Self.net reflections

The use of weblogs:
I think the weblog added to the course. It was useful to read other people’s tute presentations and webliogs. However, I think it operated too much as a bulletin board rather than a forum – i.e. posting was a duty and there was no discussion.

The only other arts unit I have done with an online component was political science 101. In that unit everyone in the tute represented a country whilst a crisis in Kashmir was played out online. It was a much bigger part of the unit than the weblog in this unit, but it did generate a lot of discussion. I can’t think of an equivalent to the Kashmir crisis for self.net though . . .

Am I a cyborg?
Yep. This act of typing and having my thoughts appear as photons in front of me is an instance of my biological self being augmented by technology. I don’t think you need an artificial eye or heart to be a cyborg – at the computer interface the line of our self warps with the computer’s.
One problem with the word cyborg is it means something completely different for people not familiar with cyborg studies and Donna Harraway et al. People simply can’t understand I’m doing a semester-long unit on robo-cop.

The course:
I enjoyed the course a lot. It is a pleasure to study a topic that is always evolving with technology.

I think the tutes could be improved by making the presentations longer & more comprehensive. Perhaps students could team up in twos to give a combined presentation on the week’s readings, this lets them compare the different approaches of each text to the one topic.

Thanks for a great unit Alison!

Review

Overall I find the use of blogs still a little bit overwhelming. However, I think the use of weblogs within the structure of this unit was really helpful. By each student posting their thoughts and opinions online, it made the readings easier to follow, in addition to creating an added depth to each excerpt. I also found them useful in seeing the level everyone was at in terms of breaking down the weekly readings.

If asked whether I considered myself a cyborg I'd have to say yes. The very act of typing and having the interface of my computed screen (technology) as an extension of my biological self would by some definitions categorize me as a cyborg. I think as long as the biological and the technological are hybridised in some way one can be defined as a cyborg.

I would have to say that the workshops were my favourite part of this unit. I liked that we were encouraged to have group discussions as they felt less structured and more open than tutorials. The tutorials I think could be improved by extending the time for presentations, or encouraging students to bring in more examples of their week's reading. I think this transition would encourage students to take more time in preparing before tutorials, which may lead to added discussion. In addition I’d also like to add that this is one of the first units where I have enjoyed every single lecture. I found each lecture very stimulating and liked the examples and presentation styles used each week.

anna's reflective post

I never thought that I would ever be involved in the blogging culture. So when I read the unit outline during the first lecture I must admit the blogging aspect of this course was met with a groan of distaste, followed closely by the realisation that this could be a disaster due to my lack of computer skills. However as the tutorials progressed and the blog began I realised the huge benefit blogs can have as an academic resource and a forum for information sharing. Indeed I had always assumed blogs to be not much more than a virtual diary. Now I understand that they can also be used a way to express individual perspectives and ideas and interact virtually with many other people. I felt that the blogs each week on the tutorial readings were extremely useful in reflecting on what had been discussed in the tute. They gave a nice summary of not only the readings but also what our own ideas were. Not only that, but there is now a great collection of articles available for research purposes.

As to the unit in general in the first three weeks I was a little concerned that I was perhaps doing a unit that I could not relate to. The concept of the cyborg was a little too foreign and I was worried that I would not be ‘computery’ enough to complete the unit requirements. However as the weeks progressed and the tutorials began I really began to enjoy the lectures. I think what is good about this unit is that it deals with new issues and problems caused by the technology of the digital age. It really is a modern take on many issues that are discussed in other units.

So after all this am I a cyborg? I rely on technology, I use medicines and I am largely dependant on machines. But does this make me part machine? It is an interesting question and one that I still do not know the answer too. Maybe when I am 60 and have a hip replacement I will be sure but at the moment I like to think that although I do rely on machines every day I am still a human! Not withstanding that my ideas of the cyborg have definitely developed from the first week, when I was imagining a merger of flesh and metal into some macabre robot.

