Rewalk: Alexis & Amy

Rewalk is a great tool that can help drastically improve the lives of those bound to wheelchairs in many ways.  The system basically mimics the motion of walking by attaching a pair of robotic legs to someone’s real legs.  A computer strapped to the back then moves the legs, allowing the user to “walk.”  This seemingly miraculous technology allows paraplegics and the disabled to regain strength, bone density, and cardiovascular health simply from the motion of walking.  These people have been forced to sit for so long that this upright mobility can really help get their bodies moving in ways that just cannot be done from the confinements of a wheelchair.  The ability to be able to actually get up and walk around also greatly boosts the users’ morale.  It gives them more confidence and security and allows them to make level eye contact, something that we take for granted but is very uplifting to those who are used to constantly being below everyone around them.

            The Rewalk’s function and structure itself has many positive aspects as well.  For one, it allows the individual to have a wide range of mobility—walking, turning, sitting, and even climbing stairs.  The Rewalk can also be of use to a wide range of people, being able to fit anyone who weighs up to 220 pounds and is between 5’3” and 6’3”, making it a very versatile piece of technology.

                  Although there are a lot of positive things about the Rewalk, there are negative aspects as well.  One problem is that Rewalk can only be used in physical therapy.  Additionally, one Rewalk costs around $100,000.  Also, a common misconception about the Rewalk is that it can heal whatever problem the user has by training them to walk again.  This is not true; the purpose of Rewalk is to regain lower body strength. Although there may be cases reported where therapy has helped the problem, Rewalk is not designed to do so.  Even though Rewalk gives the opportunity to regain physical strength, the user must also have a level of physical strength to even use the nearly 50 pound device, which isn’t always realistic for anyone who has been confined to a wheelchair. Despite its range of mobility, Rewalk is not designed for everyday life.

                  Altogether Rewalk is a versatile technology that gives the user a creative type of therapy that promotes health and confidence. However, use is limited, its expensive, and it is not a remedy for whatever problem is faced by the user.  Despite all of the current limitations placed on the Rewalk, the device is pretty cool and there is absolutely no limit on the innovations that could eventually lead to alternative treatment for paraplegics.

InfraScanner

The InfraScanner presents an interesting new technology developed in order to have a portable brain scanner to use in the detection of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs).  TBIs are the leading cause of death and disability every year. These individuals range from sports players to military servicemen children falling to ordinary  people in car accidents.  InfraScan, Inc. created this technology based on near-infrared wavelengths, which penetrate skull and show the tissues of the brain. The largest downside to the InfraScanner is the accuracy, as the device shows different areas of the brain rather than a complete brain image, as a traditional CT would.  The InfraScanner's portability is a huge draw.  The size allows for the device to be carried to patients that are far from hospitals or the importable CT scanners, such as comatose patients and soldiers. The device also allows for patients to be scanned quickly, which is a benefit for children, as well as pregnant mothers who could not have a CT due to the radiation affecting the fetus but can have a brain scan through this method.  Educationally, Carr presents a history of technology and how people throughout history, such as Socrates, believed that the brain was suffering for this ideal.  Likewise, Rosen presents disorders that can root from the dependence on technology and the effects of the technologies.   Aldous Huxley presents a similar view, stating "Technological progress has merely provided us with more efficient means for going backwards."  All three of these authors present valid points pertaining to the derelict state of the mind due to technology but I believe this InfraScanner presents a new technology in a way that the human mind alone could not function; therefore, this technology presents a innovative mean of saving lives, cutting down costs, and providing brain imaging , despite the flaws.

Argus II - Hayley Nicolich and Josh Saltz

Instrumentalism vs. Determinism

     In beginning my reading of The Shallows by Nicholas Carr, I was at first skeptical of the prologue's claim that it is not the content of the media that shapes us, but the media itself.  But then I recalled that Maryanne Wolf's Proust and the Squid gives much support that the development of reading has shaped the way mankind thinks.  I have long been an instrumentalist, though I never had seen the word until I came upon it in Carr's work.  An instrumentalist believes: "Our instruments are the means we use to achieve our ends; they have no ends of their own" (Carr, 46).  A technological instrumentalist uses his tools to achieve good.  At the other end of the spectrum, we have determinism.  A technological determinist believes that "technological progress...an autonomous force outside man's control, has been the primary factor influencing the course of human history" (Carr, 46).  The extreme view of determinism says even that our only role is to produce sophisticated technology, until technology is able to reproduce itself.  "At that point, we become dispensable (Carr, 46).

