Monthly Archives: January 2013

What is Ambient Intelligence?

12/6/2026: On a cold December afternoon you enter a small apartment that feels just right, and you feel the urge to take a shower so that you can rid yourself of fatigue. The shower reads your muscle tension and out of the corner of your eye you can see an LED screen that indicates how much water has been used since the first. A short shower, with water filled with soothing aromas, leaves you happy and muscles relaxed. So relaxed that all you can think of is your girlfriend. So you call out her name and mimic picking up a phone. A wall directly in front of you becomes a small screen which indicates that she is currently driving. You are routed to voicemail and given a set of options to categorize the importance of your message. As she slows down to park her car, an opaque message on her front window reads: “Msg: Ezequiel”. A dinner for two?

Ambient intelligence is technologies and artifacts which seek to replicate and coexists with our organic human nature. In attaining this natural essence, ambient intelligence (AmI) can then become opaque in our daily lives and interactions; enhancing us without being noticed. These technologies aim to have a symbiotic relationship humans much like fungi and trees, existing on a singular level (Clark 25).

Does a fungus improve the livelihood of a tree in the same way that technology improves our lives? No. Although ambient intelligence seeks to become a background of our daily lives, its purpose is to enhance our human experience. Its opaque nature intends to mesh with the user so that humans can experience these technologies much like our autonomous nervous system. AmI are artifacts operating without our awareness yet enhancing our experience through anticipating and guiding the spontaneity of human existence.

AmI’s basic application is to alleviate “functions that might otherwise occupy our conscious attention” (Clark, 31). Simply put, AmI would free up ‘laborious’ mental activities such as choosing what to eat for dinner, which clothes to put on, how to plan a productive day and ways in which to contact a friend. One example would be how my futuristic shower, could create an experience which is optimally soothing yet alleviates my need to worry about an enormous water bill. Such technology would anticipate our needs and meet them in a manner which does not limit our spontaneous organic nature. The spontaneous appearance of human decisions gives an open-ended growth pattern to our lives and gives us exciting content to grow from. The developers of AmI technology hope to alleviate some of the problem solving activities we do on a daily basis, to allow us to pursue other things.

cyborg

Our present solution to achieve these goals by using AmI is to research technology which can begin to catalogue and reference habitual human activities. By recording body language, eating habits, social tendencies and natural rhythmic patterns AmI could anticipate the proper ways in which to help us. Andy Clark estimates that this type of technology could prove most proficient when integrated with a person at young age. In the future AmI could have the potential of adapting to a person’s growing interest and random explorations for the purpose of directing them to new ideas, experiences and opportunities (Clark, 31 in Natural Born Cyborgs 2011).

Corpus linguistics, which Svenja Adolphs analyzes in her book Introducing Electronic Text Analysis, is one important method that AmI technology could potentially use. A database which could use corpus linguistics to understand our psychological behavior would essentially solve much tension between humans and computers. In this futuristic context, corpus linguistics would serve as a ‘mirror’ which AmI technology would use to understand our habits and patterns as organic beings.

“Once data has been sorted in an accessible way, such as in concordance output for example, we can carry out further analysis on the data. This analysis helps to identify patterns that we might not be able to describe purely on an intuitive basis. This includes whether a word carries positive or negative connotations, and the semantic concepts that surround individual words.”- Svenja Adolphs 8.

In considering the goals of AmI, modern cell phones can have great potential for developing systems which learn human habits in order to suggest personal activities. The Sensay phone is an impressive example of AmI technology which aims to ‘learn’ the owner. In ‘learning’ the user, the Sensay phone can categorize real time activities and program itself around these environments. The phone would use motion sensors, a microphone, a heat-flux sensor and galvanic skin-response sensors to categorize environments with the type of communication we utilize on a cell phone. There would be no reason to set your phone to silent in a business meeting, if the phone can identify silence, room temperature and physical signs of activities which involve focus. Much like Twitter addicts who find the necessity to constantly post location and mood on the internet the Sensay could be programmed at the user’s discretion to allow others to have access to information such as a person’s location and activity.

