This week, Laurie Taylor talks to journalist Bryan Appleyard and Professor John Gray about the notion that machines are limited in their capacity to be like humans, a subject explored in Appleyard's The Brain is Wider than the Sky. They also make a plea for mystery and an end to the ascendance of reductionism.
He also discusses race and the seaside with University of Brighton lecturer Dr Daniel Burdsey.
Relevant content and free course tasters
Who are we now?
Wilfred Stanley Sussenbach | Dreamstime.com
Dr Wendy Maples considers the technological determinist argument and the impact of new technologies on our identities. Read more : Who are we now?
Man vs machine
BBC
Should we worry about robots one day getting tired of being the junior partners? Read more : Man vs machine
Is openness in the digital space killing creativity? Digital Planet at SXSWi 2011
luca.sartoni under CC-BY-SA licence
In an extended version of the Digital Planet debate at SXSWi 2011, our panel discuss creativity in an open, connected world. Read more : Is openness in the digital space killing creativity? Digital Planet at SXSWi 2011
Death in the age of the Internet
Photos.com
We all lead digital lives now - but does that online archive of our doings mean we'll also have a digital afterlife? Read more : Death in the age of the Internet
Modem Monks
The Open University
The Digital Nation programme Modem Monks followed a community of Cistercian monks who set up a website and webshop to sell their monastic produce, in... Read more : Modem Monks
Machines, minds and computers
Learning Space 
Used with permission
Computers are becoming smarter and may soon become intelligent. This unit looks at what “intelligence” is, how computers may become so, and whether they... Read more : Machines, minds and computers
Identity in question
Learning Space 
The Open University
Why is identity important and how are identities formed? This unit looks at the many different ways in which identity can be categorised. By examining... Read more : Identity in question
Technology-enchanced learning
By aftab via Flicker under Creative Commons licence
This course is designed for current or future professionals in elearning or ‘technology-enhanced’ learning. Read more : Technology-enchanced learning
Study at the OU: Understanding society
Used with permission
Do you wonder about how society is changing, and how your life connects with other people across the world? Read more : Study at the OU: Understanding society
![Polling Station signage [Image: kagey b under CC-BY-NC-ND licence]](/openlearn/files/ole/ole_images/places/general-urban-scenes/polling-station-sign/polling station sign_0_0.jpg)
Login or Register to post comments
Race and the Seaside
Thinking about the history of Brighton I guess I shouldn't be surprised about this. Peoples views about the seaside have varied over the centuries so we should expect different cultures to have the same attitude.
However I'm more suprised but my observations at London's Science Museum. The local population is almost certainly more varied than at the seaside and on one day I counted a total of four non-white people out of the vast number that visit the Science Museum. Can anyone explain that?
It's a fascinating
It's a fascinating observation. I wonder if reductions in school trips, which can be instigators of life-long habits, have reduced local populations' attendance at places like the Science Museum?