Bots and Biomes

Natalia Johnson

Mathew Lynch

Rel 161

3 December 2015

The Salon article refers to Algorithmacy as a reference to divination and philosophy that instead of determining the future by classic spiritual-philosophical in a manner that it is done with bots by algorithms. The author discusses how natural and artificial in how we most often think of it in terms of food can be shifted for certain purposes. I think that it is arbitrary to a certain extent but to think of anything as a place without lines and limits is dangerous because firstly it is easy to wander as Hawking has done into unrelated territory and lose focus. Secondly things can be re-purposed in a way that is far removed from its authentic reality. The reality is that some things originate more naturally than others or at least it is perceived to be that way. I think that these terms, natural and artificial can be redefined for better in a number of spheres but it is important that we do it in a manner that is credible. The author employs his agency on these points by tapping into the blurred lines and making the point that artificial intelligence does not fit into this conversation as it is currently defined. In order to understand what our real fears are we must first have a firm grasp on how the object(s) we fear operate and our current social/technological situation.

The microbotome that is mentioned discusses the system of bots that exist online that exist to extract capital but also assist humans in the various quests they carryout online. From online shopping, research our favorite tv shows, and even trying to get help from Bank of America bots exist in those spheres whether their existence is invisible or noticeable to the user. Depending on the user bots may be very invisible which makes the notion of Stephen Hawking alluding to robot takeover even more horrifying because we can’t see them or interact with them on levels we are used to with fellow humans it feels as though something is slipping past us rather than existing for us. This microbotome refers to microbiomes as stated in the article that work in our body to create consciousness as well as dictate how we see the world. Microbotome work by changing how we can use technology and how business, and companies gather data, much like the cells in our bodies. The vast difference is that these bots that exist in life and online are not sovereign. They need humans to operate, maintain and tweek them so that they remain relevant and useful. They don’t yet have the capacity to evolve semi-flawlessly on their own. I see this in my experience on twitter with corporate bots that display things completely irrelevant to me and my interests all the time. For a period of time I will see ads that catch my eye but something drives the algorithm askew and I get an ad for mens shaving creme or new tires. This may be because I tweeted about needing a car or the quality of mens vs womens hygiene products which demonstrates a fundamental lack of understanding regarding some human forms of conversation. The bot isn’t quite able to figure me out as a feminist or a college student but it can pick up that I mentioned shaving creme.