PLATO'S ALLEGORICAL CAVE RECKONING

First, there was Socrates! Old Socs in the middle probably giving his mates his reckonings, Plato by his side getting excited Athenian style SOURCE: http://brewminate.com/from-presocratic-to-classical-greek-philosophy-a-shift-in-focus-and-methodology/

Then, an old and wise Plato with his gossip mags in hand talking with a young Aristotle, to view my reckonings of Aristot's check this previous post of mine out. SOURCE: http://hipporeads.com/plato-and-aristotle-on-the-american-state/

A coloured illustration of the allegory. SOURCE: http://brewminate.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/TheCave02.jpg

I really enjoy reading Plato’s BookVII of The Allegory of the Cave, applying it to any form of modern day social norms of social media and the internet is quite fascinating as it stands symbolically with my views on what the internet is doing to us by acting as our chains to willingly but forcefully view unrealities by displaying false images and content when all one needs to do to experience real life and all that represents good is to break free from the comfortable ignorance we live in but can liberate ourselves from.

I think that can be applied perfectly to that of a video gamer too! Below I’ve created the likeness of Plato's Allegory of the Cave to the mindless consent of the video gamers.

(You can probably tell also my distaste for video gamers here, all most as much as my own chains to internet addiction)

Plato's Cave. SOURCE: https://lightnightgreekfire.wordpress.com/platos-cave/
Video Gamer. SOURCE: http://www.altmuslimah.com/2015/03/dear-salma-my-husband-is-addicted-to-video-games/ 

edited photo linking the two concepts together by yours truly.

AI MIND INTEGRATION

SOURCE: https://giphy.com/search/blade-runner

Bloggers edited photo

The time is nigh to grasp all conceptual understanding for mind and machine integrations. Brain-computer interface (BCI) is direct communication between a wired brain and external artificial intelligent devices, and the rise of such technologies are upon us. 

An article by Sue Halpern, ‘Mind Control & the Internet’ debates opposing arguments such as the use of these technologies having both risks and benefits of restoring human function yet can also be seen negatively as unleashing ghastly threats to humanity. 

Merging man and machine is a “product, which will be developed within the next four years [that] will eventually lead humans to be able to communicate by ‘consensual telepathy’” Elon Musk, CEO of Neuralink proclaims as he speaks of BCI. These ‘noninvasive brain scanners’ David Pogue (HowFar Away is Mind-Machine Integration? 2012, Scientific American) with no understanding for defects or health risks these devices may have on the human brain, not to mention the questions raised about ethics, privacy and credibility are still in complete early days of testing. Tom Mitchell and Marcel Just of Carnegie Mellon University told Pogue “Our Machine is our Monster”.

People of the internet, the future is here and ready to tap into the devices we were born with; our minds.

http://www.wired.co.uk/article/elon-musk-neuralink

http://www.nybooks.com/articles/2011/06/23/mind-control-and-internet/

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-far-away-mind-machine-integration/

MIND MAP: BUBBL.US

SOURCE: bubbl.us

Mind mapping! Ahh, the advantages of retaining information by “mapping” the way the brain creates and affiliates connections. This technique brings clarity to the decision-making process by using word, image, rhythm, spatial awareness, colour and logic.

The importance of each idea is indicated by its centre point, ie: the main idea. Then begin the links between key concepts and their connection to each other. The brain works with those key concept structures to recall and retain new information with ease.

One great tool I’ve found to help ease the retention of information leading up to exams or researching for essays is Bubbl.us Its brainstorming and techniques for mind mapping allow for users online to create colourful mind maps that you can share with other users, students and friends. HELPFUL, if you’re a uni student, right?!

SOURCE: https://www.mindmeister.com/blog/students-guide-to-mind-mapping/

MEDIA PORTRAYAL: CYCLONE DEBBIE

 

 SOURCE: Cyclone Debbie hitting Queensland

Ex-Tropical Cyclone Debbie in 2017 was the strongest tropical cyclone in the Australian region since Cyclone Quang in 2015, the lengths Queensland and Northern New South Wales media went to report the dangers of the storm- While positioning themselves within the destruction of the storm wasn’t just ridiculous; it made for great television and the whole of Australia went through the roof with tuning in.

Source: Inundated breaking stories from every media channel

“The morning shows live for big stories like this, We know that people switch regularly during breaking news — so the way to keep the audience is to ensure best pictures. You can’t guarantee best pictures unless you have multiple crews in the field.” Adam Boland from Sunrise told news.com.au

And constant coverage, forewarnings and inundated breaking news from the media did pay off, along with the help of social media sites during and after the disaster, public transport was offered free to people needing to get home, farmers saying that the hashtag #cyclonedebbie was the only thing that saved their harvest. With help from websites and online pages to help support those caught in the aftermath of the crisis, Support Relief Efforts were organised to donate money and goods with support events also being organised. (Controversially hardly any help from the Federal Government, might I add. Queensland applied for $220 million in Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements, the Government paid $29 million and offered local businesses loans)

SOURCE:Springbrook's Pine Creek Road. Great captured content

With live communication updates online and on television played a major role in informing viewers and many affected by Cyclone Debbie. Another ‘pro’ to the internet and social media being a savvy and helpful tool in our modern day society.