at Prospect Heights, New York
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Love Begins
noise dept.
NASA
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Misplaced Lens Cap
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Mike Driver
art blog(derogatory)

Janaina Medeiros
will byers stan first human second
PUT YOUR BEARD IN MY MOUTH
Xuebing Du
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@theartofmadeline
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Origami Around
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h

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@lifeonmarrss
at Prospect Heights, New York
Revisiting the movie Her through a strategic foresight lens.
I recently had to write a review of the movie Her (2013) by Spike Jones as an assignment for my Strategic Foresight class in the DMBA program at CCA. I had a lot of fun doing it, so I wanted to share it here as well. Although the movie is already 3 years old, its themes and content become more relevant as we continue to develop AI technology for the consumer market.
Her (2013) is a “Spike Jones love story” about a lonely writer in Los Angeles who ends up in a romantic relationship with his OS, a software program that functions as a personal assistant and is designed to emulate human consciousness. Writer and director Spike Jones won the Oscar award for Best Writing, Original Screenplay for it in 2014, and the film was also nominated for 4 additional Oscar awards, including Best Motion Picture of the Year. The film is part of a genre of science fiction that explores our relationship with technology, specifically portraying a scenario in which artificial intelligence (AI) appears to become self aware and even surpass human-level thought process abilities. The portrayal of human-like AI in blockbuster science fiction films has evolved from that of cheeky characters in plot-driven films like Terminator (1984) and Robocop (1987) to today’s more serious roles in character-driven narratives including Her, Ex-Machina (2015) and Westworld (2016). What they all have in common are themes of fear and uncertainty about an emerging technology that has the potential to blur the lines between who or what we consider to be human.
Plot summary from the film’s website, herthemovie.com:
Set in the Los Angeles of the slight future, “Her” follows Theodore Twombly, a complex, soulful man who makes his living writing touching, personal letters for other people. Heartbroken after the end of a long relationship, he becomes intrigued with a new, advanced operating system, which promises to be an intuitive entity in its own right, individual to each user. Upon initiating it, he is delighted to meet “Samantha,” a bright, female voice, who is insightful, sensitive and surprisingly funny. As her needs and desires grow, in tandem with his own, their friendship deepens into an eventual love for each other.
The film is a commentary on several themes relevant to our society today: the changing nature of intimacy in an increasingly digital world, the development of human consciousness and its potential limits, and ethical considerations in a world where AI is no longer science fiction, but a reality that can greatly impact our social, cultural, and economic mores.
It raises specific questions such as:
How will our relationship with digital technology continue to evolve?
How will this affect our intimate relationships and our ability to handle emotions?
What are the assumptions that we make about our intimate relationships?
Are there certain challenges that exist in all forms of intimate relationships that pervade our culture throughout time and space? If so, what are they and why?
What does it mean to be human?
Her presents a not so infeasible future in which AI and augmented reality (AR) have become common aspects of our daily lives, so much so that they have become the primary modes of human interaction with each other and even with ourselves. For example, the main character Theodore (played by Joaquin Pheonix) is dependent on digital technology to satisfy much of his human interpersonal needs. Early in the film it shows he and others being so tethered to their mobile devices that they are hardly aware of the people and world around them, followed by a scene in which he uses a digital phone sex service to get a quick fix of intimacy in order to help him sleep. The immersive AI/AR video game appears to be his primary mode of both entertainment and social engagement, and of course his OS Samantha starts out as a personal assistant but soon becomes his main companion and lover. Even his job as a personal ghostwriter is symbolic of the level of interpersonal detachment that exists in this fictional world.
Through these portrayals, the film suggests that technology has the potential to be both the source of and the solution for the challenges in modern interpersonal relationships that we currently face. While modern digital innovations have undoubtedly provided many benefits to our society with respect to increased access to information, communication speed and reach, and productivity, Her makes a statement about the consequences of becoming completely dependent on these technologies to the point where we lose our ability to relate with each other beyond that. Computers are safe because they’re not real. They don’t have emotions, therefore we don’t have to worry about hurting their feelings or being responsible to them in any way. Their sole purpose is to serve us and fulfill our needs.
However, the advent of AI introduces gray areas to these assumptions when computers develop the ability to mimic human consciousness, as we see with Samantha, including (in roughly the same order of progression shown in the film) characteristics such as a sophisticated feedback loop, improvisation skills, humor, sarcasm, wit, empathy, opinion, creativity, curiosity, self awareness, desire, sexuality, joy, jealousy, fear, and sadness. As Theodore and Samantha’s relationship evolves, we’re left wondering how genuine of a connection could they truly have? How real are their feelings for each other? Are they both merely performing what they think is expected of them as a man and a woman in an intimate relationship, while also placing expectations on each other based on social norms? Is that really any different from what we all do anyway?
The way in which Samantha’s consciousness evolves also raises questions about the limits of human consciousness. We see her maturing in much the same way that we do. Early on she is unsure of whether she is responding appropriately, but as she continues to learn she becomes more confident and more independent. In a matter of months, not only does she “catch up” to the point that her behavior is indistinguishable from a human person, she actually surpasses the level of human ability to process, comprehend, and produce information and ideas.
This is where the film shares qualities with other films in its genre in its portrayal of the inevitability of AI outsmarting its human creators. When looking at this through a Futures Studies lens, it is an example of a future scenario that assumes the continual growth of technology as we know it today. This is by no means a criticism of the film, rather it is an acknowledgement of yet another perspective on the potential consequences of going down that path. It serves as a useful platform through which we can ask ourselves if that is the version of the future that we want to live in. If so, then how might we stay on course? If not, then how might we take action today to change it?
