Borg

The Borg are a fictional pseudo-race of cybernetic organisms depicted in the Star Trek series. The Borg manifest as cybernetically enhanced humanoid drones of multiple species, organized as an interconnected collective, the decisions of which are made by a hive mind. The Borg inhabits a vast region of space in the Delta Quadrant of the galaxy, possessing millions of vessels and having conquered thousands of systems. They operate solely toward the fulfilling of one purpose: to "add the biological and technological distinctiveness of other species to their own" in pursuit of perfection. This is achieved through forced assimilation, a process which transforms individuals and technology into Borg, enhancing, and simultaneously controlling, individuals by implanting or appending synthetic components.


The Bord woud “assimilate” humans by using a Nanoprobes which are microscopic machines that inhabit a Borg's body, bloodstream, and many cybernetic implants. The probes perform the function of maintaining the Borg cybernetic systems. They generate new technology inside a Borg when needed as well as protecting them from many forms of disease and virus. Borg nanoprobes, each about the size of a human red blood cell, travel through the victim's bloodstream and latch on to individual cells. The nanoprobes rewrite the cellular DNA, altering the victim's biochemistry, and eventually form larger, more complicated structures and networks within the body such as electrical pathways, processing and data storage nodes, and ultimately prosthetic devices that spring forth from the skin. (1)



The idea is microscopic technology is interesting and isn’t completely science fiction. This is every similar to the technology of nanobots, which would allow microscopic particles to flow through the bloodstream and repair DNA.

These ideas follow along a similar line as the High evolutionary- whereby The Borg race, which essentially evolves humans into machines. This idea was also utilised within the Transformer series, whereby machines were transformed into killer robots.

Sources used within this post

(1) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borg_(Star_Trek)

The Bionic Woman

The Bionic Woman is an American television series which spin off from The Six Million Dollar Man. It starred Lindsay Wagner as Jaime Sommers, a tennis professional who was nearly killed in a skydiving accident, and was rebuilt by Oscar Goldman (Richard Anderson) and Dr. Rudy Wells (Martin E. Brooks), who had also rebuilt The Six Million Dollar Man.

As the result of her surgical implantation, Jaime Sommers had amplified hearing, a greatly strengthened right arm, and enhanced legs, enabling her to run faster than a speeding car.



The whole concept of the Bionic woman is very similar to that of the six million dollar man. I think that the whole concept of a human who has encountered an accident and is then rebuild (mostly against their own will), is a very well worn one. My concept for my animation will have to be a very unique, and really take the idea of the cyborg and spin it on its head.

Sources used within this post

(1) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bionic_Woman

Six Million Dollar Man

The Six Million Dollar Man is an American television series about a fictional cyborg working for the OSI. The show was based on the novel Cyborg by Martin Caidin, and during pre-production, that was the proposed title of the series. It aired on the ABC network as a regular series from 1974 to 1978, after following three television movies aired in 1973.


The background story of the original novel and the later series is the crash of former astronaut Steve Austin in a “lifting body” craft, shown in the opening credits of the show. Austin is severely injured in the crash and is “rebuilt” in a title-giving operation that costs six million dollars. His right arm, both legs and the left eye are replaced by "bionic" implants that enhance his strength, speed and vision far above human norms: he can run at speeds of 60 miles per hour (100 km/h), and his eye has a 20:1 zoom lens and infrared capabilities. He uses his enhanced abilities to work for the OSI (Office of Scientific Intelligence) as a secret agent, and as a guinea pig for bionics.

Caidin’s novel was a best-seller when it was published in 1972 and was followed by three sequels, Cyborg II: Operation Nuke, Cyborg III: High Crystal, and Cyborg IV (with no subtitle), respectively about a black market in nuclear weapons, a Chariots of the Gods scenario, and fusing Austin's bionics to a space plane.



The first half of the novel details Austin's operation and both his reaction to his original injuries -- he attempts to commit suicide -- and his initially resentful reaction to being rebuilt with bionics. The operation comes with a hefty price tag, and Austin is committed to working for the OSO as a reluctant agent. (1)

The idea of the victim, who becomes resentful of what he becomes is very similar to that of the Cyborg (cartoon character), and many others. There is always a sense of isolation, and anger that comes with the transformation due to that fact, that they have no say in the matter, or they are forced to transform.

