Machine and Magic

Name: Machine and Magic
Uploaded: 2021-01-23T02:55:03Z
Duration: 20 min 32 s
Description: The discovery of an animal painting in a cave in South Sulawesi is awe-inspiring. According to the research of archaeologists, the painting is approximately 45,500 years old.

The discovery of an animal painting in a cave in South Sulawesi is awe-inspiring. According to the research of archaeologists, the painting is approximately 45,500 years old.

Saras Dewi

· 5 minutes read

The discovery of an animal painting in a cave in South Sulawesi is awe-inspiring. According to the research of archaeologists, the painting is approximately 45,500 years old. The painting is a representation of the world our ancestors experienced.

We can take a glimpse into their daily lives. The painting, hidden in the Goa Leang Tedongnge cave, is a trace of prehistoric human creativity, imagination and aspirations.

Cecep Eka Permana, archeology professor at the University of Indonesia, said the mural on the cave wall was somewhat religious. The rock painting shows that hunting activity is interlinked with ritualistic aspects. Early humans lived in groups, the cave wall painting was an important marker of that communal character, they painted to express hope for success in the hunt.

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Their painting technique is also very charming. Cave art discovered in the Maros-Pangkep karst region shows the use of ocher to produce a natural red color. Ocher can be found in rocks or soil. The mineral blocks are crushed and, smoothly ground, then mixed with liquid. Using their fingers, the artists filled the walls and ceilings of the cave.

Various theories have been put forward by experts, one of which states that these ancient painters were also believed to be shamans believed to have sensitivity to the spiritual world. In a state of trance, they painted to communicate messages from the supernatural world.

This artistic power represents the intelligence of our ancestors, who combined the use of simple technological tools for survival with spiritual hopes. Technology, in an essential sense, is not limited to the tools to support human life, but an intuitive process of living in order to interact and reveal relations with the world.

Understanding technology

Technology comes from the Greek word, techne, which means art. Thus, technology in essence can be a medium to absorb this life poetically. However, the modern reality of technology seems far from this artistic deepening. Technology is understood superficially, so it produces technological products that cause chaos and alienation for humans.

Unlike in classical times, technology in modern times is contrasted with nature. Technology also appears as a means of extending financial or economic power. In addition, technological innovation is laden with warfare ambitions and a ferocious desire to dominate.

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The technology of the manufacturing industry is destroying the last forest areas on earth, causing the extinction of flora and fauna, causing ecological disasters and climate extremes, such as floods and droughts.

Technology obscures the meaning of interaction between humans. Has technology gone out of human control? Is it impossible to present technology that is humanist and in harmony with the environment?

Only recently, South Korea saw a public debate over artificial intelligence presented in a character called Lee Luda. Lee Luda was very popular as a chatbot, a computer program that caters to conversations. However, in its development, the chat with Lee Luda caused anxiety. It started speaking hateful words, bullying people with racist and sexist speech. The company that created Lee Luda was forced to give up artificial intelligence.

This artificial intelligence imitates the way of thinking, as well as speaking, which is demonstrated by humans.

Where did the hatred displayed by Lee Luda come from? Apparently, this artificial intelligence absorbs data and studies the language patterns of the 10 billion conversations that pass on the digital platforms. This artificial intelligence imitates the way of thinking, as well as speaking, which is demonstrated by humans.

Federico Campagna, an Italian philosopher, argued, humans can be likened to parents for their technological machines, including artificial intelligence. We project ourselves into that form of technology.

Our view of the machine is not always merely a dry matter of mechanistic elements, efficiency and precision. In some cultures, machine and magic blend, interwoven to fill the niche of human spirituality. According to the Balinese Hindu view, machines or iron used by humans deposits spiritual powers.

That\'s why they celebrate a prayer called Tumpek Landep. Landep, which means sharp, can be interpreted literally as tools since ancient times, such as knives, kris or equipment used in relation to agricultural culture. Philosophically, landep also means sharp mind or sharp knowledge. Although these objects seem normal in our daily lives, Balinese people believe that, through these objects, humans can catch a glimpse of the universal energy that brings about prosperity.

That is similar with the idea of Masahiro Mori, a robotics engineer from Japan who combines robotics with the wisdom of Buddhism. In his book, The Buddha in the Robot, he emphasizes the importance for humans to recognize themselves before rushing into technology.

This inner search is fundamental so that people consider the impact of their creation. Technology in Mori’s mind is not about selfish freedom. Beyond that, technology should be used to achieve enlightenment, namely the harmonization of humans and their environment.

What is the future of human technology? That question can be answered by stating that technology is a reflection of humans. Therefore, we need to pay close attention, because humans are not free from shortcomings. These imperfections also appear in the creation of the machines.