Category: Unit 08

Art, Games, and Technology Research

In the article, Computer Graphics: Effects of Origins, written Beverly Jones’, she basically talks about the origins in art and technology. I think that the thesis would be “Those who originate and use new forms of art and technology embed their assumptions in the new symbolic and material forms. As time passes the users develop familiarity and facility. New users bring additional assumptions and considerations of form, content, material, technique, meaning and purpose. However, some traces of the origins and practices remain in these forms, which consequently contribute to both cultural maintenance and change. Cultural patterns are affected in proportion to the spread in the use of these forms.” (p. 21)

Historically example

In the article, Jones explains there examples, one example is that artists had different degrees of access to technologies early. Artists do not have enough money to buy computers. In that time, computer was very very big, and required so much power to run. Besides, few people understand how to run a computer. In that time artist do not know how to use computers, so it is impossible for them to make art using computer. Besides, it need to have software to make it possible. In 1968, artists are more interest to use computers, because they get more access to computers, duo to the an international exhibition of computers in London. Later on, artists can use the computer to make any graphic which they want. And computers come into everyone’s home.

Current example

I think the current example is 3D printer. Originally, 3D printer was designed to build military part for national security.  Now, 3D printer begins to come into normal people’s home. And the price of 3D printer becomes affordable. Also more and more people begin to use 3D printer. For example, you can print the model designed by you or download on internet. 3D printer is amazing. It can help you make anything you want. It really works. If the technology develop more better, in the near future, you do not need to build things from the market. I believe you can make a car at home in the future. In the video, it talks about how 3D printer makes a tool, which can use. Though the original idea of 3D printer was only for one reason, now 3D printer has more function and use for more reasons.

 

Sources

Jones, B. J. (1990). Computer Graphics: Effects of Origins. LEONARDO: Digital Image – Digital Cinema Supplemental Issue, pp. 21-30.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8825sI0I6Yk

 

 

 

 

In the video, Jane talked about how online game can change this world. She uses World of Warcraft as an example. Millions people take billions time to play this game for 16 years. Game players always enjoy the world, and try to finish the tasks in the game. So why and how game can change or save the world ? In the video, she says that in the game, people do not need to worry about something they do want to face, and more focus on the tasks. Players collaborate in the game, and are very efficient. In the end, she introduce three games which developed by her team, to show how it help the world. For example, oil problems, environmental problems, and social problems. She says that the players will adapt their habits in the game in the real world. According to my point of view, I agree with that games can help or save the world. I’m a players, and play online game when I was very young, and spend more than 5000 hours in my life. I do believe that people who can success in the game have special ability, which may save the world. Many people may disagree with that, and they can not understand. So please play the game, and then you will know why those people are so talent. I also believe that in the game, people are more relax, they can think problem more clearly. I think this is a good topic to discuss. I hope that the online game can help people to save our world.

Source: Gaming can make a better world: Jane McGonigal on TED.com