Artificial Intelligence: Where does it fit? Essay -- Technology Artifi

Artificial Intelligence: Where does it fit? Machines in the future will not be able to differentiate between man and machine, and neither will humans; except that machines will be active: working, learning, developing new technology. Humans on the other hand, have no choice but to watch from our glass boxes because machines have become so advanced and we would only interfere. Maybe the future won’t look exactly like that, but truthfully, computers will reach human intelligence someday. They have already surpassed our calculation abilities and our speed of processing information. But we can still hold on to our intelligence for now. Artificial intelligence, the science and engineering of making intelligent machines through intelligent programs, is not just about modeling human behavior. It’s more about making life easier and better by developing new tools with advanced capabilities. Artificial intelligence, like technology, advances rapidly as time moves on. It needs to be worked on before considered satisfactory, let alone perfect. Computers have many similarities to humans like neural impulses to digital technology or being programmed to function in a certain manner. A computer is given commands and specific outputs for corresponding commands. Humans are taught to act or not act in specific ways. We have automatic responses such as fear, hunger, and happiness. We’ve been programmed to react differently to various stimulants. Great progress has been made by developers of artificial intelligence, but there remain large gaps between humans and machines. Physically, humans have bodies with senses. Machines could have bodies— like robots—but they are still unable to sense the physical world and react to it. H... ... If computers overtake the workplace, professionals sacrifice their dignity: there will no longer be an emphasis on skill level because the computer makes the decisions. Mistakes would be inexcusable, although humans are not flawless. Humans would not be credited for achievements because computers will have done all the computation, planning and presentation. The value of a human life will decrease as the computer climbs the corporate ladder. If humans continue to do what we do best, look out for ourselves. We’ll realize that artificial intelligence should be made to supplement humans, not to replace them. We should not rely on computers as much as we rely on our instincts and judgments. If we allow machines without bodies and without minds to take over our world, what would our purpose be? Would we have existed just to bring artificial intelligence about?

“Monsters” by Anna Quindlen Essay

Summary: â€Å"Monsters† by Anna Quindlen conveys through the extended metaphor, the simplistic nature of life; beginning with the intricate imagination during childhood which transcends into an individual coming to terms with reality as adulthood is embarked upon. The short story exemplifies the innocence of children who comprise of obsolete and unripe knowledge, demanding answers from their parents to fill the gaps in their thoughts and outlook. However the author portrays the dramatic imagination of a child accentuating the naivety of young, a symbol of childhood, which is further developed on processes of self-realization. The author entails this ideology by illustrating to the audience how she denies the fact that there are no ‘monsters under her child’s bed’, and continues to explore through the text the different metaphorical representations of â€Å"monsters† in our lives, which vary from major aspects such as creditors chasing an individual for money, or even something as petty as the failure of teenage love. The over-arching notion is that some things need to be learnt on ones’ independence as the individual embarks on processes of self-realization, shaping their beliefs and attitudes. Writing Prompt: Write an essay of 500-700 words in which you describe something you had to learn on your own, because it couldn’t or shouldn’t have been taught to you by someone else. Explain why the situation had to occur that way and its significance in defining something about yourself. Though one can say that your personal and societal context can influence the person you become, there is always a phase in life, in which an individual embarks on processes of inner progression, enabling one to understand the true being they have become despite their surroundings. In this stance, religion in my personal context was a major component in life, as my parents had enforced it upon me at a young age, expecting me to adhere to the religion of their choice, Jainism. However, after my family had migrated from India to a foreign society, which comprised of beliefs that were predominantly embedded with Christian roots, there was complexities in the  ways I tried maneuvering my religious beliefs to suit those of the Christian society. At first, it was an act of assimilation as I was embarrassed of Jainism and wanted to be like every other child in school, further encouraging me to neglect those religious values imposed by my parents, as I adopted the ways of the new religion a t my interest. I did not want to be a Jain, but only a pure Christian. It was one night, which changed my life, and my outlook on religion. It was the time of â€Å"Diwali† a Jain festival, where all my family and friends had gathered to celebrate the auspicious event. However, I refused to join with my ignorant and disrespectful attitude due to my belief of being a Christian. The ongoing celebrations, the youthful atmosphere, the joyful laughter, the harmonious chanting and the colorful sights had enticed my attention towards the Jain proceedings. I began to wonder, am I obliged to Christianity or am I obliged to Jainism? That very same night after undertaking processes of critical thinking and self-realization, I realized I was never obliged to any religion, I am allowed to be a Jain and still enjoy Christian rituals, or I am allowed to be a Christian and enjoy Jain festivals. The very simplistic nature of religion is that, no one forces you to be part of a certain religion; you can follow what you like at any point of your life. This opened my eyes, as religion, which had been a major component of life, suddenly was replaced with the notion of spirituality, which enabled me to connect with beings with similar interests around the sphere, without the need of following a religion. Indeed religion can be something that influences you based on your surroundings, however spirituality is a feeling and connection you develop with an object or a person who you may believe to be superior and satisfies your spiritual needs. It is a connection, which cannot be taught or influenced by anyone, because it is the bond you create with the inner centre of your mind and soul. Moreover, spirituality is not necessarily an object, it cannot be seen or touched, it is felt and embraced upon, and cannot be taught as it varies from person to person. It is embedded within a process of self-development, and spirituality seen by one person, but may not be seen by another. The situation had to occur this way due to the need of embarking on inner journeys in which would shape my identity and enable me to understand who I really was. The false assumptions I had about religion were cleared through this act and it opened up new pathways for me to continue my exploration in findings different beliefs, morals and culture that interests me. In relation to this, I as a person have changed from this experience, as I value every religion, respect every belief and enjoy the richness offered through the diversity of cultures evident in our world. Today, I am neither a Christian nor a Jain, but someone who follows the spiritualistic art of meditation, as this art form enables me to connect with superior beings beyond earth and my control. This process of self-realization has changed me into a compassionate and culturally tolerant person.