Sources used within this post

(1) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Six_Million_Dollar_Man

Watchmen Graphic Novel

Watchmen is a twelve-issue comic book limited series created by writer Alan Moore, artist Dave Gibbons, and colorist John Higgins. The series was published by DC Comics during 1986 and 1987.


Moore used the story as a means to reflect contemporary anxieties and to critique the superhero concept. Watchmen takes place in an alternate history United States where superheroes emerged in the 1940s and 1960s, helping the United States to win the Vietnam War. The country is edging closer to a nuclear war with the Soviet Union, freelance costumed vigilantes have been outlawed and most costumed superheroes are in retirement or working for the government.

Gibbons said he deliberately constructed the visual look of Watchmen so that each page would be identifiable as part of that particular series and "not some other comic book". He made a concerted effort to draw the characters in a manner different than that commonly seen in comics. The artist tried to draw the series with "a particular weight of line, using a hard, stiff pen that didn't have much modulation in terms of thick and thin" which he hoped "would differentiate it from the usual lush, fluid kind of comic book line".

Colourist John Higgins used a template that was "moodier" and favoured secondary colours. Moore stated that he had also "always loved John's colouring, but always associated him with being an airbrush colourist", which Moore was not fond of; Higgins subsequently decided to colour Watchmen in European-style flat colour. Moore noted that the artist paid particular attention to lighting and subtle colour changes; in issue six, Higgins began with "warm and cheerful" colours and throughout the issue gradually made it darker to give the story a dark and bleak feeling. (1)

I do like the style of the watchmen comic, and do feel like it has a moodier feel that standard comic book, a noir, or pulp feel- similar to that of the 100 Bullets. These are definitely ideas and concepts that I can utilise within my own animation, due to the fact that the storyline will be quite dark, and intense, it’s only fitting that the style of that animation should relate to that as well.

Sources used within this post

(1) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watchmen

100 Bullets

100 Bullets is an Eisner and Harvey Award-winning comic book written by Brian Azzarello and illustrated by Eduardo Risso. It was published in the USA by DC Comics under its Vertigo imprint and ran for one hundred issues. Both the writing and artwork in 100 Bullets exemplifies the noir and pulp genres. It presents morally ambiguous stories with dark realism. Consistent with noir convention, most of the characters are deeply flawed. (1)


The initial plot of 100 Bullets hinges on the question of whether people would take the chance to get away with revenge. The mysterious Agent Graves approaches someone who has been the victim of a terrible wrong, and gives them the chance to set things right in the form of a nondescript attaché case containing a handgun, 100 bullets, a photograph of a person, and irrefutable evidence that this person is primarily responsible for their woes. He informs the candidate that the bullets are completely untraceable: any police investigation that uncovers one of them will stop.


Though all of the murders enabled by Agent Graves are presented as justifiable, the candidates are neither rewarded nor punished for taking up the offer, and appear to receive nothing other than closure for their actions. Several people have declined the offer. (2)


I think that the whole concept of people being given an opportunity to seek revenge for the actions is fascinating. However, what I really like about the 100 Bullets graphic novel is the drawing style. The varieties of angles that are portrayed in the screens are really inventive, original and charismatic. These are definitely concepts that I would like to utilise within my own animation.

Sources used within this post

(1) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/100_bullets
(2) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/100_bullets

Cyborg Comic

Cyborg is a fictional character, a superhero appearing in comic books published by DC Comics. The character was created by writer Marv Wolfman and artist George Pérez, and first appears in DC Comics in (October 1980). Victor Stone is the son of Silas and Elinore Stone, a pair of scientists who decided to use him as a test subject for various intelligence enhancement projects. However, Victor grew to resent this treatment and struck up a friendship with Ron Evers, a young miscreant who led him into trouble with the law.

When he visited his parents at work at S.T.A.R. Labs, an experiment in dimensional travel went horribly awry when a massive gelatinous monster crossed over an experimental portal and killed Elinore. The creature then turned on Victor and severely mutilated him before Silas managed to force the creature back through the portal.

