Week 3: Robotics+Art

In this week’s lecture, I have a deeper understanding about the relationship between robotics and art. I always know that technology and art have a close mutual relationship, and I also think more advanced technology will help us more. However, I learnt that technology will hurt art in some case. Walter Benjamin in “The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction” states that the mechanical reproduction destroys uniqueness and aura of art (IV, Walter). For example, we can see a large number of same paintings in the department store, and all of them are replicated by machine. Even though it is cheap, all the paintings are totally no difference, and it certainly destroys the uniqueness of art.

Paintings in the store

Astro Boy

Robot to clear up nuclear plants in Japan

 Robotic and industrialization bear a lot of controversies. In the lecture, Professor Kusahara introduces Japanese anime and cartoons which the content is based on robot. Japanese people like to create robot images, and they also try to make robot be their friends and involve more in human’s daily life. One example is a famous cartoon figure Astro Boy who is human’s friend. Another real life example is Japanese use robot to clear up the nuclear plate, and it saves countless people in Japan (Mari). Nevertheless, robot is not always people’s friend. Some people feel nervous that technology and robot will not only make us dumb, but also  replace us (Nicholas).  Developed technology will make robot smarter than human beings. At that time, robot will be out of control. One real life example is a lot of analysts might be fired, because computer can do everything they do with more accuracy and efficiency (19, Jack).

I personally love the robot and advanced technology, because it really helps me a lot. I trade stocks everyday, and computer system can help me screen the stocks which have some specific patterns (trading volume, price action, technical indicators and so on), and it really makes my life easier.

My daily stock screen page

Robotics and art can both benefit or destroy each other. It really depends on how people deal with the issue. This week’s lecture really shows me both sides, and I think robot has more positive influence on our daily life.

Worked Cited:

Benjamin, Walter. The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction. London: Penguin, 2008. Print.

Machiko Kusahara. Robotics MachikoKusahara 1. Web. 14 Apr 2012. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQZ_sy-mdEU>

Iwata, Mari. "Robots Star in Cleanup of Japanese Nuclear Plant." THE WALL STREET JOURNEL. 6 Mar. 2014. Web. 18 Apr. 2015. <http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702304732804579421003952552062>.

Carr, Nicholas. "Automation Makes Us Dumb." THE WALL STREET JOURNEL. 21 Nov. 2014. Web. 18 Apr. 2015. <http://www.wsj.com/articles/automation-makes-us-dumb-1416589342>.

Egan, Jack. "Playing Stock Man." New York Magazine 1 Aug. 1983. Print.