Overall I enjoyed the blogging experience and the content of this unit. Thanks for the tutorials I think we had an interesting group. I hope you all do well in your exams and final essays and enjoy the break.

Anna

sophie's reflective post

I think that the use of blogs in this unit was an interesting academic tool. The posts everyone has made on their presentations etc are a valuable resource, and I think it could be handy for the unit to preserve this site and allow access to our writing by future students in the course. Socially the blog hasn't taken off like similar experiments in communications units have; part of the problem could be that only two students from our tute are comfortable with the use of blogging as social/personal expression. When this unit is run again it might be interesting to encourage students to voluntarily post interesting articles on related topics, to stimulate the same heated debate that took place in tute sessions.

According to the definition of cyborg we've discussed, I certainly am one - I have peirced ears, I alter my body, I use technology as a form of interaction. However, I do not identify myself as one, and some part of me reacts against the very suggestion that I'm 'post-human'. One of the best things about this unit has been the exploration (through the opinions of tute members) of humanity's fear and revulsion of technology.

This unit has helped me to understand the role technology plays in identity and that has been a real highlight for me. Almost everything we've covered has been new territory for me, and I've enjoyed the journey. I think I've gained an insight into a culture I'd only ever been on the fringes of before.

Some readings

Does Playing Violent Video Games Cause Aggressive Behavior?: Playing by the Rules, Jeffery Goldstein, 2001.

There's not shortage of articles out there drawing a connection between physical response and video games or violent movies. I do not dispute this, but I wonder if riding a rollercoaster has a similar relationship with driving recklessly. No doubt, you have a physical response to the thrill of the motion and, according to the reasearch, you would be just as likely to drive recklessly for the same thrill.

There was an abundance of research into this feild, overwhelmingly saying that video-games cause violence because there is a relationship. Very few of them stopped to consider that violence causes video-games. Or that perhaps teenage males in America may have other factors in their life that disturbs them to the level of violence, such as gang-warfare, racial disputes, low income, undiagnosed mental conditions, social pressure or drug addiction?

For balance this article challenges the points raised in Goldstein and others work. I personally find his points to be broad, biased, and not backed up with evidence. Still, the 'Unanswered Questions' section at the end does raise some interesting points. The main point he raises that I would like to see more information on is whether we can compare passive media with interactive media.

Eight Myths About Video Games Debunked Henry Jenkins
This article represents the gaming community's views on the issue. It's not very well supported, despite the list of references at the bottom, but it's pretty interesting if you've not considered this angle before.

Violent Video Games Do Not Cause Violence Lester Haines
This is an article from a UK technology magazine. Haines looks at a case study in relation to current research into violent video games. This article also highlights the paranoia about video games that can come in tense situations.

Wikipedia of course has a fair bit to say on the matter. It's extensive, but covers a lot of ground. It brings up the point that it's not just violence in video games that's got people worried, but the whole lot that comes under a ratings system.

Feel free to do your own research. In fact, I encourage it. I'm all about looking into matters before you make up your mind, but please, please, please think about what your reading and take it all with a grain of salt.

Blog Review

I believe that blogs can be useful for tutorial purposes, but this particular example was a little bit quiet for learning. Other blogs have had more use, which may have resulted in more vibrant debate. Blogs have the potential for unlimited debate through the internet's possibilities of hotlinking, emphasis, precision through review and immediate research. As an example, I shall supply links in another post to commemorate the lively inclass discusions over some topics not covered in the course reader.
Essentially, blogs can potentially be a learning community, although, like all other online communities (and, indeed, real life communities), the actual building process depends on the individuals involved. For, as we have learned in this unit, an individual has ideas beyond their community and can act both within and without a social unit.

