You can get extra credit points on the midterm by writing a short paper (or a long essay if you prefer) where you analyze relevant articles I have posted on Google plus or parts of Will Robots Steal Your Job?.
You can get two points per page of essay (12 point, standard margins, 1.5 spaced) up to a total of 10 points for a 5 page essay. What matters most in the essay is the content. The essay should be an analysis of how you see the technology described in the articles impacting society in general or you personally. You are not supposed to summarize the articles.
Essays need to be turn in to me within one week of the midterm. Note you will do these after the midterm so you should not interrupt your studying to write an essay.