Moving forward: Improving Human Life

As we move forward, anticipating an end to the isolation imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, we find ourselves engaged in a rapidly changing society, a place tangibly different from where we were merely a month ago. As individuals we have been given a ringside view to a cultural paradigm shift. We are witnessing a society in transition. As for when and how this will end, no one can say definitively, though through our investigations this semester, we have come to realize that our species is a resilient one — not merely surviving, but occasionally thriving. As we have seen, our brief tenure on this planet is due primarily in part to our continual adaptation to the environment via an ever-evolving lineage of tools, technologies, and systems. So here we are in the Spring of 2020, looking forward . . . looking back.
Over the past 200,000 years, Homo sapiens (that’s us!) have harnessed natural resources (fire, water, and wind), cultivated other species (both flora and fauna) for mutual benefit (domestication), established systems for recording and manipulating abstract data (writing and counting), and simulated the very processes of thinking and cognition through both analog and digital computing systems. If there is one thing you take away from this course, I hope it is an appreciation of how our tools and technologies come to shape who we are — how we organize ourselves, interact with one another, and form our identities.
As discussed, these technologies are never neutral in their impact, exhibiting both positive and negative consequences (some intentional, others unforeseen). As Winner points out, our tools (these artifacts) embody a politics, directing our social, economic, educational, scientific, and even spiritual aspirations and expectations. Technology is a great power, and those who wield that power have the ability to shape the future. But what type of future do we desire, and does the current course of technological development point us in the right direction?
As experienced over the last month, many of the systems that support our modern way of living are straining under the weight of the current pandemic: supply chains, medical services, housing, employment, agriculture, and communications, to mention only a few. A virus — itself a tiny self-replicating machine – has revealed the precarity of those technologies upon which we have come to depend. We have, somewhat presciently, discussed scenarios for navigating such large-scale natural events in our first journal response, the Carrington Effect. However, the current situation is somewhat different, as our ability to respond is hampered by the need for physical distancing. The virus is brutal in the way that it takes lives, but it is equally cruel in the way it prevents us from coming together to nurture one another, render aid, and provide solace.
Certainly, this is a time of great challenge, and in our isolation, a time for reflection and consideration of what is truly essential for our existence, as well as necessary to maintaining our culture and civilization. In the near future, however, there will an opportunity for action, which is the focus of our final position paper.
For this essay, I would like you to address a specific technology, tool, or system that is currently in crisis due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Healthcare, supply chains, and employment are obvious sectors for analysis and critique, but I would encourage you to look at other issues such as education, the postal system, voting, transportation, senior care, and similar. It is a large topic and you will need to focus on a particular issue. Which is to say, don’t take on the whole crisis, just a single element.
In your essay you should address the current state of the technology, tool, or system that you are critiquing with an analysis of why it is in crisis. You should make a statement about the importance of this technology to the continuation of the human species, and be specific about its weak points and how those weak points contribute to its current instability and the insecurity imparted to society. (7 points)
Second, you should provide a plausible solution moving forward to ensure that the technology, tool, or system you are critiquing not only survives the current crisis, but further, is strengthened against future natural disasters. I am looking for you to propose a course of action here, defining what structural/technological changes must be made in order to ensure the longevity of both the technology you are discussing as well as humanity. (7 points)
Finally, your essay should be guided by your personal analysis and opinion, an editorial really. I want to hear your voice: your analysis and your ideas; however, your work must be supported by peer-reviewed research. To that end, any peer-reviewed resource we have covered in class may be utilized. As with the mid-term essay, you should have at least 3 sources cited, and 2 of those sources should come from outside the course readings. You should provide a Works Cited page and reference the sources inline according to MLA format, as with the mid-term. (6 points)
The paper should be between 1,200 and 1,500 words (strict), thus you will need to be clear and concise. I believe the progression of journal topics and the mid-term focus have prepared you to complete this final essay. I am looking forward to hearing your ideas and the sharing of your opinions and research.

