Week 3: Art and Robotics

As the industrial revolution occurred, it created machines that were able to perform the same tasks that human labor would perform, but faster. These machines are referred to as "Robots" that are only progressing as technological advances increase, taking away more and more jobs. Professor Vesna stated in this week’s lecture that art has directly influenced the creation of new forms of technology. Although the industrial revolution took away human creativity and alienated workers from their work, it created mass production and the assembly line. As this industrial revolution has seemed to make the workforce easier, Walter Benjamin claims in Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction that "society has not been mature enough to incorporate technology." These machines were taken advantage of, leaving people at the top of the hierarchy taking advantage of lower class laborers.

As stated before, technological advances have increased. This meaning these robots are far more advanced then the mid 1900's. In the movie Benchwarmers, we see a robot take on what would be a simple task for a human. This rich dad shows off to his sons friends the ability of sandwich making of this robot. He is able to make any sandwich with any combination you want. Although this is a movie, there are robots who are able to create tasks for humans. This advancement could ultimately lead to laziness and obese of society. 

As the robots advance, humans have to remain in control. If society allows the robots to virtually dominate, jobs will continue to decrease. This effecting more and more families and unemployment rates increasing. As we humans believe creating life like robots is a positive in society, in years to come in can do more bad then good. 

Sources 

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

Doug Jones - The Benchwarmers - Robot #7. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Apr. 2017. http://www.thedougjonesexperience.com/benchwarmers~4.htm 

"INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION." INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION ~. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Apr. 2017. http://top5resources.blogspot.com/2014/05/industrial-revolution.html 

Tofel, Kevin C. "Why Texas Instruments and IRobot Are Working Together." Kevin C. Tofel. Gigaom, 12 Mar. 2012. Web. 23 Apr. 2017. https://gigaom.com/2012/03/12/why-texas-instruments-and-irobot-are-working-together/ 

Vesna, Victoria. “Lecture Part 2.” Math + Art. 12 Oct. 2012. Lecture.