scholarly journals From collections of independent, mindless robots to flexible, mobile, and directional superstructures

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (56) ◽  
pp. eabd0272
Author(s):  
J. F. Boudet ◽  
J. Lintuvuori ◽  
C. Lacouture ◽  
T. Barois ◽  
A. Deblais ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Space Exploration ◽  
External Environment ◽  
The Self ◽  
Simple Function ◽  
Self Organization ◽  
Simple Strategy ◽  
Active Particles ◽  
Directional Motion ◽  
The Individual

A swarm of simple active particles confined in a flexible scaffold is a promising system to make mobile and deformable superstructures. These soft structures can perform tasks that are difficult to carry out for monolithic robots because they can infiltrate narrow spaces, smaller than their size, and move around obstacles. To achieve such tasks, the origin of the forces the superstructures develop, how they can be guided, and the effects of external environment, especially geometry and the presence of obstacles, need to be understood. Here, we report measurements of the forces developed by such superstructures, enclosing a number of mindless active rod-like robots, as well as the forces exerted by these structures to achieve a simple function, crossing a constriction. We relate these forces to the self-organization of the individual entities. Furthermore, and based on a physical understanding of what controls the mobility of these superstructures and the role of geometry in such a process, we devise a simple strategy where the environment can be designed to bias the mobility of the superstructure, giving rise to directional motion. Simple tasks—such as pulling a load, moving through an obstacle course, or cleaning up an arena—are demonstrated. Rudimentary control of the superstructures using light is also proposed. The results are of relevance to the making of robust flexible superstructures with nontrivial space exploration properties out of a swarm of simpler and cheaper robots.

scholarly journals Technological Determinism Goes Aloft: Notes on the Human – Machine Issue in Outer Space Exploration

2020 ◽  
pp. 16-25
Author(s):  
Lika Rodin
Keyword(s):  
Space Exploration ◽  
Outer Space ◽  
The Self ◽  
Technological Determinism ◽  
Self And Other ◽  
National Space ◽  
History Of ◽  
Manned Space ◽  
The Individual

The future of space exploration is unimaginable without broadening the role of technology. Already, the necessity of manned space expeditions is becoming increasingly problematized. This study looks at the role of technology and human – machine relationships unfolding within national space programs through the lens of the 'soft' version of technological determinism suggested by Albert Borgmann. This theoretical tradition recognizes, without neglecting human agency, the shaping effect of technology on human organization, prosperity and actions as well as on individuals' relationships with the self and other. The commodification of technology – economic and ethical – is viewed to be the effects of technological expansion. Ethical commodification is characterized by disattachment of the individual from the natural surrounding and from the self. In the field of space exploration, ethical commodification is associated with the process of automation that developed differently in distinctive national contexts. Thus, if the history of American spaceflight is characterized by the initial struggle against automation, seen to be a means of disempowering astronauts as a professional group, the Russian space program favoured automation from the very beginning. In both contexts, however, automation eventually established itself and continues to shape contemporary perceptions on spaceflight. The accumulated experiences of man-machine interactions are useful for understanding ethical commodification as a social phenomenon. Drawing on the autobiographical narratives of Soviet / Russian cosmonauts, I specify the ways in which ethical commodification of hardware and software manifested itself in spaceflight and how it could be diverted. In conclusion, a perspective that resists alienation is suggested for the enterprise of space exploration at large.

scholarly journals SUPPORT OF SELF-EDUCATION IN A DISTANCE RETRAINING PROGRAM OF TUTORS

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 719-728
Author(s):  
T. A. Klimova ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Educational Environment ◽  
Educational Process ◽  
The Self ◽  
Self Determination ◽  
Educational Activity ◽  
Self Organization ◽  
Digital Environment ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Restrictive Measures

Introduction. The paper addresses the issue of support of the students involved in a fully online retraining program, which imposes special requirements on the development of the self-education ability. The study aims to establish the conditions for organizing the support of self-education in a digital educational environment. Materials and methods. The study relies on the methodology proposed by G.N. Prozumentova for reconstructing the innovative experience to analyze the reflexive text materials of the Logbook of students of the retraining program; to identify the points of stress, misunderstanding, breaks, and transitions during training; and make an analytical generalization. Results of the study. Categories of difficulties encountered by students of the program in their self-educational activity were identified, and the conditions necessary to support self-education were established. These are points of self-determination, professional trials, points of reflection, and individual educational route. Conclusion. In the context of restrictive measures during the pandemic and the transition to the online educational process, self-skills related to self-education, i.e., self-organization, independence, and self-determination, become essential. These competences are an indispensable part of the work of a tutor. However, before the tutor can support someone, they need to build these self skills themselves. The established conditions in the retraining programs will facilitate this process. At the same time, additional studies are required to reveal in more detail the individual progress of a person under these conditions for building a model for supporting the development of self-education ability, and to determine the methods for tutors to provide the support of this progress. Keywords. Self-education, self-determination, individual educational route, professional retraining, tutor, digital environment, self skills.

