Impact of Modern Technology on Society Final Exam
Chance of human extinction expressed as a percentage
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ELSI: Ethical, Legal, Social Implications of technology
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Three laws of robotics
1. a robot may not injure a human being. 2. a robot must obey orders given to it by human beings 3. a robot must protect its own existence
Orwell
1984
Silver
A Glimpse of Things to Come
Paradigm shift
A change in the basic assumptions within the ruling theory of science
Brave New World
A future world gov't exerts complete control over human reproduction and human nature
Dystopic
A futuristic, imagined universe in which oppressive societal control and the illusion of a perfect society are maintained through corporate, bureaucratic, technological, moral, or totalitarian control. through and exaggerated worst-case scenario, make a criticism about a current trend, societal norm or political system
Weapons of mass destruction
A nuclear, radiological, biological, chemical or other weapon that can kill and bring significant harm to a large number of humans or cause great damage to man-made structures, natural structures, or the biosphere
Harm principle
A person's liberty is justifiable restricted to prevent harm to otehrs caused by that person
Population control
A policy of attempting to limit the growth in numbers of a population by programs of contraception or steriliaztion
Molecular assembler
A proposed device able to guide chemical reactions by positioning reactive molecules with atomic precision. Theoretical human-made devices
Global positioning system
A satellite based navigation system that transmits time and location data continuously
Carnivore
A software package created by the FBI to monitor email and electronic communications. It used a customizable packet sniffer to monitor all of a target user's internet traffic
Genetics, Nanotechnology, Robotics technologies and their threats
Ability to self-replicate, life-extending possibilities, enabled by knowlege
Governance
All processes of governing, whether undertaken by a government, market or network whether over a family, tribe, formal or informal organization or territory and whether through laws, norms, power or language
National parks
An area of countryside for public use designated by a national government as being of notable scenic, environmental, or historical importance
Nuclear weapons
An explosive device that derives its destructive force from nuclear reactions, either fission or a combination of fission and fusion
Commodification of personal data
Any consumer activity not being recorded is money lost Post dot com era means personal info is worth more than services
Murphys Law
Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong
Idea of humanizing globalization
Aspire toward sustainability to meet human needs while preserving life support systems
Reproductive freedom
Basic rights of all couples and individuals to decide freely and responsibly the number, spacing and timing of their children and to have the information and means to do so, and the right to attain the highest standard of sexual reproductive healt
Genetic determinism
Belief that genes and environmental conditions determine a living organism's morphological and behavioral phenotypes
Stanley & Steinhardt
Bigger Monstor, Weaker Chains
Huxley 6
Brave new world - why we can't just say no to cloning - list
Digitization
Conversion of analog information in any form (text, photographs, voice) to digital form with suitable electronic devices (computer) so that the information can be processed, stored, and transmitted through digital circuits, equipment, and networks
Risk assessment
Determination of quantitative or qualitative value of risk related to a concrete situation and a recognized threat
Autonomy
Directed by considerations, desires, conditions, and characteristics that are not simply imposed externally upon one, but are part of what can somehow be considered one's authentic self
Video surveillance
Electronic system of monitoring activity in an area or building using CCTV
Reproductive technologies
Gender selection, computer generated pictures, two classes exist - naturals and GenRich
Taylor
In Praise of Big Brother
Cloning
Is the process of producing similar populations of genetically identical individuals that occurs in nature when organisms reproduce asexually
Commons
Land or resources belonging to or affecting the whole of a community
Nanobots
Machines or robots whose components are at or close to the scale of a nanometer
Self-replication
Making an exact copy or copies of itself, as a strand of DNA
Chaos theory
Mathematical theory that describes chaotic behavior in a complex system
Three goals for successful sustainability
Meeting human needs, reducing hunger and poverty, preserving the life support systems
Kurzweil
Nanoscience, Nanotechnology, and Ethics
Surveillance society
No outside world that is not watched, video surveillance, facial recognition, drones/robotics, data surveillance
Ethical egoism
Normative theory that the promotion of one's own good is in accordance with morality
Infertillity
Not fertile or productive
Technical solutions
One that requires a change only in the techniques of natural sciences
Luddite
One who is opposed to technological change
Sustainable development
Organizing principle for human life on a finite planet. It posits a desirable future state for human societies in which living conditions and resource use meet human needs without undermining the sustainability of natural systems and the environment, so that future generations may also have their needs met
Population growth Malthus
