Ever since the development of brain mapping started, it has become the most contentious topic and always coupled with controversy. People debate and question the ethical issues regarding this latest technology but scientists retort by claiming that it is a necessary move to the advancement of the future. In order to maintain the moral values while not impeding the process of exploring brain mapping, there is a responsibility for researcher to predict and minimize potential unethical abuses of their work.
Firstly, researcher can predict the possible unethical abuses by fully examine and understand the applicability of this brain-mapping technology. It is understood that the research could eventually lead to the use of brain scans to identify thoughts. (A computer that can ‘read’ your mind, n.d.) It can be a serious matter as some industries, secret societies or even countries might use it to retrieve important information from human beings by manipulate their minds. Therefore, it should be regarded as unethical abuses and researcher can predict and study the repercussion of such technology.
Secondly, in order to minimize the potential unethical issues, researcher can first identity the target users and categorized them into different target groups. Then, rules and regulations must be set up to restrict the usage of such technology. For example, according to “Ethics and mapping the brain”, it is understood that brain mapping technology could be a big breakthrough into medical field and assist in crime investigation but it can have a catastrophic effect if it is misused by the users. Therefore, the authority of the use of brain mapping technology should be maintained and governed.
Thirdly, researcher can also implement the brain mapping technology into a particular field and study the side effects first before introduces it to the public and make it profitability. For example, brain mapping could have applications in the study of autism, disorders of thought such as paranoid schizophrenia, and semantic dementias such as Pick’s disease (2008). It might minimize the possible unethical issues by analyzing the impacts of such technology from the medical field before scientists stimulate further research.
In conclusion, it would be an uphill task to control the usage of such technology when it introduces to the public. Therefore, it will be a crucial challenge for researcher to predict and minimize potential unethical abuses of their work and it is up to them to relish it.
Reference
National Science Foundation. (2008, May 30). A computer that can ‘read’ your mind
[Press release 08-091]. Retrieved August 6, 2008, from http://www.nsf.gov/news_summ.jsp?cntn_id=111641&org=olpa&from=news
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Saturday, September 20, 2008
EG1471- Portfolio 4
Whenever I have to tackle the writing assignment for my engineering subject, I found it quite frustrated and difficult to express my ideas in academic style. Writing for engineering subject requires a lot of technical aspects. If you do not possess a certain amount of knowledge in a particular field or area, it will be difficult to get a head start for your essay because you simply do not know what to write about. Not only that, I always fail to organize and develop my ideas in an academically persuasive manner, which means to organize my assertions into logical and cohesive arguments that will convince the reader. Therefore, it is quite often that my papers end up lacking clear logical flow and unity, not to mention a persuasive linear argument.
Besides this, as it is an academic essay, we need to have reference and the article should be from reputable sources. Browsing through the websites just to find the related topics seems to be a “tiring” and yet rather difficult task to me as it consumes a lot of time.
However, the main difficulty that I have faced in writing for academic essay is the minimum word requirement for each essay and I found it difficult to fulfil it. Lack of understanding in expanding the sentences and do not generate enough ideas could be the reasons behind.
I try to resolve the problems that I have mentioned above by reading more books and newspaper. I memorise every good sentences from the reading materials and apply it when I write essay. I reckon that it is ineffective because I cannot memorize everything if I have to write an essay next time. Therefore, there are still a lot of rooms for improvement, where I need a specific and systematic guidance on how to scaffold my ideas so I can fulfil my writing task in a satisfactory manner. In other words, I believe that by attending EG1471 class plus continuous practice will eventually improve my writing skill.
Besides this, as it is an academic essay, we need to have reference and the article should be from reputable sources. Browsing through the websites just to find the related topics seems to be a “tiring” and yet rather difficult task to me as it consumes a lot of time.
However, the main difficulty that I have faced in writing for academic essay is the minimum word requirement for each essay and I found it difficult to fulfil it. Lack of understanding in expanding the sentences and do not generate enough ideas could be the reasons behind.
I try to resolve the problems that I have mentioned above by reading more books and newspaper. I memorise every good sentences from the reading materials and apply it when I write essay. I reckon that it is ineffective because I cannot memorize everything if I have to write an essay next time. Therefore, there are still a lot of rooms for improvement, where I need a specific and systematic guidance on how to scaffold my ideas so I can fulfil my writing task in a satisfactory manner. In other words, I believe that by attending EG1471 class plus continuous practice will eventually improve my writing skill.
EG1471- Portfolio 3
Cyberspace is a unique environment. It is borderless and attacks can have virtually unlimited range and speed. Massive results can be achieved without massing forces. These attacks are an especially effective weapon for small groups because the technology required is cheap and easy to get -- sometimes just a computer and an Internet connection. Whereas this electronic assault is a powerful tool for a nation, as country can use it to initiate the cyber warfare campaign against its own counterpart. For example, Russia launched an infamously cyber attack against Georgia in the early of August 2008, which has overwhelmed the Georgian sites with traffic and caused a catastrophic system failure. Although it was the first time a known cyber attack had coincided with a shooting war, it can expect to see cyber attacks being increasingly used as a weapon.