To save his son, Silas outfitted him with experimental prosthetics of his own design. However, the equipment could not be worn inconspicuously, and thus Victor was horrified to see much of his body, including part of his face, replaced with sheer metallic limbs and implants. Although Victor wanted to die at this shock, he eventually adjusted enough through his resulting physical therapy to control his implants with suitable skill.

However, upon release from medical care, he found his life was seriously inconvenienced with the fearful reactions of the public at his implants; even his girlfriend Marcy Reynolds rejected him.

The character has moved from the comic books into the TV series Smallville In this version, Victor (Lee Thompson Young), is a former Metropolis High School football star. He is involved in a car accident that kills him, supposedly, and the rest of his family. However, he is secretly rebuilt by Cyntechnics scientists, who experimented on a group of test subjects which Victor was the only test subject to survive. (1)



I think that its very interesting how the concept of the cyborg has progress through time, from its conception during the 1980’s right the way through to today. What I have noticed is with a lot of these cyborg cases, it’s always a sense of tragedy that leads a person to become a cyborg. A Human, never opts to become part man part machine, its is always a result of something going horribly wrong that their only chance of survival, it to be fused with a machine.

Sources used within this post

(1) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyborg_(comics)

High Evolutionary

The High Evolutionary is currently considered the leading geneticist in the Marvel comics. Due to experimentation on his own genetic code, his highly evolved brain and cybernetic exoskeleton, The High Evolutionary has demonstrated god-like powers; ability to evolve and devolve life-forms; matter and energy manipulation; matter creation; energy projection; cosmic awareness, telepathy, telekinesis, extra-dimensional travel, and size alteration. (1)

The High Evolutionary had become increasingly unstable and maniacal. His attempt to end his life was prevented by his suit. He returned to Earth, hoping to find something strong enough to overcome his armour and end his miserable life. He goaded the Hulk into attacking him, and Hulk succeeded in smashing his armour; the malfunctioning armour then devolved the High Evolutionary into a mass of one-celled organisms. However, it was only a matter of time before the suit's circuits reorganized and restored the High Evolutionary to his previous state. His death and subsequent re-birth gave the High Evolutionary a new insight into the future of mankind. Rather than being a benevolent yet distant protector, as he had been with his New Men, he would take a direct hand in moulding the future of humanity, so that they might one day be as powerful as the Beyonders he had witnessed. (2)



I really like the concept of evolution, and really pushing the ideas of evolving backwards and forwards thought the evolutionary stage, from a single celled organism to a god like being. Another element that I found fascinating was the idea the suit had taken complete control over him- to the extent that the only way he could be free from his armour was to kill himself.

Sources used within this post

(1), (2), (3) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_Evolutionary#Powers_and_abilities

Wolverine

X-Men Origins: Wolverine is set to star Jackman and is be directed by Gavin Hood (Tsotsi, Rendition). The producers are Lauren Shuler Donner and Ralph Winter (who produced all three previous "X-Men" films), along with Jackman and his Seed Prods. producing partner, John Palermo. The film will be executive produced by Marvel Films' Kevin Feige. Leading up to the events of X-Men, X-Men Origins: Wolverine – written by David Benioff (The Kite Runner, Troy) – tells the story of Wolverine's epically violent and romantic past, his complex relationship with Victor Creed, and the ominous Weapon X program. Along the way, Wolverine encounters many mutants, both familiar and new, including surprise appearances by several legends of the X-Men universe. (1)

One of the things that I find really interesting about wolverine is that he is essentially human, however his bones are lined with adamantium, thus his human exteriors provides a mask for the metal beneath. I want to think of him as a loner who is fiercely loyal to his friends, but will just as soon claw your face off if you mess with him or those he's close to.



Co-creator Len Wein originally intended for Logan to be a mutated wolverine cub, evolved to humanoid form by the High Evolutionary. Cockrum said he considered having the High Evolutionary play a vital role in making Wolverine a human. He wanted Wolverine to be the age of a young adult, with superhuman strength and agility similar to Spider-Man. (2)

I think that the idea of having wolverine as an actual animal that has evolved into an anima/human hybrid is an interesting one- and isn’t so far away from reality seeing as humans have evolved from the apes.

