the 21st Century - Today and the future

the 21st Century has offered us the peak of Technology thus far, technology is still continuing to grow at a rapid pace. As well as computers, technology today offers us smart phones, ipads, Faster internet connection, online gaming, multiple softwares with their own purposes of use and 3D animation.

Animation graphics is still expanding, offering us realistic movement and also highly detailed textures, humans facial expressions can now be recorded straight onto software using motion scan technology such as L.A Noire,. This allows a more realistic, fun experience for gaming and animation visuals. Bodily movements can also be recorded onto software, for example; Smeagle in Lord of the rings.

Example of motion scan technology, source: http://atarireel.blogspot.co.uk/2011/06/review-la-noire.html

Dreamworks animations graphics has also vastly improved and continues to do so. expressions are always shown on a characters face and hair now has ragdoll movement and realistic texture. (See Brave image below) Skin textures and separate clothing textures are all taken into consideration within the gaming and animation industry.


Xcreenshot of 2012 film Brave, source: http://www.filmofilia.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/BRAVE_image.jpg

The gaming industry has been refamiliarizing previous used technology, when the person moves - as does the games character. Certain movements within few games will depict what the character on the game does. Gaming is now allowed to have more impressive visuals for a new type of texturing has been introduced. Rather than using a blockesque texturing that will take up memory, software will soon be able to allow to apply everything being hand rendered in dots, rather than cubes and lines. This will be abreakthrough within technology today because it will be unlimited detail for gaming graphics.

Having allowed more space onto discs and cartridges, console games will be able to do the same. The new Animal crossing: Jump out - has a special kind of cartridge for the 3DS, allowing more memory to go into the cartridge to improve the quality on the games visuals and content - quality and quantity. Though this recent technology has come to a downside, the cartridges thus far have now sold out and the gaming company will need more of these specific cartridges to be created; therefore stopping sales for up to six months before there is anymore cartridge releases of the game.

http://www.another-castle.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=927&d=1354282347

To prevent an entire halt to downsides like these, the console gaming industry all now have an online downloading system where customers can download their games from their online store - onto the console itself or the memory drive within the system or a portable memory device put into the system; and play using this method. Nintendo has animal crossing both on cartridge and online, so people may continue to play their game if they are connected to the internet.

As for the social networking aspect; technology has allowed people to access the internet wherever they go, smart phones allow you to access the internet and talk to other people whenever you wish. Whether it be via text message or phone call, Facebook chat or Skype. Smart phones also allow you to play games wherever you go - and access any website they wish to update their status or add a new photo etc. using an Application which you download. Ipads are similar to this but have more of a technology withhold to them. allowing to play higher graphics games and a higher selectin of higher quality apps which the phone may not allow - unless there is a downgraded version of this application made specifically for the phone.

http://i-cdn.phonearena.com/images/reviews/119582-image/Samsung-Galaxy-Note-II-vs-Galaxy-Note-07-jpg.jpg

3D is also a recent expanding technology, Television screens, Cinema screens and even a portable gaming screen allow you to view your content in 3D - so long as it's supported. Computer moniters also allow 3d viewing, allowing your PC games to be a more visually pleasing experience if the customer preffers 3D. The Nintendo 3Ds is also the first console which allows 3D without the need of 3D glasses. Cinema and moniters and TV screens require glasses in order for the 3D to be viewed. However with the 3DS viewing may only lead up to an hour and the player must have the screen at a certain distance and position. If these rules are not applied the viewer will gain bad eyesight and may experience a headache.

The future

I believe the future of technology will hold better graphics for gaming and animation - as well as special effects. Textures are only becoming near to realism today and every surpassing game that is being released only gets more and more closer to realism - though graphics will also be able to be stylized - the movement will have improved and the style could be more exaggerated than it has been recently. I think that motion scan technology will become more popular for the gaming and animation industry, game characters will be moving as if in real life, rather than they do now with repetative movement animations.