Population is a major problem with no technical solution. Believed populations tended to grow geometrically, today it is algorithmically
Kass
Preventing a Brave New World
Globalization
Process of integreation across world-space arising form the interchange of world views, products, ideas, and other aspects of culture
2020
Projected date when nanotechnology and Al will be possible
Neem tree symbolism
Represents globalizing world Spreads through religious influence Globalization is old
Olive tree symbolism
Represents tradition, family, home Solid roots in one place, does not change Globalization is new
Game theory
Set of concept aimed at decision making in situations of competition and conflict under specified rules
Population
Summation of all the organisms of the same group or species, who live in the same geographical area, and have the capability of interbreeding
Data profilling
Synergies of surveillance that come into play with data collection. When enough pieces of data are assembled together, they add up to an extremely detailed and intrusive picture of an individual's life and habits
Somatic cell nuclear transfer
Technique in which the nucleus of a somatic cell is transferred to the cytoplasm of an enucleated egg
Biometrics
Technologies that identify us by unique bodily attributes such as our fingerprints, faces, iris patterns, or DNA
Reproductive technology
Technology used to achieve pregnancy by artificial or partially artificial means
Friedman
The Lexus and the Olive Tree
Kates
The Nexus and the Neem Tree
TIPS
The Terrorism Information and Prevention System. "The program's website implied that US workers who had access to private citizens' homes, such as cable installers and telephone repair workers, would be reporting on what was in the people's homes if it were deemed suspicious.
Surveillance
The act of carefully watching someone or something especially in order to prevent or detect a crime
Individual freedom
The action or principle of asserting one's independence and individuality
Tragedy of the Commons
The assumption that decisions reached individually will be the best decision for society is flawed
Data surveillance
The collection of information about an identifiable individual, often from multiple sources, that can be assembled into a portrait of that person's activities
Genetic engineering
The direct manipulation of an organism's genome using biotechnology
Biotechnology
The manipulation though genetic engineering of living organisms or their components to produce useful usually commercial products
Moore's law
The observation that, over the history of computing hardware, the number of transistors on integrated circuits doubles approximately every two years
Rational self-interest
The principle that an action is rational if and only if it maximized one's self-interest
Reproductive cloning
The process of creating an exact copy of a human or animal using the DNA of the original human or animal
Law of accelerating returns
The rate of change itself is accelerating. Evolution applies positive feedback, technological paradigm shifts and resources underlying the exponential growth
4th amendment
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures
Nanotechnology
The science of manipulating materials on an atomic or molecular scale especially to build microscopic devices
Privacy
The state of being free from intrusion or disturbance in one's private life or affairs
Extinction
The state or process of a species, family, or larger group being or becoming extinct
Terrorism
The systematic use of terror especially as a means of coercion
Robotics
The technology connected with using computer-controlled robots to perform manipulative tasks
Reprogenetics
The use of genetics in reproduction, especially in order to choose traits in an offspring or to minimize the risk of genetic disease
Consumption
The utilization of economic goods in the satisfaction of wants or in the process of production resulting chiefly in their destruction, deterioration, or transformation
Overfishing
To deplete the stock of fish in a body of water by too much fishing
Dehumanization
To deprive of human qualities, personality, or spirit
Relinquishment
To withdraw or retreat from; leave behind
Nihilism
Total and absolute destructiveness, especially toward the world at large and including oneself
Hardin
Tragedy of the Commons
Genetic enhancement
Transfer of genetic material intended to modify non-pathological human traits
Echelon
US led global spy network that operates an automated system for the interception and relay of electronic communications including telephone calls, email messages, faxes, satellite transmissions, and internet downloads of both pubic and private organizations and citizens worldwide
Genetic information
Unique data found in DNA that is specific to each person, which can reveal the occurrence of, or predisposition to, various diseases
PATRIOT ACT
Unititing and strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2011. immediately following 9/11
Nuclear, Biological, Chemical tecnologies of the 20th century
Weapons of mass destruction. powerful and enormous threat. needed raw materials and protected information
Consequentialism
Whether an act is morally right depends only on consequences
Joy
Why the Future Doesn't Need Us
Advantages of the surveillance society 5
Would no longer need witnesses, reduce wrongful convictions, more equitable justice system, crime deterrent, prevent police abuse of power
RFID chip
a tag, label or card that can exchange data with a reader using radio frequency
Polypotency of technology
many purposes for a technology, good or bad
Defensive technologies
or military technologies: the collection of equipment, vehicles, structures and communication systems that are designed for use in warfare