Mitigations to Reduce the Law of Unintended Consequences for Autonomy and Other Technological Advances

The United Nations states that Earths population is expected to reach just under 10 billion people (9.7) by the year 2050. To meet the demands of 10 billion people, governments, multinational corporations and global leaders are relying on autonomy and technological advances to augment and/or accommodate human efforts to meet the required needs of daily living. Genetically modified organisms (GMOs), Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) gene-edited plants and cloning will be utilized to expand human food supply. Biomimetic implants are expected to improve life expectancy with 3D printed body parts. Human functioning will be extended with wearables and cybernetic implants continuing humanitys path toward transhumanism. Families will be strengthened with 3 parent households. Disease will surely be eradicated using the CRISPR-CAS9 genetic engineering revolution to design out undesirable human traits and to design in new capabilities. With autonomous cars, trucks and buses on our roads and on-demand autonomous aircraft delivering pizzas, medical prescriptions and groceries in the air and multi-planet vehicles traversing space, utopia will finally arrive! Or will it? All of these powerful, man-made, technological systems will experience unintended consequences with certainty. Instead of over-reacting with hysteria and fear, we should be seeking answers to the following questions - What skills are required to architect socially-healthy technological systems for 2050? What mindsets should we embody to ameliorate hubris syndrome and to build our future technological systems with deliberation, soberness and social responsibility

Dakwah Through Internet: Challenges and Opportunities for Islamic Preachers In Indonesia

The development of information technology (IT), particularly the internet, has benefited people throughout the world in many fields. Considering the advantages offered by the internet, the da’i (Islamic preachers) may utilize such product of IT advancement for disseminating Islamic messages and knowledge (dakwah). This literature review explores the challenges and opportunities of the internet utilization for such religious purpose, by extracting views and research findings from a range ofpublications, including books and journal articles from several databases. It found that the internet can be utilized as contemporary media for dakwah endeavor as it has many advantages in terms of efficiency, accessibility, scoping, and openness. Some recent global issues including Islamophobia, extremist activities including Islam-related terrorism, and gender equity are seen as challenges to the contemporary Islam. On one hand, these concerns may challenge the use of the internet for dakwah practice, but on the other hand, such issues has opened opportunities for da’i to remedy the situation through valid views described in many forms of dakwah in the internet, educating mad’u for better understanding of Islam. It is further recommended that da’i in Indonesia can consider the internet as media for da’wah. Further research is essential whether to explore the da’i’ interests and acceptance in the use of the internet for dakwah as well as the social impacts of such approach

DAKWAH THROUGH INTERNET: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR ISLAMIC PREACHERS IN INDONESIA

The development of information technology (IT), particularly the internet, has benefited people throughout the world in many fields. Considering the advantages offered by the internet, the da’i (Islamic preachers) may utilize such product of IT advancement for disseminating Islamic messages and knowledge (dakwah). This literature review explores the challenges and opportunities of the internet utilization for such religious purpose, by extracting views and research findings from a range of publications, including books and journal articles from several databases. It found that the internet can be utilized as contemporary media for dakwah endeavor as it has many advantages in terms of efficiency, accessibility, scoping, and openness. Some recent global issues including Islamophobia, extremist activities including Islam-related terrorism, and gender equity are seen as challenges to the contemporary Islam. On one hand, these concerns may challenge the use of the internet for dakwah practice, but on the other hand, such issues has opened opportunities for da’i to remedy the situation through valid views described in many forms of dakwah in the internet, educating mad’u for better understanding of Islam. It is further recommended that da’i in Indonesia can consider the internet as media for da’wah. Further research is essential whether to explore the da’i’ interests and acceptance in the use of internet for dakwah as well as the social impacts of such approach.Keywords

Narrative Storytelling In VR Through Gaming

Gaming has consistently been acknowledged as a storytelling medium for its signature ability to provide user interaction. As virtual reality becomes a more prominent gaming environment, it will be expected to carry on the tradition of storytelling. Currently, virtual reality is in a state of infancy, where products offer little sophistication and serve as amusements rather than storytellers. As this changeover takes effect, there are certain discrepancies which will hinder a transition from flat screen gaming to virtual reality gaming. In order to create a successful narrative driven virtual reality game, these discrepancies must be addressed in a meaningful way. This thesis will also experiment with the aforementioned differences by developing a virtual reality game in Unreal Engine 4

Encryption under threat: as states across the globe weaken cyber-security - Germany should oppose the trend

An inadvertent worldwide alliance against encryption is emerging, as Western democracies join authoritarian regimes in weakening communication encryption and exploiting spyware. This accelerating global trend undermines efforts to enhance cyber-security. Germany should oppose such developments and intensify its efforts to champion encryption. This will also mean finding alternative instruments to keep terrorism suspects under surveillance without degrading the software security of the entire population. (author's abstract

Encryption under threat: as states across the globe weaken cyber-security - Germany should oppose the trend

An inadvertent worldwide alliance against encryption is emerging, as Western democracies join authoritarian regimes in weakening communication encryption and exploiting spyware. This accelerating global trend undermines efforts to enhance cyber-security. Germany should oppose such developments and intensify its efforts to champion encryption. This will also mean finding alternative instruments to keep terrorism suspects under surveillance without degrading the software security of the entire population. (author's abstract

University of Alaska Southeast

UAS Answers: Everybody's got one... -- First Friday at the REC -- Correction to the article "Suddenly, College: Plenty of fish on campus" -- One Campus One Book Author Visit -- Clearing up the confusion about sublets -- Defining Racism -- NaNoWriMo: 50K or Bust -- Suddenly, College: Surviving winter in Juneau -- Freezer foods and bulk cooking -- Campus Calenda

Personal Electronic Device Use in Face-to-Face Organizational Meetings: How it is Perceived and the Factors Influencing Perceptions

The use of personal electronic devices by professionals can both increase efficiency and create distractions. Because of this dichotomy, perceptions of the use of personal electronic devices in meetings may be divided. The purpose of this study is to determine how personal electronic device use in face-to-face organizational meetings is perceived, how perceptions are changing over time, which factor has the greatest influence on perceptions, and how this influential factor shapes and guides perceptions. In order to make these determinations, a two-phase study is conducted. In phase one, a content analysis of comments left in response to articles and blogs published online is performed. In phase two, semi-structured, in-person interviews are conducted and analyzed. The results of these two phases indicate 1) general perceptions of device use in face-to-face organizational meetings are more negative than positive; 2) perceptions of device use appear to be becoming more negative over time; 3) perceptions of device use may be becoming more polarized; 4) device use in meetings may be becoming a more popular topic of discussion; 5) rank or status may be the most influential factor; 6) higher-ranked professionals may tend to have more positive perceptions of device use in meetings, while lower-ranked professionals may have more negative perceptions; 7) device use in meetings by higher-ranked individuals may be considered more acceptable than use by lower-ranked individuals; and, 8) higher-ranked employees may be more likely to accept device use by all levels of employees, while lower-ranked employees may feel device use is more acceptable for those of higher ranks than those of lower ranks

Spartan Daily, March 13, 2014

Volume 142, Issue 20https://scholarworks.sjsu.edu/spartandaily/1480/thumbnail.jp