Viruele Kultuur: Blog 2

Divan Greyvenstein
25329571
Blog Activity 2

South Africa is one of the countries with the highest HIV infection numbers in the world. Apart from that we have a government that is constantly in flux with it`s people because they just wont give infected peoples the health care they need with the help of anti – retro viral medicine. Apart from the HIV and AIDS issue thousands of people die each year in informal settlements of easily curable diseases like Malaria or even “TB” because they just don't have the means or the money to seek proper health care. Some theorists even speculate that the AIDS epidemic has also had a substantial impact on the country’s overall social and economic progress. An estimated 70% of money spent on medical treatments is for AIDS patients and the workforce`s lifespan is shortened by ten years from 65 to 55 if infected with AIDS.
South Africa is neither a first nor a third - world country we are stuck in a grey area between developed and still developing. Because of this struggle I am not quite sure where to place South Africa in terms of being Post – human. South – Africans are struggling as it is to survive in a human world where diseases are claiming hundreds of thousands of lives every year. The UN estimated that over 5.3million people in South Africa has been infected with HIV by the year 2003 and this number increases every year by a staggering 200 000. Before we can even start to think about issues like immortality we still have to face and solve the problems that are claiming our country – men and women`s lives. The whole concept of being post human and basically immortal is to me more like a dream that will only be accessible for the super – rich if it ever becomes available to us. A very exclusive and most probably a very expensive luxury.
If this technology that people are starting to speculate about is freely available the government should start implementing some or other scheme so that all South – Africans can benefit from this. Because with things going like they are at the very moment and people losing their battles with diseases like AIDS everyday I really don`t think South - Africa can`t afford not to use the technology that can enable post human (if it is accessible and affordable enough) world where immortality is a possibility.
Sources:
Naledi.org.za
Avert.org/aidssouthafrica.htm

Divan Greyvenstein - Virtual Culture

Blog Activity 1
Divan Greyvenstein
25329571
VKK 320

Virtual Reality has one main characteristic that distinguishes it from any and all older or other technologies. The one thing that’s truly revolutionary is that virtual reality is an interactive concept.
In a broader respect older technologies like movie – theatres and television sitcoms also relate to the viewer / user and in a sense connects with them (for instance the recorded laughter in a sitcom connects with viewers on a personal level). But virtual reality goes one step further, owning up to it’s sense of reality.
Virtual Reality isn’t trying to recreate the everyday life we see in things like movies or sitcoms. Virtual reality is trying to create a new reality a simulated experience that is simulated so well it creates a new type of reality. To do this successfully Virtual reality incorporates different mediums like the data – glove so that the viewer turns into a participant. You become part of a simulated “virtual” world and this is the one characteristic that no other type of technology has. In lamest terms you do not watch virtual reality but rather experience it, because you participate in it on a personal level.Virtual reality creates a new world and turns participants into the inhabitants of this virtual world, in a sense turning a dream world into a real simulation.
When compared to older technologies like film, TV, telephones or even letter – writing it is then evident, that virtual reality is in a league of it’s own. All of these older, other technologies work within the everyday ordinary reality of real life. Incorporating technologies like cameras, phone – lines or even pencils (in the case of letters) to communicate in real – life (reality). Virtual reality on the other hand is using technology in reality (real – life) to create a reality outside the real world. To create a virtual world where the technology is only useful in this newly created world. Virtual Reality deals with a reality constructed within another and this makes it so revolutionary.