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The tool i want to make is flying wings. We should make a flying wings tool because it solves so many real problems in our daily lives. First, it helps us cross the “last mile” between the bus stop or subway and home in just seconds, instead of walking or waiting for another ride. Second, its foldable design means you can carry it like a backpack and use it wherever there’s open space, no bulky gear or special runway needed. Third, because it runs on batteries and electric fans rather than gas, it’s much cleaner for the environment and doesn’t pollute our air. In emergencies, like rescuing someone in a flood or reaching an injured hiker, first responders could fly right to the spot and save precious time. Finally, building this tool would push us to invent lighter materials, better batteries, and smarter flight controls, so one day everyone can enjoy safe, eco-friendly personal flight.

I was struck by Benjamin’s statement that “In principle, a work of art has always been reproducible. Manually or perhaps mechanically, you could produce copies of statues or paintings. What is new in our time is the technological means of reproduction, and above all, the possibility of massive quantities of copies.” In this passage, Benjamin reminds us that artists and craftspeople have long made replicas, but what really changes things is modern technology. He points out that today we can make endless identical prints, casts, or recordings quickly and cheaply. The difference between an old‐fashioned copy and a modern reproduction isn’t just how it’s made, but how many copies you can make and who can see them. This shift from a few hand‐made replicas to mass production affects how we value and experience art. To me, this idea shows how technology can both spread and weaken culture. On one hand, more people get to enjoy great works because they can buy posters, watch films, or listen to recorded music. It’s exciting that art is available to everyone, not just to the rich or to museum visitors. On the other hand, something special is lost when art becomes a product churned out by machines. It’s like eating fast food instead of a home‐cooked meal; it fills you up but doesn’t taste quite as meaningful. Benjamin’s passage makes me think about my own relationship with art and technology. When I stream a movie or share a meme online, I’m part of this mass reproduction culture. But I also wonder if I’m missing out by never seeing the original painting in person or hearing a live orchestra. His words challenge me to find balance: enjoy the convenience of digital art, but also look for ways to keep and value the unique qualities of originals. Finally, Benjamin asks us to consider: how can we use technology to share art widely without losing its depth and meaning? That question still feels important today as we deal with social media, virtual galleries, and online classes.

The part of The Medium is the Massage that really stuck with me was this line:
“Electrical information devices… re-tribalize mankind.”

It’s such a bold and strange statement, and honestly, it feels a little unsettling. “Re-tribalize”? At first, I didn’t get what McLuhan meant. But the more I thought about it, the more it started to make sense, and it’s actually kind of mind blowing. McLuhan is saying that new technologies, especially things like TV, radio, and now the internet, are pulling us back into this way of life that’s more like a tribe, where we share emotions and experiences as a group, than being all about individual thinking like modern society usually is. What’s crazy is how much this describes the world right now. Social media has created all these “digital tribes” online groups where people come together because of shared interests, beliefs, or even anger. News and trends spread instantly, emotions blow up fast, and there’s not a lot of room for calm, rational thinking. It’s like we’re all sitting around a virtual campfire, reacting to everything in real time, with so much emotional energy that sometimes it feels overwhelming. But this idea also freaks me out. Tribal societies were super close and connected, which sounds great, but they were also really closed off and often fought with outsiders. That feels way too much like what we see online today: echo chambers, cancel culture, and people constantly arguing and dividing into “us vs. them.” The same tools that bring us together are also splitting us apart at the same time. This line really stands out to me because it flips the way we think about technology. Instead of seeing it as progress or moving forward, McLuhan makes it seem like we’re going backward, back to something old and primal. It makes me question whether new tech is actually making us more advanced, or if it’s just dragging us back into old patterns of behavior.

The first video I found that was interesting was Eadweard Muybridge’s 1887 flipbook. His work amazed me with how it brought still images to life. It’s simple and interesting, each flip shows motion in a way that feels both scientific and artistic. And it made me realize how much creativity can come from studying real movement. The second video I found that was interesting was the phenakistoscope, the way of viewing each frame of the sequence frame by frame is very attractive. When it rotates, these images will combine together to form a smooth and repetitive animation. The third video I found that was interesting was Fantasmagorie by Émile Cohl. The animation felt playful and unpredictable, with one shape constantly turning into another. I was impressed by how creative it was, especially considering it was made in 1908. Even without color or sound, it kept my attention through its imagination and smooth transitions. It really showed how animation can bend reality and bring drawings to life in a magical way. The last video I found that was interesting was Thaumatrope: Bird & Cage. The bird and cage thaumatrope was simple but really clever. When spun it, the two separate images blended into one, making it look like the bird was inside the cage. It showed me how our eyes and brain can be tricked into seeing motion or combined images. Even though it’s a very old technique, it still feels magical and shows how early animation used science and creativity together.

First part:

I think Russolo’s idea of expanding music beyond traditional sounds is really cool. He makes a strong point that the world around us full of machines, factories, and chaos has its own kind of music. This idea stands out because it reminds us that art isn’t separate from the world, it changes with society and can even challenge it. Russolo’s belief that noise can be music was way ahead of his time, especially when you think about modern genres like electronic music, ambient sounds, or even industrial noise. His manifesto encourages artists and musicians to think outside the box and try new sounds, breaking the rules of what we usually think music should be. What really sticks with me is how open he is to experimenting and trying new things. Instead of holding on to old traditions, he looks to the future and says music needs to grow and change as our lives and technology do. That mindset feels exciting and inspiring, especially now, that technology is changing so fast. However, what I think is missing is that Russolo isn’t super clear about how to actually use noise in music. He’s really passionate about the idea of noise being art, but he doesn’t give many specific examples of how musicians can include it in their work. This makes it a little confusing to figure out how his ideas would actually work in real life.

Second part:

The artist I chose was Kathy Acker. Kathy Acker’s spoken word performances feel like a form of rebellion, similar to how Russolo saw noise as a way to disrupt and challenge the norm. Her storytelling isn’t traditional music, but it still captures the essence of noise by making people uncomfortable, forcing them to think differently, or pushing them into deeper reflection. I’ve thought about sound as art before, but mostly in ways that are obviously musical or ambient. Kathy Acker changes my perspective because her noise comes from words, language, and the way she delivers them. Her performances make me realize that sound as art isn’t just about background noise or music it includes speech, tone, emotion, and even silence. I just randomly picked the artist.

The sound of magic feels alive, like it’s trying to say something but doesn’t quite have words. It moves through the air in soft whispers, almost like a secret being told just out of reach. Then comes a low, echoing voice, not just one but many, layering over each other. Some are deep and steady, like a chant, while others are light and quick.