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week 10

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Reading

How can we redefine the relationship between technology and ecology to build a sustainable ecology of intelligence that benefits both humans and the environment?

Building a sustainable ecology of intelligence requires shifting from exploitation-focused technology to environmentally conscious systems. This means:

  1. Developing AI that prioritizes ecosystem health over pure efficiency
  2. Learning from and incorporating non-human forms of intelligence found in nature
  3. Establishing regulations that ensure AI development considers environmental impacts

This approach would create technology that works with nature rather than against it, fostering a more balanced relationship between technological advancement and environmental preservation.

 
Writing

The Living Network: Plant-Based Neural Computing

Imagine a computer that doesn’t use silicon chips, but instead harnesses the sophisticated chemical communication networks of plants. This is PlantNet, a groundbreaking bio-computing system that merges genetically modified plant tissues with organic semiconductors to create a living, thinking network.

PlantNet’s “hardware” consists of specially engineered plant cells arranged in interconnected clusters. These cells are modified to amplify their natural ability to produce and respond to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other chemical signals. Each cluster acts like a biological processor, using chemical gradients and hormonal signals to process information, much like neurons in a brain.

The system “thinks” through chemical cascades. When environmental stimuli trigger sensors in the plant tissue, they initiate waves of chemical signals that flow through the network. These signals are modulated by organic transistors that can strengthen or weaken connections between cell clusters, creating a form of chemical memory and learning.

What makes PlantNet revolutionary is its ability to both sense and influence its environment. It can detect subtle changes in air quality, soil composition, and electromagnetic fields through its plant-based sensors. In response, it can release specific chemical compounds to influence its surroundings – warning nearby plants of threats, neutralizing air pollutants, or even affecting local weather patterns through controlled release of VOCs.

Practical applications include environmental monitoring in cities, where PlantNet networks could form living air quality control systems. In agriculture, they could optimize crop growth by detecting plant stress signals and coordinating responses across entire fields. The system could even serve as an early warning network for ecological disasters, sensing subtle environmental changes long before they become apparent to conventional sensors.

This fusion of plant biology and computing opens new possibilities for creating truly organic artificial intelligence that works in harmony with natural systems.

The Secret Life of Plants: Unveiling Chemical Communication

Deciphering Chemical Language of Plant Communication: Synthesis and Future Research Directions | SpringerLink

Plants have an astonishing biochemical communication network – Earth.com

Assignment9-TEXT

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This project aims to explore the textual and linguistic landscape of Yuyuan Garden, a famous classical garden located in Shanghai, China. The project focuses on the juxtaposition of traditional cultural elements with the modern commercial environment that surrounds the garden. By collecting and reconstructing textual elements observed in the space, the project seeks to highlight the contrast and sometimes the conflict between these two aspects.

Site Selection

Yuyuan Garden was chosen as the site for this project due to its rich historical and cultural significance, as well as its contemporary commercial surroundings. The garden itself is a serene and beautifully designed space, while the adjacent commercial streets are bustling with activity and filled with modern advertisements and brand names.

Data Collection

During the visit to Yuyuan Garden, various types of text were collected, including:

  • Permanent Text: Engraved inscriptions on stone tablets, plaques with historical information, and traditional Chinese calligraphy.
  • Temporary Text: Posters, banners, and signs related to ongoing events or promotions.
  • Commercial Text: Advertisements, brand names, and promotional materials from the surrounding commercial streets.
  • For the lanterns and shops, I counted them briefly.

Reconstruction

The reconstruction emphasizes the contrast between the traditional and the modern by replacing commercial texts with generic placeholders, thereby highlighting the phenomenon of commercial homogeneity.

I was trying to builf the text in Rhino and put them into Unity, but failed…

 

So, I just directly construct the text in Unity.

And below is how I represent the space.

This is where a bazaar usually contain, a tent covering the top and has some decorations.

The lights here is those buildings and adverisement plaque. For the shops on the sides, I only typed out some common ones that the mass definetly recognize, and others are just ‘shop’, in this case, we can see the homonization of the commercial norm.

This is where on sale!! 