Not only will graphics be vastly improved in the future; but robots may also be released for everyone. so far in Japan they have created a Honda robot and are creating realistic looking robots that talk but not yet walk. The Honda robot however can walk, up and down stairs. It can also grab a drink and pass it to someone when told to let go. This is being prototyped so far and they already have a model design they will be sticking with.

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/11/webasimo-cup.jpg

The Height of The British Empire - 20th Century

As shown in the previous post, The industrial revolution emerged in Britain and was a great help towards our technological advancement. Trains allowed the country to trade externally and import, allowing us to gain wealth.

Between 1914 and 1918, the first world war had taken place. this was the crumbling point of the british Empire. 17million British fell, and 8million of those had passed away, this created a social impact. Though the death of many was a negative impact, the positive impact was technology. The technological advancements from the upcoming wars in the 20th Century has allowed us to use the  technology we do today. For example; the mobile phone, the internet, the television and many other technologies. The technology during the war needed to be effective enough to kill the enemy. The Germans had their own language which was allowing them to communicate to each other and organize kills. If the British found out/learned this language, the English could further win the war by killing off this communication. During this particular war, the calculator and more importantly the radio was invented.

Image source: http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/jo/history/ww1a.jpg

 In 1929, the great depression arisen. Socially everyone was happier, due to the end of the first world war. Women had rights to work during these times, allowing a great social change. However this was known as the great depression due to the lack of money towards developing technology. As America crashed, the economy was impacted. No money was generated, and technology had collided with it, slowing development down.

The second world war hit in 1939 and lasted up until 1945. during this time, the splitting of the atom was being developed. The Germans remained ahead for a duration of this war mainly because they were a step ahead in technology. where the great depression hit, the British and the US could not develop as explained above, whilst the Germans could. Germans had more powerful tanks than other countries, with Russian tanks being a step below. The enigma machine was invented in Germany, which was the first technological step towards computers. Aircraft as well as tanks allowed them to utilize their blitzkrieg tactic. Germans were also highly organized with their infantry which would allow them to invade other countries in a very short time span. Germans were also responsible for the worlds first jet.

Image source: http://www.wired.com/images/article/wide/2007/07/dayintech_0718_wide.jpg

 The cold war occurred during 1947 - 1991. Though there was no direct conflict, the idea and concept of nuclear war was a constant passing threat; mainly between the US and communist Soviet Russia. this could then lead to the obliteration of the earth. If one person fired a nuclear weapon, the other would fire, so on and so forth. With this threat satellite technology was invented increasingly. This happened due to the "Space race". This was in literal terms a race between countries. Showing which country was most technologically advanced, therefore had the most power. Having the ability to go to space showed who was superior to the other. During this time, the first space rocket/satellite was launched. The first man Neil Armstrong, was also launched and landed on the moon. This war once again furthered technological advances. Satellite allowed Mobile technology to flourish, which has lead to mobile and smart phones today; furthering easier access to worldwide communication.

Image source: http://resources0.news.com.au/images/2012/08/26/1226458/179128-armstrong-on-the-moon.jpg

Not only technology, but entertainment developed during this time. During 1899, Stop motion developed, during 1907, coloured photo's were finally accomplished. Dealing with the blues and reds were finally adjusted correctly, taking a total time span of 80 years. Radio was invented during 1920, initially for military use - later for consumable use as explained above. Paperback books were developed during 1931, in 1950 Television was invented, This was the height of the media and entertainment industry. in 1980, the information age had developed. Allowing the first PC to have been created. Ten years later this is now a consumable product use for all purposes alongside the internet, which was created in 1990. The later 70's to early 80's is an era in which entertainment was at a height, creating the birth of gaming.