Sources used within this post

(1) http://www.superherohype.com/news/topnews.php?id=6600
(2) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolverine_first_intended_origin

Robocop

Detroit - in the future - is crime ridden, and run by a massive company. The company have developed a huge crime fighting robot, which unfortunately develops a rather dangerous glitch. The company sees a way to get back in favour with the public when a cop called Alex Murphy is killed by a street gang. Murphys body is reconstructed within a steel shell and named Robocop. The Robocop is very successful against criminals, and becomes a target of super villain Boddicker. (1)

What the main character “Murphy” essentially want to reclaim is his humanity. He has been unwillingly transformed into a machine for company profit. His objectives stems not simply from revenge, but from the desire to be Human again. His tragedy is that he will never be.



Robocop represents a dystopian society. The cyborg is an apt metaphor for the alienated and disenfranchised, denied human dignity, sexuality, or freedom in the face of programs and directives. Robocop does offer a glimmer of hope though. In the finale, Murphy has taken his helmet off and smiles. Having rediscovered his memories, he calls himself Murphy for the first time since becoming Robocop. He has finally reclaimed something of himself. (2)

Sources used within this post

(1) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093870/plotsummary
(2) http://www.endofmedia.com/

Self-replicating Machines

A self-replicating machine is an artificial construct that is theoretically capable of autonomously manufacturing a copy of itself using raw materials taken from its environment. The concept of self-replicating machines has been advanced and examined by Homer Jacobsen, and in more recent times by K. Eric Drexler in his book on nanotechnology.(1)

When looking at the whole concept of nanotechnology, the idea of a Self-replicating machine, or organism appealed to me. The ideas that a machine creating another machine- is actually giving birth and therefore evolving is quite an interesting idea.

Samuel Butler proposed in his 1872 novel Erewhon that machines were already capable of reproducing themselves but it was man who made them do so, and added machines, which reproduce machinery do not reproduce machines after their own kind.(2)

Even though the ideas proposed by Samuel Butler dates back to 1872, his concepts still remains as strong and innovative today. A modern day example of a self-replicating machine in a science fiction movie would be the Matrix films whereby Agent Smith, (Hugo Weaving) duplicates himself to take on Neo, (Keanu Reeves).


Sources used within this post

(1) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-replicating_machine
(2) Erewhon By Samuel Butler

Nanobots

“Nanorobotics is the technology of creating machines or robots at or close to the microscopic scale of a nanometre. More specifically, nanorobotics refers to the still largely hypothetical nanotechnology engineering discipline of designing and building nanorobots.”(1)

Raymond Kurzweil spoke with BUSINESS WEEK Senior Writer Otis Port about nanotechnology, which may enable engineers to construct microscopic computers and robots, or nanobots, atom by atom. These machines could dramatically affect the future of human intelligence.

I found an article of Nanorobotics which is a form of artificial intelligence, in which the inventor Raymond Kurzweil did an interview. Ive highlighted some snippets that I found very interesting. For the full interview follow the link at the bottom of this post.

Q: Do you have any doubts that a superior intelligence will emerge in the next few decades?

A: No. It's inevitable. For example, nanotubes would allow computing at the molecular level. A one-inch cube of nanotube circuitry would be about a billion times more powerful than the human brain, in terms of computing capacity. That raw computing capacity is a necessary but not sufficient condition to achieve human-level intelligence in a machine.

Q: Won't we end up feeling like pets?

A: Those same nanobots that can scan the human brain will also provide a type of neural implant to extend human intelligence--expand your memory and improve your pattern-recognition capabilities. Ultimately, they will augment human intelligence quite profoundly as we go through the 21st century.



Q: If nanobots are controlling the brain, how will we know they're not fooling us with false signals?

A: Well, actually, another thing we could do would be virtual reality. If we had nanobots take up positions by every nerve fiber that comes from all of our five senses, they could either do nothing, in which case you'd perceive the world normally--or they could shut off the nerve impulses coming from our real senses and replace them with simulated impulses representing what you would perceive if you were in the virtual environment.

