1. The Most Useless Robot Ever
Assuming a robot paper weight hasn’t been invented yet, this, I think, currently tops the charts as the most useless robot ever designed. It’s comical means of locomotion should be set to kazoo music.
2. Atheists: Worse Than Hitler?
Interesting article about a study exposing the biases of most Americans against atheists as unworthy of trust. A study showed that people were far more likely to assume an individual performing relatively immoral acts was an atheist (with “rapist” being a close second) than a Muslim or a Christian.
3. Religious Right Wandering In The Wilderness
Speaking of prejudicial and irrational evangelicals, one of the upsides of the weak GOP field seems to be that the religious right is left without a clear champion (perhaps I should say “viable champion,” since Santorum really checks all the boxes for Christian fundamentalists), though all of the candidates have had their moments of shameless pandering.
4. The World of Tomorrow
Some pie-in-the-sky predictions of the technologies of the future. Some are more realistic than others.
5. Knowledge (Or Rather Possession of Data) Is Power
Yet more reason to believe the future of our species lies in first developing AI that knows literally everything (in terms of raw data) and can reliably recognize patterns and make accurate predictions of future events (the Palantir program is a nascent version of this superbrain) and then joining ourselves to it. Over the extreme long term it’s easy to imagine that we’d have less and less use for our physical bodies, to the point that we may discard them altogether.
30.11.11
21.11.11
Early Edition
1. How China Can Defeat America
Very interesting article that posits China can overtake the United States by focusing on cracking down on political graft at home and incubating a stronger Confucian model of morality that eliminates the vestigial and pervasive human rights abuses the current government continues to sanction. Author asserts that if China can get a firm grasp on a moral highground by getting its own house in order, it can begin credibly projecting power and cutting into American alliances with far greater ease. While he also puts forward that China’s military is less experienced, well-organized and technologically advanced, he doesn’t really touch the question of cyberwarfare, in which it seems China has both a willingness and a sophistocation to carry out to their strategic advance (ie – eliminating all of those American advantages and levelling the playing field). What I find kind of funny about this is that it’s a suggestion that China should basically follow the American model, which has resulted, as we see in the present-day, with eventual decline and contraction. Any rising power that seeks hegemony should, before it embarks on that fateful journey, do some soul-searching and decide whether they’d be better off avoiding the role of top dog.
2. The Limits of Altriusm/Ethics/Empathy in Human Behavior
This article touches on some familiar old studies about what human beings are capable of doing to one another as long as they can diffuse accountability onto others (groupthink), or claim they were given orders, etc, etc. It also discusses a recent study about how individuals who make ethical choices that challenge the group are frequently ostracized by the conformist group, even when the individual’s ethical choices are validated, simply because they did not conform.
3. More on Gingrich, And How He Could Win
Consider the source (The Weekly Standard) and the author (Fred Barnes), but this is a somewhat plausible argument for how Gingrich could, against heavy odds, secure the GOP nomination over Romney and go on to beat Obama. If the suggestions that Newt has gotten control of his tongue and developed the discipline to avoid his frequent self-destructions are true (I somewhat doubt it), then great. But even finishing out the primary and general election season with a perfect performance won’t eliminate some of his more damning past misstatements that make easy fodder for the Democrats (his indirect Paul Ryan bashing, for instance, would make a great soundbyte on how even Gingrich, before it became politically convenient, admitted the right wing had overreached in the GOP, etc). He does demonstrate what other conservative candidates miss: that challenging the premise of the questions you are asked can be a winning strategy, and provides ample opportunity to teach conservatism via soundbyte to a nationwide television audience.
4. Hitchens On American Exceptionalism
Hitchens examines the accidents of history that led to the rise of the United States and the fortunes of its predecessors, and bemoans the focus on the amorphous, quasi-spiritual concept of American exceptionalism as a litmus test for conservatives.
Very interesting article that posits China can overtake the United States by focusing on cracking down on political graft at home and incubating a stronger Confucian model of morality that eliminates the vestigial and pervasive human rights abuses the current government continues to sanction. Author asserts that if China can get a firm grasp on a moral highground by getting its own house in order, it can begin credibly projecting power and cutting into American alliances with far greater ease. While he also puts forward that China’s military is less experienced, well-organized and technologically advanced, he doesn’t really touch the question of cyberwarfare, in which it seems China has both a willingness and a sophistocation to carry out to their strategic advance (ie – eliminating all of those American advantages and levelling the playing field). What I find kind of funny about this is that it’s a suggestion that China should basically follow the American model, which has resulted, as we see in the present-day, with eventual decline and contraction. Any rising power that seeks hegemony should, before it embarks on that fateful journey, do some soul-searching and decide whether they’d be better off avoiding the role of top dog.