Unlike Georgia, the U.S. government has poured hundreds of millions of dollars into improving its cyber defence capabilities since 9/11, as well as its capacity to launch online attacks. Its ability to detect and counter attacks on governmental sites is much more sophisticated than Georgia's. Yet security experts say there's an enormous amount of work still to be done to reduce the vulnerability of the many agencies, businesses and homes that are electronically connected. As a result, it can be seen that the government alone cannot secure the cyberspace.
In cyberspace, national boundaries have little meaning. Information flows continuously and seamlessly across different aspects. Because of the global nature of cyberspace, the vulnerabilities that exist are open to the world and available to anyone, anywhere, anytime, with sufficient capability to exploit them. Therefore, countering such cyber attacks requires the development of robust capabilities where it is up to the engineers to relish this international challenge.
Reference
Col. (S) Bradley K. Ashley, USAF. The United States Is Vulnerable to Cyberterrorism. Retrieved 20 September 2008 from http://www.afcea.org/signal/articles/templates/SIGNAL_Article_Template.asp?articleid=32&zoneid=10
Unlike Georgia, the U.S. government has poured hundreds of millions of dollars into improving its cyber defence capabilities since 9/11, as well as its capacity to launch online attacks. Its ability to detect and counter attacks on governmental sites is much more sophisticated than Georgia's. Yet security experts say there's an enormous amount of work still to be done to reduce the vulnerability of the many agencies, businesses and homes that are electronically connected. As a result, it can be seen that the government alone cannot secure the cyberspace.
In cyberspace, national boundaries have little meaning. Information flows continuously and seamlessly across different aspects. Because of the global nature of cyberspace, the vulnerabilities that exist are open to the world and available to anyone, anywhere, anytime, with sufficient capability to exploit them. Therefore, countering such cyber attacks requires the development of robust capabilities where it is up to the engineers to relish this international challenge.
Reference
Col. (S) Bradley K. Ashley, USAF. The United States Is Vulnerable to Cyberterrorism. Retrieved 20 September 2008 from http://www.afcea.org/signal/articles/templates/SIGNAL_Article_Template.asp?articleid=32&zoneid=10
Monday, August 25, 2008
EG1471- Portfolio 2
One of my common grammar mistakes is verb tense, and I will look into detail of the usage of present perfect tense and present tense. Let’s study this example situation, Jason and John are gay. They are married. They got married exactly 2 years ago, so today is their 2nd wedding anniversary.
How long have they been married? (Present perfect)
(not How long are they married?).
They have been married for 2 years.
(not They are married for 2 years).
We use the present perfect to talk about something that began in the past and still continues now. Compare the present and the present perfect:
Jason is in school.
But He has been in school since yesterday.
(not Jason is in school since yesterday)
Do you know each other well?
But Have you known each other for a long time?
(not Do you know)
For present perfect tense, there are present perfect simple and present perfect continuous. For example, I have worked/lived/done etc. is the present perfect simple; while I have been watching/been doing/ been reading etc. is the present perfect continuous.
When we ask or say ‘how long’, the continuous is more usual.
1. I have been watching TV for 2 hours.
2. It has been raining since yesterday.
3. Jason has been doing the same job for 2 years.
However, do take note that there are some exceptions for some verbs. For example,
(know/like/believe) are not normally used in the continuous:
1. How long have you known Jason? (not have you been knowing)
2. I have had stomachache all day. (not I have been having)
We can use present perfect continuous or simple with live and work:
1. Jason has been living / has lived in Singapore since 3 years ago.
2. How long have you been working / have you worked here?
Exercise:
Jason and John are planning to have lunch at a restaurant. It is an unpleasant experience as they think the waiter (forget) __________ them because they (wait) __________ for over half an hour and nobody (take) __________ their order yet. The waiter (walk) __________ by them at least twenty times. John suspects that the waiter would probably think that they (order, already) __________. Meanwhile, Jason saw a couple, who (be, only) __________ there for five or ten minutes and they already have their food. He complains that the waiter should realize that they (order, not) __________ yet and in fact, they (sit) __________ there over half an hour staring at the waiter. However, John is not sure if the waiter (notice, even) __________ them because the waiter (run) __________ from table to table taking orders and serving food. In the end, they leave the restaurant without having their meal.
Raymond Murphy (2004). Unit11: How long have you (been) … ?
English Grammar in Use. (Pg. 22-23). UK: Cambridge University Press.
Verb Tense Exercise 7: Present Perfect and Present Perfect Continuous.
Retrieved 4 September 2008, from http://www.englishpage.com/verbpage/verbs7.htm
How long have they been married? (Present perfect)
(not How long are they married?).
