Evan Zhu Week 8 Blog Discussion 1C

May 27, 2018

After going over this week’s topic, I am even more sure that science plays a huge part in creating new and different forms of art. Nanotechnology is technology that is done at the nano level. For example, there are 25,400,000 nanometers in an inch so you can imagine how small of a scale we are discussing (Nano). Scientists have been advancing nanotechnology and have found that for it to work, it was all about reinventing how science works and it is what has pushed technology over the edge and into the twenty first century (Vesna).

Today, there are many consumer products that incorporates nanotechnology. Items such as socks and a lot of sportswear contain nanoparticles that don’t small and can be used for a long period of time. According to Christian Orfescu, a nanotechnologist and artist, “more than 70% of the people in the U.S. use nanotech products and nobody knows exactly how safe they are” (Feder).

Nanotechnology is also used to improve the quality of life for a human. There are nanomeds such as Abraxan which is an anti-breast cancer medicine. I think they people should be more aware of and open to nanotechnology as it has a lot of benefits and can really make a difference in global health. I think we also need to be careful because new complications come new technologies which can be dangerous if not take care of.

Sources

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Gimzewski, Jim.  Narr. “Nanotech + Art Lectures I – VI.” N.p., web.  May 2012

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Evan Zhu Week 7 Blog Discussion 1C

May 19, 2018

Because I am a student athlete here at UCLA, I follow a pretty demanding schedule with the combination of school and athletics. I am often exhausted at the end of the day which means that I usually don’t have trouble sleeping. I believe that dreaming is not uncommon for me. Yoga and meditation is also part of my daily workout routine. I always wonder about the power of the brain. Mark Wheeler in his article, “How to Build a Bigger Brain” he states that meditation helps you focus better, strengthens the immune system, and creates more control over emotions. Meditation reduces stress levels and strengthens the immune system. I believe that meditation does help me everyday.

Sleeping and dreaming is something that has been studied for a long time. Professor Vesna stated, “people forget 95% of their dreams” (Vesna). Only recently has there been advancements in brain scanning techniques. This means that the lines between neuroscience and art continue blur. I think that this is a create opportunity for scientists and artists alike as the world of dreaming seemingly has no limits.

In Christopher DeCharms’ TED Talk, he describes how new technology will allow us to see how we actually feel. We can look at our brain patterns in real time, and then we can learn how to control it (DeCharms). These advancement would not even be possible if it wasn’t for the combined efforts of scientists and artists. I think that we can do much more if we continue to learn about the brain from both an artistic and scientific standpoints.

Sources

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17 May 2017.

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2008. Web. 17 May 2017.

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2007. Web. 17 May 2017.

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Milligan, Megan. "How Meditation Can Help Relieve Stress." Odyssey. Odyssey, 03 Oct.

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