Comments for Philosophy 101E http://eripsa.org/phil101e UIUC Fall 2006 Wed, 19 Nov 2008 11:55:27 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.3 Comment on Welcome, Philosophy 101E by Amoxicillin. http://eripsa.org/phil101e/2006/08/welcome-philosophy-101e/#comment-924 Mon, 28 Jul 2008 04:20:11 +0000 http://eripsa.org/phil101e/2006/08/welcome-philosophy-101e/#comment-924 <strong>Amoxicillin and strep throat....</strong> Amoxicillin. Amoxicillin dosage. Expiration date for amoxicillin. Amoxicillin dosage instructions. Can i drink alcohol if i m taking amoxicillin. Amoxicillin yeast infection.... Amoxicillin and strep throat….

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]]> Comment on Mind Children by Charlotte Miles http://eripsa.org/phil101e/2006/12/mind-children/#comment-723 Sun, 10 Dec 2006 20:03:25 +0000 http://eripsa.org/phil101e/2006/12/mind-children/#comment-723 Can I just say this reminds me of a comment I made during the "can machines care" debate in class... that today's machines are like the cavemen of our past. :) Can I just say this reminds me of a comment I made during the “can machines care” debate in class… that today’s machines are like the cavemen of our past. :)

]]> Comment on Which came first, the mind or the guitar? by Greg Frazier http://eripsa.org/phil101e/2006/12/204/#comment-722 Sun, 10 Dec 2006 07:03:42 +0000 http://eripsa.org/phil101e/2006/12/204/#comment-722 Since the whole creativity thing seems to upset people and makes this conversation some what of a dead end, I would like to explore another situation. Currently in number theory there is a search for Mercenne Primes. I won't go into the details of what one is, but it is just important to understand that it takes some computing to find one. Now, in the Great Internet Mercenne Primes Search (GIMPS), people are able to download software that searches for Mercenne Primes when their computer isn't doing anything else. In the event that the computer finds a Mercenne Prime, credit would go to the owner of the computer, and not the computer itself. But how can we justify this? The owner of the computer did nothing but download some software and maintain the computer, which assuming the owner of the computer uses the computer, maintainance would have happened regardless. At what point do we stop looking at technology from the human point of view? Whether it is the interaction of a scientist and lab equipment to solve problems or someone fiddling with a guitar to create new melodies, why must the technology always be disregarded? If it were not for Kenneth's interaction with the guitar, the second melody would have never occured. Even though the guitar can't write a melody on its own, Kenneth could not play the melody on the guitar if there was no guitar. Technology is not a one way street. If technology was not so involved with our interaction with it, then there would be no need for advancements. Instead, technology gives us feedback. It tells us how we can improve it. Technology without humans is nothing; But humans without technology are extinct. Think about where man would be without even the simplist of technology. There would be no clothes, no language, food would have to be hand fought or small enough to catch without the aide of tools, there would be no America, no cities, no religion, etc. These are all forms of technology we depend on. Does it make us so inferior to give some credit to a tool for helping us accomplish something? Paul D Miller wrote about how not only do we manipulate tools, but the tools manipulate us. In short, this basically means that when we use a tool to accompish a task, the tool is also using us to fulfill its purpose. Since the whole creativity thing seems to upset people and makes this conversation some what of a dead end, I would like to explore another situation. Currently in number theory there is a search for Mercenne Primes. I won’t go into the details of what one is, but it is just important to understand that it takes some computing to find one.

Now, in the Great Internet Mercenne Primes Search (GIMPS), people are able to download software that searches for Mercenne Primes when their computer isn’t doing anything else. In the event that the computer finds a Mercenne Prime, credit would go to the owner of the computer, and not the computer itself. But how can we justify this? The owner of the computer did nothing but download some software and maintain the computer, which assuming the owner of the computer uses the computer, maintainance would have happened regardless.

At what point do we stop looking at technology from the human point of view? Whether it is the interaction of a scientist and lab equipment to solve problems or someone fiddling with a guitar to create new melodies, why must the technology always be disregarded? If it were not for Kenneth’s interaction with the guitar, the second melody would have never occured. Even though the guitar can’t write a melody on its own, Kenneth could not play the melody on the guitar if there was no guitar.

Technology is not a one way street. If technology was not so involved with our interaction with it, then there would be no need for advancements. Instead, technology gives us feedback. It tells us how we can improve it. Technology without humans is nothing; But humans without technology are extinct. Think about where man would be without even the simplist of technology. There would be no clothes, no language, food would have to be hand fought or small enough to catch without the aide of tools, there would be no America, no cities, no religion, etc. These are all forms of technology we depend on.

Does it make us so inferior to give some credit to a tool for helping us accomplish something?

Paul D Miller wrote about how not only do we manipulate tools, but the tools manipulate us. In short, this basically means that when we use a tool to accompish a task, the tool is also using us to fulfill its purpose.

