5 Reasons Not To Clone Yourself

When forecasting the future, the attention is often on how technology will physically effect our lives. But what about once these technologies are adopted, how will they impact us morally? Enter the Institute for Ethics and Emerging Technologies (IEET), a think tank discussing issues of this sort from a variety of angles and doing it now. 

From bioconservatives to technoprogressives, already there are factions throughout the spectrum trying to secure rights for either side.  In this latest IEET debate on cloning, Akansha Bhargava talks about "Five Reasons Not To Clone Yourself." 

#2 cracked us up: 

Cloners are Arrogant Narcissists

Modular Blocks by Azalea Lee

There's a whole lot of talent behind Things We've Made, including Azalea Lee - our costume designer from the Director's Lab scenes and You, Me and We. She recently directed this short as her submission to Diane Pernet's A Shaded View on Fashion Film contest. It's a fun study on personal style and her subjects' interaction with a set of wooden blocks.

Huffington Post Discusses Cloning and the Singularity

In "Science and the Future of Cloning: Is Immortality Possible?" writer Patrick Takahashi poses that when human reproductive cloning is accomplished, computer technology will be at the point where one's consciousness can be downloaded into this new body. He estimates, "...this fantasy for immortality could be possible in 25 years." 

But the best part of this article are the comments (over 180 last count) left by readers. Seriously, take a look and see the ideas people have about cloning, the future and modular consciousness. There are poignant musings about the soul, references to Star Trek, Neuromancer, vampires, and it wouldn't be the internet without snarky comments about everything in between.

"Your Hair Smells Like the Sunset"

Jamie Hardt, the amazing sound designer on our latest short You, Me and We, pointed out this ad campaign for Koleston Naturals hair products. It's a really smart and whimsical use of the environment and design. Creative Billboard notes:

In order to capture the natural aspects of their products, they used a billboard using nature itself to represent their product.  A perfectly placed billboard that uses the sunset and moonlight to illustrate their superior hair color products and change the hair color of the billboard.  

This is much more clever than a beauty shot of a model with great hair. What really made us smile is because in You, Me and We, there's a clone named Proctor with a creepy moustache. He welcomes Coco, a newcomer to the session with the compliment, "Your hair smells like the sunset."

Hello Bina48

Created by the Teresam Movement, Bina48 is a robot based on the physical features and intelligence of one the machine's owners, Bina Rothblatt.

This isn't artificial intelligence that is being developed by a huge technology company like Honda or iRobot, but a privately commissioned robot based out of a not-for-profit organization in a small Vermont town. The blonde wig on Bina48 isn't by chance either.