Term Paper: Moving forward, a call to action Due: May 15, 2020 at 11:59 PM Length: 1,200 – 1,500 words (strict) Submission: To UBlearns as a Microsoft Word document (.doc or .docx) As we move forward, anticipating an end to the isolation imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, we find ourselves engaged in a rapidly changing society, a place tangibly different from where we were merely a month ago. As individuals we have been given a ringside view to a cultural paradigm shift. We are witnessing a society in transition. As for when and how this will end, no one can say definitively, though through our investigations this semester, we have come to realize that our species is a resilient one — not merely surviving, but occasionally thriving. As we have seen, our brief tenure on this planet is due primarily in part to our continual adaptation to the environment via an ever-evolving lineage of tools, technologies, and systems. So here we are in the Spring of 2020, looking forward . . . looking back. Over the past 200,000 years, Homo sapiens (that’s us!) have harnessed natural resources (fire, water, and wind), cultivated other species (both flora and fauna) for mutual benefit (domestication), established systems for recording and manipulating abstract data (writing and counting), and simulated the very processes of thinking and cognition through both analog and digital computing systems. If there is one thing you take away from this course, I hope it is an appreciation of how our tools and technologies come to shape who we are — how we organize ourselves, interact with one another, and form our identities. As discussed, these technologies are never neutral in their impact, exhibiting both positive and negative consequences (some intentional, others unforeseen). As Winner points out, our tools (these artifacts) embody a politics, directing our social, economic, educational, scientific, and even spiritual aspirations and expectations. Technology is a great power, and those who wield that power have the ability to shape the future. But what type of future do we desire, and does the current course of technological development point us in the right direction? As experienced over the last month, many of the systems that support our modern way of living are straining under the weight of the current pandemic: supply chains, medical services, housing, employment, agriculture, and communications, to mention only a few. A virus — itself a tiny self-replicating machine – has revealed the precarity of those technologies upon which we have come to depend. We have, somewhat presciently, discussed scenarios for navigating such large-scale natural events in our first journal response, the Carrington Effect. However, the current situation is somewhat different, as our ability to respond is hampered by the need for physical distancing. The virus is brutal in the way that it takes lives, but it is equally cruel in the way it prevents us from coming together to nurture one another, render aid, and provide solace. Certainly, this is a time of great challenge, and in our isolation, a time for reflection and consideration of what is truly essential for our existence, as well as necessary to maintaining our culture and civilization. In the near future, however, there will an opportunity for action, which is the focus of our final position paper. For this essay, I would like you to address a specific technology, tool, or system that is currently in crisis due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Healthcare, supply chains, and employment are obvious sectors for analysis and critique, but I would encourage you to look at other issues such as education, the postal system, voting, transportation, senior care, and similar. It is a large topic and you will need to focus on a particular issue. Which is to say, don’t take on the whole crisis, just a single element. In your essay you should address the current state of the technology, tool, or system that you are critiquing with an analysis of why it is in crisis. You should make a statement about the importance of this technology to the continuation of the human species, and be specific about its weak points and how those weak points contribute to its current instability and the insecurity imparted to society. (7 points) Second, you should provide a plausible solution moving forward to ensure that the technology, tool, or system you are critiquing not only survives the current crisis, but further, is strengthened against future natural disasters. I am looking for you to propose a course of action here, defining what structural/technological changes must be made in order to ensure the longevity of both the technology you are discussing as well as humanity. (7 points) Finally, your essay should be guided by your personal analysis and opinion, an editorial really. I want to hear your voice: your analysis and your ideas; however, your work must be supported by peer-review research. To that end, any peer-reviewed resource we have covered in class may be utilized. As with the mid-term essay, you should have at least 3 sources cited, and 2 of those sources should come from outside the course readings. You should provide a Works Cited page and reference the sources inline according to MLA format, as with the mid-term. (6 points) The paper should be between 1,200 and 1,500 words (strict), thus you will need to be clear and concise. I believe the progression of journal topics and the mid-term focus have prepared you to complete this final essay. I am looking forward to hearing your ideas and the sharing of your opinions and research. As always, we are available to assist you in completing this assignment. Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us either via the Slack platform or University email. We would be happy to discuss your ideas and brainstorm a bit. I believe you have ample time to complete this final paper, though I understand the restrictions of working from home and the individual pressures under which we currently are operating. If you believe you will need an extension beyond the deadline, please contact me directly via email ([email protected])