Week 6 [21.12-27.12.2015]: A trip to Japan on a shoestring budget

A couple of  weeks ago I returned from Japan. It was a great November  trip. You can’t even imagine how much you can see  without spending too much money. We started our trip in Rome and we had 10 flights during our journey. Quite a lot, right? We chose this way of traveling because it’s faster and cheaper than train and renting cars. From Rome we went to Moscow, but we didn’t see lot there, only the airport :P It was just a stopover., for refueling the plane. After next ten hours we got to the Tokyo’s  airport- Tokyo Narita, but it wasn’t our last stop. We wanted to get to the tropical Island- Tokashiki. We had to catch a plane there. We used a budget airline - Jetstar. The flight cost only a few dollars. It was a really good decision. You can see Tokashiki Island in the  pictures below.

https://www.google.pl/imgres?imgurl=https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3b/Aharen_Beach_On_Tokashiki_Island_2009_%287373%29.JPG&imgrefurl=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokashiki_Island&h=3000&w=4000&tbnid=L5EhmZFxFOOKmM:&docid=CYFpdFeJxebzmM&ei=sXNwVuX4DIO5PY-XhugD&tbm=isch&ved=0ahUKEwillcuK1t7JAhWDXA8KHY-LAT0QMwgfKAAwAA

https://www.google.pl/imgres?imgurl=http://www.aharen.com/files/uploads/mujintou5__large.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.aharen.com/english/english_marinesports&h=509&w=678&tbnid=n4Itfix9q3w0_M:&docid=GNmU7VOxgCFepM&ei=sXNwVuX4DIO5PY-XhugD&tbm=isch&ved=0ahUKEwillcuK1t7JAhWDXA8KHY-LAT0QMwgqKAswCw

 The whole time on the island we spent relaxing. We were snorkeling a lot and sunbathing of course. But it was only three day there so we didn’t  have much time as we wanted to see all beautiful places. Next we caught a plane to Kyoto.

This city amazed me with its architecture and beautiful Japanese gardens. We visited lots of temples and monuments. In the photo you can see the example of these.

https://www.google.pl/imgres?imgurl=https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/42/Kiyomizu-dera_in_Kyoto-r.jpg&imgrefurl=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Buddhist_temples&h=2176&w=3264&tbnid=pbpPWikSmFpaqM:&docid=fvcQgQ6oi87qEM&ei=QnNwVp_xAsLCOsKpqpgB&tbm=isch&ved=0ahUKEwifmsrV1d7JAhVCoQ4KHcKUChMQMwg0KBMwEw

 https://www.google.pl/search?q=capsule+hotel+tokyo&biw=1366&bih=657&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj3qfyQ1N7JAhVFJHIKHf8wDRAQ_AUIBigB#tbm=isch&q=kioto+temple&imgrc=6pp-6U5vhkNdXM%3A

https://www.google.pl/imgres?imgurl=http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2117/1753130007_f8f6c9d14f.jpg&imgrefurl=http://thedailybubbletea.com/2007/11/04/kyoto-kiyomizu-temple/&h=299&w=500&tbnid=-eGMBcc34D9T7M:&docid=xyc1E0PpSgb62M&ei=QnNwVp_xAsLCOsKpqpgB&tbm=isch&ved=0ahUKEwifmsrV1d7JAhVCoQ4KHcKUChMQMwg9KBQwFA

  I had a big problem with my luggage – from the beginning of our trip something was wrong with my suitcase, after a couple days it turned out that the wheels were broken and finally they stopped working. I needed to get a new one. It was not as simple as I thought. At that moment Japan was full of everything but not any new luggage. We were looking everywhere but we couldn’t find any shop with new suitcases. It took us a few hours to find one. Despite all the beautiful places, Kyoto will always remind me my broken suitcase. If anyone of you wants to visit Kyoto, I would recommend staying at least five or six days there.

