scholarly journals Flock of Rogue Drones

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 462-465
Author(s):  
Hille Koskela ◽  
Liisa Mäkinen ◽  
Thomas Behrndt

This story of Natalija is inspired by Evgeny Zubkov’s artwork titled Russia 2046. The piece depicts an old woman feeding breadcrumbs to drones. We imagine that where the drones are now, there once were birds. What are the relations of these various actors and how can we understand this change? For us, the image of Natalija encapsulates the relationships we as humans can form with non-living creatures, the spaces we share and the practices we engage in. Furthermore, it brings into question the separation lines of post-human and non-human life in an age of learning machines. This story as a whole depicts a future where technologies, in this case self-adapting drones, are introduced into an environment but, as time passes, are left to a state of neglect. In the story, the devices learn to interact with their surroundings, leading to contact and interaction between drones and human. While the story is imaginative, there are several reference points to surveillance research, particularly to questions relating to space/place (how is space under surveillance being produced?), agency (what kind of agency surveillance enables or supports; how is surveillance perceived by the user/target?), and technology (what are the varying contextual roles surveillance techniques are able to take?).

Author(s):  
José A. V. Florêncio ◽  
Madson L. D. Dias ◽  
Ajalmar R. da Rocha Neto ◽  
Amauri H. de Souza Júnior

2010 ◽  
Vol 59 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Palma Sgreccia

La dicotomia bioetica cattolica/bioetica laica pone a questione il dibattito tra universi di senso molto articolati da cui si trae l’invito teoretico ad affrontare le questioni ultime. L’Autrice sostiene che la bioetica, in quanto razionale, sia una disciplina essenzialmente laica i cui dilemmi non sarebbero argomentabili senza coinvolgere, oltre alla morale, altre discipline filosofiche come l’antropologia e l’ontologia. La bioetica è una, ma ci sono più paradigmi che si basano su visioni della realtà diverse che implicano altrettante posizioni ontologiche, anche se non esplicitate. È possibile trovare la sintonia pur collocandosi in orizzonti di senso diversi, ma per favorire il dialogo profondo occorre mettere in luce le articolazioni dei paradigmi, rimandare alle questioni ultime, ai riferimenti ontologico- metafisici. Sottolineare la distinzione dei paradigmi della bioetica significa far appello alla dimensione filosofica di questa, non poter prescindere dalla questione generale di senso, cioè dalla metafisica. Il riferimento metafisico permette di cogliere come la normatività della natura umana, che comprende anche la dimensione biologica, non sia arbitraria o riduttiva. In questa prospettiva, il dover essere indica la via per realizzare il fine specifico dell’uomo, la sua affermazione. Questa posizione tomista è quella privilegiata dal Magistero cattolico i cui pronunciamenti sulle questioni bioetiche sono il riferimento ufficiale e sono motivo di dibattito. Il Magistero contiene un patrimonio dottrinale che costituisce il punto di vista ufficiale della Chiesa sulle questioni bioetiche. I fedeli cattolici lo sentono come proprio, come dottrina bioetica cattolica, a meno che non pensino che l’esperienza religiosa possa fare a meno delle implicazioni dottrinali e che i pronunciamenti del Magistero sulle questioni etiche siano pronunciamenti pastorali, educativi, esortazioni alla salvezza, perché l’autorità del Magistero si eserciterebbe solo nella trasmissione del dato rivelato. L’Autrice invita all’esperienza metafisica critica e non ingenua, che si spinge oltre ogni positività data, s’interroga anche sui limiti della ragione e diventa un pensare oltre se stesso. Il paradigma cattolico non è un paradigma dogmatico, metafisico intransigente, ma un paradigma ontologico in base al quale la vita umana è insieme auto-relazione ed etero-relazione perché è strutturalmente relazione con Dio e, in questo senso, è sacra. La bioetica non è una scienza esatta per la quale può essere indifferente l’orizzonte di senso di chi la coltiva. ---------- The Catholic/secular bioethics dichotomy questions the debate between two very articulate worlds of meaning from which a theoretical invitation to confront the ultimate questions of life is drawn. The Author maintains that bioethics, in so far as it is rational, is essentially a secular discipline, and problems cannot be discussed without involving not only moral philosophy, but other philosophical disciplines, as well as anthropology and ontology. Bioethics is one of many paradigms that are based on visions of different realities which have implications for other ontological positions, even if not explicit. It is possible to find harmony in different meanings they are looked at on the level, but for in-depth dialogue more light needs to thrown on the articulations of the paradigms, referring them again to the final questions, both ontological and metaphysical. To underline the distinction between bioethical paradigms means to call upon the philosophical dimension of bioethics, the general question of meaning, that is the metaphysical, must be taken into consideration. The metaphysical consideration allows us to take human nature, which also includes a biological dimension, as a normative, and not arbitrary or reductive. From this point of view, to have being indicates the way to the realisation of man’s specific end, his affirmation. This Thomist position is the one used in the Catholic Magisterium, whose pronouncements on bioethical questions are the official reference points and the subject of much debate. The Magisterium contains a doctrinal heritage that constitutes the official point of view of the Church on bioethical questions. Catholics can take it as Catholic bioethical doctrine unless their religious experience leads them to think doctrinal implications are lessened, and so long as pronouncements of the Magisterium on ethical matters are pastoral and educational exhortations to salvation because the authority of the Magisterium can be exercised solely through the transmission of what has been revealed. The Author invites us to critical and not ingenuous metaphysical experience, which is pushed beyond every given positive, which takes into consideration its own limits of reason, and which becomes a way of thinking beyond oneself. The Catholic paradigm is not a dogmatic paradigm, intransigently metaphysical, but an ontological paradigm on the basis of which human life is at one and the same time self-related and heaven-related because it is structured on relation to God and is, in this sense, sacred. Bioethics is not an exact science in which one can be indifferent the level of meaning of the one who is developing it.