]]> Comment on Machines may not give a damn, but they can appear to. by Randi Burns http://eripsa.org/phil101e/2006/11/machines-may-not-give-a-damn-but-they-can-appear-to/#comment-721 Fri, 08 Dec 2006 17:30:47 +0000 http://eripsa.org/phil101e/2006/11/machines-may-not-give-a-damn-but-they-can-appear-to/#comment-721 I agree with Adam's post and with most people in that as long as the machine can act indistinguishably and we can utilize this feature of the machine we are satisfied with that and dont care if the machine actually understands. However, i dont feel like Turing ever really develops an opinion about machines being able to understand. I think Searle was trying to rebut Turing and his followers beliefs but in actuality he seems agree with the stances that they explicitly state. He says he thinks machines acn think/act indistinguishably which is all Turing actually discusses. I think Turing is a lot like all of us...as long as the machine acts indistinguishably/can be thought of as intelligent, who really cares if it understands. I agree with Adam’s post and with most people in that as long as the machine can act indistinguishably and we can utilize this feature of the machine we are satisfied with that and dont care if the machine actually understands. However, i dont feel like Turing ever really develops an opinion about machines being able to understand. I think Searle was trying to rebut Turing and his followers beliefs but in actuality he seems agree with the stances that they explicitly state. He says he thinks machines acn think/act indistinguishably which is all Turing actually discusses. I think Turing is a lot like all of us…as long as the machine acts indistinguishably/can be thought of as intelligent, who really cares if it understands.

]]> Comment on Telepresence & E-Hugs by Kenneth Sullivan http://eripsa.org/phil101e/2006/11/telepresence-e-hugs/#comment-720 Fri, 08 Dec 2006 05:59:33 +0000 http://eripsa.org/phil101e/2006/11/telepresence-e-hugs/#comment-720 I agree with you in your post Kevin that it is the thought that counts. However what makes a hug so comforting is the actual physical contact. During World War II when many babies were left to be cared for in nursuries the nurses developed pillows that had a slot for a bottle so they did not have to individually feed each baby. What they found, much to their dismay, was that the babies were dying because they had lost the will to live and would not drink the milk. It was the physical contact of picking the babies up and feeding them that kept them going. When they were just left with a pillow and a bottle for days they felt empty and gave up. So although a hug shirt is a good idea, it does not bring it in for the real thing. I agree with you in your post Kevin that it is the thought that counts. However what makes a hug so comforting is the actual physical contact. During World War II when many babies were left to be cared for in nursuries the nurses developed pillows that had a slot for a bottle so they did not have to individually feed each baby. What they found, much to their dismay, was that the babies were dying because they had lost the will to live and would not drink the milk. It was the physical contact of picking the babies up and feeding them that kept them going. When they were just left with a pillow and a bottle for days they felt empty and gave up. So although a hug shirt is a good idea, it does not bring it in for the real thing.

]]> Comment on Network Neutrality by Kenneth Sullivan http://eripsa.org/phil101e/2006/11/network-neutrality-3/#comment-719 Fri, 08 Dec 2006 05:54:17 +0000 http://eripsa.org/phil101e/2006/11/network-neutrality-3/#comment-719 Although I agree with you Rickin (since you agreed with me), the government could have economical issues in mind when debating over this bill. Enacting this bill would take more money from the consumers and put it into the market, which could in the long run help the economy. So while I really do not want to see it happen, and it certainly would not be in my best interest at this point for the bill to pass, there could be other factors determining the outcome of said bill. Although I agree with you Rickin (since you agreed with me), the government could have economical issues in mind when debating over this bill. Enacting this bill would take more money from the consumers and put it into the market, which could in the long run help the economy. So while I really do not want to see it happen, and it certainly would not be in my best interest at this point for the bill to pass, there could be other factors determining the outcome of said bill.

]]> Comment on Internet Collaborations by Kenneth Sullivan http://eripsa.org/phil101e/2006/11/internet-collaborations/#comment-718 Fri, 08 Dec 2006 05:49:07 +0000 http://eripsa.org/phil101e/2006/11/internet-collaborations/#comment-718 I play guitar and I use what is known as a loop pedal to enhance my playing. With the guitar plugged into the loop pedal and the pedal plugged into the amp, I can record a chord progression and then solo over it. I can build up energy in the solo notes I am playing, but the progression does not build up at all. This completely rules out the idea of vamping, which is playing the same chord progression while someone solos and the progression's energy builds up as the soloist takes notes higher or in anyway builds up his energy to where they both reach a musical climax. These internet collaborations do not allow for vamping, or any type of buildup whatsoever which detracts from the song. I play guitar and I use what is known as a loop pedal to enhance my playing. With the guitar plugged into the loop pedal and the pedal plugged into the amp, I can record a chord progression and then solo over it. I can build up energy in the solo notes I am playing, but the progression does not build up at all. This completely rules out the idea of vamping, which is playing the same chord progression while someone solos and the progression’s energy builds up as the soloist takes notes higher or in anyway builds up his energy to where they both reach a musical climax. These internet collaborations do not allow for vamping, or any type of buildup whatsoever which detracts from the song.

