Week III // Robotics and Art

This week’s topic was so interesting to me. The fact that people were able to relate the robotics aspect to TV and movies made everything more relatable. It was perplexing to me to see just how right Walter Benjamin is. For example, a show called Falling Skies, depicts the robots in a very unrealistic manner. In the show, the disintegrate Earth and try any take over whoever is left. Their abilities are very human like. For example, they are able to rule over people, dictate, walk, run, jump, etc. when in reality that’s just not the case.  I appreciated the fact that he didn’t only show the positives, but the negative possibilities as well. 

There are so many examples of losing creativity due to the mass production of things. For example, a small clothing boutique will not attract as many customers (or sales for that matter), but a large clothing brand (who has ultimately copied off of something else) can. Everything ends up looking very similar and mass produced, therefore shelving the creativity of certain individuals who try hard to be original. 

With that being said, it can also be extremely positive. Take animated movies into account. Those creations are so amazing, and only possible with the combination of art and technology. You have to also consider how beneficial this can be, because so many amazing creations can come out of it that bring many people joy and happiness. The possibilities are endless when it comes to art and technology. 

Benjamin, Walter. "The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction." Stardom and Celebrity: A Reader (n.d.): 25-33. Web. 27 Apr. 2017.

Davis, Douglas. "The Work of Art in the Age of Digital Reproduction (An Evolving Thesis: 1991-1995)." Leonardo 28.5 (1995): 381. Web. 27 Apr. 2017.

Lim, Angelica. "What Roboticists Can Learn From Art, and What Artists Can Learn From Robots." IEEE Spectrum: Technology, Engineering, and Science News. IEEE Spectrum, 02 May 2013. Web. 27 Apr. 2017.

Teena Maddox | November 28, 2014, 4:41 PM PST. "Disney Animation Team Pushes Technical Boundaries with Big Hero 6." TechRepublic. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Apr. 2017.

Relating the Rapidly Changing Present to the Distant Past as Far as Book History Is Concerned. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Apr. 2017.