Blog 2

I really liked Jimmy Wales' talk about the creation of Wikipedia. He spoke about how is goal of the website was to put an encyclopedia in the hands of everyone in the world. It is run on donations, and they have over 2 million articles in several languages. It is a truly massive example of crowd-sourcing in the realm of knowledge. 

The website is on 90 servers that are monitored and run by a stand-by crew of volunteers, and the the total monthly cost to run it is only $5,000!!!!

To me this is the most successful example of crowd-sourcing, that I have seen. Most of the other examples in the class were creative. Life in a Day, Star Wars Uncut, ect are all crowd-sourcing projects with the purpose of entertainment, as opposed to education. Though the in-class goal is for entertainment, I think that looking at a project as large and as successful as Wikipedia, can give the class some perspective on how the acquisition of material for the project can be structured.

I also think that the Johnny Cash project can lend some important methods for our project. Johnny Cash is a well-known muscian, and people are, and can be passionate about not only his work, but the work that they can include to that project. I feel that getting our 'crowd' enthused is important, because bringing together passionate artists can make room for more creativity.

Finally, the Forbes article, "The Myth of Crowdsourcing" presented a valid arguement. If there is too much individuality, then the entire 'crowd' is eliminated from the project. However, I feel (and made in my point in the Johnny Cash Project section) that its not about the AMOUNT of work that an individual does on a crowdsourcing project, but the quality. I think that it is better to ask one person to do ONE aspect of the film VERY well, then have them do multiple things half-heartedly.

Constructing the Universe response

I found the readings on "Constructing the Universe" to be interesting. I like how in the chapter three excerpt, the writer discussed the number 'three' as a natural ending. That without realizing it, we divide a great deal of things into three, a beginning, a middle and an end. And that there is a past, present and future; the point that we can assign meanings to numbers, means that we have reached a new "level of consciousness." Three does in many ways signify a wholeness, and of structure. I think that is why we have attached so many meanings of things into three, whether it is the three musketeers, the three wise men or anything. The number three is an important link in the evolution of human consciousness.

"Three points define a flat surface, but a fourth is needed to define depth." The number four creates volume. The structure of the Tetrad is found to be the organization of the smallest substances we have; atoms, molecules, crystals ect. It is interesting to think that such small particles in the universe adhere to a recognizable form and design. With out the ability of humanity to recognize the significance of the number four, we would not have as good of an understanding about the world around us. I also liked how the reading pointed out that we interact with the form of the Tetrad without even realizing it, and that the organization of most city streets directly matches the structure.

Chapter Five discusses the structure of the Pentad (called so by Greek philosophers), and the title is ‘Regeneration.’

As I read this chapter, I began to see the significance of that number, just like the others. However, the number five, or the Pentad, as the reading referred to it, is symbolic of all other things to create one entity. The reading referred to it as the Quintessence, ‘encompassing and infusing, the four elements’ to create life itself. It was a difficult theory to wrap my head around. The argument in the reading showing the Pentad in the form of stars was slightly more convincing. The symbol of the star is found in so many  flags, and artwork, that its importance cannot be downplayed.

All of the chapters also point out the significance of these several numbers in religions, and not just one. Examples of use of these significant numbers are found in Buddhism, Christianity, Taoism and more!

Crowdsourcing Project Skeleton

FST 493 – FALL 2013
Crowdsourcing Project Skeleton
This project will essentially compare 2 questions, one that could theoretically have been
posed billions of years ago and one that could only be posed now.
1. Will matter ever become self-aware?
2. Will the internet ever become self-aware?