Commercially, AmI technology could be most useful in home environments where people experience an abundance of activities which fall under the category of ‘laborious’ mental activities. The  Invoked computing concept aims to make everyday objects into technological interfaces through the recognition of gestures. This technology would simplify any activity which requires the use of artifacts to be reduced to a motion such as the sway of a hand, pointing of a finger or lightly pushing a wall. The physical invoked computing device could easily fade into the background of a user’s daily life, and allow a ubiquitous relationship between user and computer interface. Why look for the bulky laptop or tiny cell phone when a banana or pizza box could perform the same functions? This is a small example of how AmI might help humans place a greater importance on a clearer set of focal things and practices.

Conceptually Ambient Intelligence is fantastic for convenience. Such convenience may seem to conform AmI technology into the multitude of modern day artifacts producing no radical societal change. Yet some believe that AmI will change society through changing the individual’s neural patterns. Although nothing like surgical neural enhancement or pharmaceutical augmentation, AmI will aim to subtly change the way we think and operate as humans. 

Scholar, philosopher, and writer Richard A. Lanham questions the fate of man’s ability to think in a philosophical and economic exploration which intertwines almost every facet of our lives. In his book The Economics of {Attention}  Lanham contemplates how the modern human’s reliance upon technology and information might eventually change the nature of the global economy. Not only  does he pose how valuable commodities will transform into abstract mental capabilities, Lanham delves into who will be able to control such ‘resources’.

The Economics of {Attention}  begins with a contextualization of how a modern human’s environment is void of ‘natural, untouched rawness’. These landscapes in which the American transcendentalists thrived upon, has now been conquered and filled by tourism, advertisements and gift shops. Lanham claims that earth’s ethereal beauty has become a commodity to exploit. No matter how far one goes or how rugged the terrain gets (or if you are Chris McCandless), society’s constant, overbearing need to advertise and own your attention will invade the modern persons psyche.

Into the Wild

Through contemplating this unfortunate reality, Lanham surmises that as information technology invades our life and manual jobs are converted to robotics, knowledge will gain more value.

“‘The basic economic resource- ‘ the means of production; to use the economist’s term is no longer capital nor natural resources (the economist’s land), nor labor! It is and will be knowledge”- The Economics of {Attention} pg. 4

One example of how knowledge in the future will surpass manual labor is the growing capabilities of 3D printers. As market prices drop and the more expensive higher quality machines are invented in private laboratories, 3D printers could potentially become an every day tool. The people who can operate programs with ease and focus their attention on creative applications/projects will be the one’s to take full advantage of this technology.

httpv://youtu.be/hmxjLpu2BvY

Landham’s projections about why nature has become a commodity and the future uselessness of physical labor to produce ‘stuff’, are inspired by another philosopher. Martin Heidegger was one of the first philosophers and scholars to contextualize the appearance of ‘technology’ as a ideological shift  in man kind’s nature and interaction with his environment. Like many ‘technological philosophers’ Landham takes Heidegger’s realization and projects it into a incredibly abstract vision of the future.This future he imagines seems vaguely reminiscent of Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451, in which a human’s ability to think is stolen by the government and censored advertisements.

As constant advertisements bombard our daily life people will find much more use of their innate ability to selectively focus on something, despite the existence of a million shouting ads in the background. This ‘attention’ is what Landham classifies as the ‘gold’ of the future informational based economy. The tactic that companies and marketing firms will use is a utilization of ‘human nature’ for effective solicitation.

“We might think of this inherited set of adaptive patterns, of behavioral inclinations, as the attention capital of human kind… We might, as an outstanding example, point to the “language instinct” that we posses, apparently from birth. Or our response to some sexual signals more than others. Or any of the myriad other suitcases in our evolutionary baggage”  The Economics of {Attention}  pg 9. 

Some of these ‘tactics’ are already in use by consumer products or what Landham classifies as ‘stuff’. One example is the revolutionary Coke bottle design which utilized the sensuality of a woman’s hips as the catalyst for their market boom.

