A few weeks ago, I brought up the topic of computing and Artificial Intelligence but it seemed somewhat unrelated to the Anthropocene as a whole. After seeing “Journey of the Universe,” I believe I can make the connection now. Brianne Swimme made a point similar to my favorite quotes from Carl Sagan that humans are a manifestation of the universe’s… Read more »
If you have forty minutes to spare, I highly recommend you watch the following video: Elon Musk gives me reason to be hopeful in the Anthropocene. For him, no idea is too big or far-fetched, and I am astounded by his unfettered ambition. He thinks of the future he wants to see, and he brings the minds together to make… Read more »
The constant across all cultures is the factor of the human brain—a three-pound, equally introspective and innovative organ that has the capacity to interrogate its own existence. However, the rate of development across the world has been highly dependent on the geographic limitations of the region each society settles in—at it’s most basic, the growth of the polis is a… Read more »
In his book, Defiant Earth, Clive Hamilton argues humans are at the center of the world, thus we are responsible for protecting the Earth system. He says, “human activity has modified the Earth’s processes so radically that we have disrupted the great forces of nature…so much so that it has shifted into a new geological epoch,” (51) reinforcing the view… Read more »
Written at 11:00 AM 10.8.2017 I think it’s fascinating to be alive at such a pivotal point for humanity. Not only do I bear witness to the sour fruits of the industrial revolution but I see a future where science fiction becomes reality. I recently read an article on the subject of quantum computing, a topic I’ve closely followed since… Read more »
India and China, two increasingly populous countries driving local development and deleterious emissions, will inevitable be limited by the natural resources available for their use, much like a chemical reaction (Steffen). In this manner, the planet checks the expansion of humanity. However, between biofuels and antibiotics, our species continues to defy the parameters that hinder the advance of other life… Read more »
Let’s talk about bubble wrap. For the uninitiated, it’s worth noting: a fresh sheet of pristine bubble wrap provides an endless abundance of sensorial pleasure and poppable potential. The satisfaction of its loud “clack!” is matched only by the sheer delight of snapping a pustule beneath your thumb pad. For years (heck, until this course began, really), I’ve lived within… Read more »