After Kyoto we came back to the Narita Airport, it was our second time there. We slept in one of capsule hotels. It was quite a strange experience but nice. It’s a really clean place with a few rules:

   1)      You must be totally quiet

   2)      You can’t eat anything there

   3)      Girls and boys sleep separately

https://www.google.pl/imgres?imgurl=http://usercontent2.hubimg.com/11946993.jpg&imgrefurl=http://hubpages.com/travel/best-Japanese-capsule-hotels&h=1065&w=1600&tbnid=B8tznL8nR_ONgM:&docid=Q5LukSVdxOpNtM&ei=qHFwVsOzLsLPOIeQqqgE&tbm=isch&ved=0ahUKEwjDp7WS1N7JAhXCJw4KHQeICkUQMwhDKBowGg

After that weird night we finally got to the center of Tokyo. We stayed there for a week. We tried to see as much as it was possible. We didn’t have any guide, so it was not so simple. Lots of our time was wasted because of travelling by the Japanese subway. The structure of the subway is very complicated and at the beginning we had a lot of problems. But our apartment was really nice. We are lucky guys, I think. We did not get up early because we went to bed very late. Nightlife in Tokyo was very interesting. All these clubs, pubs and karaoke parties…You should see it. It was really hard to go to bed there.

https://www.google.pl/imgres?imgurl=http://for91days.com/photos/Tokyo/Shibuya%252520Crossing%252520Tokyo/Shibuya%252520Crossing%252520Tokyo%252520%25252003%25252020140504%252520www.for91days.com%252520DSC00492.JPG&imgrefurl=http://tokyo.for91days.com/tag/tokyo-crossing/&h=420&w=630&tbnid=NkAg_l0A1jOcjM:&docid=ZmstobrZ4SkROM&ei=OnJwVr6nGYO_PIjQuPgG&tbm=isch&ved=0ahUKEwi-rO_X1N7JAhWDHw8KHQgoDm8QMwgjKAUwBQ

  You're probably thinking that I was eating a lot of sushi in Japan? But you are wrong. This kind of dishes is hard to find in other cities than Tokyo. We ate genuine Japanese sushi a few times when we got to Tokyo. In Japan food is very specific. It’s tasty for everybody, but you will not know if you don’t try by yourself.

 Look for cheap tickets and go to Japan!

   1.      Have you ever been to any interesting place/city?

   2.      What was your craziest or longest trip?

   3.      What is your attitude to Asian cuisine?

Week 5 [7.12-13.12.2015]: Straddled between generations

Most of us were born around the second half of the 80's. We were born and raised in important times. Times of changes – economical and geo-political. Times of huge capitalisation, emergance of 'turbo-capitalism' and, finally, a big financial crush of 2008. Times of digitalization, productifying of information, and, to see the big picture – becoming and information society.

The latter means a lot, it influences or lives on so many levels, and on an everyday basis. One one hand – it's great! We have digital products that make our lives so much easier. We have new and more efficient means of communication. We have informatized means of production – it's more efficient, makes human work easier, maybe even safer. Perfect! We can participate in social media, create profiles, not only for fun, but for a future employment opportunity. We can share our interests and get to know other people's ones, we can reach out for information at any time, we can show the world our skills and be noticed, even build a career of it. We can meet future spouses, lovers or friends, we can do virtually anything.

 

That all sounds great.

What about the downsides? What about the growing threats included? We gained so many new ways of hurting people. We are increasing production, thus hurting the environment – all in the name of hyperconsumption of useless or completely unnecessary products with an often pre-determined short life-span (smartphone producers are not even hiding the fact, that their phones can fall apart when your subscription contract with the service provider ends after 2 years, you can always get a new device with the new contract!).

Needless to say – we are being constantly watched by governments and companies, privacy is literally a long - forgotten concept. Is it good or bad? Does it help preventing terrorist attacks, or does it give new tools for further invigilation, both political and marketing-oriented? It is kind of scary how internet advertising works, sometimes seeming like if they're reading our minds.