Marilyn Monroe Sings Happy Birthday to JFK

On May 19, 1962, actress Marilyn Monroe sang â€Å"Happy Birthday† to U.S. President John F. Kennedy during an event celebrating JFK’s 45th birthday at the Madison Square Garden in New York City. Monroe, wearing a skin-tight dress covered in rhinestones, sang the ordinary birthday song in such a sultry, provocative manner that it made headlines and became an iconic moment of the 20th century. Marilyn Monroe Is â€Å"Late† Marilyn Monroe had been working on the movie Something’s Got to Give in Hollywood when she took a plane to New York to participate in President John F. Kennedy’s birthday celebration at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Things had not been going well on the set, mostly because Monroe had been frequently absent. Despite her recent illnesses and trouble with alcohol, Monroe was determined to make a grand performance for JFK. The birthday event was a Democratic Party fundraiser and included many famous names of the time, including Ella Fitzgerald, Jack Benny, and Peggy Lee. Rat Pack member (and JFK’s brother in law) Peter Lawford was the master of ceremonies and he made Monroe’s famous lateness a running joke throughout the event. Several times, Lawford would introduce Monroe and the spotlight would search the back of the stage for her, but Monroe would not step out. This had been planned, for Monroe was to be the finale. Finally, the end of the show was near and still, Lawford was making jokes about Monroe not appearing on time. Lawford stated, â€Å"On the occasion of your birthday, the lovely lady who is not only pulchritudinous [breathtakingly beautiful] but punctual. Mr. President, Marilyn Monroe!† Still no Monroe. Lawford pretended to stall, continuing, â€Å"Ahem. A woman about whom, it truly may be said, she needs no introduction. Let me just say†¦here she is!† Again, no Monroe. This time, Lawford offered what seemed to be an impromptu introduction, â€Å"But I’ll give her an introduction anyway. Mr. President, because in the history of show business, perhaps there has been no one female who has meant so much, who has done more†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Mid-introduction, the spotlight had found Monroe at the back of the stage, walking up some steps. The audience cheered and Lawford turned around. In her skin-tight dress, it was hard for Monroe to walk, so she scampered across the stage on her tiptoes. When she reaches the podium, she rearranges her white mink jacket, pulling it close to her chest. Lawford put his arm around her and offered one last joke, â€Å"Mr. President, the late Marilyn Monroe.† Monroe Sings â€Å"Happy Birthday† Before exiting the stage, Lawford helped Monroe remove her jacket and the audience was given their first full glimpse of Monroe in her nude-colored, skin-tight, sparkly dress. The huge crowd, stunned but excited, cheered loudly. Monroe waited for the cheering to die down, then placed one hand on the microphone stand and started singing. Happy birthday to youHappy birthday to youHappy birthday, Mr. PresidentHappy birthday to you By all accounts, the usually somewhat boring â€Å"Happy Birthday† song had been sung in a very provocative way. The whole rendition seemed even more intimate because there had been rumors that Monroe and JFK had been having an affair. Plus the fact that Jackie Kennedy was not present at the event made the song seem even more suggestive. Then She Sang Another Song What many people don’t realize is that Monroe then continued with another song. She sang, Thanks, Mr. PresidentFor all the things you’ve done,The battles that you’ve wonThe way you deal with U.S. SteelAnd our problems by the tonWe thank you so much Then she threw her arms open and yelled, â€Å"Everybody! Happy birthday!† Monroe then jumped up and down, the orchestra began playing the â€Å"Happy Birthday† song, and a huge, lighted cake was brought out from the back, carried on poles by two men. President Kennedy then came up onto the stage and stood behind the podium. He waited for the massive cheering to die down and then began his remarks with, â€Å"I can now retire from politics after having had ‘Happy Birthday’ sung to me in such a sweet, wholesome way.† (Watch the full video on YouTube.) The whole event had been memorable and proved to be one of the last public appearances of Marilyn Monroe – she died of an apparent overdose less than three months later. The movie she had been working on would never be finished. JFK would be shot and killed 18 months later. The Dress Marilyn Monroe’s dress that night has become nearly as famous as her rendition of â€Å"Happy Birthday.† Monroe had wanted a very special dress for this occasion and so had asked one of the finest costume designers of Hollywood, Jean Louis, to make her a dress. Louis designed something so glamorous and so suggestive that people are still talking about it. Costing $12,000, the dress was made of a thin, flesh-colored souffle gauze and covered in 2,500 rhinestones. The dress was so tight that it had to be literally sewn onto Monroe’s naked body. In 1999, this iconic dress went up for auction and sold for a shocking $1.26 million. As of this writing (2015), it remains the most expensive piece of clothing ever sold at auction.