Diana Bang's ETEC 531 e-portfolio

Yet, what exactly is transcendence? What does it mean to be transcendent? Based on the online Merriam-Webster dictionary “transcendence” is defined as “the quality of state of being transcendent” (which in turn can mean any number of the following:
1a : exceeding usual limits : surpassing
b : extending or lying beyond the limits of ordinary experience
c in Kantian philosophy : being beyond the limits of all possible experience and knowledge
2: being beyond comprehension
3: transcending the universe or material existence — compare immanent
4: universally applicable or significant ttp://cio.gsfc.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2011/jul/HQ_11-240_Atlantis_Lands.html) does this mean that humans no longer want to “transcend” to paradise and rather would prefer to stay grounded here on Earth? Although, NASA does have future plans in place to continue with their space exploration (http://www.nasa.gov/about/whats_next.html) nowhere have we witnessed people staying permanently in the deep nebulus of space. Thus, does this mean that the idyllic paradise is lost and hasn’t been found as of yet?

Also, as Stalder (1998) so boldly asks: “if technology has been deeply influenced by religious motives (as Noble, 1997 suggests) then why is it so ambiguous in fulfilling its promise of a better life?” Noble’s (1997) response and conclusion that technologies are not about meeting basic human needs and instead has a goal of transcending any mortal concerns is a statement that I find to be a bit questionable. Technological advancements have had a profound effect in helping humans to meet their basic survival needs of food, water, shelter and even comfort as it helps us to stay connected to each other regardless of location. Thus, I think that it is illogical to merely state that technologies are ultimately meant to “transcend” any “mortal concerns.” What are your thoughts on this?

Diana 🙂

References

Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary (2011). Transcendence. Retrieved from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/transcendence

Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary (2011). Transcendent. Retrieved from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/transcendent

NASA. (2011). NASA’s proud space shuttle program ends with Atlantis landing: Agency ushers in next era of exploration. Retrieved from http://cio.gsfc.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2011/jul/HQ_11-240_Atlantis_Lands.html

NASA. (2011). What’s next for NASA? Retrieved from http://www.nasa.gov/about/whats_next.html

Stalder, F. (1998). Canadian Journal of Communication, 23(4). Retrieved from http://felix.openflows.com/html/noble.html and http://www.cjc-online.ca/index.php/journal/article/view/1072/978