We live in times, where everything is becoming a product. It seems each element of our reality is shortly going to be monetized.

https://www.facebook.com/Labor411/photos/a.145771494654.110661.94760889654/10153742623489655/?type=3&__mref=message_bubble

 

I have a feeling we were born inbetween generations, if generations can be at all identified as a social category nowadays. We were too late for Generation X. We seem to be somewhere drifting towards Generation Y, which is part of the big digital revolution. I am not sure though, if I want to be part of that generation. It seems we got lost in the thicket of adverts and marketing. We have become a product and a target at the same time. We hand over tools to those, who then create our needs, and it seems there's no end to this. But I guess time will tell :).

Do you think you belong to any of the generations recognized nowadays by sociologists?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Generation_X

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Millennials

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Generation_Z
Do you think digitalization has more upsides or downsides? Or maybe you categorically think it's positive/negative?

Did you hear about Gen X? Do you know some of the important cultural pieces of this generation? (f.i. 'Fight Club' both the movie and the book by Chuck Palahniuk, 'Generation X: Tales for an Accelerated Culture' by Douglas Coupland, the movies of Kevin Smith or Richard Linklater)?

Any thoughts ;)

Week 5 [7.12-13.12.2015] TRANSHUMANISM

TRANSHUMANISM

Ever heard about transhumanism? No? Rings a bell but not exactly? Well, that's surprising considering the world we're living in. You might think: "Hey, isn't it like humanism but with trans-something about it?" To tell you the truth it quite is - since transhumanism has its roots in humanism. Although while humanists cherish dearly everything concerning humans (in opposition to the Dark Age's theocentrism with God's supremacy), transhumanists go a little bit further (futuristic kind of further to be exact) when thinking about people's well-being.

To give a little bit of light on the matter let me quote part of Transhumanism Declaration:

"(1) Humanity stands to be profoundly affected by science and technology in the future. We envision the possibility of broadening human potential by overcoming aging, cognitive shortcomings, involuntary suffering, and our confinement to planet Earth."

            So what this transhumanists do? Generally they support GRIN technologies, what stands for genetics, robotics, informatics and nanotechnology, thanks to which we will be able to improve everything about our human selves.

            By this improving, transhumanists believe we'll be able to evolve into new species - it'd be a human being but not entirely a man - in future we'll call this creature a posthuman. According to Transhumanism ideology, this future person will have extraordinary mental abilities and quick thinking, photographic memory and rapid assimilation of information, ideal physical built which will maintain without caring about the body - it will not gain weight or get old. Transhumanists also postulate that we should gain better control of our emotions and finding means of overcoming the limitations of organic organisms (built carbon-based) by obtaining the fusion with machines.

            Sounds like science fiction? You may be surprised but some of these postulates are already partially realized. The average human lifespan is considerably extending due to the development of medicine. Microscopes, contact lenses, hearing aids already are strengthening our senses. We know substances that increase the strength or ability to concentrate and by swallowing some pills we can improve our moods! Finally we can combine organic with mechanical body - fillings, prosthesis or artificial heart valves are no shock to us. As you can see, lots of things indicate that transhumanists' visions are closer to realization than we think. Also it's hard to ignore them when rapid development of technologies keeps on to embody new ideas.

              What all this indicates is that transhumanists do not want random development that offers us natural evolution. They believe that we must pave our own path with deliberate changes, yet not acting blindingly but relaying on a clearly defined system of values. Strong affirmation of technology shows how without fear and almost uncritical optimism transhumanists surrender to the influence of science. They want to use it to embody their vision of humanity - vision which implies rejecting anything they believe unnecessary - all the weaknesses and imperfections of human race.

              
            Transhumanism is all about striving to create posthuman who is the final phase of cybernetic man. Thanks to new technologies which will allow to unite the human with a machine we will evolve into new species – a perfect and immortal human:

"Posthuman is a descendant of the man whose range of possibilities is expanded to such an extent that an entity ceases to be human..."