]]> Comment on The World Of e-Communication by Kenneth Sullivan http://eripsa.org/phil101e/2006/11/the-world-of-e-communication/#comment-717 Fri, 08 Dec 2006 05:38:43 +0000 http://eripsa.org/phil101e/2006/11/the-world-of-e-communication/#comment-717 As much as I embrace this new world of one-click holiday shopping and customizable homepages, a part of me misses the old ways of the world. People used to just hang out with each other, sip juice, and enjoy good conversations and each others company. Now it seems that whenever you are in the presence of others, there is usually a television on and that is the main focus of the room. In my fraternity one thing we excel at is hanging out with each other. Be it playing Mario Kart or watching tv, we at least do it together. But there are guys who cannot make it through a whole movie because they have something else to do. Obviously there is no way to revert back to the old world, but it is always great to enjoy a good conversation with some friends without technological distractions. As much as I embrace this new world of one-click holiday shopping and customizable homepages, a part of me misses the old ways of the world. People used to just hang out with each other, sip juice, and enjoy good conversations and each others company. Now it seems that whenever you are in the presence of others, there is usually a television on and that is the main focus of the room. In my fraternity one thing we excel at is hanging out with each other. Be it playing Mario Kart or watching tv, we at least do it together. But there are guys who cannot make it through a whole movie because they have something else to do. Obviously there is no way to revert back to the old world, but it is always great to enjoy a good conversation with some friends without technological distractions.

]]> Comment on Last question for the semester by Kenneth Sullivan http://eripsa.org/phil101e/2006/12/last-question-for-the-semester/#comment-716 Fri, 08 Dec 2006 05:31:01 +0000 http://eripsa.org/phil101e/2006/12/last-question-for-the-semester/#comment-716 Well I have a little time to talk about the bio-technology you bring up. It seems that people are going to be able to live a lot longer in the coming years. We will be able to recap cells so the signs and effects of aging will not take place until much later. Although there is enough food to feed everyone in the world, people are still starving. We do not employ our resources in a way that allows everyone to eat. This is more of an economical issue, the fact that we cannot satisfy all of our insatiable wants, so which needs do we satisfy. Obviously people look out for number one, but once past that we should have the technology to develop more crops and the resources to spread them out better. Well I have a little time to talk about the bio-technology you bring up. It seems that people are going to be able to live a lot longer in the coming years. We will be able to recap cells so the signs and effects of aging will not take place until much later. Although there is enough food to feed everyone in the world, people are still starving. We do not employ our resources in a way that allows everyone to eat. This is more of an economical issue, the fact that we cannot satisfy all of our insatiable wants, so which needs do we satisfy. Obviously people look out for number one, but once past that we should have the technology to develop more crops and the resources to spread them out better.

]]> Comment on Are you embodied? by Kenneth Sullivan http://eripsa.org/phil101e/2006/12/are-you-embodied/#comment-715 Fri, 08 Dec 2006 05:21:55 +0000 http://eripsa.org/phil101e/2006/12/are-you-embodied/#comment-715 I do not think that we are living dual lives as Kevin said. If there is information on your online profile that does not reflect who you truly are, then you...Secondly, AOL instant messaging has been around since before people my age had cell phones (I hope no one had a cell phone in 4th grade) so if your friends seem to be embodying this online life, maybe it is something that you should embody as well. We were probably talking to our friends online before we were calling them on their cell phones. I only use AIM to talk to one friend who does not have a cell phone and that seems to work for the time being whenever I want to get a hold of him. What really interests me though is observing the different generation's reactions to this e-communications world. Obviously our parents are not nearly as adequate with technology as us. My father puts on his glasses every time he answers his cell phone whereas I know the exact location of my send button. It will be very interesting to see the generation growing up now where kids in 6th grade already have cell phones. They seem to take every bit of technology in stride becuase they never knew any different. I do not think that we are living dual lives as Kevin said. If there is information on your online profile that does not reflect who you truly are, then you…Secondly, AOL instant messaging has been around since before people my age had cell phones (I hope no one had a cell phone in 4th grade) so if your friends seem to be embodying this online life, maybe it is something that you should embody as well. We were probably talking to our friends online before we were calling them on their cell phones. I only use AIM to talk to one friend who does not have a cell phone and that seems to work for the time being whenever I want to get a hold of him. What really interests me though is observing the different generation’s reactions to this e-communications world. Obviously our parents are not nearly as adequate with technology as us. My father puts on his glasses every time he answers his cell phone whereas I know the exact location of my send button. It will be very interesting to see the generation growing up now where kids in 6th grade already have cell phones. They seem to take every bit of technology in stride becuase they never knew any different.

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