out of nowhere
A brief tour around the bustling city of Tokyo on a Spring day was all we can afford before a busy and nerve wracking final interview. Not to be missed, the Tokyo Tower was the first attraction visited. Gigantic, historical, fascinating on a chilly morning.
March 2017
With the coming of the technological era, photography has been translated from analog to digital, enabling people to capture moments with ease. Due to its prominence, primarily nowadays to millennials who are fond of posting photos in social media, photography has been reduced to merely showing off or sharing experiences with people. Even during the early times some philosophers have already argued that photography’s ease of postproduction which is afforded by digitalization has already undermined its epistemic privilege with respect to other forms of arts such as painting.[1] Nevertheless, photography remains to be an art in itself, in virtue of the creative process the photographer and the subject of the photograph undergoes.
Contemporary photography acts like an open space which brings with it the freedom of thinking, particularly in enabling a person to perceive reality with the use of his memory and imagination. These two ways of perceiving reality (memory and imagination) are recurring in photography.[2] It sparks a kind of visual thinking wherein the person looking at a photograph is given the freedom on how to perceive reality based on how he sees the photograph. As a matter of fact, a photographic image has turned up to be a crucial factor of our visual memory, as it has the potential to save ruins and antiquities, to evaluate unknown territories, and to reveal identities. Particularly it has the capability of sending us to the idea of the survival of the past, and the immortalization of an event.[3]
However, photography must not only be reduced to its product which is the photograph itself, but other elements are also crucial in the understanding of its process. The elements of photography include the photograph or the product of the photographic process, the photographer who is in control of what happens to its product, the subject of the photograph, which includes its model or central object and the background, and the photographic equipment which is the medium that comes between the photographer and the spatiotemporal context or scene. In here we focus on the three elements of the photograph, the photographer, and the spatiotemporal context or subject of photography. In particular, we look at the relation of the photograph and the context or subject to time, and the photographer to agency, time work, and sacred time.
Contemporary photography acts like an open space which brings with it the freedom of thinking, particularly in enabling a person to perceive reality with the use of his memory and imagination.
Continue reading “Photography in Time and Agency”Anger (galit) is a primal or visceral emotion. In one way or another, emotions such as anger precede ethics and can be dangerous to oneself or to others when not controlled or used constructively. Moreover, anger communicates that boundaries exist between us and the world, and when one feels that this boundary is violated, anger is expressed imperatively. One of the dangerous kinds of anger includes anger that is directed inward, which when not expressed will eventually lead to self-destruction. Another kind is anger that is directed outward that can turn into violence and rage, which can potentially inflict pain against others. The last kind of dangerous anger is anger associated with sadness wherein one feels helpless or frustrated when something is not attained. In here there is a sense of isolation and pain due to an obstacle that cannot be removed.
However, there is a type of anger that can be turned into a virtue. Transformed anger has the capability of removing obstacles causing anger, therefore eliminating the menaces of anger. Anger can only be transformed, however, under some conditions. First, there must be real anger to begin with, and it must be recognized. If there is no authentic anger to begin with, then there is nothing to transform. Next, one must ask what his/her anger is for. Recognizing the purpose of one’s anger ultimately leads to a formulation and realization of goals that will be pursued. The purpose and goals of one’s anger lead to plans and directions. Although having a goal poses the danger of disappointment and frustration, and obstacles can obstruct the way, anger can be used in order to be persistent and tenacious in order to attain the goals. Once again, anger is transformed in this process of attaining one’s goal and emotions are used in a constructive way.
Continue reading “Anger, Growth, Liberalism, Love”My Sassy Girl ranks as the highest grossing Korean comedy film until present. In 2001 it was the second highest selling Korean film with about four million tickets sold nationwide for over a span of 10 weeks. Its fame is proven by a number of remakes in several countries including America, Japan, India, China, and Nepal. Just recently its sequel entitled “My New Sassy Girl,” which is a co-production between China and South Korea, has been released on April 22 and May 5 in two countries consequently.
My Sassy Girl ranks as the highest grossing Korean comedy film until present.
My Sassy Girl, being one of the most highly-acclaimed Korean films worldwide, is directed by Kwak Jae Yong and starred in by Cha Tae Hyun and Jun Ji Hyun. It features the love story of a college student named Gyeon Woo and an unnamed girl. The apparent mood swings and seemingly abusive behavior of the girl catches most of the viewers’ attention at the first half of the movie. However the film’s progression that contained nonconventional symbolisms, elements and sentiments makes it worthy of further analysis.
Continue reading “Film Analysis: My Sassy Girl”*Ghost Writing
The cold breeze of the December night sends chills to my bones. In this melancholic night, my heart seems colder than the weather beyond the adamant windows. Taimis still holds a big part of my heart; but she is nowhere to be found in this vast place surrounded with wondrous works and magnificent terrain. Deep inside of me, I can still imagine the stroke of her hair which never landed on my epidermis. How come that such a dainty little thing would not wither away in this memory? Would it be better to think of Cristina Vespucci or Aveline de Grandpre while I am sober?
