Cover Letter
In this part of my page I am going to tell you the reasons why I chose the things I did. The reason I chose this background is because it reminded me of the things I like. As my parents always say "I was born in the wrong generation". I am a 70's girl. And this background reminded me just of that.
On my pictorial biography I chose pictures and images that I like. As you can see there is a large picture of Fred Durst, he is the lead signer in the group Limp Bizkit. I think that he is a great person, because of all the things he's done. I chose a picture of a hippie because I think it is really cool, that back in the 70's they where all about peace. Not much bothered them, they where all about peace and love. And personally I think that, that is an excellent outlook on life. I chose a picture of the sunset because it is one of natures most beautiful assets. If you think about, it truly is beautiful. Babies. The reason I put a picture of a baby on my page was because I love children. Nothing in this entire world is more innocent than a baby. As far as the water picture, that is a wakeboarder kickin up a huge side wave. Wakeboarding is something I attempt to do in the summer. I haven't quite perfected it yet, but believe I won't quit until I do. The background I chose for my pictorial biography is yellow, the reason I chose this color was because it is bright, and I like bright colors.
The reason I chose the CHARM project is because I found it interesting and I hope the class would also. The CHARM project is comprehensive human arm resource model that some Europeans developed about three years ago. It is a project to help surgeries and other medical issues. I found extremely interesting that somebody thought even about something like that.
As far as how this project tied into our main topic. CHARM is a virtually built animated arm, with specific and exact models and structures of the human arm. As you already know virtual reality is our main topic. The reason we chose virtual reality, is because we all found it interesting and thought it would be a fun subject to do. I have learned a lot about it also.
When I signed up for this class this summer I had no idea what I was getting into. I was kind of nervous since I didn't know what it was really about. I have learned a lot this semester when it comes to computerized technology. For one I learned what a cyborg was. Now I may sound stupid but I can say I don't think I have ever heard of a cyborg before. A cyborg is cybernetic organism, a hybird of machine and organism. A creature of social reality as well as a creature of fiction. So basically in my definition, it is anything that is technologically advanced and not naturally born.
The three reponses I chose to do are two movies we watched in class which are "Blade Runner," and "The Matrix", I am also doing one of the readings which is "Library of Bable." The reason I chose these is because I found them to be the most interesting.
The links that are on my web page are all sites that I have visited throughout this semester. I visited these sites to help me understand the things being discussed in class and also to further my knowledge on the project of choice.
At the very end of my paper you can read my personal statement of how I think technology plays a part in our society. I don't want to get into it in this part of my site because that will ruin it for you when you get to the bottom.
Short Essay
CHARM is a project that a European Commission (ESPIRIT project) team developed in 1993. CHARM stands for Comprehensive Human Animation Resource Model. Which in plain English means their trying to develop a 3-D clone of the human body with the help of computer animation, and medical images.
The European Team was working on the project for several months when they realized the target for developing a comprehensive model had been perceived as to ambitious for a 3-year project. With that in mind they decided just to concentrate on the shoulder-arm complex, which is commonly considered as one of the most complex articulations in the human body. Although not many steps have been made the initial expectations for CHARM will help further advances in research, and open windows in the future.
As far as why CHARM is being developed. Anatomists found that the VHD model is a key opportunity for structure identification and labeling. The models developed can be used for medical education, as well as in surgical operations. Orthopedists and Sport Scientists are very found of the project they say it helps explain insights on the neuromuscular control strategies. Although they still have their concerns they are ecstatic to see it develop. Finally, from their point of view as members of computer graphics research community, CHARM exceeds performance to realistic modeling and animation of the human body. CHARM has been working with parametric identification and medical imaging to enhance this project. The project focus is to provide a physics-based model of the human arm, including a detailed description of the shoulder.
In the near future, they are planning to use this model to further improve our understanding of the complexity used to control the human arm. Hence, the model they developed for the CHARM project is an experimental platform, intended to carryout virtual experiments in order to try and test motion control model hypothesis.
In conclusion I feel that this project could be a large step up in technology and bring benefits to doctors (or anyone else in a related field) and also help them get a better insight of the complexity and neuro-muscular control of the human arm.