Nanotech

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Article 1

As nanotechnology enables us to manipulate individual molecules in living systems, what ethical considerations should guide the development of personalized nanomedicine treatments?

The development of personalized nanomedicine treatments raises several ethical considerations, including privacy and data protection, equitable access, informed consent, and long-term effects. Additionally, there are concerns about defining the line between treatment and enhancement, potential environmental impacts, and the need for appropriate regulatory frameworks. These considerations should guide the research, development, and implementation of nanomedicine to ensure it benefits society while minimizing risks and addressing potential disparities in healthcare access.

Article 2

The article mentions that in 1989, scientists first achieved manipulation of individual inert gas atoms, but implementing such control in macroscopic materials still faces technical barriers. What are these specific barriers, and what approaches are scientists currently exploring to overcome these challenges in nanotechnology?

The main barriers to implementing atomic-level control in macroscopic materials include scaling issues, environmental factors, manipulation speed, stability of structures, and the need for more precise tools. To overcome these challenges, scientists are exploring various approaches such as self-assembly techniques, improved scanning probe microscopy, AI and machine learning applications, development of new materials, hybrid fabrication methods, and potential integration with quantum computing. These efforts aim to bridge the gap between atomic-scale control and practical macroscopic applications in nanotechnology.

Writing

11 Of The Smallest Things In The World – Fascinating Microscopic Art

In 2100, inspired by the sculptures in microscopic means, an artist called D.A. created a nano-sculpture, which is responsive when triggered by electricity.

This groundbreaking artwork creates a mesmerizing display of form and movement at the microscale. The piece consists of a 3D-printed scaffold, invisible to the naked eye, meticulously crafted at the micrometer scale. This scaffold serves as the foundation for a complex arrangement of nanoparticles and nanostructures, each engineered to respond uniquely to electrical stimuli.

Integrated within this microscopic landscape is an intricate network of nanoscale electrodes, allowing for precise control over different regions of the sculpture. When activated, these electrodes trigger a cascade of responses throughout the piece. Viewers witness an awe-inspiring transformation as the sculpture seemingly comes to life, its surface undulating with wave-like motions, shifting colors, and morphing shapes.

The artwork’s responsiveness extends beyond pre-programmed movements. Equipped with sensitive detectors, it reacts to the presence and movements of viewers, creating a unique, interactive experience for each observer. This interaction blurs the line between living and non-living systems, challenging perceptions of what constitutes ‘alive’ in our increasingly technologically mediated world.

“Living Nanoscapes” not only showcases the potential of nanotechnology in art but also serves as a platform for scientific exploration. The techniques developed for this piece could pave the way for advancements in fields such as responsive materials, micro-robotics, and biomimetic engineering.

However, creating this artwork presents significant challenges. Ensuring the stability and longevity of nanocomponents in an open environment, designing a safe and effective electrical system at this minute scale, and developing a control system that produces aesthetically pleasing and meaningful changes are all hurdles to overcome.

 

Assignment8 Encoding space

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Fieldwork

  • Objective: The goal of this observation was to capture the social dynamics and sound levels at our school’s coffee shop, Magnolia Space, where international students commonly gather. My interest was not only in observing the space objectively but also in representing my personal reaction to the crowd dynamics, as someone who feels nervous in large social groups(due to the nerves, I chose snow mountains to represent my inner emotion).
  • Methods: I spent an afternoon observing the activity within the space from a corner seat:
    • Manual Observation: I noticed the current of people in different seating areas, focusing on the crowd density in various parts of the café. I also noted the conversational volume, especially in group settings.
    • Abstraction of Values:
      • Altitude of Peaks: In my visualization, the altitude of each snow mountain represents the number of people in a particular area. Higher peaks correspond to larger groups, while lower peaks signify smaller, more stable gatherings.
      • Snowfall Speed: The speed of snowfall indicates the volume level—faster snowfall represents louder conversations, adding a sense of liveliness (or intensity) to those areas.