Under the gleaming sun, I extended my service to Juan, as he himself has done to me since I came to Paris. It seems like his heart was beating for a woman of grace and modesty. My friend asked for my wit to take care of the lady’s chaperone so as not to disrupt them in their matters of great importance. My presence might have not been remarkable to the young lady, but hers to mine was full of vibrancy. I am choked without words, but her charms resemble that of my dear Leonor. As I looked from afar, the throbbing in my heart heightens. But then I see the gentleman adjacent to her: Juan Luna. His eyes were shimmering more than ever. Through the weeks I have been living at his abode, I have never seen him in such ecstasy. I am indebted to this gentleman, however, and keeping this feeling aside would serve its best. As I try my best to entertain the lady chaperone in front of me, I take simple glimpses of the other young lady. This sly deed of mine won’t do any harm, I thought.
We bid farewell just before the moon shows up on the radiant sky. How flustered was I when Juan suddenly asks me about the young lady. Without any wrong motive, I extended my appreciation of her beauty and encouraged the gentleman to pursue her. Deep inside of me was a storm. I was unsure of what just came out of my frail lips. Did I really mean it? Do I really want him to hold her or do I want her for myself? Whatever the answers are, I did not want to know. After supper, we had a short conversation about the book I am currently writing. Finally, I have understood the throbbing of my heart after hours of contemplation. It was not Aveline de Grandpre nor was it the young lady herself. Taimis. I am reminded of her. I am reminded of the fleeting time we shared together in deep understanding. Despite the distance, it seemed like she has come once again. Her lips that are ever ready to smile makes mine smile as well.
With these fragile memories, I shall live. Perhaps, this petty sentiment of mine could be of good use after all. I shall let this tragedy die with the pages of this chronicle, and definitely on the other creations my hands might come about.
JP Rizal
22 January 2014 for HI165*
I, I never fall in love
I never fall in love again
I love you
The advent of modernization has necessitated innovative forms of technology that are highly automated, self-sustainable, and ubiquitous. Several forms of these technologies already exist, and most of them are geared towards fostering the environment and improving human health conditions, such as renewable energy and stem cell technology. However despite their potential, these innovations are not free from judgment due to their compromise in ethics and morality. One prevailing issue of science in conflict with ethics is on the existence of artificial intelligence.
Artificial intelligence (AI) has sparked various arguments in the field of ethics and morality, as it was argued that AI poses a threat to human survival. This technology aims to simulate human intelligence, and as the technology is bound to develop, super intelligence in machines can potentially be achieved. This implies that machines and systems can go beyond human control, become autonomous and think on their own. With these in consideration, there is a question on whether machines such as robots should continually be used for human interaction, especially that there remains many ambiguities on the capacity of AI systems to perceive ethical and moral problems, specifically those that require the use of conscience. Currently, AI robots that mimic humans are being employed in education, media, and hospitals. They have been tested to function as teachers, news reporters and even as nurses.
The primary goal of Artificial Intelligence is to be able to develop computer understanding and to make it as close to human intelligence as possible. [1] AI simulates human intelligence and includes automated perception, learning, reasoning, and decision making.[2] Examples of its simple forms include speech recognition apps such as Siri, GPS systems such as Waze which use AI algorithms to optimize routes, computer vision systems such as the face detection features in smartphones, and even the data mining systems such as search engines. Sophisticated forms include androids and humanoid robots which are made to look and act like humans. Artificial intelligence can accelerate the technological progress in almost all fields, which include business, medicine, education, etc. In businesses, robots in the form of industrial machines hasten and multiply the production, aiding the workers in the production process and giving its owner more profit. As such, robots can potentially replace and displace man in industries as more kinds of AI machines will be invented. Once fully developed, the production of AI robots will be unrestricted since the software can be easily installed on available hardware. This is in contrast to how man acquires skills, which is a long process of learning and practicing before perfection is reached.
Although a system with superintelligence is not yet fully realized, the concept remains highly possible due to the great number of scientists and engineers studying and developing algorithms in the field of artificial intelligence. In the field of engineering, most research outputs involve automated control systems and data mining. It is evident that most engineers are highly interested in getting involved with studies regarding AI since it is proclaimed to be the future of technology and it will greatly help achieve smarter cities, fully automated systems, and easier work for the part of man in the near future.
Continue reading “Conscience in Artificial Intelligence”10/27/2020
Why I may not go back? Because I feel like I am not grounded anywhere; and I fear that I do not know where I belong and so I keep on wandering – detaching myself from places I do not recognize. Have I thought of planting my roots somewhere, someday? For now, perhaps not. I am loving the idea of being in different places at once, of connecting with people hundred of miles way, of building relationships not because of obligation but because of thought.
This is one of the notes I wrote in an application in my phone to remember my thoughts on special days in order for me to ponder on them once again. In my vague memory I wrote this after having a long conversation with my flatmate in the kitchen. He loves asking me questions; and I love pondering upon thoughts that I myself find hard to articulate.
This day he asked me about my plans of the future. And I answered that I do not know; but one thing I am certain of is that I do not want to go back where I came from. I added that I have been moving too much these past few years and I want to explore more, be in more places. But in return my identity has been in disarray, I do not know where my ‘home’ is, I cannot keep my feet on one ground and I feel like I am not grounded anywhere.
It is also possible that I wrote this note not after this conversation but after an online conversation with a childhood friend who asked me the same things after getting shocked that I am in another country ‘again’. Sometimes I have these kinds of conversations and it makes me enter in a realm of my mind that I kept on ignoring.
Continue reading “Why I may not go back”
Little Dipper 