“There is a vital need for public discussion to decide the limits of robot use before the industry and busy parents make the decision themselves.”
It certain that the applications Robotics in the modern world in the spheres of child and elderly care, as well as the military sector, has come in handy in terms of convenience, efficiency, and safety; nonetheless, humanity has to contend with the ethical ramifications that surround its usage. The ethical considerations revolve around the child and adult care and military sector. I agree with the article “The Ethical Frontiers of Robotics,” that more discussion is required to explore robotics applications. There is little regulation in terms of policy and research regarding the topic. There is unforeseen and long term ethical importance that needs to be addressed by relevant stakeholders before it is too late. Public participation involving the stakeholders, robotic experts, parents, and policymakers will help provide more insights on preventing the undesirable outcomes rather than leaving the sector to be decided by parents and industry (Sharkey, 1800).
In particular, the stakeholders should take note of the long term implications of robotics application. The writer has highlighted pertinent cases such as normal bonding behavior children development associated with robotics usage. In that regard, children who were exposed to robotics preferred them over other toys such as Teddy bears (Sharkey 1800). Questions have been raised over long term exposure of robotics as much remains unknown. Similarly, deductions have been suggested from early development in monkey experiments that severe behavioral, social dysfunctions are bound to happen when infant animals are allowed to develop connections only non-living surrogates. Although an older person can benefit from efficient and timely administration of drugs and food, the robotics lacks the natural bonding and touch as is available from humans. There are also concerns in the military application that robotics may fail to distinguish between humans and initiate combatants and will require human input to execute judgment effectively. The fact that the robotics application has been left in the hands of its creators and parents to make decisions is a time bomb in waiting (Sharkey, 1800).
“If Looks Could KillS”; in the Economist.
The article attempts to argue that surveillance cameras rely much on face value and overt characteristics than inherent qualities of the targets or subjects in trying to identify the motive of actions. Although science and technology have revolutionized intelligence gathering in military and civilian applications to the prevention of bad intension, doubts still exist as to whether the surveillance cameras have achieved the purpose since vital concerns pertain to the overlapping behavioral and cultural traits in innocent persons and criminal (The Economist). To persuade the audience into the agreement, the economist has extensively used logos and analogy to make the case.
The article relies on facts to persuade the audience that the surveillance camera systems, although helpful, have limitations. The Economists deployed the use of numerical data or statistics in the case of highlighting the deficiency in one of the pilot programs involving the surveillance cameras with facial recognition capability. The project by Human Factors division upgraded to capture extra and salient features such as blood flow patterns, heart rates, and skin temperature to augment the analysis into motive also had shortcomings. The results were not 100% but only detected up to 80% of those who had attempted to trick the system by hostility or by smuggling weapons (The Economist). Also, analogy use is clear at the preamble of the article in the short narration of nondescript individual shuttling several times between railway subway to set the center stage for title and theme development. The overt introduction and the presumption that the audience is knowledgeable on technology matters include the author’s assumptions. Although the topic is subtle, the purpose is evident in the introduction. The use of technical jargon micro-expressions and micro-facial leakage is used in the article to expound on surveillance cameras with facial detection capability (The Economist). It will require close attention for the audience not familiar with the topic.
Advice to a college student on education
College Education instills relevant skills and attitudes for undertaking a particular task or job description specific a particular competency. It is evident from the analogy of Angela Locke in the article “born poor and smart “that Locke’s mother did not have sufficient education as her, and spent many years doing odd jobs (E-Z Company) without getting a promotion (Locke). When she got a promotion, it was very significant as she was tasked with preparing the beverage for colleagues. On the author’s part, she attained University education and was able to afford a better lifestyle than her mother. Similarly, the economist attributed the Success of the US to its skilled labor (The Economsit). Yglesias also reinforced the need for early education and education of the poor to improve welfare (Yglesias). Education cultivates the right attitude or mentality to manage routine tasks, making decisions, and problem-solving. Locke and her mother read extensively, not for a show-off but attitude change.
Importantly, the author calls for individuals, not restricted to students also to explore their God-given talents to maximize their potential so as have a better life or success. College students should see education as an eye-opener, which, when augmented by the talent they can achieve success in their lives (Locke). Students should take co-curriculum activities such as sports, acting, and music seriously to build their talent. Besides, the student should learn to define success in any way and not restricted to monetary implications and values. Students can learn from Locke’s determination and hard work in both schools and after school life. Despite the grinding poverty that beleaguered the family, she worked hard to beat the odds of adversity to graduate with a college degree (Locke). She attributed her mother’s intelligence and effort that made it possible for her sibling to get an education.
In “A Great Time to Be Alive,” Matt Yglesias states that, “Taxes on public health hazards.
I agree with the author that the government should tax health hazards occasioned in commodities such as Junk food and sugary drinks. The move to tax such commodities will result in more beneficial outcomes for the public good and government as well. Firstly, the public will be saved from lifestyle diseases such as diabetes, obesity and cancer. Junk foods pre-processed food with low nutritional benefits (Yglesias). Junk foods have been known for their detrimental effect on the human body, and taxation of the commodity will help reduce their consumption. Taxes imposed on junk foods will make it unattractive to potential customers because of the higher prices. By making it expensive to buy citizens will save the cost of treating the disease such as cancer, diabetes, and obesity (Yglesias).
Further, the government will boost its revenue from taxing junk foods and drinks and using it in social and economic development. It means that more funds will be available to build more schools, health facilities, and roads in poor neighborhoods. Yglesias also noted that taxing of” bad behavior” that is pollution and junk would be an alternative to overtax the rich so as not to scare away the investors (Yglesias). In my opinion, I also believe that the government will get extra revenue and avoid debt as much as possible, thereby saving the future generation from the tax burden.
WPA essay format
Introduction WPA identifies and provides a brief explanation of the author’s argument and strategies used to aid the argument. In the body, the strategies are explored extensively with examples from the text or the articles. Besides, the discussions assumption are made to explain how the audience is convinced. Finally An analysis is done to the article by agreeing or disagreeing in summative way.
Works cited
Locke, Angela. “Born Poor and Smart.” 2017.
Sharkey, Noel. “The ethical frontiers of robotics.” Science, Vol 322, no.5909, 2008, pp 1800-1801.
The Economist (2005). The Middle Class.
The Economist. If looks could kill. 2008.
Yglesias, Matt. (2010). A Great Time To Be Alive. The Nation