The next response is to "The Matrix." First off I will tell you I love this movie. Here is my response: I think that "The Matrix" is a very well written movie. So well that it makes people think what if it is real? And to the extent it could be real, but we would never know. As far as relating it to class. Are the characters in the Matrix cyborgs. Well than I would have to say yes. But at the same time they weren't at the beginning. When the movie first started Neo was just a normal cyber-geek. But then was brought into the Matrix by Morphius. Then I would say that he is a cyborg because he is computer enhanced. Everyone on that ship but two people where basically living in a virtual reality consumed world. For example towards the beginning when Neo fights Morphius in that little Japanese looking room. That wasn't real it was some image from the computer program. I think that it was very interesting the way the movie was written it kind of reminds me of the movie "Blade Runner." At least I think that is what it's called. Where the replicants where computerized so well the only way you where suppose to be able to tell if they weren't real was because they couldn't show emotions. It reminded me of that movie when Trinity told Neo that she loved him. I thought it was cool that even though they lived in a fake world, or as they called it the real world, they could sill experience and have real love. In my opinion they did and excellent job in accenting the emotions shown. All in all, I thought " The Matrix" was an excellent movie. It was so realistic it made you question "what if this is already happening?" And you know what I think to that, what if it is? We will never know so there is no need to ponder on that subject. This is a quote from my classmate Ben's response: "If I am dreaming, and this is happening, don't wake me up!" Another one of my classmates named Sarah brought up the point of how "The Matrix" makes you question things. Here was my response to that: I also agree with Sarah. The movie did make you question things in this world. But, if nothing in this world made you question things what would be your motivation for living. If we already knew everything that was happening life would be completely pointless and boring. I think that if there really is an oracle I would love to talk to her or him just to see what she or he would have to say. I also love movies that make you question things in this world. It make life more interesting.
My last response is to the movie "Blade Runner." A question that I was asked is "At the end of the movie, it appears that the "cyborg" has feelings. Give some examples of this. Guess what, here's my response: A few of the examples of the feelings expressed could be described as follows: When Roy found Pris's lifeless body he seemed though very sad and depressed, and started crying. Now for someone without emotions that seems a little unusual. I believe that the replicants did in fact show emotions. When Roy shoved that nail through his hand he screamed, showing pain and that is also an emotion. At the end of the movie when Roy saves Deckard's life he starts talking about the past. See the thing is he had memories, he told Deckard that he had seen a lot of things. Whether these where Roys' memories or not we will never know. A few more examples would be, his analogy of hidden tears in the rain, or the dove flying out of his hand. That was symbolic because the dove means peace. All in all I think all of the replicants showed emotions. Which brings me to the question "where they really replicants?" Well folks, those are my three critical responses. I sure hope you enjoyed them.
Virtual Reality
Statement of personal theory
I think that technology is one of the most important roles played in society. A lot of people think that within the next decade the world will completely be run by computers. If you really do think about it right now the world is highly based on technology. For example, all most all companies are run on computers. Where would the world be with out them. Computers save a us a lot of time if you think about it. They bring information right to our finger tips. Back in the day people would have to go to all ends of the world to find information that we can now find within seconds. Computers are used all over the world and for many different things. Take hospitals for example they use computers to store medical records, or diagnostic remedies, and all sorts of other things, computers can also be used for pure pleasure, as in games music and what not.
If you haven't notice the world gains more technology every day. Which in a way can be scary because I know that in many generations before don't even know how to work a computer. My mother for example didn't know how to work a mouse when we first got our computer. And as far as email went, no way . She couldn't figure that out, and as a matter of fact she still can't.
A lot of jobs now a days require at least some computer skills. In fact I think that almost all jobs require it. Everything is computer based. I think that's sort of scary. Because what happens if one day the power just stops I mean nothing works. Can you even believe what a mess the world would be.
In conclusion, to this topic, I would say that technology is more important in this world than we realize. I also think that we take a lot of it for granted. Remember, computers aren't the only things technologically advanced, take a look around you. I bet at least half of the things you see wouldn't be around with out technology.
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