The theme of Burning Man 2009 is evolution; perfect for the present situation we as humans have ourselves in, where progression and drastic change seem to be trends that no aspect of life escapes. Bodies, current issues, money, lifestyle, social interactions, and the definition of life all seem on the cusp of becoming completely reinvented, but what does that mean for us now? At the beginning of my adult life, I'm wondering how I am to predict and prepare for this future that can only be speculated about? This situation has been present throughout time. Everyone says that technology is changing the world, but all that I see people's constant need to be adults, struggle for financial stability, and breed. Like all the other generations, I think that my life will be different. Technology is my safety net to insure my "success" in life. If any mistakes are made, a robot will help me fix it. Medical advances are the most prevalent example of this, fixing me if an arm is broken or liver over stressed. Yet little evidence of this amazing future I expect exist. Robots are not a prevalent part of my life and to expect that they will be is naive. Technology isn't just going to appear, it will grow. From this, I know that I won't be saved by robots, but I feel a certain hope and comfort knowing that technology will and already has made my life easier. I'm just excited to reap more benefits. Which is what's so fascinating about the idea of robots. They give endlessly. All we have to do is make them and we will never stop receiving the benefits that they provide. Which goes against the rules of life that have been learned. That you have to work for what you have and money doesn't grow on trees and there is some form of karma that exists. Our entirely selfish use of something seems to fundamentally weaken morals. I feel like a defining feature of a jerk is someone who gets what they don't deserve and/or doesn't appreciate it. Everyone will possess this trait. I feel it now even with my laptop and min-fridge. This feeling of not deserving the privileges that technology provides. I in no way contributed to the making of these technologies. Perhaps in the future everyone will have jobs producing new robots and electronics and that lurking feeling of undeserving will vanish. But will our ignorance toward whether or not we deserve the help we will receive leak into other aspects of life? Will kindness no longer be necessary? Kindness is a tool to get what we want and what will be the point of social interaction if we have all that we desire? Also, in class we talked about the concept that what information and experience and stimulation is only useful if there is a self to apply it to.  I completely agree with this and believe that it will sculpt what we do with our opportunities to design ourselves in the future. We will want to live someone else’s life, but while maintaining our own perspective.The theme of Burning Man 2009 is evolution; perfect for the present situation we as humans have ourselves in, where progression and drastic change seem to be trends that no aspect of life escapes. Bodies, current issues, money, lifestyle, social interactions, and the definition of life all seem on the cusp of becoming completely reinvented, but what does that mean for us now? At the beginning of my adult life, I'm wondering how I am to predict and prepare for this future that can only be speculated about? This situation has been present throughout time. Everyone says that technology is changing the world, but all that I see people's constant need to be adults, struggle for financial stability, and breed. Like all the other generations, I think that my life will be different. Technology is my safety net to insure my "success" in life. If any mistakes are made, a robot will help me fix it. Medical advances are the most prevalent example of this, fixing me if an arm is broken or liver over stressed. Yet little evidence of this amazing future I expect exist. Robots are not a prevalent part of my life and to expect that they will be is naive. Technology isn't just going to appear, it will grow. From this, I know that I won't be saved by robots, but I feel a certain hope and comfort knowing that technology will and already has made my life easier. I'm just excited to reap more benefits. Which is what's so fascinating about the idea of robots. They give endlessly. All we have to do is make them and we will never stop receiving the benefits that they provide. Which goes against the rules of life that have been learned. That you have to work for what you have and money doesn't grow on trees and there is some form of karma that exists. Our entirely selfish use of something seems to fundamentally weaken morals. I feel like a defining feature of a jerk is someone who gets what they don't deserve and/or doesn't appreciate it. Everyone will possess this trait. I feel it now even with my laptop and min-fridge. This feeling of not deserving the privileges that technology provides. I in no way contributed to the making of these technologies. Perhaps in the future everyone will have jobs producing new robots and electronics and that lurking feeling of undeserving will vanish. But will our ignorance toward whether or not we deserve the help we will receive leak into other aspects of life? Will kindness no longer be necessary? Kindness is a tool to get what we want and what will be the point of social interaction if we have all that we desire? Also, in class we talked about the concept that what information and experience and stimulation is only useful if there is a self to apply it to.  I completely agree with this and believe that it will sculpt what we do with our opportunities to design ourselves in the future. We will want to live someone else’s life, but while maintaining our own perspective. And I won't live to find out if this is possible. 

Evolution has moved beyond humans. Surpassing natural evolution, we are entering a state of evoked evolution where control is in our hands (or whatever we replace them with). I remember the argument surrounding artificial intelligence discussing whether or not the power to control life is divine. I haven't come across this argument in over ten years. I am probably reading the wrong texts but it seems that the world has taken on a "why not?" stance about technology. If things can be made  better, there is no reason beyond a slight tinge of uncertainty in the back of our heads to continue on. But what does this mean for human life? My whole life is floating on extreme privilege. And I know the future. I am going to continue to live in extreme privilege, do some stupid self-exploring/ unnecessarily dramatic personal shit, buy stuff, probably punch a couple kids out, think that I'm happy, and die. If reality is so malleable, why does everyone end up doing this? Is it just a lingering trend? I am noticing that belief and religion are being regarded as irrational. However, my view of the world is so limited. Everyone's is. This is why we are so detached from the moment. Because we cannot know what is going on and in order to avoid facing this truth, we live in the past or in the future. Evolution will not save us from this. We will maintain our illusion of what reality is. Essentially, I don't believe that humans can change or evolve out of ignorance and inability to understand the truth. Perhaps we will create a reality that we finally can understand, but it will be reality that will have to change for  us.