Gerhard Fischer: “Doctoral Level Independent Study” - Fall Semester 2006

Assignment 1 — Bill Joy Article


due:

Tuesday, September 12, 2006; 10am on the SWIKI class website http://l3dswiki.cs.colorado.edu:3232/phd-intro
maximum length: 2 pages

Always keep in mind the following quote by Blaise Pascal: “I have made this letter longer than usual, because I lack the time to make it shorter.”

Please read the following article:

Bill Joy: “Why the future doesn't need us”
available at: http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/8.04/joy_pr.html

Discuss the following issues:

1. write a one paragraph summary statement about the article characterizing the main message of the article?

2. with which arguments (focused on predicting future developments) do you
2.1. agree
2.2. disagree

3. how should we react to this article
3.1. on an individual basis?
3.2. on a societal basis?

4. would you consider yourself
4.1. a techno-utopist (“glorifying the future”)
4.2. a techno-pessimist (“glorifying the past”)
4.3. or how would you characterize your own position?


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