Alone Together - Expect More from Technology and Less from Each Other - Social Robotics - Cultural Anthropology Assignment Help

Cultural Anthropology Assignment Help

1. What is the author’s purpose in writing this book? Why is this knowledge of interest to an anthropologist?
2. How does the author view the function of “social robotics” and online life?

3. What is meant by the concept of “alive enough”? Discuss examples that the author presents to illustrate this idea in the book.

4. In chapter 3, the author discusses several studies she conducted using a wide range of age groups to play with and nurture an “AIBO” for a set period of time. She then questioned the participants about how they came to view their electronic pet. The findings from her studies both with children and adults were a bit disconcerting to her ... what did she learn that she felt concern over? How were children’s reactions different from adults?

5. In chapter 5, the author explores relationships with a variety of robots than look more like humans (Cog, Kismet). Why is the author “alarmed” at the success she has of getting people (especially children) to relate to them and care for them as if they were real? How do these examples tie to her overall thesis of the relationship between “technology” and humans?

6. In chapter 6, “Love’s labor lost”, how does the title come by that name and how does the title relate to the theme of the chapter. What are some of the benefits and deficits to the introducing robots in nursing homes?

7. Chapter 7 opens with a semi-disturbing and uncomfortable scene. Describe it ... and discuss why this situation is both awkward and distressing and what does it suggest about the way “relationships” may be ultimately influenced between two humans.

8. In chapter 8, the text switches from the direction of the author’s research to how technologies are in general changing the way people view and act in relationships. What does the author’s mean about the “new state of the self” and why is she concerned about the prospect of being “always on”?

9. In chapter 9 the author elaborates more fully about the notion of independence and social development and maturity. Is it possible to be always “connected” and still develop a sense of how to cognitively process thoughts and emotions when so little time is focused on self-reflection?
10. In chapter 11 the author presents two case studies – describe the major differences in how Joel and Adam look to technology for a “life.”

11. In chapter 13 the discussion turns to the anxiety of connectivity. Review the backstories for Julia, Hannah, and Brad. What anxieties do they have in common? What are the themes of their individual stories?
12. Given the rise of virtual worlds, the increase in the number of smartphones, and the number of Facebook pages, Twitter accounts, and personal blogs in the US, which world do we actually inhabit? The virtual or the actual? Consider you own experiences and personal habits, and describe how this book has impacted you to consider the way in which you are present in your life.

This Cultural Anthropology Assignment has been solved by our Cultural Anthropology experts at onlineassignmentbank. Our Assignment Writing Experts are efficient to provide a fresh solution to this question. We are serving more than 10000+ Students in Australia, UK & US by helping them to score HD in their academics. Our Experts are well trained to follow all marking rubrics & referencing style.