“Computing Machinery and Intelligence” was written by an expert in the field of artificial intelligence. Alan Turing created the “Turing Test”, which I found exciting and interesting. This whole concept is over my head, and naturally so since I am not an expert in computer intelligence. I think that art and technology are seperate entirely, but can work together to create new and interesting concepts and mediums of art. They will always be different things with different goals and meanings. They will develop simultaneously as two parts of our growing and developing world, whether they work together or not. Can computers really become more intelligent than us? Some people believe they already are, and that could be seen as positive or negative. I think it could be very beneficial to the human race as a whole, but the impications are a little frightening…
I was really glad to hear that most of the charges against Steve Kurtz were dropped. I can’t imagine the relief that he feels after being treated with such injustice for so long. Not only is it terrible to falsely accuse someone of a crime, but for Steve Kurtz, he was mourning the death of his wife. The law enforcement officials over this case did not understand that what they found was for the purpose of art. So Kurtz was subjected to public humiliation and accusations of being involved in bioterrorism and being held resposible for the death of his own wife. In my opinion, the government was just using him as an example to show America that they were staying on top of things, so as to give some sort of security to the American citizen. Clearly, they were not able to string together any of the fragmentary evidence that they had against him towards any wrong-doing. I watched the trailer for “Strange Culture“, the movie about his case, and it was very moving. In particular, it was said that if artists are going to be silenced, who then will speak for us? It has always been the case that it is on the shoulders of artists to make statements through aesthetics and create art that is representational of ideas. If artists are going to be condemned for creating what someone perceives as art, then will anyone really have a voice at all?
Also, in addition to the ravishing Tilda Swinton, notice that the doctor from E.T. is in this film. I have a hard time not hating him for seperating Elliot and E.T., but I respect him for supporting Steve Kurtz.
