Mechanization is the process in which repetitive tasks that are done by manually are replaced by machinery. An assembly is a great example of a series of tasks in which each task is performed by a group of people. To replace this manual labor with machines would be an easy process and if implemented correctly, machines would be more efficient as they would produce more product with less chance of errors.
Fritos Production Line
From a business standpoint, this is great but for the workers, not so much. The assembly line process goes from many workers to very few specialized personnel to oversee that the machinery works correctly. Overall, I see that mechanization has a negative response from society. As mentioned in lecture, there are many examples of film and other media that depicts the fear and nervousness around the idea of robots becoming a normal part of everyday life. One film that comes to mind for me is the movie, i, Robot, that is about a society that depended heavily on humanoid robots that initiated a hostile takeover. Even so, there are people who are completely enthralled with the idea of robots becoming a normal occurrence in life.
See Robot Dog Run
Some people may be too ecstatic about the subject
There are both positive and negative opinions of mechanization and it is the same for how people feel about mechanization’s impact in art. Walter Benjamin talks about the effect that mechanical production had on art in his article, “The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction.” Benjamin elaborates on the idea that through countless reproductions, that art loses its authenticity and uniqueness. Benjamin also writes the negative effect of film and how it changes the way people consume art. He explains that unlike paintings, films are a collective experience in which people’s responses control and affect the responses of others (“Age of Mechanical Reproduction”). I understand Benjamin’s claims because there are many instances in which there is a mob mentality, but I don’t think that mechanical reproduction is bad for art. Due to mechanization, many forms of art has become easily accessible by many. Even though there are pieces of art like films or video games in which each version a person has would be the same as another, due to the uniqueness of people, how they view or interpret these pieces of art would be unique as well, regardless of either they experienced it separately or together. I feel that the mass production of art does not inhibit but creates more conversation among people due to their unique interpretations.
Citation
i, Robot. Twentieth Century Fox, 2004. Film.
See Robot Dog Run. YouTube. NTDTV / Boston Dynamics, 11 Feb. 2015. Web. 19 Apr. 2015.
Robot Cars Solve Everything - Rooster Teeth Animated Adventures 4K. YouTube. Rooster Teeth, 18 Mar. 2015. Web. 19 Apr. 2015.
Benjamin, Walter. "The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction." (1936) Web. 19 Apr. 2015.
I really loved you blog and enjoyed all the videos. i learnt a lot and i thought what you explained about how mechanization has a negative response from society was really interesting and i totally agree. Great blog and keep up the good work.
ReplyDeleteI really like your use of videos in your blog, I think they support your ideas better and go more in-depth than any photos could. I also like how you created a parallel with the movie iRobot. I also made this connection when I realized the convergence of art and robotics in this film. I think your analysis on both the positive and negative reactions to mechanism are fair, and that your thoughts about uniqueness and differing perspectives are very valid. I liked your post for this week, great work!
ReplyDeleteJack