Coke Bottle Design

Although, the future seems quite dim for the attention span of the modern human, designers and artists will find that their overdue talents will be valued in this economy. Landham speculates that aside from computer engineers, designers and artists will be an integral part of capturing the precious ‘attention’ of the market. He mentions artist such as Roy Lichtenstein, Claes Oldenburg  and John Cage, who have grasped the concepts of modern design and utilized it to grab audience’s attention. The importance of design and the demand for aesthetics is something that will be intertwined with data.

“If you look at the history of non-representational painting through the eyes of computer graphics, it comes to seem not pure abstraction but the opposite, data-driven pictures of how we see…When a computer animator creates an algorithm to draw an image, she has looked at the object as information, not as stuff”  The Economics of {Attention}  pg 16

One example of how art and design are becoming integrated with data is new interfaces and software which originate from a purely creative and spontaneous muse.

httpv://youtu.be/WAuDCOl9qrk

 Richard Landham concludes his philosophical exploration by affirming that all of his futuristic projections are nothing but mere speculation. The author lends his reader to assume that all of this speculation is nothing but intellectual masturbation. However, Landham tactically ends Chapter 1 of  The Economics of {Attention}   with the insight that the age old concept of rhetoric might resurface in the modern age as a tool to grab ‘attention’. “The Art of persuasion” Landham believes is not dead, yet waiting for its proper moment to become a essential part of a incredibly new technological economy.

The Quintilian’s Institutes of Oratory delves into the philosophical nature of oration. In these chapters Quintilian emphasizes the necessity for any orator to come from a stand point of virtue and morality. He verbalizes this emphasis through a (borderline) repetitive mention of one’s ‘goodness’. In chapter one, the author states that a man’s ability to perform logic and reasoning is a gift from the gods. This gift is neutral and should be utilized with good intentions, specifically for the study of literature and academics. Quintilian, gives further definition to an ‘oratorical persona’, by affirming that no (good) orator can entertain malevolent thoughts or meditate on evil deeds. An importance is placed upon eloquence throughout Quintilian’s book as well as in Cicero’s De Oratore. In Quintilian’s perspective eloquence is one objective an orator is trying to achieve.  However, this task is easier said than orated. To achieve eloquence one must implant the feelings of his audience within himself so that he may speak with the same passion and vigor.

“Simulation, however guarded, always betrays itself, nor was there ever such power of eloquence in any man that he would not falter and hesitate whenever his words were at variance with his thoughts”  Quintilian’s Institutes of Oratory 12:1:29.

In Chapter 1 Quintilian evokes a deep philosophical imperative by stating the potential men have. Through syllogism he comes to the conclusion that if men have been granted the gift of good nature, why should he not use oration to achieve eloquence.

“At least let the notion be wholly banished from our thoughts that perfect, eloquence, the noblest of human attainments, can be united with a vicious character of mind” Quintilian’s Institutes of Oratory 12:1:32

Although much of this discourse about man kind’s nature, is initially hunky dory and goody-goody, Quintilian also places an emphasis about difficult moral situations, where a good man can often be perceived as the evil doer. In these situations it is imperative for the orator to  use eloquence tactically and “with uprightness of intention being always maintained”.

Cicero, De Oratore, Book One, Parts  XXXI-XXXIV agrees forthright with the Quintilian’s claims to the natural ‘goodness’ an orator must observe. However, Cicero delves deeper into the steps an orator must take to achieve eloquence. in vs 142 Cicero clearly states the divisions of artistic oration:

• recognize his subject
• dispose and arrange his matter with power and judgment
• clothe and deck his thoughts with language
• secure them in his memory
• deliver them with dignity and grace

After stating these steps which a orator should take, Cicero goes on to define the proper setting for a debate:

“before we enter upon the main subject, the minds of the audience should be conciliated by an exordium; next that the case should be clearly stated; then that the point in controversy should be established; then, that what we maintain should be supported by proof, and that whatever was said on the other side should be refuted… whatever was in our favour should be amplified and enforced” Cicero, De Oratore 1, XXXIII, 143

Cicero also eludes to the importance of a well rounded orator, who is knowledgeable in not only his field, but a wide range of subjects. This overall knowledge of the different aspects and cultures of society, reminded me of a ‘renaissance man’ ( of which was probably based upon these Greek philosophical ideals). One quote from  Virgil which captures the essence of Cicero’s argument is:

“Ille regit dictis animos, et pectora mulcet” 

“With words he rules thier passions and their breasts controls”.