The 1900's also offered us hand drawn animation, in the 1930's  Walt Disney studios itself was risen, along with the well known iconic character Mickey Mouse. Here on out, Disney even began making feature length film as well as animation shorts for television. Snow white in 1937 was the first full feature length animation to be in colour.

http://i2.listal.com/image/950773/936full-snow-white-and-the-seven-dwarfs-screenshot.jpg

The Renaissance - 19th Century

The Renaissance was one of the most important turning points in the history of human culture. During this time period, Science theory was born. Because of the middle ages, people began to question Gods existence. In turn people successfully made Scientific discoveries which have been proven correct today. Another major change the renaissance offered was the art. Rather than dis-proportioned art based solely on religion, art was once again reintroduced with expressionism, correct proportions and three dimensional, realistic and in depth. Antiquity had returned and architecture reflected upon art.

The Renaissance began in Florence and spread its way to Venice via trading port. Renaissance men include Copernicus, Kepler and Galileo, who discovered that the world was round. This helped people realize that God didn't control everything and there was more to the universe than earth itself.
Isaac Newton was the first to discover gravity, the birth of his theory involving the question as to why an apple fell off a tree.

Image source: http://www.badassoftheweek.com/davinci1.jpg

Leonardo Da Vinci played a large role in the renaissance also, being one of the first to illustrate a human in movement. This played an important role to art and helped lead towards the concept of animation. As well as an anatomist, Da Vinci was also an inventor. Early illustrations show sketches of flying contraptions for humans, which would help towards the invention of the plane. Within anatomy, Da Vinci also illustrated the concept of the female womb, showing the fetus in the fetal position.

As noted in previous posts, Michaelangelo also played a big role in anatomy during the renaissance. Being responsible for famous sculpture "David" This was important for artists, as it was a play on exaggerated proportions which celebrated the human body. Later in life the media industry is largely based around a sculpture such as David, being exaggerated in proportion and visually fitting the job role of the "super model".

Brunelleschi was also important in the renaissance, rediscovering the importance of perspective in art. Without perspective, art would have continually been flat, two dimensional and disproportional. Botticelli's women also show an example of renaissance art. "The Birth of Venus" showing a high level of realism, both in anatomy and texture, perspective and colour.

Image source: http://www.ibiblio.org/wm/paint/auth/botticelli/botticelli.venus.jpg

Shakespeare was responsible for the rise of theatrical arts. Both wealthy and common people were able to see Shakespeare's plays, allowing art to be seen and be for everyone. Marco Polo allowed people to trade and begin open market. This led to freelance artists being able to sell their work.

As well as a revolution in art and the birth of Science, the renaissance also led to the industrial revolution. Steam power allowed people in Britain to travel, and became the workhouse of the world. Gutenburg created the print press, which was later responsible for the newspaper. In the 1800's, Thomas Edison discovered electricity.

In 1816, the first photo was taken. Followed by 1830, the first camera was created. This plays a huge role in animation, allowing Edweard Muybridge to capture animals and people in movement with a  camera. As well as the camera, the Zoetrope was also created, this playing another lead role in the animation industry, essentially being the first animations for people around the world to enjoy. Another important event which takes place in the industrial revolution, would be the telephone. This allowed mass communication and would one day help create the internet.

Image source: http://condor.depaul.edu/dtudor/1872-muybridge-motion-studi.jpg

5 - 15th Century; The Middle ages

The Middle ages, also referred to long ago as "The Dark Ages" Was an age where a widespread disease occurred, leaving the human population under threat. Since the roman Empire fell, incredible successful cultures had been torn apart, and there was nothing else to replace it. As there was no law, the West was filled with war and battles over land grab. Technology got lost in the middle ages, poor people had no education. Civilisation and intellectual elite was no longer available. 

Soon after the fall of the Empire, Christianity began to develop; Though it took a long time to finally take off. people were persecuted if they were Christian. People looked for Christians to regain structure, bringing a sense of belonging that left with the Roman empire. People in their own villages organised their own military, each having their own Knights. Small gang-like cultures were developed, shooting people in order to steal from them. Christianity showed people morals. Crop rotation allowed people to have free time, allowing people to build churches. these building were built as castles. when the Roman Knights attacked, the church offered protection. People could look out the top to watch for danger, and windows were purposely placed high above in order to shoot arrows through them.

