular today is that the future will be pristine, clean, and basically a utopia. Everything is free of dirt and waste in the movie, and crime and disorder seem to be well contained.
• What methods and tricks does the movie use to make the audience like it? The film is shot so that the action is present with the viewer for a pretty good amount of time. It’s not a film that leaves the audience steeped in dialogue or left hanging in an emotional scene. And it uses various film techniques and modern day technologies to keep the audience interested in the plot as well as the futuristic society and technologies presented in the film.

2. Already presented