These pillars of oration which these great thinkers and writers emphasize is something which American politicians and presidents have striven to achieve in public speeches. Memorizing bits and pieces of great presidential speeches is a sign of patriotism and national pride for American’s. I personally find it difficult to find one mature American who does not know the beginning of the Getty’s Burg address. Although these ubiquitous ideals of eloquence and moral oration stand true for many generations of Americans, there exists one president who breaks all of these qualities which make American presidents so orally renown. His name is George W. Bush Jr., please watch carefully: httpv://youtu.be/O_RSQSYgGB4

President Bush represents a fundamental contradiction to Cicero and Quintilian. How could there exist a person who commanded one of the most powerful nations in the world, who lacks the essential qualities of a eloquent orator? Is it possible that a majority of America’s citizens are ignorant to the requirements of oration? American’s must look to the skills of eloquent oration to conclude the character of our future leaders. If we do not, we could find oursleves with a leader much like Lucius Catiline.

Roman Guard

In  Cicero, Cataline Orations Cicero delivers a oratorical ‘beat down’ to Lucius for his dubious plans against Italy. After many attempts to sabotage Cicero’s authority and life Lucius appears before the Roman court, with the balls to sit by himself in front of Cicero. In his extensive argument against Lucius, Cicero describes Lucius’ imperative exile from Italy.  As Cicero argues, ‘advising’ Lucius into exile will draw others like him out of Rome into the same state of banishment. This tactic resembles the sucking of poison from a wound.

“For what is there, O Catiline, that can now afford you any pleasure in this city? for there is no one in it, except that band of profligate conspirators of yours, who does not fear you,—no one who does not hate you. What brand of domestic baseness is not stamped upon your life? What disgraceful circumstance is wanting to your infamy in your private affairs? From what licentiousness have your eyes, from what atrocity have your hands, from what iniquity has your whole body ever abstained? Is there one youth, when you have once entangled him in the temptations of your corruption, to whom you have not held out a sword for audacious crime, or a torch for licentious wickedness?” M.T. Cicero 14

Aristotle’s Rhetoric Book 1 begins with a description of Dialectic and Rhetoric. Dialectic language is a general term Aristotle uses for a logical method in which truth is discussed or revealed. In his view both are terms of communication, however, rhetoric can be utilized in conversation to assert one’s self. He also compares rhetoric to an art form, one that can persuade an audience or listener. Enthymemes are the elements which can make conversation (be it Dialectic or neutral in argument) the art form which Aristotle declare’s as rhetoric. Examples of Enthymemes are “prejudice, pity and anger” , all of which could potentially cloud one’s vision of ‘truth’. These enthymemes are critical to rhetoric because they give one’s personal argument or statement an advantage over her or his opponent. Aristotle explains that using these methods comprise the ‘art’ of rhetoric/ persuasion.

Aristotle’s Rhetoric Book 2  provides a deeper look into rhetoric and persuasion by categorizing and defining the tools of these art forms. In Aristotle’s definition persuasion is a method of rhetorical argument. As one learns to use persuasion by manipulating the enthymemes, the facts she or he is  arguing can resonate or disturb the listener(s). Also, he notes that there exists certain aspects of persuasion beyond one’s control including “witnesses, evidence given under torture, written contracts and so on”. Although, these elements are out of ones control (including a refreshing dip into the pool when water boarded), however, through tactical choice of words a person can earn the persuasion she or he desires. Aristotle claims that if one is powerful enough in their conviction, emotion, language and connection with the audience, that person can potentially become a ‘warrior’ of rhetoric.

