I’m working on a computer science discussion question and need an explanation and answer to help me learn.

What is your experience with computers? When did you start using them? What do you do with computers now?

Under what conditions do you find your interactions with computers satisfactory? When are they unsatisfactory?

Alan Turing thought that a truly intelligent computer (at least one that could pass the Turing Test) would be available by 2000. When do you think we will see such a machine?

1. Is the Turing Te`st valid for judging the “intelligence” of a machine? Why or why not?
2. Do you agree that computers are “communication engines”? Why or why not?
3. Do you have a “favourite” example in the Interface Hall of Shame at http://homepage.mac.com/bradster/iarchitect/shame.htm? What do you find especially annoying about the example?
4. Unit 2
5. Developments in AI have followed developments in computing technology. What advances in technology do you think will continue to contribute to change in technology?
6. WebLab is attempting to test a “reverse Turing test,” which they call the “blurring test” (see http://www.weblab.org/blurring/intro.html). The title of the test site reads “Convince your computer you are human. At this site you are presumed silicon unless proven otherwise.” If you do take the test, how far do you get? Is the test fair?

Unit 3

What types of VR systems have you had experience with? Which were your favourites, and why?

1. Apply the criteria for evaluating VR systems to your experiences with such systems. In your opinion, are these criteria important?

Discuss the characteristics of robotics in terms of the robots you have come into contact with.

1. Unit 4

Which search engines do you use most often? Why? Do you think different engines work better for different kinds of information?

Discuss any experiences of disinhibition you have had online, from falling in love to flaming someone in an email or discussion post.

1. Have you ever pretended you were someone else or in some way changed your real characteristics while online? Or do you know someone who has done that? Discuss this experience.

Have you ever been a telecommuter? What are the advantages and disadvantages of that form of work?

1. Did you ever meet someone face to face after meeting them online? What was that like? Did they fit your mental image of them? Why or why not?

Have you ever taken a personality test online or seek health information? Talk about that experience.

1. Distinguish between being online a lot because it is enjoyable, versus being online a lot because it is an addiction.

Unit 5

Discuss the differences between the ways that children use cell phones and the ways that teenagers use cell phones.

1. For all ages, what are the primary uses of cell phones today?
2. What ethnic, gender, and economic similarities and differences have been identified in cell phone use?
3. Explain how cell phone use increases and/or decreases sociability.
4. How does cell phone use signify status?
5. Unit 6
6. Discuss your experiences with, or opinions on, downloading music or other content using peer-to-peer networks.
7. Talk about any experiences with augmented reality you have had. Compare and contrast them to your experiences in virtual reality.

Highlight and explain experiences you have had with wearable or portable computing.

Will wearability and portability redefine social networks, as suggested by Rheingold? Elaborate.

1. What are the implications of nanotechnology for the future of computers and indeed life?
2. Unit 7
3. What makes a video game enjoyable?
4. Does video game play replace TV watching? Why or why not?
5. Are video games addictive? Explain your answer.

What are the cognitive benefits of playing video games?

Research shows that video game play is related to subsequent aggression. Do you agree? Why or why not?

1. Do middle-aged and older adults understand the lure of video game play? Why or why not?
2. What are the effects on children of playing video games?
3. Unit 8
4. Discuss implications of the varying quality of health care information sites on the Internet and how consumers can gauge the quality of such sites.
5. Discuss how the computer has made changes in health care delivery and patient—provider relationships.

Identify potential health risks of heavy computer use, and discuss how to deal with them.

How have online technologies affected the social relations of persons with disabilities? What are the implications of those changes?

1. Discuss the range of changes to the physical, intellectual, and social lives of the disabled brought about by recent developments in computers.
2. Highlight the use of virtual reality in various types of rehabilitation.

Discuss the design principles that are paramount in using computers for the disabled.

1. Discuss the cell phone needs of the disabled.