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This month's newsletter is packed with philosophical questions, cool articles, and references to Battlestar Galactica. 
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Hello! 


What if one day, someone told you that you weren’t human - but a sophisticated sentient machine that was engineered in a factory. Your memories, your emotions, your habits, your quirks - everything that makes you unique - are all just binary code running in the background of an advanced operating system. Would you still consider yourself human? (If you're intrigued by this premise, check out Battlestar Galactica.) 

This month, we've thinking about the complicated interactions that take place between humans and technology.  

Scientists have been trying to isolate the characteristics that differentiate us from other species for hundreds of years. The addition of technology into the mix has only further confused the issue. From biometric contact lenses to implants that enable us to control artificial limbs with our mind - we are redefining our relationship with technology on two fundamental levels. 

 

1. Looking Inward: How much machinery can we integrate into ourselves while still being human? 

In last year’s RoboCop reboot, the main character, Alex Murphy, must face his own definition of humanity when his consciousness is transferred into a robotic cyborg. He discovers all that is left of his physical self are his lungs, one hand, and most of his head. Let's just say, he doesn't take the news well. If you take away the flesh and bones of a man, what does he retain? 
 

2. Looking Outward: What kind of relationships can we have with machines? 

A 2007 study reported that people who owned Roombas (small, autonomous robotic vacuums cleaners) developed deep emotional attachments to their device, including giving it a name, creating customized covers for it, and even rearranging the furniture to accommodate it better.

Soon, the technology will be smart enough to recognize and even reciprocate our feelings. David Levy, AI expert and author of “Love and Sex with Robots: The Evolution of Human-Robot Relationships predicts that by 2050 “Robots will have the capacity to fall in love with humans and to make themselves romantically attractive and sexually desirable to humans.” 

In her book The Human Age, historian Diana Ackerman wonders whether machines can ever possess that intangible spark that makes us human.  

Key quote: 

TL/DR: 


The good news - machines will help us uncover and explore new dimensions on the love spectrum. The bad news - you might find yourself competing against toasters for dates on Tindr. 

Big Ideas & Weak Signals:

 
 
 
 
  • Google introduces some awesome finger motion technology
 
 
 
 

News & Updates: 
 

 

  • Riwa spoke about Fringe Culture & Creativity at Factory of Imagination in Copenhagen, explaining how Drugs, Sex and Cyborgs can be unlikely inspiration to develop a powerful point of view. She was also in London discussing how culture and technology will impact the Future of Banking at Lafferty Group's Banking Innovators 2015 conference.
 
  • Rahaf spoke at Vivid Ideas and Wired for Wonder in Australia about why building a data-centric culture was an essential priority for organizations today. She also spoke at the Management and Business Summit in Madrid about marketing in an over-connected world
 
**** AWESOME DOWNLOAD*****
 
  • As promised, you get our best stuff first. Enjoy this early sneak peek at Volume 2 of ArchiTechs. We cover the evolution of digital identities and explore who owns the pieces of ourselves we push online. 



Happy reading and see you next month!

Riwa & Rahaf 

ps: Here's a picture of Data from Star Trek: The Next Generation discovering his love of art. ;) 

From the Institute:

Digital Citizenship 

The Information age has created a world where everyday citizens have the ability to be more empowered and informed. How has technology impacted the way we interact with government institutions, enforce our civil rights, mobilize around the causes we care about, and influence policy on both a local and global level?

In this course we examine the changing landscape and its impact on governments and citizens. We'll deep dive into various aspects of the Arab Spring including the link between technology investments in the region prior to the uprising, and how online petitions impact decision-making at the White House. 

 
Learn more about the Institute of Digital Culture here
 

Events

We'll be taking our annual speaking hiatus over the summer to focus on our writing and research. We will be back in action as of September. 
 


Want us to speak at your event? Drop us a line at speaking@redthreadinc.co or click here for more information. 
 
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