Critique of Robert Jastrow's Toward an Intelligence Beyond Man's Essay

Critique of Robert Jastrow's Toward an Intelligence Beyond Man's - Essay Example For instance, industrialization has created the need for computerized gadgets that will enhance efficiency in production of goods and delivery of services. This implies that the emerging electronic devices are not only transforming individual lives, but also the modern day workplaces. The main point underlying the urge for Robert to write the article was to highlight the significance of the intelligence of computer which grows at a fantastic rate. The author argues that computers outsmart humans in some roles and can even outperform people in some cases such as when quick decisions are needed in times of crisis. In other words, computers imitate life and get more complex as days go by and the imitation becomes more evident and better. Although human beings are still in control, the power of computers is growing exponentially and has increased eight times since 1946. On the other hand, the human intelligence is growing at a relatively slower rate (Jastrow 207). This point of view supports the authors claim that the computers are likely to outsmart humans at some point. In another perspective, there is a remarkable symbiotic relationship or some degree of partnership between man and computers. They depend on one another for survival. However, the partnership is ant icipated to last only for a short period of time. This is because the intelligence of computers grows consistently without any limit while human intelligence seems to have attained its peak. The author’s perception of the relationship between man and computers could be bearing some degree of integrity and accuracy (Jastrow 207). For instance, it is true that the computer intelligence is growing at a faster rate. However, it is has no accuracy to claim â€Å"human intelligence is stagnant† (Jastrow 207). In essence, it is worth noting that computers do not escalate their stages of evolution in their own capacity. It is the same humans whose intelligence

Short Essay - Drugs Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Short - Drugs - Essay Example It has been suggested, and in some cases demonstrated, that legalizing or at least decriminalizing less harmful drugs, such as marijuana, can help to reduce the violence, significantly decrease the numbers of people incarcerated for drug use, allow more individuals to remain a contributing member of society and free up funds and manpower to combat against more harmful substances. Although marijuana was included as a restricted substance as early as 1937, there has never been sufficient evidence to support claims that the drug causes widespread violence and destruction all by itself. â€Å"There never was any scholarly evidence that the [anti-drug] laws were necessary, or even beneficial, to public health and safety and none was presented when the laws were passed.† (Schaffer). With the number of Vietnam vets returning from war addicted to narcotics, President Nixon officially declared the opening of the War on Drugs in 1971, primarily directed against heroin addiction. The positive effects that were seen coming out of this early stage in the anti-drug movement has been attributed to the fact that a larger proportion of the funding available for this struggle was directed toward treatment, rather than law enforcement. (Thirty Years, 2006). Throughout these early years, marijuana was seen as a low-level drug until a group of mothers, concerned at findin g marijuana at a 13-year-old’s party, founded the Families in Action anti-drug group in 1976. The movement gained strength and direction under President Reagan in 1981 after the drug cartels in Colombia had violently made their presence known in Miami. While Nancy Reagan’s â€Å"Just Say No to Drugs† campaign included marijuana as one of the drugs to avoid, the focus of the war on drugs remained targeted on cocaine as the cartels gained increasing power and organization. The focus was finally turned to marijuana smugglers