Aristotle Rhetoric Book 3

From Phaedrus This Platonian dialogue between Socrates and Phaedrus discusses a wide range of topics from love, communication, writing and rhetoric. The account commences with Socrates explaining to Phaedrus that discourse is essentially the context of language and vocabulary under the general umbrella of communication. The main concept of wisdom which Plato emphasizes is understanding and knowing the truth. With truth, one can successfully argue her or his thoughts, and build off of these facts with other vocabulary which could invoke emotion in the audience. He also recognizes the existence of liars which also utilize the truth. However, the difference between a liar and a philosopher, is that the liar comprehends how to utilize the truth in mischievous ways in order to take advantage of a situation or people.

In his discussion with Phaedrus, Plato compares discourse to a living organism:

“At any rate, you will allow that every discourse ought to be a living creature, having a body of its own and a head and feet; there should be a middle, beginning, and end, adapted to one another and to the whole?” pg 6. This quote can be compared to A Bloggers Blog where Dana Boyd describes how a blog can become corporeal or one considers a blog as an extension of one’s self. This theme of mental (or physical) extension can be viewed again when Socrates explains the ideological problem with writing:

“And in this instance, you who are the father of letters, from a paternal love of your own children have been led to attribute to them a quality which they cannot have; for this discovery of yours will create forgetfulness in the learners’ souls, because they will not use their memories; they will trust to the external written characters and not remember of themselves. The specific which you have discovered is an aid not to memory, but to reminiscence, and you give your disciples not truth, but only the semblance of truth; they will be hearers of many things and will have learned nothing; they will appear to be omniscient and will generally know nothing; they will be tiresome company,having the show of wisdom without the reality.” pg 14 

Thus, the ‘sin’ which Plato eludes to is, that of a scholar relying on the physical information rather than depending upon his own mind and memory. In today’s society people view technology and mass literacy as a positive achievement. Although, technology has paved the way for mass communication and the creation of new cultures, citizens in this technological age must step back and observe the changes in our social nature which rapid technology is creating. Technology’s Toll
is an article which focuses on such problems, contemporary youth face in this age. Have people’s reliance upon immediate literature and digital files infringed upon our memories and inner wisdom?

A Bloggers Blog by Dana Boyd is an analysis of what a blog is. Although many segments of today’s tech savvy population actively engage in blogging, no clear definition of ‘blog’ exists consistently among internauts. The author compiled her research through observing the behavior of bloggers and actively communicating with bloggers representing the diverse population of ‘bloggers’. When asked to partake in the thesis of A Bloggers Blog, participants used metaphors to define what a blog was. Many of these subjects used keywords such as ‘diary’ and ‘journal’. One issue Boyd discusses is the co-existence between bloggers and journalists in this modern era. Due to the freedom granted to people with internet access, writing and reporting can be done by virtually any one. In 2012 the global community witnessed the uprising of Egyptian citizens based on their interaction with social media. The ‘Egyptian Chronicles‘ is one of many blog sites that have reported on the issues surrounding the ousting of president Hosni Mubarak. This example reflects that numerous bloggers and an online community have the potential to cause political and possible economic changes.“The relationship between bloggers and journalists is complicated. On one hand,journalists feel intimidated by bloggers’ ability to rapidly cover new material; on the other, journalists are dismissive of bloggers’ lack of code with respect to neutrality and checking of sources. While most bloggers do not identify as journalists, some do.Journalist-identified bloggers view their practice as journalism and their blog as their journalist publication. They are actively involved in setting ethical codes and standards,although many do not believe that those set forth by mainstream media organizations are quintessential to the practice. Given their identification and practice, they believe that they should be given journalistic protections under the law. In the case of Apple vs. Does (EFF 2005), bloggers feel as though they should have the journalistic right to protect their sources. At stake in this case is whether bloggers can be journalists as well as whether journalists can blog as their means of production.” pg 8

Dana Boyd