For transhumanists the human body is in its biological vesture imperfect and anaesthetic, hence every effort to strive for its "improvement". Ultimately, it means liberation from your body and gaining immortal ‘vestments’.

1. Do you agree that we should use technology to improve ourselves?

2. What do you think is the risk of creating posthuman?

3. Do you think we will be able to control the evolution of species in the future?

Sources:
http://www.sienko.net.pl/lustro.html

http://www.tajemnicamilosci.pl/testy-biologiczne/transhumanizm-realne-zagrozenie-dla-czlowieka.html

http://pismofronda.pl/wp-content/uploads/Fronda40.pdf

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transhumanism

http://humanityplus.org/philosophy/transhumanist-declaration/

Week 5 [7.12-13.12.2015] Maybe a short getaway?

Almost everyone likes to travel. But why? What is the reason?

Formerly: to explore new lands, because of curiosity or just for pleasure.

http://www.emersonkent.com/images/world_1340_1600.jpg

Nowadays: humanity has found new goals – of course to collect new, magnificent photos for Facebook and Instagram J

http://www.wired.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/MG_3087-1024x1024.jpg

So I think that is a great occasion to talk about journeys.

Naturally, we live in  times when everyone is in a hurry to get somewhere. People do not have time to stop for a moment, and thus sometimes it is hard to go for an longer vacation.

But we do not need a long time. Just slow down for a moment.

Just one single weekend to get away from this whole overwhelming reality. For a moment just forget everything and do something completely different. Just put aside work and studies.

Also you don’t need to spend big money on it. Increasingly, you can hit the interesting sales. Starting from transportation sources, thru the attractions to the accommodation.

Sometimes I use sites like http://mlecznepodroze.onet.pl/ where you can find great offers and ideas for short trips.

For example, recently, taking advantage of  the weekend  I have decided to go to Sweden, to Karlskrona.

Kalrskrona – Promotion Video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=059PRzUJnlA&hd=1)

Two attractions at once. First – a really nice and clean small town, which lies only about 300 kilometres from Gdynia. Very wet kilometres – I must add J

And this is the second attraction - we're heading there by Stena Line ferry.

http://cdn2.shipspotting.com/photos/middle/0/4/4/1575440.jpg

In addition to the ferry, which in itself is a good attraction if you have never had the opportunity to travel by ship, you will also find a few attractions on board. From the duty-free shop, where Swedes buy such amounts of alcohol that  it could create another sea J to a variety of restaurants, slot machines, a spa and a disco. And you have a whole night for this!

Of course this is all under one sole condition…

You must be able to win with seasickness J

But if not, then not all is lost for you! In this situation, the morning, and more specifically the amazing sight of the approaching land will be for you the fulfilment of all your dreams! J

There are some attractions from Karlskrona:

Stortorget – main square, with a monument of king Karl, a church and the city hall.

https://claesbilder.files.wordpress.com/2014/03/torg.jpg

Biggest wooden church in Sweden painted in Swedish own colour – “Falu rödfärg”.

http://images.citybreakcdn.com/image.aspx?ImageId=1431872&width=680&height=680&crop=1

Brändaholm – source of houses in colour “Falu rödfärg” with white edges. And absolutely mandatory – Swedish flag on the mast.

http://www.naturreportage.se/manadens_06/juni06/nationaldag1.jpg

Björkholmen – old and really small wooden houses which survived a big fire. Formerly they dwelt in them shipbuilders, now largely consists of several houses on one property.

https://www.theimagefile.com/v/tp/207/225/6965426602_4_street-wooden-gables-bj.jpg

Marinmuseum – marine museum, Sweden’s national naval museum – they have for example underwater tunnel and submarine.

http://www.marinmuseum.se/ImageVaultFiles/id_187/cf_167/flygbild_Marinmuseum_nordost.JPG

And many other! Absolutely you should go and check it by yourself! J

Question for you:

What great place  can you recommend for a  weekend getaway? Or if you don’t like to travel, what else  can you suggest we should do? Please, provide your arguments.