As to whether I am a cyborg, it is a question that remains unanswered. However, were it not for this unit, I would not have even asked that question. It comes down to the line between reality and theories of reality. According to the readings, I am a cyborg; I wear glasses, I have had my body altered through surgery, I have changed my hair colour through chemistry and have pieces of metal implanted in my ear-lobes. Moreso, I am fluent in technological communications. I have adapted myself to the technology in my life and regularly 'update' my 'software'. Were all technology in my life to be removed, I would be disoriented and helpless (especially without glasses and clothes), as if I had lost a limb, synthetic or not.
Despite all of this evidence, I cannot bring myself to identify as a cyborg. A cyborg is a being of fiction, a monster like the Borg or Frankenstein's creation. I am merely a human opperating in a techonological society.

What I most like about the unit was the lively debate among my colleagues and being able to watch Galaxy Quest, Star Trek and South Park in an academic setting. It was interesting to explore the underpinning ideas that flow through my favourite forms of entertainment. Needless to say, my least favourite aspect was encountering people who had not only never experienced anything technological or sci-fi, but was terribly disappointed to find that many people have such closed-minded views on these subjects. I learned long ago what it is to be the Other, but was supprised to experience this in a setting in which my knowledge should have been an advantage, rather than a hinderance.

Reflective Post

Before this unit, I wasn’t aware of that weblogs originated with a filtering purposes; insofar, I had only been exposed to weblogs of the more personal kind. It was interesting to realise the development and alterations people had made to the meaning of ‘blog’. The use of weblogs in this unit, particularly the webliography exercise, helped me experience and learn how academic material may be filtered and made topic-specific.

I felt the best part of this unit was hearing about the opinions of others regarding technology and the influence of part it played in a part of their own individual identities. I myself, have experienced a development in ideas and opinion in the way I view technology. It even set me to wonder whether we have now breached the point where technology will infinitely be a part of our lives, and so integral that humans will truly realise their ‘post-human’ status.

As to whether I am a cyborg, I think to some extent I am. Physically, I have been affected by technology: immunisations, operations, etc. But in a different sense I am also afflicted by technology: I communicate through the internet and sometimes I play video games. In those times, my mind transcends into the ‘virtual world’, a world beyond the truly physical, and I believe, in the definition of cyborg, that I am one.

Jess's Reflective Post

I think Blogs definitely have the potential to be an effective learning tool. As others have said, in terms of our tutorial’s blog, most people did not engage in the blog as a discussion but more as a place to post your tutorial discussion or required blog. There was no interaction as such; this is probably quite a tough thing to do with such a short time frame and people who aren’t familiar with each other.

Yes, I think I am a cyborg. I don’t think there are many people who aren’t in contemporary society. Our reliance on technology happens so naturally (especially for people of my generation) that we do not realise, until we examine it further, how intertwined technology is with our lives.

The subject matter of the unit has generally been interesting to examine. It has been positive to examine different points of view regarding technology and the many effects it has on society and the issues that arise as a result. The use of various types of media in the lectures was a good tool to accompany various topics. I think more use could be made of the workshop time. I liked the way they were a practical approach to the various topics broached in the unit, but I think they would be of greater use if they were linked to the tutorials, either as part of or before or after tutes. That way it fortifies the tutorial group and would perhaps allow more time for activities and discussion because the time for each group to present at the end wouldn’t be necessary.

Caela's Reflective Post

In terms of weblogs being an effective learning tool, i guess they can be. Having the opportunity to read other peoples perspectives on issues and topics within the unit provided a means to broaden your understanding of the notions discusses. However, as most people only posted the required blogs, i guess the whole notion of blogging was not embraced. As someone who had not come in contact with a blog let alone contributed to one, it was a good experiences and opened my eyes to the means of expressing opinions that exists with the web.

Am I a cybrog? I guess so. The unit has opened my eyes to the fact that society's reliance on technology highlights the way in which humans have c0me to 'need' technology. Most people find themselves using facets of technology in all sorts of ways, and essentially I think that humans in particular societies could be defined as cyborgs.

The topics discussed and focussed on within the scope of the unit were quite interesting. However, i guess that with all that there is to discuss, i would have found it to be more beneficial if the tutorial had been longer - 1.5 hours and perhaps the workshop dropped. I guess that in smaller groups such as tutorials people come to feel more comfortable and express their views more often.