Robotics

      Robotics is becoming a topic that more and more people are beginning to discuss.  Especially with the up and coming presence of drones, people have begun wondering what robotic technology should and shouldn't do.  From my perspective I have noticed that the public's reaction to the exponential growth of industrialization varies tremendously.  Many despise of certain types of industrilizations such as the use of robots and drones. Others, such as the people at Arduino, welcome these advancements.  Arduino is a simple electronics platform that people can use for a wide variety of projects.  Technological advancements such as these make it easy for people to get their feet wet in industrialization processes.

   After I read Walter Benjamin's work on mechanical reproduction, my mind went instantly to IRobot, a film set in 2035 that portrays and apocalyptic instance where robots became smarter than humans.  Benjamin frequently mentioned the depreciation of quality through the use of robotics and industrialization.  This is something that is very closely portrayed in the character of Will Smith who is obviously opinionated about the quality of the robots.  Although the film is and extreme case of the downside of robotics, it sends a message about why society should be cautious in the field of industrialization.

An additional area where mechanization is beginning to apply to art is music.  Before the emergence of computers and other electronics, music consisted of solely of percussions, acoustics, and vocals.  Today, many artists are utilizing artificial noises to make parts of their songs sound better.  Artists that fall under the "techno" category are even using electronics for their whole song.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSeNSzJ2-Jw

Douglas Davis mentioned his stance on these types of arts in his piece The Work of Art in the Age of Digital Reproduction.  In it he states how he believes that the industrialization of certain arts is worsening it.  He believes that as soon as digital reproduction touches a piece of art, that work is devalued substantially

-Brian Sussex


Works:

"WHAT IS ARDUINO?" Arduino. Web. 17 Apr. 2016.

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

I, Robot. 20th Century Fox, 2004.

"Rehearsing Revolution and Life : The Embodiment of Benjamin’s Artwork Essay at the End of the Age of Mechanical Reproduction." Walter Benjamin and Art. Web.

SKrillix. Youtube. Web. 17 Apr. 2016.