Week 3 || Art & Robotics
In “The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction,” Walter Benjamin notes the shift of culture and society and its response to the advancements of technology, particularly through film and photography.
Even in the “History of Information,” it seems to be that this modern culture is shifting from the printed book to e-books and Kindle readers, even robotics have this effect. As we progress as a nation in technology, the convenience from these innovations increase as well. For example, the art in technology is that it improves daily living by enhancing things of the past. However, is this advancement always beneficial?
In the Disney Pixar movie, “Wall-E,” the art of film is used to explore the risks of an overly dependent society on technology. Society responds well to industrialization since it makes life overall easier and more “enjoyable.” Yet, this movie explores the fine line between convenience and dependency as humans no longer walk around but rather do everything on a hoverseat with camera screens to talk to people, limiting their physical activity and social interactions. As our society progresses, we need to be wary to make sure it enhances daily living without detracting from human necessities.
Even as art influences robotics and technology, we need to constantly be vigilant that we are still preserving the art of human life and living. Robotics can be helpful in the future for doing tasks for humans. We as human beings need to consider the dignity and precious nature that is humanity. Does technology and robotics take away from that?
References:
Even in the “History of Information,” it seems to be that this modern culture is shifting from the printed book to e-books and Kindle readers, even robotics have this effect. As we progress as a nation in technology, the convenience from these innovations increase as well. For example, the art in technology is that it improves daily living by enhancing things of the past. However, is this advancement always beneficial?
In the Disney Pixar movie, “Wall-E,” the art of film is used to explore the risks of an overly dependent society on technology. Society responds well to industrialization since it makes life overall easier and more “enjoyable.” Yet, this movie explores the fine line between convenience and dependency as humans no longer walk around but rather do everything on a hoverseat with camera screens to talk to people, limiting their physical activity and social interactions. As our society progresses, we need to be wary to make sure it enhances daily living without detracting from human necessities.
Even as art influences robotics and technology, we need to constantly be vigilant that we are still preserving the art of human life and living. Robotics can be helpful in the future for doing tasks for humans. We as human beings need to consider the dignity and precious nature that is humanity. Does technology and robotics take away from that?
References:
Micromagic Systems Robotics Lab, www.hexapodrobot.com/index.html.
Relating the Rapidly Changing Present to the Distant Past as Far as Book History Is Concerned, www.historyofinformation.com/narrative/index.php.
“Blog | Center for Robolution.” Blog Center for Robolution, www.robolution.center/blog/robotics-control-over-control/. picture
Mama, Cat, et al. “Robotics.” English, 15 Apr. 2018, www.thegreatcourses.com/courses/robotics.html. picture
Robledo, S. Jhoanna. “WALL-E - Movie Review.” Common Sense Media: Ratings, Reviews, and Advice, Common Sense Media, 25 June 2008, www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/wall-e. picture
“San Francisco Robotics Society of America (SFRSA).” San Francisco Robotics Society of America (SFRSA), www.robots.org/.
“Summary: The Work of Art in The Age of Mechanical Reproduction.” Introducing the Frankfurt School, 8 Mar. 2008, frankfurtschool.wordpress.com/2008/02/28/summary-the-work-of-art-in-the-age-of-mechanical-reproduction/.
I remember watching Wall-E and being concerned, as you mentioned, about the human race becoming too reliant on technology and robots. We as a society must ensure that we keep the balance between humanity and robotics, keeping what makes us human intact, but hopefully using technology to help us in constructive ways. With new robots trying to replicate humans, like Sophia, it is going to be interesting to see how society shifts in the future in reaction to an influx of robotic technology in our cultures.
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