Q: Let's go back to machines that design new machines. Doesn't that mean they could evolve utterly different ways of thinking?

A: Sure. Once we have intelligent systems in a nonbiological medium, they're going to have their own ideas, their own agendas. They'll evolve off in completely unpredictable directions. Instead of being derived only from human civilization, new concepts will also be derived from their electronic civilization.

Q: There won't be a clear distinction between us and them?

A: No. But remember, this will be emerging gradually from within our own civilization. It's the next phase of our own evolution. It's only a threat if you believe things should always stay the same as they are today.

Sources used within this post

(1) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nanorobotics
(2) http://www.businessweek.com/1999/99_36/b3645053.htm

Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence (AI) is the intelligence of machines and the branch of computer science, which aims to create it. Major AI textbooks define the field as "the study and design of intelligent agents," where an intelligent agent is a system that perceives its environment and takes actions, which maximize its chances of success. John McCarthy, who coined the term in 1956, defines it as "the science and engineering of making intelligent machines. (1)

Most applications for artificial intelligence have involved things like search engines: tasks of mind numbing complexity that require sound judgment. But lots of robot designers are attempting to create machines that mimic animals.

An example of this is the Sony Aibo robot dog. It can programmed to respond to a specific name. The camera within the dog enables him to see and can be wirelessly connected to a computer, allowing you to see the world through his perspective.
The software can also be changed so that he becomes a puppy, complete with crying and demanding behaviour.



In exploring the concept of the computer becoming an extension of ourselves we can put forward the following statements by J Handke, who is the author of ‘The Structure of the Lexicon’ states that:

“Irrespective of the enormous differences between the human mind, and the presently available computers. Machines are not capable of parallel processing this means that while the human brain is able to establish up to 10,000 connections between each of its several billion processing units. While presently available networks at best realise a few hundred fully connecting units.” (2)

Handke states that there are enormous differences between human and machines and the way in which we communicate and interact cannot be equated in the same
way. The computer isn’t a substitute for the human mind and it is not capable of human relationships.

He continues that unlike the human mind the computer is incapable of the kind of intellectual depth and breadth of the brain and is no substitute for human interaction, emotion or for human identity; as perceived and understood in its current complexity. It is not possible to replicate the extraordinary ingenuity and capacity of the mind into a cold electrical mechanism. And when one considers the other personal elements of the human mind, e.g. argument, expression, logic, morals, ethics and human identity. The concept of a computer having human identity becomes obsolete. (3)

I think that these are very interesting ideas that have been put forward. I can see both sides to the argument, on the one side how can a machine possibly process the elements of the human mind and all its complex aspects. But on the other hand with the development of technology there have been AI that have been created that can learn, and take onboard new information.

Sources used within this post

(1) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artificial_intelligence
(2), (3) Handke, J, (1995), The Structure of the Lexicon: Human Versus Machine, Published by Walter de Gruyter.

Cyborgs

A cyborg is a cybernetic organism (i.e., an organism that has both artificial and natural systems). The term was coined in 1960 when Manfred Clynes and Nathan Kline used it in an article about the advantages of self-regulating human-machine systems in outer space. (1)

Sherry Turkle talks in-depth about the whole concept of man being fused with machine;

“The concepts of the computer as a calculating piece of machinery has now been superseded, as human being have become interconnected with modern day technology. This raises the question of whether or not people are living their lives through the computer. The distinction between people and machine is becoming more difficult to define.” (2)

This is an interesting idea as she talks about the line between what is organic, and what is machinery is beginning to blur. She uses Darwin and Freudian theory on dreams and relates it to computers. Dreams and Beast were the test objects for Freud and Darwin, and the test object for modernism. In the past decade the computer has become the object for post modernism.

