So this week's class started with a critical analysis of our individual reports. We were pulled back to the reality of writing reports which included tedious tasks of referencing and following guidelines. Prof reminded us about how this isn't an essay and in fact an academic paper.
Next up were the remaining presentations. The first presentation was on Transportation. This group decided to take up examples of several transportation technologies and how they're moving towards development. The video they created was actually commendable and a really good idea. They covered air, land and water transportation technology mainly and what the future holds for the same. An interesting thing about their presentation was the mention of failed experiments in getting to where we are today. The weird thing about transportation technology is that people are always looking to make it faster and faster whilst keeping it fuel efficient as well. It's like we want it all without making any compromises. Typical humans. Although present vehicles are managing to fulfill these requirements to an extent, it's turning out to be more and more expensive. But then again, people are not even willing to pay the higher costs. Rapid transport probably comes closest to fulfilling ALL of these requirements of sustainability, cost and speed. It's not only important to develop new technologies but equally important to improve the existing ones. There should be an equal focus on improvement as it could be less costlier and more efficient in terms of the man power required. Plus, it will also not cause the complete wastage of the existing transportation systems.
The next presentation was on one of Prof's more favorite topics: 3D Printing. They spoke of how printing itself has developed over the years from being engraved to 2D printers that we use today! It was interesting to see the practical applications of 3D printing in our day to day lives and how it can make everything so much simpler. Some of its applications include fields of automobiles, prosthetic, dental etc. An important thing about these technologies is to review their impact. There's no use of a technology which helps today but harms tomorrow. 3D printing on a whole has a relatively positive impact and hence can be adopted for the general good. Something to wonder and think about is that will 3D printing actually do good or bad in the years to come? Well that's for me to wonder and us all to guess.
The other presentation of our class was on SeaSteading. An interesting thing to talk about here would be about how humans are probably running out of land to provide for the growing population and now are beginning to move towards the sea to provide for space! On a side note, I would be more interested in this topic. Maybe we're moving towards a dead end. What happens after all the sea is also used up? It's a scary thought!!!
The final presentation of the class was on Powered Exoskeleton. This system can have several advantages in so many fields especially military. The video showed in class demonstrates that perfectly.
Overall, my rating of the class: 8/10 :)
