Characterization of Human and Non-human Subjects

Student’s name: Instructor: Course: Date: Characterization of Human and Non-human Subjects Introduction Franklin Foer characterizes the Silicon Valley, and the technology industry by insinuation, as a character that is subject to questioning. Observations on the human and non-human characterizations of Foer show that the categorizations can change. The author pinpoints that a company like Facebook exhibits fluctuations in the description of company intentions. At one point the company seeks to achieve ‘radical transparency’ while at another, the organization seeks after ‘ultimate transparency’. Foer comes to the conclusion that even though the characterizations of the company contain contradictory ideas, the notions make sense. The essay examines other outstanding characterizations of human and non-human subjects that exist throughout the essay Foer wrote, and how each contributes to the development of the argument Foer proposes. Examples of Human and Non-human Figures Characterized The author focuses on characters whose actions contribute to the idea that each character has justification of their activities. The first characterization of interest is the original hackers (Foer 57). The author describes the group as virtual technical resourceful cowboy nerds, who failed to conform to conventional ways of thinking and disrespected authority. The individuals took risks to break rules that interfered with the development of computing activities, and played pranks to draw attention to their intellect. The hackers managed to design better methods of conducting activities to ensure better efficiency. The second figure of interest in the characterization is the engineers (Foer 62). The author describes engineers as the group that would come into power to implement government through scientific principles, and impose order and rationality in societies. The result of such an institution has become the domination of the world through the creators of software. Automation has taken over human activities with little need for human intervention. There is little need for intellectual processes to the extent that corporations have grounds to justify intrusion into individual lives under the guise of supplying efficiency. Engineers have also managed to impose order through technology. The final characterization is Gottfried Leibniz (Foer 64). The man worked to create strategies for the unification of humanity. His aspiration for peace propelled the man to create a language to foster universal peace (Foer 65). In addition, the language would involve newly-introduced expressions and symbols, which would lead to the discovery of new truths. Such attempts to integrate order and rationality into human life are admirable but such inventions leave little room for human contribution. There are human characteristics that automation and software lack the capability to replicate. The innovators should have left space for actual human contribution, which would in turn allow human beings to exercise the components that comprise humanity. Instances of Synecdoche One instance in Foer applies the literary device is when talking about Silicon Valley. The author uses the term to refer to well-established technology companies that dominate the field of technology (Foer 56). Companies that fall into the category boast of similar ideologies, strategies and goals. In the case of the subject matter in the essay, Silicon Valley refers to companies that advertise their services as platfo...