Star Trek: The Next Generation’s episode “The Measure of a Man,” is based around an argument whether an artificial intelligence deserves human-like rights. Lieutenant Commander Data is an android, which is defined as an automaton made to resemble a human being, made by Dr. Noonien Soong. Commander Bruce Maddox has come to take Data, so he can use him as research on how to create another being like him. Since there is only one of his kind, Commander Bruce would need to take Data apart and risk him not being able to put him back together successfully. Under Captain Picard’s advice, Data decides to resign so he would not be submitted to the procedure. This is when there is a debate whether Data is the property of Starfleet command, therefore does not have the right to resign. Opposing the ruling, Captain Picard requests a hearing where Commander Bruce Maddox regards Data as non-sentient. When asked how to define someone as sentient, he says they must possess three qualities; intelligence, self-awareness, and consciousness. Commander Bruce argues that there is no way to prove that Data does not have even the smallest amounts of all three qualities. The Starfleet court ultimately rules that Data has the right to choose. This case is one difficult to choose opinions on, as artificial intelligence are generally created for their intelligence, not to mimic humans. But, an android specifically is made in the image of a human, and as they procure human-like emotions it can be understood the desire for their rights.

Algorithms of Oppression by Safiya Noble is an eye-opening composition as it sheds light on a topic many people are ignorant to. The basis of the book is surrounding the racial discrimination against people of color, in particular women in technology. Safiya explains how Google’s search engines are prime examples of this racism and sexism. Google has unnoticeably used their search engines to form our minds and lives by making us associate particular words with negative racist and/or sexist connotations. They, in turn, have been biased to the white community, giving them privilege by always portraying them in “perfect” light.

The New York Times article, Andromeda is Coming for our Milky Way, Eventually, by Dennis Overbye published February 8, 2019, was created to inform readers about a new finding made by astronomers. The path and speed of the galaxy Andromeda, also known as Messier 31, has changed from their last findings. The former report had declared the galaxy would collide into the Milky Way in 3.9 billion years. Traveling at about 68 miles per second, the collision would end with the Milky Way and Andromeda conglomerating into a singular, enormous cosmic being. New data declares that Andromeda is actually moving a lot slower than expected, at only about 20 miles per second and sideways. This denoting it would take approximately 4.5 billion years to strike our galaxy, in turn also changing the path of Andromeda. At a faster speed, it could be assumed we would have had a harder, more direct hit. The galaxy’s decreased velocity would make the encounter a subtler clash.

This article contains a video attachment from 2014 in which the previous data found through the Hubble Space Telescope had shown scientist the Andromeda galaxy, made of a trillion stars, would have a head-on collision with the Milky Way galaxy. The video gives a visual representation of how the collision would look to a faraway onlooker. Also, there is an insight into what specifically would happen to the earth and humans in the process of this collision. It is said before the collision would even occur human life would cease to exist from its sterilization by the sun. After the collision and many billion years, the two galaxies after intertwining will be able to assemble into one, large galaxy.

This video is vital to the article as it helps to explain a difficult to grasp the topic. A galaxy’s immense size makes interpreting its behavior hard. These extensive time periods between the actual collisions and how the collision will look are complex to comprehend. Although the video shows a totally different outcome from what will happen with the present data, it allows us to compare the two outcomes. The video also serves as a tool to exhibit the new path Andromeda will take by evaluating the video with the new data in mind.

The comic, Understanding Rhetoric: A Graphic Guide to Writing, was constructed to help readers understand the idea of rhetoric in a simplified way. The comic first introduces the negative conceptions of rhetoric, in particular, those of the past. Rhetoric has always had some negative connotations as people perceive it as something used for debate or other intense conversation where you are trying to shut down someone else. This being caused by the incorrect understanding and definition of rhetoric being passed around. To correct this misconception, the authors explained a few main points which encompass rhetoric; ethos, pathos, logos, and kairos. Ethos meaning ethics, which is used to prove credibility, earning the audience’s trust. Pathos meaning empathy, in which the speaker or writer invokes emotion commonly through images. Logos meaning logical, as in the statistical evidence which can help in the development of your argument as it supports your points. Kairos is based around timing and its importance, whether it be not rushing an assignment or completing a piece while an event is still relevant.

The article labeled Labor Log serves the purpose of teaching how to keep track of the work you complete. Recording your labor done for the course helps to trace your progress and helps the instructor to be aware of your strong points and weaknesses. Maintaining an account of all the time and work you put into assignments and projects are important in proving your credibility. Labor Log shows you how to properly record your data by explaining what is necessary to document no matter how you decide to showcase this work. When Your Grades Are Based on Labor summarizes into five points how you should work when your grading isn’t penalized for mistakes and isn’t based around tests and quizzes like a typical classroom. This article teaches students to focus on remembering their purpose while completing an assignment, don’t be shy to broaden their horizons and work to their highest potential.