First, I want to say that I’m glad I found an article about a woman, professor Regina Barzilay from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) with a title of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. Why? Because, in class we spoke about the article “When Computers Were Woman” we learned that at that time “These women never got a public opportunity to display their technical knowledge, crucial for personal recognition and career advancement” (page 459). I like that today’s women are changing history for future generations.
She is trying to revolutionize cancer care. The evidence she has is that she herself was diagnosed with cancer in 2014. She learned that good data about the disease is hard to find. “You are desperate for information – for data, she says now. She gives an example of “1.7 million people are diagnosed with cancer in the U.S every year, but only 3 percent enroll in clinical trials, according to the American Society of Clinical Oncology” She is not trying to change how clinical research on cancer care is done but she believes (her evidence) that they can use what they already have and use technology to learn about patients with cancer and how their treatment would benefit others. I think her argument is valid because, there is no cure for cancer, there are only treatments. Not everyone who has cancer is going to experience the same outcomes. Therefore, using technology to collect information and help others would be beneficial for science and people living with cancer. I do think that this article carry out all of Lee Manovich’s five new media principles but especially, “transcoding.” According to Lee Manovich, “Computerized media turns into computer data. Computerized media still displays structural organization that makes sense to its human users – images feature recognizable objects; text files consist of grammatical sentences” (page 45). Now, I’m not an expert with computers but what I’m understanding is that the new and old information that she is collecting can be gather, saved and then share with other doctors or patients and technology can help to make this more efficient and help to revolutionize cancer care.
The next Youtube video is about Konrad Zuse and the computer history, he is mentioned on Lee Manovich’s reading (page 25) It caught my attention. I wanted to learn about him and and what he did. I think this is interesting and it goes with our reading.
- My first question to you guys, what do you think about him and the way he created the first computer?
- Do you think Regina Barzilay can revolutionize cancer care with today’s technology?
This is such an interesting read, because I feel like it is such an important topic that is hardly touched based upon. The way he gradually was handling new technology, and pushing the limits on these hardwares was truly captivating. It was kind of sentimental when he finally completed his project and found something that worked, you felt proud of him and you didn’t even know who he was.
I do truly feel that it is possible for Regina Barzilay to revolutionize cancer care with today’s technology. If Regina continues to push the limits of technology, just like the man in the video, then I feel like there would be some substantial results. I truly feel like she can revolutionize it with enough patience and the right team. Great job!
Interesting reading as you mentioned it is great to heard that more women are being recognized for their inventions or participations in all kind of projects. Regarding your second question, I agree with the previous post since I also believe Regia Barzilay can revolutionize cancer care. Today’s technology improves every day, which give us the chance to create and improve medicine through new tools.
I agree with you in that it is great to see women in the fields of engineering and medicine. Technology is continuously advancing, and since now Men AND Women alike, are focused on innovations in those fields, we are more likely to have more advances. New forms of collecting data on patients of critical illnesses and diseases would definitely help in the research and search for cures and medication as well.