The internal human body and medical advances
Here are some buzz words to stimulate thinking and debate around the research strands. This is a brainstorming area to contribute to your own thoughts.
Keywords
internal / enhanced life / genetic engineering / gene therapy / the human genome / dna cloning / stem cell research / viral processes / sense enhancement / bio - cybernetics / molecular biology / inserts & implants / transgenic / biological imaging / biomechanics / biometrics / biosensors / brainwave/ body monitoring / consciousness / artifical intelligence
Comparisons between the 'internal' workings of the body and the 'external' world around us are often used today - glimpses of the complexity and wonder of nature - can the mind, the body, nature and technology really meet and integrate?
Is the British government right to restrict the use of Stem Cell research for cell replacement use only and not for use for full reproductive cloning?
Emergent technologies producing equipment and clothing we can attach / wear on our bodies, giving us the potential to carry out digital interactions with the world around us
Here are some buzz words to stimulate thinking and debate around the research strands. This is a brainstorming area to contribute to your own thoughts.
external / body in control / wearable computers / mobile computing / human computer interfaces / mouse & keyboard replacements / gestural interfaces / robotics / cyborg attachments / interactive clothing / smart textiles / intelligent clothing / conductive materials / micro sensing circuitry / input devices / actuators / pressure sensors / photovoltaic cell / e - broidery / 'ready - to - wear' technology / bio - mimetics / alive fabrics / shape memory fibres / wireless connectivity / miniaturisation / portability / enhancement / flexibility / functionalityMixing electronics and textile technologies is beginning to produce an entirely new clothing concept: wearable electronics - what results would you like to see when fashion and technology is fully merged?
Can embedding computers within clothing or fabrics boost human abilities? When many of us won't even wear glasses how will we begin to feel okay about wearing computers?
Would it be more 'human' to leave our bodies free of devices and integrate interactive elements into the furniture and décor around us?
Virtual and physical interactive spaces for playing and learning
Here are some buzz words to stimulate thinking and debate around the research strands. This is a brainstorming area to contribute to your own thoughts.
external / free body (no attachments) / intelligent space / responsive & reactive environments / motion capture / sensors and triggers / body scanning / virtual reality / artificial realities / online communities / possible worlds / augmented spaces / virtual spaces / avatars / sensory immersion / illusions/ escapism / fantasy / multi - identities / multi - players / navigation / negotiation
Will these uses of technologies lead us into disjointed experiences, encouraging us to remove ourselves so totally from reality that we don't know what is real and what isn't?
Is there space for the virtual environment to simulate and bring to life scientific exploration processes?
Can the user interface become an expressive arena of the work, enabled by interactive humans working together with interactive machines? What visions of expression are there for these potential new forms?
The external physical world and natural environment
Here are some buzz words to stimulate thinking and debate around the research strands. This is a brainstorming area to contribute to your own thoughts.
external / microcosm & macrocosm / nature & nurture / natural environment / eco - systems / bio - spheres / bio - diversity / conservation & restoration / artificial life / organic / generative systems / environmental ethics / healthy living / holistic life styles / eco - investment / eco - activism / renewable energy / green shopping / vegetarianism / safe environments / recycling products / new age philosophies / fresh water ecologies
What is natural?
What is artificial?
How can the creative use of technologies help solve some of the problems of the natural world today - pollution, war damage, genetic modification misuse, the energy drain?