Kenna Keller: Intermission 7 - Epilogue

a) I liked this book much more than I liked Techgnosis. I think that one of the most prominent arguments - that fiction is somehow less 'true' or valuable than nonfiction - is illustrated perfectly. The premise is so interesting, hearing fictional stories from a fictional character in a fictional book. This is juxtaposed nicely with Davis's approach, citing countless historical, scientific and factual people, places and ideas. Both books give us a sense of wonder and simultaneous excitement and, possibly, some fear, when it comes to the future of humanity as well as technology. The made up characters provide a different insight to what could be, in my opinion seriously mirroring a Black Mirror type approach. This is oftentimes more entertaining and easier to digest.

b) This class was particularly interesting in and of itself because I came in with no expectations. I had never taken an EDPX course before but, as it was cross listed with an MFJS course, I figured I would give it a shot. The subject material was certainly different but the class atmosphere itself was probably the most new to me. I hadn't taken classes with people outside my major in probably two years, and the structure reminded me of more of a philosophy class. It was refreshing to get out of the MFJS building and mindset and explore different avenues of modern technology.

c) My thoughts and feelings on technoculture have changed and shifted over the course of this class in the sheer fact that I hadn't really given it much consideration prior. I had looked into mediated communication and technology through different lenses before, but it had always been more factual and less up for interpretation. My mindset really changed through the act of questioning. It became more well rounded in my knowledge of and attitudes toward AI most prominently. While I hadn't known much before this class I likely would have said that AI is a bad thing. Upon further investigation and an increase in understanding, however, that question would be much harder for me to answer. This is particularly fascinating to me, as you would think answers would become MORE black and white with more knowledge.

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