scholarly journals CORRELATION BETWEEN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS’ SELF-EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITY AND THE TIME PERSPECTIVE OF THE INDIVIDUAL

2016 ◽  
pp. 151-155
Author(s):  
S. A. Yudin
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
University Students ◽  
Time Perspective ◽  
Basic Research ◽  
Educational Process ◽  
The Self ◽  
Educational Activity ◽  
Self Organization ◽  
Modern Education ◽  
The Individual

The paper considers various approaches to studying the self-organization of students’ educational activity, the assumption about the interrelation of self-organization of educational activity and time perspective of the individual is made. The importance of self-organization of educational activity in the modern education system of higher education institutions comes to light. Stages of formation of self-organization and possible difficulties which a person can face are sorted out. Results of basic research of the time perspective and self-organization of university students are stated. The interrelation between commitment and alloted time is defined, as well as regularity, emotional coloring of time, structure of time and feeling of time. The received results specify the possible directions of the organization of forms of psychological support of university students having problems with self-organization of time in the educational process.

Confession, conscience, and selfhood on trial

2018 ◽  
pp. 124-177
Author(s):  
Laura Kounine
Keyword(s):  
Case Studies ◽  
The Self ◽  
Change Over Time ◽  
Linear Pattern ◽  
Moral Question ◽  
Modern Self ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Individual Self ◽  
Over Time

This chapter deals with the role of the self and conscience in defending oneself against the charge of witchcraft. To add depth to intellectual concepts—and teleologies—of the self, we must understand how the individual self was understood, felt, and experienced. Particularly for the crime of witchcraft, the crux of the trial was premised on the moral question of what kind of person would commit such a crime. Those on trial for witchcraft in the Lutheran duchy of Württemberg invoked the idioms of ‘mind’, ‘conscience’, ‘heart’, or ‘self’ in constructing their defence. Through four case studies, ranging from 1565 to 1678, this chapter examines the different ways in which people could conceptualize their person, and shows that change over time in the ‘development’ of the modern self was not a uniform or directly linear pattern.

Promoting exchange between East and West management cultures: The role of dialogue

2009 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 514-525 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muayyad Jabri
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Studies ◽  
Narrative Identity ◽  
Instrumental Rationality ◽  
The Self ◽  
Mistaken Assumption ◽  
East And West ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Cross National

AbstractThis paper calls on cultural studies as a resource for rethinking East and West management cultures. An analysis of East and West management cultures reveals that much of our prevailing knowledge of East and West management cultures is derived from cross-national comparisons of culture. These comparisons are predicated on assumptions of instrumental rationality and the cultural homogeneity of the self with social others, which effectively presume an ontology of the self as stable, enduring, and the same as social others. For promoting exchange between East and West management cultures, there is a need to move beyond this mistaken assumption of ontological ‘sameness’. To achieve this, the paper argues that at least two changes are required: (i) reversing the tendency to treat culture as an entity that is separate from the individual; and (ii) reversing the tendency to treat the narrative identity of the individual as stable and enduring. With a view to realising these changes, the paper proposes the notion of ‘dialogical encounter’ as a means of enabling individuals to be given a role in determining how their culture is ‘made known’ to others.

An Approach to Chaos and Self-Organizing Behaviors in Symbiotic Relationships between Human and Robots

1996 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 318-322 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mitsuo Wada ◽  
◽  
Sadayoshi Mikami
Keyword(s):  
The Self ◽  
Self Organization ◽  
Great Pleasure ◽  
Symbiotic Relationships ◽  
Self Organizing

This paper describes the role of chaos and the self-organization for achieving a symbiosis between the human and robots through an evolution of the robots and an adaptability of the robots to a complexity. It will be our great pleasure if this paper is helpful for promoting discussions among the readers.

scholarly journals MIKHAIL VRUBEL IN SEARCH OF THE “STYLISHLY BEAUTIFUL”. THE BIOGRAPHICAL ASPECT

Articult ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 56-67
Author(s):  
Olga S. Davydova ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Art History ◽  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
The Self ◽  
Present Stage ◽  
Leading Role ◽  
Stage Of Development ◽  
Russian Symbolism ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Independent Existence

The article is a conceptual exploration of the life and creative path of Mikhail Aleksandrovich Vrubel (1856-1910) in the context of the individual characteristics of his personality. The relevance of this study is determined by the need to find new conceptual angles in the field of understanding the idealistic component of M.A. Vrubel's work, i.e. in the field of his iconographic poetics. The visual myth-making of the artist, who drew on authentic spiritual prototypes, defined the leading role of Vrubel not only in Russian Symbolism and Modernism, but also in Modernism as a whole. The linking of the biographical aspect with M.A. Vrubel's poetic thinking, examined through the prism of “pure art”, i.e. in the context of the idea of the legitimacy of the independent existence of the self-contained reality of the work, can give entirely new accents of understanding the deep origins and potential meanings of the artist's work at the present stage of development of art history.

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