Week 13

Brief Overview/Summary
Due to my group presenting, i got to hear the other 4 presentations, which include mind-controlled prosthetic, food for the future, Sex and adverts, and virtual reality. 
Interesting Observations and Ideas

• The 1st presentation did a similar topic to my group, however, our focus was mainly on the future implications of technologies which alter the physical body. The issue with mind-controlled prosthetic at the moment, is there is a lack in control with the amount of pressure asserted, if this is solved, and there is a way to send the sensation of touching back to the body, do we still require limbs or we should just replace them.
• The second group focused on genetic manipulation techniques, in order to solve global hunger. However, is such technology really good for solving world hunger, as we have seen from a previous presentation on terminator genes, the impact of such technology seem to be negative rather than positive, and if we have to solve it, would the governments in the developing countries have the ability to?
• The 3rd group was on sexual adverts, which was pretty distracting throughout the presentation. As they have stated, using sexuality to market brings many problems, however, it is inevitable that more attention is given if they are put in the spotlight for being bad, such as Ashley Madison became known only after the public outcry about the website itself.
• The impact of virtual reality to me as a gamer is huge, however, i am reminded of a animation series which i watched, where the virtual life has become the true reality for many people, and they refuse to forsake it, so remaining entrapped in it. This is due to the possibilities of deciding what you want, and having freedom, much like computer games.

Key Take Away Points

• The impact of genetic technology in our food supply is a very viable option to consider, despite the fact that there are many problems in regulating and sharing the technology.
• That is seen as taboo is most wanted, as it sparks curiosity, or sensuality in our current society.
• The impact of Virtual reality in helping to perfect skills in a surreal setting, which can reduce training risks for many occupations.

Issues for Further Discussion

• The possibility of one choosing to live in a virtual world instead, do we or should we have the right to prevent them from doing so.
• Since sexually related adverts are seen as bad, why have there not been more drastic measures in order to reduce it coming from corporations
• Should global bodies and government be more concerned with the distribution of genetic manipulation technology to developing countries, instead of continually researching?

Personal Ratings for Session
8/10, the lesson brought many insights in many different fields, and the presentations were very interesting.