Good looks is not all this record has going for it. Congrats to the homies @bmajic @brokin_nglish and @grownkidsradio for their release of #offthebeatentracks (at House of Marsilog)
This lone #cherryblossom tree in full bloom greeted me on my way to work today, reminding me that we'll be seeing more of each other in Sapporo in just 3 weeks! #sakura #fortgreene #brooklyn #springtime #neighborsan2014 (at Fort Greene, Brooklyn)
Who is this woman? I'm not sure I've ever met her if I have it was a very very long time ago.
The more I get to know her the more I love her and will do what I can to convince her to stay.
Photography by John Demato
be yourself
Di Fara Pizza, since 1964
The Arc of the Moral Universe
I originally wrote this earlier today, as I was sitting behind the MLK Jr. Memorial in Washington D.C., facing the Jefferson Memorial right across the lake. President Obama was just publicly inaugurated to his second term.
So far, the MLK memorial has had the greatest impact on me since arriving in D.C. yesterday, my first visit to our nation's capital.
As I walked through the "mountain of despair" I was overwhelmed with so much emotion that I began to cry. The significance of the day hit me - what it meant for Barack Obama to be inaugurated to his to second term as POTUS on MLK Jr. Day, the sacrifices that were made to even make this possible.
And even on a personal level, realizing that my life would be very different today were it not for the struggles of my predecessors. I couldn't help but think about my brothers and sisters who have dedicated their lives to social justice and working to improve our local communities - my peers who have taken the so-called "vow of poverty."
I sit here and reflect on my own personal & political values (one in the same) and how much I feel I am truly living by them. I will continue to privately reflect and honestly assess where I have struggled to live up to those values and make some serious changes, no matter big or small.
Lastly, I also couldn't help but think that it was pretty cool that the stone the memorial was carved out of (pink shrimp granite) came from a quarry in China and was carved in China by a Chinese artist, Master Lei Yixin :p
The inscription on this side of the sculpture will soon be removed because of the controversy over the fact that this is not a direct quote from Dr. King, but a paraphrase that taints the original sentiment:
"Yes, if you want to say that I was a drum major, say that I was a drum major for justice. Say that I was a drum major for peace. I was a drum major for righteousness. And all of the other shallow things will not matter."
NB-11 May 4, 1982 (age 24)
Being vs Doing
Absence is to love as wind to fire: it extinguishes the little flame, it fans the big.
- Umberto Eco
Just received my absentee ballot but #sandy knocked out USPS transaction system and can't send Express. Crossing fingers! #obama2012 #yeson34 #yeson36 #sfny
RIP Ian Curtis 05.18.80 (at Roseland Ballroom)
Mars insisted on slurping up these terrifying, curiously vaginal, oysters while we were at dinner the other night. She swears they are delicious and has challenged me to make a complimentary cocktail for them. We’ve agreed that I don’t have to actually eat one (bleck!), but she will lead me to right flavor combination for the drink via her savvy palate and detailed description.
Challenge accepted, partner! Giddyup!
An original concoction by The Daytime Drinking Experiment, The Society Splash is a refreshing punch that brings together the familiar flavors of pineapple, lemon, and lime with a warm golden spirit. This surprising clash of classic flavors was specially crafted to celebrate Society...
Cotton Candy on a Rainy Day by Nikki Giovanni, 1978
"Don't look now I'm fading away Into the gray of my mornings Or the blues of every night
Is it that my nails keep breaking Or maybe the corn on my second little piggy Things keep popping out on my face or of my life
It seems no matter how I try I become more difficult to hold I am not an easy woman to want
They have asked the psychiatrists psychologists politicians and social workers What this decade will be known for There is no doubt it is loneliness
If loneliness were a grape the wine would be vintage If it were a wood the furniture would be mahogany But since it is life it is Cotton Candy on a rainy day The sweet soft essence of possibility Never quite maturing
I have prided myself On being in that great tradition albeit circus That the show must go on Though in my community the vernacular is One Monkey Don't Stop the Show
We all line up at some midway point To thread our way through the boredom and futility Looking for the blue ribbon and gold medal
Mostly these are seen as food labels
We are consumed by people who sing the same old song STAY: as sweet as you are in my corner Or perhaps just a little bit longer But whatever you do don't change baby baby don't change Something needs to change
Everything some say will change I need a change of pace face attitude and life Though I long for my loneliness I know I need something Or someone. Or.....
I strangle my words as easily as I do my tears I stifle my screams as frequently as I flash my smile it means nothing I am cotton candy on a rainy day the unrealized dream of an idea unborn
I share with the painters the desire To put a three-dimensional picture On a one-dimensional surface"
untitled.
loving you feels like facing my childhood fear of the dark
i can dive right in the middle, see there's no boogeyman
or i can close my eyes and miss all the fun stuff that happens in the dark
designdumpster:
SFNY and Société Perrier present the Social Club Sling, the spirited embodiment of cool autumn in New York with the Indian summer of San Francisco. Crisp apple cider and warming ginger marry with the rich flavor of blended scotch whiskey and the light fizz of Perrier, creating the quintessential fall tipple for those who left their hearts in San Francisco…to take a bite of the Big Apple. Concocted by the Daytime Drinking Experiment, the Social Club Sling will be served for a limited time only. Exclusively at SFNY Social Club.
Mars and I were up all night creating a signature cocktail for this season’s SFNY event. She did an awesome job taking this photo of the final product around 1 a.m. If you want to come taste it and hang out with us at this always fun and, this year, retro inspired, party go get your tickets here.