Image source: http://www.cocorioko.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/jesus-on-the-cross.jpg

Everyone ended up trusting the church, the Church eventually became wealthy. When everyone was donating tot he church the money increased and everyone was listening to what the people of the church had to say. church became a place where people were educated, only the rich could afford this expensive opportunity. People who paid for education were taught to read and write, but only from the bibles context. This way copies of the bible were written and word spread out quicker. People of the church taught others to live on certain way, the wealthier people would then tell the poorer people the same. These people listened and church became even more wealthy. 

all art in the middle ages was mainly based around Christianity. All the artwork reflected stories from Christianity. civilisation and art expression took a step back. Romans art expressed much more than just the Gods they worshipped, in the middle ages these people brought down art work to only one perspective. 

Image source: http://cdn.breitbart.com/mediaserver/Breitbart/Big-Journalism/2012/04/26/church.jpg

In the 14th Century, the bubonic plague was recorded. the plague was spread by rats that carried lice with an infection. This plague was fatal and killed many people. Medical science hadn't been evolved so far, the plague spread rapidly. An estimate of 33 million people were killed off across Europe, and 100 million worldwide. The plague started in china, and took a quarter of the worlds population. People didn't understand how infection spread, and families passed away collectively. 

Image source: http://www.thehistoryblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Yersinia-pestis-in-the-lymph-of-a-plague-patient.jpg

The cure of the plague was in fact death, the human population became so scattered towards the end these remaining people survived and couldn't catch it. The plague had killed itself when it was out of range. After so many people had passed away, a turning point in civilization had been created. People began to question God.

The Roman Era

Romans civilization developed the Latin alphabet, this alphabet is very similar today's. The symbols can be recognized as the English Alphabet. As well as communication with one another, the Romans also built aqueducts. These fulfilled the purpose of transporting water. this was a very useful tool and allowed the Romans to gain easy access to water. Because there was a constant source of fresh water, people had more time to accomplish other things and the entire population massively expanded.

Image source: http://mrbpielglobal.edublogs.org/files/2011/01/Aqueduct-1ivz8oj.jpg

As well as aqueducts, the Romans also built long, straight roads. These are known today as Roman roads today. These roads were built straight from one place to the other. these were built straight purposely in order for Romans to transport goods to people. This was found to be a lot simpler tan building a multi direction path in order to reach their required destination. When this was accomplished, Romans were able to meet other cultures and the separate cultures could share more with one another. 

the roman military was a quick movement of troops. this military accomplished victory by being methodical and organized. Rather than being scattered and unprotected, the Romans would line up tightly packed and have large shields that would create an impenetrable wall of defense. There was an estimate of only 15,00 soldiers. Only a tiny portion was required for they were so organized and successful.

Image source: http://blogs.nsb.org/jonathanalexander/files/2011/11/romanshields.jpg

In this particular era, Rome was a place of wealth. It was known as the largest and wealthiest city in the world. 1million people shared this one area. Having wealth and power allowed Rome to create more expressive art. Sculptures were considered a privilege to have. The Romans linked art to be as realistic in proportion as possible. Sculpture showed the culture had wealth, power and influence. Sculptures eventually began to also represent narratives in frozen terms.  Romans were also the first civilization that had engraved the emperor's face onto money. This was also another sign of power, and allowed him to be marketed everywhere. The text on the edge tended to mention that their Emperor was forgiving and generous to his people, as well as powerful.

Image source: http://www.romancoins.info/Brutus-Obverse.jpg

Eventually, the Romans controlled multiple countries with their military and democracy. Rather than forcefully taking over, they created a bond with other cultures and offered them the ideal of Rome. This method has been replicated into modern culture today. People swayed into culture, and were offered life changing abilities. They persuaded having an empire was a lot better than the alternative. However, in 500 AD; the roman Empire collapsed. Though happening gradually over a period of time, 500AD was the height of failure. People realized they didn't need to pay taxes. This realization hit the West first. 

