rgeraci is currently certified at Apprentice level.

Name: Robert Geraci
Member since: 2007-05-02 13:25:59
Last Login: 2007-11-09 20:20:04

Homepage: http://home.manhattan.edu/~robert.geraci/

Notes: I am Assistant Professor of Religious Studies at Manhattan College. My primary field is religion and science, while robotics and artificial intelligence is my current research specialty.

I recently published "Spiritual Robots: Religion and Our Scientific View of the Natural World" in the academic journal _Theology and Science_. I have forthcoming essays on religion and robotics in _Zygon: Journal of Science and Religion_ and in the book _Reconfigurations: Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Religion in a Post-Secular Society_ (eds. Alexander D. Ornella and Stefanie Knauss). I have another paper, "Apocalyptic AI: Religion and the Promise of Artificial Intelligence" in review with the _Journal of the American Academy of Religion_ and I am working on a book about how religious issues affect and are affected by robotics and AI. That book will include the results of my fieldwork at Carnegie Mellon's Robotics Institute (June 2007).

I have a Lego Mindstorms NXT robot and a Tab Sumobot, so I am a rank amateur at all things related to building and programming. I am trying, however, to learn (when I can find the spare time). My expertise is solely within the realm of cultural interpretation

Recent blog entries by rgeraci

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20 Aug 2007 »

As part of my book, I'm interested in the extent to which pop science books in robotics and AI are read by and influence hobby roboticists.

I'd be extremely grateful if you would consider taking this very quick (fewer than 5 minutes long) survey.

thanks so much!

http://www.questionpro.com/akira/TakeSurvey?id=759862

15 Aug 2007 »

This morning, I finished the rough draft of the fourth chapter of my forthcoming book, _Laboratory Apocalypse: Visions of Heaven in Robotics, Artificial Intelligence and Virtual Reality_. This chapter is about how apocalyptic visions from pop science books (Moravec, Kurzweil, et al) have influenced online gaming culture.

With the completion, I now have nearly rough drafts of all substantive chapters, with only a short introduction and a conclusion to go! The project is wearing me down but I look forward to having a complete draft soon (probably not before I have to resume teaching on the 27th, though). It feels good to make progress!

26 Jul 2007 »

i tried to e-mail jim (swirling brain) but his address and webpage don't work anymore.

here's the message i sent:

hi jim,

as a jew living in nyc (well, just outside right now, actually), i'm disappointed to hear of your treatment on your recent visit. most likely, you were treated badly because they thought you were a non-orthodox jew. some of the local orthodox communities think badly of those of us who are not orthodox and are, well, less than welcoming to us. i think that had they known you were a gentile you would have received better treatment. that's usually the case, anyway: you're friend who indicated the orthodox welcome for outsiders is correct.

alas, it's a shame either way.

regards,

robert

30 May 2007 »

The Japan Society of New York City is hosting an interactive robot demonstration on June 6 (2:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.) entitled "Human Interaction: Vision 2020."

Robots included:

FT and Chroino, humanoids created by Tomotaka Takahashi
Paro, a seal-like robot created by Takanori Shibata
Toyota's i-unit.

Tickets are $10. see the official site

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