Are Humans really Natural-Born Cyborgs?

Lately I have been reading a book called Natural-Born Cyborgs: Minds, Technologies, and the Future of Human Intelligence by Andy Clark.  I've only read the first two chapters but it really is making me reflect on humans and machines and how technology is affecting us.  Clark believes that our merging with objects, devices, and processors is part of our biological makeup and that the smarter the interactive world becomes the harder it is to know where we stop and the world begins.  How does this translate in today's world and better yet, how will it impact the future? 

There is no doubt that humans rely on tools and machines to carry out their daily lives. Whether we are jotting notes down with a pencil and piece of paper, checking our wristwatch for the time, or talking on our cell phones, we are relying on outside tools to help us achieve our tasks at hand. Ever since the beginning of times, human-machine symbiosis has been, and still is a way of life for us. It is who we are. Some tools we use are so natural to us we don’t have to think about using them. For example, when I write, whether with pen/paper or by typing on the computer, I don’t have to think about using the medium. I just concentrate on my thoughts and let it go from there. The same concept applies to when I drive my car. Driving my own car is very natural to me. I know how to operate it without thinking about it. Sometimes my right brain kicks in when I am in “the zone” and I drive for miles without realizing it only to find I have suddenly arrived at my destination. On my computer I can type and type and type without thinking about how to type or that I am using a computer. I just let my thoughts flow.

With the introduction of all of the new tools people are inventing, we are able to become more talented and more efficient. Instead of flying half-way across the world we can have a virtual meeting or experience that land and culture by using a computer. Musicians can use computers and other devices to help them tune their instruments and to help them create new sounds and effects that they otherwise would not have been able to create. Scientists, doctors, and pilots can practice their skills during true-to-life simulations. Now that we do have the ability to come in contact with others from all over the world, we can learn a lot more, collaborate, solve problems, generate ideas, become inspired and inspire others, and thus become more and more proficient as a result. We are no longer just limited to our close circle of friends or colleagues in our community. We no longer have to rely on what books are in the local library or what is in our set of encyclopedias. We now have instant access to a wealth of people and information from all over which is empowering. Even though we may have fewer physical, face-to-face meetings, we are becoming a more collective group and more connected globally. Think about the concept of Freeware vs. expensive software. Think about all the professional and social groups online such as listservs, Ning communities, etc. We are more connected than ever I can’t wait to see the fruits of our collective labor.

I do believe, however, that Clark was a little over overzealous because while some of us embrace the latest technology there are some who do not and will not embrace it. I hear a lot of comments from older folks (not trying to stereotype) that computers and the latest technology even DVD players are so foreign and so “difficult” to figure out they don’t even bother. Other people who may be older or younger may feel like if they have gone this long without it why do they need a cell phone or Smartphone or the latest gadgets. It will be a long time before some types of technology will be ubiquitous. I guess that is where elements of our culture, education, and society must change just like the technology must be easy to use, access, and purchase.

While I am thrilled with the new technology and the new opportunities to connect with others, to learn, and to collaborate, I also think that students should know that 2+2=4 and where India (and Indiana) is on the map without having to rely on a machine. Technological tools should assist us, not take the place of our brains.

21st Century Skills - A New Way of Thinking

With all of the new technology our youth have at their disposal, they are capable of organizing, communicating, and behaving in ways that we would never have imagined.  People today can organize rallies and protests more efficiently and effectively than ever.  Take the following video for instance: http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2009/10/school-administrators-never-saw-it.html.  This administrators had no idea what was coming!  The 21st century way of organizing and communicating can be a great thing or a horrible thing. For the person who started the texts about the immigration laws and for all of the 50,000 students who protested it was great. People can use this power to bring about change and justice, but they can also use it to destroy others and humiliate them. That's why it is more important than ever to educate students on the importance of being responsible and the consequences of using this for a bad cause and perhaps even how to cope.  Like it or not, this is a reality and we better be prepared for it!

The Matrix - What is Reality?

