Week 3

Robotics and mass production aren't a replacement for art and culture, but are often derived from them. Professor Vesna describes their relationship as a "two-way street" because culture influences scientists' ideas of innovation. She discusses how the earliest images of  robotic concepts reflected society and  contemporary culture.

Robots are based on artistic ideas but can be utilized to create more art and culture.

While innovation may encompass societal elements, people like Benjamin warn that mass reproduction may take away the authenticity of art and culture. With the same images being digitized and widespread, the quality and often emotional value goes down. While this isn't universal, even looking at a replica of a masterful painting pales in comparison to viewing the original.

The initial concept of robots was to assist with mass production and take some burden off of laboring  humans to increase efficiency. However, people like Benjamin are fearful of the consequences of eliminating the human component. The Pixar film Wall-E portrays a future reliant on artificial intelligence and mass production to the point that humans pollute the Earth and are forced to relocate. Upon their new home - a spaceship - humans sit in front of screens all day and are all obese and lazy.

People in the world of Wall-E are obese and sit in front of screens all day.

Industrialization has been extremely helpful for the growth of society. For example, Ford's car reproduction helped even the common citizen afford a more efficient lifestyle. And as Davis proposes, humans must remain responsive to new technology and robotics. We must use our creativity and ability to be reactive to avoid laziness and complacency while maintaining artistic and thought-provoking elements of life. Additionally, combining our intellect and abstract thinking can help conceptualize how robots can help society, with proper caution of course.

Ford Motors assemby line.

References:

Benjamin, Walter. The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction. London: Penguin, 2008. Print.

Davis, Douglas. "The Work of Art in the Digital Age of Reproduction." Leonardo, Vol. 28, No. 5, Third Annual New York Digital Salon, 1995, pp. 381-386. https://www.jstor.org/stable/1576221?seq=1#metadata_info_tab_contents. Web.

Vesna, Victoria. "Robotics pt1"YouTube, uploaded by UC Online, 15 April 2012. https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=871&v=cRw9_v6w0ew. Web.

Vesna, Victoria. "Robotics pt2"YouTube, uploaded by UC Online, 15 April 2012. https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=253&v=oAZ8bo9T_Pk. Web.

Glass Man. "Technology's role in Wall-E." Wordpress.com, 26 Nov. 2011. https://cbersin.wordpress.com/2011/11/26/technologys-role-in-wall-e/. Web