     First of all, I think that finishing my read of The Shallows will likely convince me that the idea that media shapes how we think.  But at the same time, I will still see the way media content shapes who we are.  Both are true.  In regards to instrumentalism versus determinism, I have slightly altered my view and propose a balanced approach.  It should not be unreasonable to say that the internet has made us text skimmers, books promote deep thought, that music gets us to listen to sound differently, and that movies orient us towards visuals and plot.  But technology will never have ultimate control over us.  In fact, instead of thinking so much in terms of control, maybe it would be appropriate to think in terms of a conversation.  People make things that you may see or use, which can influence you via content or form of media.  In turn, you create something which has been influenced by things made past.   This can apply to more than just technology.  It applies to all things - works of art, buildings, music.  But you get to choose what to make, if you make it, how you make it.  You get to choose your tool set and how you use your tools.   Like our Creator, we like to create because its in our nature.  But our creations are based on materials that are around us.  Therefore, we listen and we learn, then we speak.

Autismate

You all saw today what we presented in class about the Autismate app, so I’d like to point out one of the revelations that we as a class made about this app. During class today, we came to the conclusion that the Autismate app may be applicable beyond just children with Autism. I originally saw it as a great way to link spatial skills to reading and to communicating for children with Autism; however, I never drew the conclusion that the practice with naming could increase RAN (rapid automatized naming) in any child on the cusp between speaking and reading. Below is a link of an interview with Dr. Wolf (the same as the author of Proust and the squid regarding her breakthroughs in the science of reading and RAN and her experiences with dyslexia.

http://childrenofthecode.org/interviews/wolf.htm

On the other side of things, I see some flaws to this app. Although it can be useful for nonverbal kids with Autism, only 30 percent of kids with Autism are nonverbal. Instead of putting the children in real life situations they are stuck in the virtual world of the app. This app may encourage more alone play which part of the problem in the first place. The children may become too attached to this technology, and their mood may become dependent on it. Although the app seems to be a “cool” new technology, the majority of the class agreed we would not use it on our child if he or she had autism.

Link to the Prezi 

Lumosity

Last Thursday, Sarah A. and I talked about the website Lumosity. Lumosity is a brain training program developed by neuroscientists that is aimed at maintaining the brain's neuroplasticity. Users of Lumosity have a daily regimen of short, mentally stimulating brain games, each of which are specific to one of five categories Lumosity aims to improve: Memory, Attention, Speed, Problem Solving, and Flexibility.

 Sarah A presented the good things about this website. It was developed by a team of neuroscientists, so the programs the site offer have a decent amount of credibility. Users can get a good idea of what they're signing up for with a month long free trial, before they decide that they want to commit and start paying a monthly fee. Lumosity tracks your progress as well as shows you how you stand among other users, which can serve as motivation to stick with the program and work hard at increasing your brain power. A study conducted at UC Berkeley showed that those who stuck with the program for an extended period of time had significantly enhanced self esteem compared to those who had no experience with the program.

While there are many cool things about Lumosity, there are some aspects that reflect negatively on the program. For this type of software, it is extremely pricey. With a monthly rate of $14.95, many people will get discouraged and cancel their subscription because they decide their money can go towards better things. Like exercise, it is something you have to stick with for a long time before you see any desirable results. People who are only half-committed to participating in the program will just be wasting their money. Also, the goal of the program is to maintain a brain's neuroplasticity--its ability to adapt to new ideas and skills. There are plenty of other ways to accomplish this without sitting at your computer--learning a language, playing a sport, or doing crossword puzzles are all activities that will help keep the brain stimulated and developing. In his book The Shallows, Nicholas Carr argues that activities on the web serve as an extension of our personal memory, not as a tool to enhance it.

Diegosan the Robotic Toddler

On Tuesday, February 19, Cody L. and I presents Diegosan. Diegosan is a robotic toddler that was created to simulate they way in which children, specifically one year-old children, learn to interact with other humans through emotions. Diegosan is able to create multiple facial expressions and has 44 pneumatic joints.
I presented the con side to this technology. In order to study how one year-old children learn to interact with the world, other children will need to be involved in this study. I am concerned with this because there is an uncertainty of the psychological effects the study will have on the children. I am also very confused with how a one year-old child's learning can be simulated by this robot. If we do not know how they learn, how can we create something that learns like a child. Looking into the future, this technology could be used as a companion for only children and children with different mental syndromes like Autism or Aspergers. The psychological effect of this are unknown and have a very bad potential in my opinion. In the quotes within the prezi, Turkle shows how humans begin to bond with robots and lose a separation of interacting with humans and robots.