"What is reality? Is it what you can see, hear, touch? If so, then 'reality' is no more than electrical signals to your brain." - Morpheus

One of my all time favorite movies is The Matrix.  Yesterday I was watching it on TV and it really made me start to think about life and what we perceive as reality, especially since I have been reading a book about cyborgs.  So how do we know what is real and what is not? How do we know that what we are doing and who we are is real and not just a figment of our imagination or software loaded to our brain? What is reality? What about when we dream at night? How do we know that it isn’t real? Who’s to say it isn’t imaginary impressions in our brain? Why do we assume it isn’t real? What is the difference between the “real world” and a dream? At night when I am dreaming it feels real to me. Sometimes it feels too real. So what is real? Is Morpheus correct? Is it simply our interpretation of electrical signals transmitted to our brain? Morpheus states that our senses are electrical signals interpreted by our brain, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it is real. Your eyes can see a chair, but there might not really be a chair present. When you say you see something, you actually see the effect created in our brains which is a transformation of the light waves meeting the eye into electrical signals. The same concept applies to the Matrix. Neo doesn’t actually see the objects. They are merely an interpretation of the brain’s signals reaching it. No matter how real the world may seem, it is just an illusion in our mind. What is real to me may not be real to you. Why do some people prefer chicken while others prefer steak? Why do I like green yet my best friend hates green? Why do I love the smell of yet others find it repulsive? What happens if we lose our senses? How do we perceive reality then? If I can’t smell vanilla or see the color green does it still exist? Is it still reality? Maybe we are just living in an illusion.

Never mind whether our brains are in a vat, being controlled by an outside machine or not, I still believe we are all trapped inside a matrix. Maybe we are controlled by a god, maybe by a demon, maybe by a crazy person who is brainwashing us, or maybe by a network on a machine. I don’t know. In any case, I believe our minds are what keep us in a matrix. We can’t always distinguish reality, but we do create our own reality. Remember the famous quote "I think, therefore I am" from Descartes? What is real to me may not be perceived as real by the next person. Perhaps it is all an illusion. I can walk side-by-side with a friend and see a golden opportunity while she may see a disaster. I might look at a difficult life situation as a challenge, an opportunity to succeed, and a reason to work even harder and make something of myself while someone next to me in the same exact situation sees it as misfortune, an excuse to complain, and a roadblock to success. Despite what Warwick or anybody else thinks, I believe our minds are the most powerful computer ever made, and they can bring about good and bad…it all depends on how we program them. We create our realities, our heaven and hell, our experiences. Some of us are like Neo in that we take control over our minds, our thoughts, and our reality. We have control over our lives and some look at us like we have super-human powers. Think about all the modern day and historical figures who have overcome the greatest odds and have risen above the rest and succeeded despite their obstacles! Just like Neo was able to rewrite the program, they were also able to rewrite their program…their lives. Neo learned to gain control just like our heroes, and they knew they had control. Whether you are in The Matrix or your own matrix, the bullets or the “Agents” are nothing more than your imagination. Like Neo and our heroes discovered, once you gain control over your imagination you won’t have to dodge bullets. You will be the one in control of your imagination! You will have the freedom to control your own dreams and imagination. We all look at the world subjectively rather than objectively for the most part. Morpheus summed it up best when he said that “it is all in your mind.” We all create our own reality.

But here is where it gets tricky! Let’s say some of our overachievers create a robot or intelligent machine, a machine much more intelligent than humans. Let’s also pretend that humans destroy our planet Earth. Given the two circumstances, the intelligent machines could outwit humans and certainly take over, especially if humans and the earth are being destroyed. The machines need us and they know it. Who is our worst enemy now? Are we are own worst enemy suffering from our own fate that we brought upon ourselves? Did the machines do this to us or did we do it to ourselves? It may seem an unlikely scenario but anything is possible. If the robots choose to enslave us and turn us into cyborgs and control our minds for their own well-being and survival could we not still beat them at their own game? After all, by using human intelligence combined with a machine’s intelligence we could very well have an advantage over the robots. Could we really beat them? Should we beat them? Maybe so. Maybe not. Maybe ignorance truly is bliss.

“Throughout human history, we have been dependent on machines to survive. Fate, it seems, is not without a sense of irony.” – Morpheus
 
BTW I found an interesting article by Kevin Warwick on The Matrix:
http://whatisthematrix.warnerbros.com/rl_cmp/new_phil_warwick.html

Fluid Intelligence

Just about every teacher has heard of the different types of multiple intelligences and "smarts" that humans possess.  Well today I just heard about another type of intelligence called "fluid" intelligence.  Fluid intellience is unique because it looks nothing like traditional types of brainpower such as memorizing and recalling facts.  Fluid Intelligence (as opposed to being fixed or set) requires much deeper thinking than memorization.  So what exactly is fluid intelligence?  It is the ability to find meaning in confusion and to solve new problems, independent of acquired knowledge.  Read more about it in the following article entitled "Get Smarter" by Jamais Coscio in the July/August 2009 issue of The Atlantic Magazine!