2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 238-243
Author(s):  
Alexandr Yakovlevich Borisov

The paper considers the urgency of solving the problem connected with the development of prospective teachers readiness to introduce schoolchildren to the values of physical culture in the context of preserving man as a social being and as a biological species. The values of physical culture are considered as a prerequisite for achieving a harmonious combination of bodily and spiritual principles in a person, as a condition for the full-fledged existence of a schoolboy, a student. Specific values of physical culture are singled out: human motor activity, human life, health, healthy lifestyle, culture, perseverance in achieving the goal, moral perfection, self-realization, etc. The author presents a structure of prospective teachers readiness to familiarize schoolchildren with the values of physical culture, including cognitive motivational-value and activity components. Opportunities of Pedagogy for the development of prospective teachers readiness to introduce students to the values of physical culture in theoretical and practical aspects are revealed. The theoretical aspect is the allocation of physical culture values at the scientific material level of Pedagogy sections (section Introduction to pedagogical activity - the values human life, culture, persistence in achieving the goal, self-determination, self-organization and others, section Solving professional problems - the values of health, healthy lifestyle, perseverance in achieving the goal, prestige of physical culture and sports, freedom, justice, etc.). The practical aspect is examples of development of prospective teachers readiness to introduce schoolchildren to the values of physical culture during lecture and seminar classes in the sections Solving professional problems and History of pedagogical thought in Russia and abroad. The conclusion is that the values mastered by the students will become the reference points for the education of the schoolchild who responsibly relate to their own health and the health of the surrounding people.