“It confronts us with an uneasy sense of kingship. After all we too behave, interact and seem to know, and yet are ultimately made of matter and programmed DNA. We think we can think. But can it think? Could it have the capacity to feel? Could it ever be said to be alive?” (3)

An example of this, is that of the film I robot (2004), which is primarily an exploration of the concepts. It is set in Chicago in the year 2035, where humanoid robots are as common as cars. Will Smith plays a homicide detective who encounters a robot who thinks he can experience emotion, even love and is able to respond and interact with people and the external environment in a humanlike way. (4)



I feel that it is important to point out that the term “cyborgs” shouldn’t be associated with mass murdering killer robots. It also has strong applications within modern medicine, which demonstrates a variety of pairings between organism and machines. An example in real life would be metal or plastic joint replacements e.g. hips and pacemakers used in cardiac operations.

The ideas that have been explored raises questions about the possibility of this happening in the future and whether computerised machines have the capacity to operate, interact and feel? Can they ever be human?

Sources used within this post

(1) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyborg
(2), (3) Turkle, S, (1997), Life on the screen, Simon & Schuster.
(4) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0343818/plotsummary

Terminator

The movie begins in a post-apocalyptic 2029, when Los Angeles has been largely reduced to rubble and is under the thumb of all-powerful ruling machines. Kyle Reese (Michael Biehn), a member of the human resistance movement, is teleported back to 1984. His purpose: to rescue Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton), the mother of the man who will lead the 21st-century rebels against the tyrannical machines, from being assassinated before she can give birth. Likewise thrust back to 1984 is The Terminator (Schwarzenegger), a grim, well-armed, virtually indestructible cyborg who has been programmed to eliminate Sarah Connor. After killing two "Sarah Connors" who turn out to be the wrong women, he finally aims his sights at the genuine article. (1)



I found the whole concept of the cyborg very interesting- the fusion between man and machine whereby you can literally strip away his skin to reveal electronics is an interesting idea, and relates to the original quote of Marshall McLuhan.

Sources used within this post

(1) http://movies.msn.com/movies/movie-synopsis/the-terminator/

Psalms

Marshall McLuhan uses the Psalms as a basis for supporting his view "we become what we behold", I found the initial information about he Psalms interesting, but felt intrigued to find out more about it.

“The Book of Psalms consists of 150 psalms, each of which constitutes a religious song, though one or two are atypically long and may constitute a set of related chants. When the Bible was divided into chapters, each Psalm was assigned its own chapter.” (1)

An element of the Psalms that I found interesting was the fact that it was not just restricted to one particular religion. It is used in the Jewish, Christian, Roman Catholic worship, and many others, of course each Psalm comes in a different forms.

An example of the Hebrew Psalm

Overall I found the research into the Psalms an eye opener, and have found out more information that could back up my design.

Sources used within this post

(1) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psalms

Marshall McLuhan

“Herbert Marshall McLuhan, (July 21, 1911 – December 31, 1980) was a Canadian educator, philosopher, and scholar — a professor of English literature, a literary critic, a rhetorician, and a communications theorist. McLuhan's work is viewed as one of the cornerstones of the study of media theory.” (1)

Marshall McLuhan has come up with many interesting theories about media, and media technology, this video clips show some of the view the McLuhan held.



The quote; “We become what we behold. We shape our tools and then our tools shape us” is taken from the book Understanding Media: The Extension of Man, which was Originally published in 1964.

This statement is taken from a Psalmist view that we become what we behold; “Corinthians 3:18, we "become what we behold." If God is truly glad and kind (mixed also with justice and righteousness) then we will become glad and kind people able to love others. But if we think that God is angry, distant, calculating, moody, disappointed with us and generally finding fault with us - we will become like that to others. And that is to be a Pharisee.” (2)

Overall I have found this quote to have a much deeper meaning and understanding that I had originally, I have also found that this particular theory can be applied to a wide variety of themes.

Sources used within this post

(1) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marshall_McLuhan
(2) http://www.onlinethoughts.com/currentwork/Gladness_of_God.htm

Exam Project

For this project I was asked to choose from a series of quotes that I would like to do my project based on. My chosen quote is: “We become what we behold. We shape our tools and then our tools shape us”, by Marshall McLuhan. One of the reasons why I particularly like this quote is firstly the simplicity; you don’t necessarily need copious amount of text to have a quote with impact. Secondly I really like how it is open to a wide range of interpretation. The will provide me with an expansive space in which to do a wide area of research.