Art - Communicating in a different form

50,000 years later since the Neanderthal era, art was a communication that had spread throughout all communities. The Egyptians and Greeks and African tribes created Architecture with meaning, and sculpture which still has importance and meaning to the human race today.

Image sourced from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:All_Gizah_Pyramids.jpg

For example, the Ancient Egyptian pyramids were built as enormous tombs for their Pharaoh's when they passed away. How these pyramids were built is still a mystery to us. Some theories even exclude the human race being responsible for this architecture, for these pyramids appear to be incapable to create by human hands alone.

Image sourced from: http://www.artisansofleisuretraveler.com/wp-content/uploads/import/295-hieroglyphics-at-karnak-tem.jpg

Ancient Egyptians also had engraved imagery in these tombs, these were later discovered as an alphabet the Egyptians created, their aim was to keep their message for eternity. Pyramids have been built in line with constellations, which we did not have the technology for at that time. This also adds to the theory that Egyptians alone were not involved in the making of the pyramids, but something more technologically developed than humans.

Image of Michelangelo's David

Ancient Greece also left their mark on the earth today, having built the Colosseum, having sculpted dozens of statues and playing a huge role on beauty today.

The ancient Greeks spent years perfecting their sculptural techniques in capturing the human form to complete accuracy. However once the human anatomy's surface was accomplished, they found it held lack of meaning or importance to look at.

This is when the Greeks then took a more artistic approach on their sculpture and enhanced the features of humans. For example, Micheal Angelo's David has grossly exaggerated features, these features would not be seen on an average human. His legs are elongated, his muscles increased in size and he's even been given a flawless surface. His hands also appear a lot more muscular than the average person, further implying the strength he has.


The Greeks successfully created a human more than human,more of a super human, which has left a trace on what beauty is today. Super models try to match these features as much as possible. Men try to be more muscular and exaggerated as women try to have exaggerated features in the face, longer legs, bigger eyelashes and stronger facial features; such as chizzled cheek bones and arched eyebrows.

All images founded via Google search engine, image above sourced from: http://www.thehistoryblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/Michelangelos_David.jpg

In the beginning - there was evolution

Introduction - Darwin's theory

Years have gone by as humans have tried to look for an answer as to where we came from & how we came to exist. One of the popular theories is the theory of Natural selection by Charles Darwin. Darwin's theory explains how us humans evolved throughout time, once being an animal amongst the ocean, and eventually evolving into our environment, from Chimpanzee to Neanderthal, or commonly known as 'Cavemen'.

Image sourced via Google search engine: http://harrisonwebster.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/digievolution.jpg

Real Neanderthal skeleton

Once natural selection had gotten to the stage of the neanderthal, they began evolving to being on the top of the food chain. As animals neanderthal learnt to respond to danger and neanderthal adapted more and more to their environment. At the stage of the Neanderthal, they also gained dexterity - meaning they could create tools to use as weapons. These weapons allowed them to get a constant food source with ease.

With this advantage, Neanderthal had more time to socialise and evolve mentally. Neanderthal also learnt to speak languages using vocal sounds as we do today.

As humans we naturally have the desire to communicate and tell stories, only today we are using modern technology a lot more to do so. Us humans have no physically evolved through all these years, but have intellectually evolved.

To the left is an image of a real Neanderthal skeleton which was discovered in a cave. Sourced via Google search engine: 
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e8/Neanderthalensis.jpg/282px-Neanderthalensis.jpg

Neanderthal not only learned how to communicate through sound, but also grew the desire to create. Prehistoric paintings have been found on the walls of inside caves, as shown below.

image sourced via Google search engine: http://www.squidoo.com/squid50