They have been married for 2 years.
(not They are married for 2 years).
We use the present perfect to talk about something that began in the past and still continues now. Compare the present and the present perfect:
Jason is in school.
But He has been in school since yesterday.
(not Jason is in school since yesterday)
Do you know each other well?
But Have you known each other for a long time?
(not Do you know)
For present perfect tense, there are present perfect simple and present perfect continuous. For example, I have worked/lived/done etc. is the present perfect simple; while I have been watching/been doing/ been reading etc. is the present perfect continuous.
When we ask or say ‘how long’, the continuous is more usual.
1. I have been watching TV for 2 hours.
2. It has been raining since yesterday.
3. Jason has been doing the same job for 2 years.
However, do take note that there are some exceptions for some verbs. For example,
(know/like/believe) are not normally used in the continuous:
1. How long have you known Jason? (not have you been knowing)
2. I have had stomachache all day. (not I have been having)
We can use present perfect continuous or simple with live and work:
1. Jason has been living / has lived in Singapore since 3 years ago.
2. How long have you been working / have you worked here?
Exercise:
Jason and John are planning to have lunch at a restaurant. It is an unpleasant experience as they think the waiter (forget) __________ them because they (wait) __________ for over half an hour and nobody (take) __________ their order yet. The waiter (walk) __________ by them at least twenty times. John suspects that the waiter would probably think that they (order, already) __________. Meanwhile, Jason saw a couple, who (be, only) __________ there for five or ten minutes and they already have their food. He complains that the waiter should realize that they (order, not) __________ yet and in fact, they (sit) __________ there over half an hour staring at the waiter. However, John is not sure if the waiter (notice, even) __________ them because the waiter (run) __________ from table to table taking orders and serving food. In the end, they leave the restaurant without having their meal.
Raymond Murphy (2004). Unit11: How long have you (been) … ?
English Grammar in Use. (Pg. 22-23). UK: Cambridge University Press.
Verb Tense Exercise 7: Present Perfect and Present Perfect Continuous.
Retrieved 4 September 2008, from http://www.englishpage.com/verbpage/verbs7.htm
Saturday, August 23, 2008
EG1471- Portfolio 1
I agree with Prof Seeram Ramakrishna, article two with his idea in changing the face of engineering. I reckon that the notion of the companies, organizations and even nations need a workforce, especially engineers that does not ‘fear’ technology but embraces and thrive it, is the most important aim to the engineering profession in future.
In the early 1990s, the time when the economic and technology are in the most advancing pace, people were clueless and helpless with the progress of this technology evolution. It is understood that most people found it difficult to adapt with this transition of technology advancement, where they needed to switch from typewriter, to computer keyboard. While for engineers, it proved to be tough for them too because they used to judge the matters based on experience, but with the newly technology tools, they needed to judge the matters based on system approach. As a result, during that time, it had contributed to unexpected and adverse situations, where people tried to keep pace with the progress of technology. Although it takes time for adjustment, yet the nation needs a workforce that has ‘gut’ to face technology. To me, engineering profession should be ‘fearless’ when it confronted with the adversity of technology.
According to Prof Seeram, engineers’ training helps to systematically analyze complex information and apply a holistic approach in designing solutions. It is vital to engineers, as what they have been gone through is totally different from other profession, such as business, IT or art. If our future engineers failed to embrace on the challenge of new technology, it will not only be a drag to country’s economic development, it will also affect the people’s daily life, as engineers fail to address the people’s needs. Therefore, engineers should always be upgrading themselves with the new technology knowledge and accept the idea of the technology advancement with an open mind, as I firmly believe the future of the world, is in the hands of engineers.
In the early 1990s, the time when the economic and technology are in the most advancing pace, people were clueless and helpless with the progress of this technology evolution. It is understood that most people found it difficult to adapt with this transition of technology advancement, where they needed to switch from typewriter, to computer keyboard. While for engineers, it proved to be tough for them too because they used to judge the matters based on experience, but with the newly technology tools, they needed to judge the matters based on system approach. As a result, during that time, it had contributed to unexpected and adverse situations, where people tried to keep pace with the progress of technology. Although it takes time for adjustment, yet the nation needs a workforce that has ‘gut’ to face technology. To me, engineering profession should be ‘fearless’ when it confronted with the adversity of technology.
According to Prof Seeram, engineers’ training helps to systematically analyze complex information and apply a holistic approach in designing solutions. It is vital to engineers, as what they have been gone through is totally different from other profession, such as business, IT or art. If our future engineers failed to embrace on the challenge of new technology, it will not only be a drag to country’s economic development, it will also affect the people’s daily life, as engineers fail to address the people’s needs. Therefore, engineers should always be upgrading themselves with the new technology knowledge and accept the idea of the technology advancement with an open mind, as I firmly believe the future of the world, is in the hands of engineers.
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