http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200907/intelligence

Cell Phones and their Use in Education

I think cell phones could be promising in the future of education.  First of all , they are inexpensive and ubiquitous. Schools may not always be able to afford a computer for every student however they could afford a phone. Mobile phones have the same capabilities of a PC and they are portable. Students carry them with them everywhere they go and they rely on them. I carry mine with me everywhere and I use mine to help me with my school work so why not other students? While most educators and schools ban the use of cell phones in the classroom, why not make it a part of learning. Students and teachers could be connected to each other and the world! Cell phones have everything a student could need such as (but not limited to since there are so many applications):

• Calendars - Students could record assignments which are much better than bulky, paper agendas which were a requirement at my middle school. They could receive reminders for assignments and important dates.
• Voice recorders – Students could record notes from reading, record lectures, practice foreign language, perform oral exercises, give explanations, etc. Students with learning disabilities can dictate thoughts and answers to assignments instead of writing.
• Camera/video – Students could take relevant pictures or create videos relating to their assignment. I used to have my students record skits, make music videos in Spanish, give a school tour in Spanish, identify objects in Spanish via photo scavenger hunt, take pictures during Spanish club events, student performances, field trips, etc. Students can also watch video clips.
• Internet – students could research information, read websites, articles, books, news, etc. No more taking the whole class to the computer lab!
• Music – Students could listen to books and music pertaining to class. I used to have a song of the week. I would also play stories and audio clips for my students all the time.
• Podcasts – Students could listen to podcasts with lectures, information about topic they are studying, etc. This would be especially helpful for students who are absent!
• Texting – text students for group projects, homework help, text teacher with questions, especially great for shy students. Hearing impaired students or students who have trouble speaking could text to communicate.
• Instant Messaging - Students could Skype or send/receive instant messages.
• Email - Students could send/receive emails and text messages from teacher and classmates regarding assignments and other pertinent information.
• Documents – Students can create, edit, and share documents. They can also take notes.
• Calculator – Students can use the calculator.
• GPS/Map – Students can locate places on the map relating to material they are learning and learn geography.
• Social Behavior - Teach students acceptable and appropriate social uses of a cell phone.

How Technology has Changed My Life

I was sitting here reminiscing on how much technology has impacted my life.  I realize it has profoundly affected the way I do things every single day.  When I am driving I no longer pull over to the side of the road and take a look at my road map. I just turn on my GPS and it tells me where to go. I don't even pay as much attention to where I am going because I know my GPS will show me the way.

At work/school I always have my Blackberry with me. If I am talking to a coworker/classmate or if I am sitting in a class/meeting and I need an answer I send out an email and get a reply sometimes almost instantly. In fact, I have worked in some places where they preferred to communicate by email. The phone or face-to-face interaction was for really serious, important matters. With my Blackberry, everytime it dings I stopped what I am doing to check it. It has me trained! My coworkers do the same thing as well I have noticed.

If I need information I immediately Google it. I remember in the "old" days if I wanted to know something I would ask my parents, teachers, friends, whoever, I would go to the library it look at books and/or look it up in the dictionary or encyclopedia on the bookshelf at home. If I wanted the weather I had to turn on the TV and wait for it to show on the news or on the weather channel.

While I don't alaways pay attention to things like I did before the internet, I am finding that with all this information available, I am constantly searching for more and more knowledge, like I can't get enough. I will read about one topic and then become interested in another topic and search for that and so on. If I want to make a big ticket purchase I will research the product and compare prices online. During my teaching career, even still now, I was always online collaborating with other foreign language teachers via email and listservs. In many ways it is making me more knowledgeable.

It also has allowed me to connect with lots of family and friends all over the world. I can email them, Skype, see them on Facebook...all for free.  Sometimes I even dream about computers and the internet...

In my case, it has allowed me to become more efficient when it comes to the small things like directions, calculating things, and I don't have to spend a lot of time searching for answers. OTOH, it has made me more knowledeable and made me want to know even more and furthermore it causes me to want to share my knowledge.  I remember as a kid using my dad's encyclopedia set at home to look up information for school reports. It was so boring. I much prefer using the internet!

I also remember in college in one of my translating classes we were required to purchase and carry to class and huge Spanish/English dictionary. It was hard cover, huge, and very heavy. It is so much easier for me to go online and look up words on wordreference.com or any other dictionary website.

If I had to go without my computer, my blackberry, my iPod, my GPS, and all of my other gadgets, I would go insane. I would be lost in the world...I rely on it all for so much such as for entertainment, for knowledge, for communication, for school, my whole life. It is a major part of my life. I need it like I need my clothes, food, and shelter...

Cyborgs, Education, and Learning

Here is a neat video on Cyborgs, Education, and Learning.  It does a great job explaining the idea of collective consciousness and how it relates to education.