Discuss the power science and technology wields in the modern worldDone by: Ernest CheongRayson Khoo Tan Wei RenFang Ziying Neo Jia Hao

Are we in command or are we being commanded?

WRAITEC

What?

Reasons?

Assumptions?

Implications?

The truths?

Examples?

Counter-examples?

Science

A way of understanding the world

A disciple that attempts to reverse-engineer the world we live in-Discovering fundamental principles or laws-Using aforementioned principles to construct accurate predictions about our world

Technology

Improvement of lives through the use of using knowledge tools and systems

Can be considered as application Science

Its effects can be split into two categories1. To empower man by bettering his means to carry out his intentions. E.g. Hand phones for communication2. To liberate man from ‘chores’, essential activities that he do not wish to carry out.

E.g. housework

What?

What do you define as “power”?Superiority over others?

What aspects of science and technology considered when we talk about this topic?Due to the influence of Blade Runner, our idea on Science and Tech are very centralized in the area of Artificial Intelligence.

What?Will and what might happen if scientific advancement stagnates?While statistics suggest that rate of progress in Science and Tech are increasing exponentially, there is the chance that mankind might hit a technological ‘wall’ and our progresses now merely the low-hanging fruits of the grand technology tree.

What provides an impetus for humans to explore and examine the world constantly?Man’s natural curiosity and urge to better himself. It can also be said that because man hopes to understand and gain powers like those of his ‘creator’!

What?

What are possible resistance to progress in Science and Technology?Man himself. While Science and Technology’s focus is on progress and efficiency to improve the means, man might misuse the technology because of the misguided intentions of some. Thus resistances such as moral issues serves as points for man to pause and reel back and revaluate his actions.

ReasonsAre we able to define a quantifiable unit to measure progress in Science and Technology’s evolution? It varies depending on what grounds of Science and Technology are being measured. System capability can be measured with calculation speed and size. The Turing test can be considered to be evaluating Artificial Intelligence. Medical advances can be seen with life expectancy increases.

Reasons

Our current view on Man vs Artificial Intelligence are as two contradicting power, but why can’t we use their superiority as learning points?

Why do we fear that Artificial Intelligence will surpass us? If we do not give them thoughts or critical thinking skills, they would not have the capability to overthrow us!

Assumptions

We are assuming that Science & Tech will one day surpass man’s ability, on the premise that it is constantly evolving. What aspect of man’s ability that can or will be surpassed assuming it as.

Are we correctly assuming that science and technology will continues in its exponential developments, or are will we soon deplete the low fruits on the technology tree and hit a wall?

On what grounds are we assuming that Artificial Intelligence can surpass man’s intelligence?

Implications

 What are the possible implications of the advancemnt of science and technology?

Are science and technology advancements important in determining the authority of nations? 

If science and technology develops at too rapid a pace, how will it impact the inventors and the inventions of the past?

The Truths

Many say that science and technology has been able to impact our lives by increasing our efficiency and productivity of our daily lives, and supposedly increasing the amount of time we have daily.

What are some examples of science and technology?

Has science and technology liberalized our lives or have we been enclosed behind the bars of this?

Examples

Ink-jet printers inspire scientists to make skin

inspired scientists to look for ways to build sheets of skin that could one day be used for grafts in burn victims

involves a portable bioprinter that could be carried to wounded soldiers on the battlefield where it would scan the injury, take cells from the patient and print a section of compatible skin

Are we too reliant on technology?

Contemporary society is increasingly vulnerable to space weather because of our dependence on satellite systems for synchronizing computers, airline navigation, telecommunications networks and other electronic devices

A potent solar storm could disrupt these technologies, scorch satellites, crash stock markets and cause power outages that last weeks or months

What would happen if our technology fails us?

Counter - Examples

Schools still rely hardcopy notes to teach their students

Teachers still need to be present to educate students

Students feel that lessons taught the traditional way is still more effective than learning the lessons online

Riding bicycles as a form of transport

“This is perhaps the most beautiful time in human history; it is really pregnant with all

kinds of creative possibilities made possible by science and technology which now constitute the slave of man - if man is not enslaved by

it. ” - Jonas Salk

And…..

Thank you for your attention!