1975 ◽  
Vol 26 ◽  
pp. 87-92
Author(s):  
P. L. Bender

AbstractFive important geodynamical quantities which are closely linked are: 1) motions of points on the Earth’s surface; 2)polar motion; 3) changes in UT1-UTC; 4) nutation; and 5) motion of the geocenter. For each of these we expect to achieve measurements in the near future which have an accuracy of 1 to 3 cm or 0.3 to 1 milliarcsec.From a metrological point of view, one can say simply: “Measure each quantity against whichever coordinate system you can make the most accurate measurements with respect to”. I believe that this statement should serve as a guiding principle for the recommendations of the colloquium. However, it also is important that the coordinate systems help to provide a clear separation between the different phenomena of interest, and correspond closely to the conceptual definitions in terms of which geophysicists think about the phenomena.In any discussion of angular motion in space, both a “body-fixed” system and a “space-fixed” system are used. Some relevant types of coordinate systems, reference directions, or reference points which have been considered are: 1) celestial systems based on optical star catalogs, distant galaxies, radio source catalogs, or the Moon and inner planets; 2) the Earth’s axis of rotation, which defines a line through the Earth as well as a celestial reference direction; 3) the geocenter; and 4) “quasi-Earth-fixed” coordinate systems.When a geophysicists discusses UT1 and polar motion, he usually is thinking of the angular motion of the main part of the mantle with respect to an inertial frame and to the direction of the spin axis. Since the velocities of relative motion in most of the mantle are expectd to be extremely small, even if “substantial” deep convection is occurring, the conceptual “quasi-Earth-fixed” reference frame seems well defined. Methods for realizing a close approximation to this frame fortunately exist. Hopefully, this colloquium will recommend procedures for establishing and maintaining such a system for use in geodynamics. Motion of points on the Earth’s surface and of the geocenter can be measured against such a system with the full accuracy of the new techniques.The situation with respect to celestial reference frames is different. The various measurement techniques give changes in the orientation of the Earth, relative to different systems, so that we would like to know the relative motions of the systems in order to compare the results. However, there does not appear to be a need for defining any new system. Subjective figures of merit for the various system dependon both the accuracy with which measurements can be made against them and the degree to which they can be related to inertial systems.The main coordinate system requirement related to the 5 geodynamic quantities discussed in this talk is thus for the establishment and maintenance of a “quasi-Earth-fixed” coordinate system which closely approximates the motion of the main part of the mantle. Changes in the orientation of this system with respect to the various celestial systems can be determined by both the new and the conventional techniques, provided that some knowledge of changes in the local vertical is available. Changes in the axis of rotation and in the geocenter with respect to this system also can be obtained, as well as measurements of nutation.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (5) ◽  
pp. 449-452
Author(s):  
Alan MacLeod ◽  
Nicola Spence

COVID 19 has raised the profile of biosecurity. However, biosecurity is not only about protecting human life. This issue brings together mini-reviews examining recent developments and thinking around some of the tools, behaviours and concepts around biosecurity. They illustrate the multi-disciplinary nature of the subject, demonstrating the interface between research and policy. Biosecurity practices aim to prevent the spread of harmful organisms; recognising that 2020 is the International Year of Plant Health, several focus on plant biosecurity although invasive species and animal health concerns are also captured. The reviews show progress in developing early warning systems and that plant protection organisations are increasingly using tools that compare multiple pest threats to prioritise responses. The bespoke modelling of threats can inform risk management responses and synergies between meteorology and biosecurity provide opportunities for increased collaboration. There is scope to develop more generic models, increasing their accessibility to policy makers. Recent research can improve pest surveillance programs accounting for real-world constraints. Social science examining individual farmer behaviours has informed biosecurity policy; taking a broader socio-cultural approach to better understand farming networks has the potential to change behaviours in a new way. When encouraging public recreationists to adopt positive biosecurity behaviours communications must align with their values. Bringing together the human, animal, plant and environmental health sectors to address biosecurity risks in a common and systematic manner within the One Biosecurity concept can be achieved through multi-disciplinary working involving the life, physical and social sciences with the support of legislative bodies and the public.


2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 99-106 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michał Białek ◽  
Przemysław Sawicki

Abstract. In this work, we investigated individual differences in cognitive reflection effects on delay discounting – a preference for smaller sooner over larger later payoff. People are claimed to prefer more these alternatives they considered first – so-called reference point – over the alternatives they considered later. Cognitive reflection affects the way individuals process information, with less reflective individuals relying predominantly on the first information they consider, thus, being more susceptible to reference points as compared to more reflective individuals. In Experiment 1, we confirmed that individuals who scored high on the Cognitive Reflection Test discount less strongly than less reflective individuals, but we also show that such individuals are less susceptible to imposed reference points. Experiment 2 replicated these findings additionally providing evidence that cognitive reflection predicts discounting strength and (in)dependency to reference points over and above individual difference in numeracy.


1980 ◽  
Vol 25 (5) ◽  
pp. 416-417
Author(s):  
HOWARD B. ROBACK
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