tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8692381608294018617.post4867411624613791346..comments2023-11-05T07:27:43.837-05:00Comments on Narrative and Technology: Midterm: The Myth of Human NatureAdamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16302919444091859459noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8692381608294018617.post-24751365983411796512008-10-28T14:31:00.000-04:002008-10-28T14:31:00.000-04:00Good introduction, although a clear thesis would h...Good introduction, although a clear thesis would have been a nice touch.<BR/><BR/>The Haraway quote and the next paragraph provide a firm foundation for your initial claim. Good.<BR/><BR/>"Evolution dictates that an individual, and therefore a population, will progress via the path of least resistance; and each new technology creates a new path of least resistance. Technological progress is an extension of the evolutionary process and therefore an extension of human nature, which is itself no different than the nature of any other animal." -- these are some big ideas, and unlike some of your earlier claims, it's hard for me to see how you're founding/defending them. For instance, I don't think many biologists would claim that evolution (which is so random...) really follows the path of least resistance...<BR/><BR/>Your discussion of Joy ignores his main point. Joy would undoubtedly agree that " No company will create a legion of intelligent autonomous robots simply to take up space. They will be created to fulfill some purpose...". He would also assert that the problems he envisions - "gray goo, etc" - arise from unintended consequences, not from intended ones. And, curiously, you seem to be ignoring your earlier assertion that technology (e.g., in the case of chimps) doesn't need to be intentional in the first place... I find this part of your essay rather muddled.<BR/><BR/>You end *very* abruptly, so abruptly that I'm not sure where you really stand.<BR/><BR/>Overall: You begin very well, with a strong, thoughtful point of view and good writing. You end rather abruptly - I suspect, maybe without cause, that you started the paper late and simply had to stop. With another page or two working out the material compressed into the last page or so, this could have been exceptional. As it stands, it's pretty good but certainly incomplete.Adam Johnshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11588769281227456640noreply@blogger.com