[Week5 - 7.12-13.12.2015] New era with devices from Microsoft

New era with devices from Microsoft

Source: http://az648995.vo.msecnd.net/win/2015/01/Windows-10_Product-Family.jpg

Until October 6^th Microsoft was considered as company that only provides software.

For sure many of you use Microsoft Office for instance to write some documents in Word or a very popular operating system – Windows.

Yes, definitely Microsoft was not associated with devices.

However, this year during the “Windows10 devices” conference Microsoft presented many new devices that will be available on the market soon.

Let’s glance on some of them a little bit closer!

Microsoft Band 2

Source: http://images.vcpost.com/data/images/full/82993/microsoft-band-2.jpg?w=590

Microsoft Band 2 is a device that every person with an active lifestyle should have.

When you put it on your hand you gain access to many parameters.

For instance,  you can track your heart rate, calorie burn, splits, average pace, and personal bests.

You can also analyze your light and restful sleep, your sleep restoration and sleep efficiency, and a number of wake-ups each night. If you like riding a bike or running, this device is created for you. Put away your smartphone. With Microsoft Band you will be able to track your position via GPS and, after all, you can see your track on the mobile application or on the web dashboard.

But that is not all!

For the Band2 there is dedicated a mobile application available for Windows Phone, Android and iOS. With it, you have access to the whole data that you have collected recently.

Great but what about mobility here? You do not have to worry. With Microsoft Band you can read your text messages, e-mails and even posts from Twitter.

Microsoft Lumia 950

Source: http://i-1.prod-cdn.webapps.microsoft.com/r/image/view/-/5956206/extraHighRes/5/-/Lumia-950-hero-jpg.jpg

I am not sure if you heard that Microsoft has bought Nokia company and to be more precise – Nokia’s Mobile department. As a result of this, Microsoft has started the production of smartphones. The newest model was also presented during “Windows10 devices” event.

It is not a secret that nowadays people live very fast and the Internet is accessible from a lot of places. Imagine your life without a smartphone. It is hard, isn’t it?

I think that Microsoft Lumia 950 is the smartphone created for many kinds of people.

It depends on how you use your phone and what for. A businessman, for instance, will read and write e-mails and also would like to have access to news. A young person can use this phone to check social media news (like Facebook or Twitter).

There is also wide access to many different applications that can help you in everyday life.

Yes… I know what you think… This is only smartphone like others…

But did you hear about Microsoft Continuum?

Continuum enables you to connect Lumia 950 to the monitor and use it as a normal computer. How? – you can ask. There is a small box – Microsoft Display Dock that enables to connect the phone with the monitor, keyboard and mouse.

Still don’t you believe? Check a short film below:

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jG1LsR82d6w

Microsoft HoloLens

Source: http://images.vcpost.com/data/images/full/36761/microsoft-hololens-release-price.jpg

I have had a pleasure to test this device during my visit in Redmond.

Before I tell you about my experience, I would like to say a little bit about it.

Microsoft HoloLens is an advanced holographic computer that enables you to interact with holograms in your world.

It is a helmet that you can put on your head to see displayed holograms.

Besides visual effects, there are also sound effects because the device has speakers on two sides. I know that @Klaudia wrote about it before so I will not duplicate the information.

I would like only to say about my experience with this device.

The Helmet is comfortable and does not cause any headache. Displayed holograms are quite realistic but what was the most exciting for me: you can interact with them.

I was shown a demo where using my finger I was able to control a remote car.

One gesture and the car was moving in many directions. When it hit the wall it crashed itself!

Besides visual effects, I heard also many sounds produced by the holograms. It was amazing when I approached the hologram, the sound was louder and when I left the sound disappeared.

Please check below a video to see HoloLens in action:

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3rNIxMlKmI

What do you think about presented devices? 

Do you have any experience with devices from Microsoft?

Are you a geek of new technologies?