Cyperethics Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Cyperethics - Article Example Just as the power of the steam engine was harnessed as a raw resource during the Industrial Revolution, so is the logic of a computer as a raw resource of the Computer Revolution. Since logic applies everywhere, the potential applications of computer technology seem limitless and that’s the main reason computers have caused a revolution. 2. James Moor discusses the following three kinds of invisibility; first and foremost is the invisible abuse which is the intentional use of the invisible operations of a computer to engage in unethical conduct. The best illustration of this is the case of a programmer who after realizing he could steal excess interest from a bank, instructed a computer to deposit the fraction of cents left over after rounding off in his own bank account. The second invisibility factor is the presence of invisible programming values, which basically are values embedded in a computer program. Writing a computer program is like building a house, there is always room for making numerous decisions about matters not specified in order to construct the house no matter how detailed the specifications may be. Similarly in order, to implement a program which satisfies the specifications a programmer makes some value judgments about what is important and what is not. Eventually these values become part of the final product and usually are invisible to someone who runs the program. Sometimes invisible programming values are so invisible that even the programmers are unaware of them. Programs may also have bugs or may be based on implicit assumptions which do not become obvious until there is a crisis. The third invisibility factor which perhaps is the most disturbing is invisible complex calculation. Nowadays computers are capable of enormous calculations which are beyond human comprehension. Even if a program is understood, it does not necessarily follow that the calculations based on that program are understood. Computers

Assess the Changing Politics of Environmentalism in Chinese Civil Essay - 1

Assess the Changing Politics of Environmentalism in Chinese Civil Society - Essay Example Thus, in the hopes of assessing the changing politics of environmentalism in the Chinese civic culture, this essay briefly narrates the history of environmentalism in the country and how it changed overtime. In addition, the essay presents examples of online environmental initiatives, their hard line activities, and the corresponding impact of these internet-facilitated activities on civil society. The Chinese people have once more proven to the world their innovative prowess with the onslaught of online green social movements. Rapid development in technology has assisted the wake of environmentalism among the Chinese. â€Å"Environmental activism in China critically diverges from the popular image of social movements as ‘masses of people taking to the streets and erecting barricades’ (Peter ho and Edmonds 216). The country has wakened up to the alarming needs to protect its environment as a measure to prevent possible calamities and widespread communicable diseases with a view to minimize the operation costs in the administration of the country. In the past, Mao introduced a revolutionary industrialization program in which he insisted falling trees and leveling the surface of the land in order to support the growth of industry in China. The depletion of environmental balance in the country was constituted mainly by Mao’s policies as per the references of many a historian in the world. For instance, the agricultural policies like ‘close plating of seedlings, deep planting, the double- blade plow, peculiar fertilization techniques’ were of negative impacts on the environment (Shapiro 76). In addition, Mao’s political line was rather utopian as he considered nature his most prolific enemy to be conquered. He associated a ‘mass culture’ in China with which he formulated his policies and executed the destruction of forests. It has to be observed that