Reconstruction

 

  • Concept and Metaphor: To express my feelings about the crowd dynamics in Magnolia Space, I translated my observations into a snow mountain landscape. This metaphor captures the tension between social anxiety and the comfort of smaller groups, using natural elements to visualize social presence and energy levels.
  • Visualization Details:
    • Mountain Layout:
      • Center Area: The central sofa area, where students gather and chat, is represented by tall mountains with faster snowfall. These peaks stand out as dynamic and active zones.
      • Outer Areas: Along the hallway, where people sit individually or in pairs, the mountains are lower and stable, reflecting a quieter, more focused atmosphere.
    • Snowfall Dynamics: Each mountain has a unique snowfall speed, corresponding to the volume level I observed. Areas with louder conversations are visually “noisier” with rapid snowfall, creating an immersive representation of how crowded and overwhelming these areas felt to me.
  • Collider Trigger: I set a collider at the exit, once you step out, large snowflaks will fall off and your world will be silent, revealing that you are out of the Magnolia Space right now and get into a quieter space.

Soft Material Project Outline

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About

This is a project exploring the possible variations of silicon-based stuff and its symbiotic relationship with future humans. In people’s general perception, silicon-based stuffs(so far as we discovered) are merely static inorganic substance with relatively stable structures. However, in the future, with advancements in technology and the discovery of more life forms, will silicon be found to possess self-awareness and self-assembly capabilities? And how might this self-awareness and self-organization affect human life and society? Can these newly discovered observable life forms coexist with humans? This project will try to figure out these answers and propose a speculative design in predicting silicon as a potential alive substance in the future.

Research Questions

  • How do human beings understand the relationship between something that already exists but is unknown to us, but may be discovered by human beings in the future? Are we prepared for the unknown?
  • In the process of self-organization and adaptive evolution of liquid crystals/metal, which key physical or chemical properties might endow them with “life-like” behaviors, and how could these affect their interaction with the human environment?
  • Does Static, inorganic stuff evolve, and does it evolve (not revert [cyclical]) under the influence of certain stimuli, including, but not limited to, function, morphology, consciousness, fitness with organic matter, etc.?

Case Study 1

Tomas, Jeremy. “Unraveling the Enigmatic Tapestry: Crystal Spirituality Explored.” Your Religion Encyclopedia, 4 Jan. 2024, www.religionwriters.com/2023/05/unraveling-the-enigmatic-tapestry-crystal-spirituality-explored.

  • Crystals are used across spiritual paths for their perceived energies and aesthetic qualities.
  • Each crystal has unique metaphysical properties linked to color, resonance, and chakra alignment.
  • Many use crystals for grounding and protection, often in simple practices like meditation or carrying talismans.
  • Ancient and modern traditions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, and paganism, integrate crystals with specific symbolic meanings.
  • Ethical and sustainable sourcing of crystals is a growing concern for practitioners.

Case Study 2

Petkowski, Janusz Jurand, William Bains, and Sara Seager. 2020. “On the Potential of Silicon as a Building Block for Life” Life 10, no. 6: 84. https://doi.org/10.3390/life10060084

  • Explores silicon’s potential for forming life, similar to carbon due to its bonding capabilities.
  • Discusses silicon’s structural and bonding properties, highlighting challenges in forming stable, complex molecules.
  • Analyzes hypothetical silicon-based biomolecules and metabolic processes in potential high-temperature or high-pressure environments.
  • Considers silicon’s limitations, such as weaker bond stability in oxygen-rich environments, compared to carbon.

Speculative Design

In the uncharted depths of the ocean, scientists discover a mysterious form of life: silicon-based beings with a unique form of self-awareness. These “Silicon People” pulse with electrical currents and radiance akin to human bioelectric fields, creating a unique, consciousness-like intelligence within their crystalline bodies. Inspired, scientists modify this silicon substance, developing a technique to integrate it with human physiology. By injecting silicon into injured individuals, it autonomously covers wounds, forming a protective layer that shields the flesh from infection, allowing for rapid and effective healing.

Beyond physical recovery, the injected silicon connects to human consciousness, providing a new pathway for mental healing. The crystalline structure resonates with bioelectrical rhythms, mimicking ancient crystal therapies to help stabilize emotions, calm anxiety, and potentially ease trauma. This extraordinary fusion of human and silicon brings a new era in medicine, blending the realms of technology, biology, and mental well-being.

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