Technologised bodies

ERIC SUI - TOUCHY

Description:

Basically, Touchy is a camera helmet and it is wear-able. Anyone wear this helmet, the shutter of camera is closed which blocks the sight of person. But, when another touches the person's skin who are wearing it, shutter opens and camera will take pictures automatically until the person's is not being touched. Otherwise, the person is "blind" , cannot see.

The concept of this design is turning human into camera. By giving and receiving, people can see things, it can be applied to camera, Touchy and even real human eyes. The author intends to inspire audience to think about human relationship and create joyful interactions with people.

How does it change or extend abilities of human body?

This Touchy gives a function to human of taking pictures. Originally, people can see things but certainly not taking pictures. But now, skin of human changed to "the button" of camera and eyes of human changed to "lens" of camera. 

Before, any image that captured by human eyes can only be stored as memory in brain. But with this Touchy, images that seen by person can be stored in device directly.

What issues does this work raise about?

In the perspective of human relationship, Touchy can draw the distance between people closer. As people enjoy this machine by touching people. Now, we would like to emphasize the private space of each person, so it is quite embarrassing to touch others especially those you are not familiar. It helps to break the barrier between people and provide interesting interactions.

Another issue is the possibility of having "eye camera". Usually, the camera we use nowadays cannot wholly capture what we saw because the limitations of it. When we take a picture of sunset, it maybe darker or lighter than we really see. Then we have to adjust many things of camera to try to make it more look alike. When technology gets more advanced in future, it is possible we can really have a camera can take picture exactly like what we see.

Video game- Just playing?

Video game attracts many people, and quite a lot of them are addicted! It is doubtless that the magic power of video game possesses. I used to be a huge fan of a video game which is about farming. But then I avoid to get addicted to any video game again because I realize that it will use up my time.

"Computer games are a global phenomenon and a $25 billion dollar a year industry. Over 800 million people worldwide are regular players. " (cited in Gamer Revolution)

1. What are some pros and cons of playing video games for individuals and societies?

Taking a positive perspective for playing video game, it is an education tool. Some games like Wii Sport, people can learn some basic skills of playing certain kind of sport. For some other games, you have to learn how to play group game, so it is like team cooperation skill. And use of tactics, ability of emotional control and some more specific skills related to the game are beneficial to gamers. Video game can be same as the game in reality, there are things to learn.

However, many people blamed about video game is it makes gamers violent. Video game includes first-person shooter game like "Counter Strike". Gamers have to win by shooting people in game. And the scene of game looks real, the blood splashed when the person got hit. Other than violencing mind, it also makes them have strong negative emotions.

In addition, some games can change people's mind towards thing.  There is a game about American army to kill terrorists in Arab. This creates an illusion that Arab area is the origin of terrorist. It may make people hate Arabian more often. In this sense, the setting and context of video game can be brain-washing implicitly.

2. According the film, is there any evidence that digital games can encourage aggressive values and anti-social actions in the real world? Do you agree?

It can reinforce gamers negative emotions while long-time playing violence games. In game, they are encouraged to shoot more people and never be blamed what they did in the game.

Not all gamers must be violent, but some are violent because of the game. We have to admit the negative effect it brought to gamer.

Definitely, what we do in daily lives, it gives feed-backs to us. So playing violence game long-time, and cannot totally detached from it. Gamers becomes violent is unavoidable.

3. Should governments have the right to ban a certain game or place age restrictions on it? Why?

I totally agree to set age restrictions on certain kind of games. Take movie as example, we also agree that some context of movie is not suitable for kids or teens, like if the movie contains erotic or very violent scene. This is same for the video game.

But I don't think banning game is a good method. This may discourage game inventors in producing creative games. Any restriction put on them would possibly limit their imagination. As there are still ways to solve problem, like sending warning letter to the game company and stopping these games do advertising. Even the government ban the game, there are still ways to spread it out just like any other illegal products in world.

Is Video Game art?

(The Witcher 2, downloaded from Goggle pictures)

(Farm Story, downloaded form Goggle pictures)

These two games are popular in recent years. The Witcher 2 this game is written based on a novel, so it has a story background and plots are inserted in, which made the game have a deeper meaning. Moreover, the technology that used in manipulating pictures it shown is advanced and stunning, it gave gamer an enjoyment when watching the scenes.  With literature and visual effects, does it make this video game ART?

Nowadays, video games become more advanced and different from the past. Other than fun elements, story and beautiful pictures are in. Literature and painting are definitely in the category of art. But can we say the story and pictures in game is art? Or game as a whole is art?

Before we drill into the question, lets look at some definitions of art!

• Art carries messages.
• Art has an Aesthetic.
• Art makes you feel things.
• Art has skills.

In some sense, video games can fulfill the above criteria. "video games may be the most immersive medium of all, in Melissinos’ estimation. “In books, everything is laid before you,” he says. “There is nothing left for you to discover. Video games are the only forms of artistic expression that allow the authoritative voice of the author to remain true while allowing the observer to explore and experiment.” " Melissinos is the guest curator of “The Art of Video Games”

In past, video games mainly focus on providing fun to players, but now we see the game inventors are putting more thoughts into the game. It is an improvement. Maybe some games can be said as art work. However, it is rare. Most games are still focusing on fun and excitement. It is also something the players mainly concern about. Considering the attitude of game inventors and players, most of them do not have an intention to create art or appreciate which made video game cannot be art. 

Here is the thought of our group :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZZ-49k1N5U&list=UUqejpVIM1_pg0Ebeh_70bnw&index=1

References:

1. Will computer games ever be a legitimate art form? (Ernest W. Adams)

2. The art of video games (Abigail Tucker)