[Week 09: Tu 18/Th 20]

Week 09: Tu 18/Th 20
Readings: PHYSICS—Introduction – 2: Future of AI
Class: PERSUASIVE ESSAY; Multimedia presentations
Due: REFLECTION 4

Upcoming:

Week 10: Tu 25/Th 27
No Class—Spring Break 

[Reflection 04: Just a Little Respect—Is Electronic Music Actually Music?]

Like any other art form, music must contend with advancements in technology. And like any other artists, musicians must decide what to embrace and what to reject. In the case of electronic music, battle lines were quickly drawn between "legitimate" musicians and those willing to forge into new territories. In the 70s and 80s, the objects of scorn were often Disco (e.g. Donna Summer, Giorgio Moroder) and Synth Pop  (e.g. Duran Duran, Depeche Mode, New Order). These records, though often acclaimed today, were routinely derided for their reliance on computers, drum machines, and synthesizers. In the early 21st century, the debate continues. This time, it is primarily over EDM (Electronic Dance Music). In an era where DJs command as much attention as singers and musicians, many rebuff EDM as "electronic noises you’re trying to pass off as music." Whether its New Wave, Electronica, Trance, or Techno, will electronic music ever achieve full critical acceptance? Must music involve an instrument and a player to be legitimately considered music? Finally, who gets to decide what is and isn't music?

Include at least three of the following in your discussion:

• "Rolling Stone Italia Just Offended the Entire EDM Culture, and We’re Wondering Why" (DoAndroidsDance)
• "Dave Grohl: His Grammys Speech about Electronic Music was Bullshit" (LA Weekly) 
• "Is Electronic Music 'Real Music?'" (Discovery News) 
• "Is EDM a Real Genre?" (Noisey)
• "Forgive Us Our Synths–How 80s Pop Found Favour Again" (Guardian)
• "Are DJs musicians? They certainly need talent ..." (Sound On Sound)

Required:

• MLA Style
• Works cited 
• Two full pages in length

Due: Th 03.20

[Futurism News 03.12.14]

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• Fresh from the 2014 Geneva Auto Show, Nissan's XchangE self-driving concept car (TheAwesomer)
• What warp speed would REALLY look like (Gizmodo)
• Three's company: The UK considers embryos from three parents (ScienceMag)
• Why not?: Garden lamps that walk (Dvice)
• The world's coolest pool table has arrived (Technabob)
• Are we ready for robot strippers? (The Verge)

[Week 08: Tu 11/Th 13]

Week 08: Tu 11/Th 13
Readings: ABUNDANCE—Part Five: Peak of the Pyramid – Part Six: Steering Faster
Class: Reading discussion; Multimedia presentations; Lecture—“On Wordiness”
Due: REFLECTION 3; INFOGRAPHIC (FINAL DRAFT, ATTACH DRAFT 1 TO BACK)

Upcoming:

Week 09: Tu 18/Th 20
Readings: PHYSICS—Introduction – 2: Future of AI
Class: PERSUASIVE ESSAY; Multimedia presentations
Due: REFLECTION 4

Week 10: Tu 25/Th 27
No Class—Spring Break

[Futurism News 03.04.14]

• Microsoft previews its anti-Siri virtual digital assistant, Cortana (TechCrunch)
• From The Netherlands, an exciting concept for a micro-apartment (Gizmodo)
• Meanwhile, in London, the urban cottage debuts (Dezeen)
• Apple debuts CarPlay for Ferrari, Volvo, and Mercedes-Benz (CNET)
• 3D-printed manicure sets are here (Ecouterre)
• Rolls-Royce developing drone cargo ships (TechCrunch)

[Reflection 03: If and When—The Legalization of Marijuana]

In 2012, Colorado and Washington became the first states in the Union to legalize the recreational use of marijuana. In landmark votes, the peoples of those states not only overturned a decades-long prohibition on Cannabis, they also set the stage for a "states' rights" battle with the Federal government. Additionally, they joined nearly two dozen states with legalized medicinal marijuana mechanisms already in place. Indeed, the mainstreaming of marijuana in American culture has surprised both advocates and opponents of legalization. And while legalization on a national level is far from a sure thing, we are closer to it than at any other point in our history. But what are the implications of legalized marijuana? What does American life look like when pot is made legal?  What would we gain and what would we lose as a society? And what lessons should we learn from alcohol and tobacco? How would legalization affect you?

Include at least three of the following in your discussion:

• "Nine Things to Know Before Smoking Pot in Colorado" (USA Today)
• "Commentary: Marijuana Legalization—It's Time, Congress" (Roll Call)
• "Legally Blind: Why I'm Against Legalizing Marijuana" (Huffington Post)
• "Marijuana Laws are Crippling America, but Millennials Will Lead the Revolution" (PolicyMic) 
• "Marijuana May Hurt the Developing Teen Brain" (NPR)
• "Pivotal Point is Seen as More States Consider Legalizing Marijuana" (New York Times)

Required:

• MLA Style
• Works cited 
• Two full pages in length

Due: Th 03.13

[Week 07: Tu 04/Th 06]

Week 07: Tu 04/Th 06

Readings: ABUNDANCE—Part One: Perspective – Part Two: Exponential Technologies
Class: Reading discussion; Multimedia presentations; Library research session (TBA); Writers workshop
Due: INFOGRAPHIC (DRAFT 1, BRING 2 COPIES)

Upcoming:
Week 08: Tu 11/Th 13
Readings: ABUNDANCE—Part Five: Peak of the Pyramid – Part Six: Steering Faster
Class: Reading discussion; Multimedia presentations; Lecture—“On Wordiness”
Due: REFLECTION 3; INFOGRAPHIC (FINAL DRAFT, ATTACH DRAFT 1 TO BACK)