2. The Limits of Altriusm/Ethics/Empathy in Human Behavior
This article touches on some familiar old studies about what human beings are capable of doing to one another as long as they can diffuse accountability onto others (groupthink), or claim they were given orders, etc, etc. It also discusses a recent study about how individuals who make ethical choices that challenge the group are frequently ostracized by the conformist group, even when the individual’s ethical choices are validated, simply because they did not conform.
3. More on Gingrich, And How He Could Win
Consider the source (The Weekly Standard) and the author (Fred Barnes), but this is a somewhat plausible argument for how Gingrich could, against heavy odds, secure the GOP nomination over Romney and go on to beat Obama. If the suggestions that Newt has gotten control of his tongue and developed the discipline to avoid his frequent self-destructions are true (I somewhat doubt it), then great. But even finishing out the primary and general election season with a perfect performance won’t eliminate some of his more damning past misstatements that make easy fodder for the Democrats (his indirect Paul Ryan bashing, for instance, would make a great soundbyte on how even Gingrich, before it became politically convenient, admitted the right wing had overreached in the GOP, etc). He does demonstrate what other conservative candidates miss: that challenging the premise of the questions you are asked can be a winning strategy, and provides ample opportunity to teach conservatism via soundbyte to a nationwide television audience.
4. Hitchens On American Exceptionalism
Hitchens examines the accidents of history that led to the rise of the United States and the fortunes of its predecessors, and bemoans the focus on the amorphous, quasi-spiritual concept of American exceptionalism as a litmus test for conservatives.
15.11.11
Early Edition
1. Anxiety Over Gingrich
I’m not sure why Michael Tomasky is agonizing so much over the possibility of Gingrich being the GOP nominee. I’d think, to read his article, that the prospect would positively thrill him as a far leftist. While I agree Gingrich has some major obstacles to overcome to first get the nomination and then beat Obama, I think Tomasky’s wrong to assume the general public is ignorant of his personal shortcomings (eg - the fact that his current and third wife was once his former staffer and mistress) or political posturing. On the contrary, I think Gingrich’s late rise has a lot to do with the fact that people (like myself) have been very resistant to even look at him because of his unsavory personal misdeeds, his political flip-flops and his early campaign stumbles. Tomasky has a point that Gingrich has shown a propensity for gaffes, and that certainly is cause for concern among Republicans. But compared to the rest of the GOP field (and perhaps this is the most stinging indictment of just how weak a field it is) he almost looks like the safest bet outside of Romney. But the ultimate thrust of the article, that Romney is inevitable and everything that happens between now and his nomination is just the fun of the silly season, is likely accurate. Oh Mitch Daniels, why have you forsaken us?
2. Herman Cain Should Not Be President
OK, I’ll say it. Herman Cain has reached the point of absurdity. It’s just plain ridiculous for a man who wants to be president to still be this uninformed on major issues. He’s had plenty of time to learn this stuff. All he has to do is grab a copy of any major newspaper in the country on his way to his next campaign stop or, better yet, pull up the Googles (or have a staffer pull up the Googles) and learn it. Now before anyone rushes to offer some excuse or another, they need to remember that, prior to this campaign, the man was the host of a radio show whose central theme was political punditry. I mean he should have picked these things up in show prep at the very least. We’re in Rick Perry territory now, folks.
3. More Cyberattacks On Iran
Whether this is us or Israel, I say keep it up just so long as we can take whatever we dish out (that is to say, hopefully whoever is launching these viruses has the antivirus on hand).
I’m not sure why Michael Tomasky is agonizing so much over the possibility of Gingrich being the GOP nominee. I’d think, to read his article, that the prospect would positively thrill him as a far leftist. While I agree Gingrich has some major obstacles to overcome to first get the nomination and then beat Obama, I think Tomasky’s wrong to assume the general public is ignorant of his personal shortcomings (eg - the fact that his current and third wife was once his former staffer and mistress) or political posturing. On the contrary, I think Gingrich’s late rise has a lot to do with the fact that people (like myself) have been very resistant to even look at him because of his unsavory personal misdeeds, his political flip-flops and his early campaign stumbles. Tomasky has a point that Gingrich has shown a propensity for gaffes, and that certainly is cause for concern among Republicans. But compared to the rest of the GOP field (and perhaps this is the most stinging indictment of just how weak a field it is) he almost looks like the safest bet outside of Romney. But the ultimate thrust of the article, that Romney is inevitable and everything that happens between now and his nomination is just the fun of the silly season, is likely accurate. Oh Mitch Daniels, why have you forsaken us?
2. Herman Cain Should Not Be President
OK, I’ll say it. Herman Cain has reached the point of absurdity. It’s just plain ridiculous for a man who wants to be president to still be this uninformed on major issues. He’s had plenty of time to learn this stuff. All he has to do is grab a copy of any major newspaper in the country on his way to his next campaign stop or, better yet, pull up the Googles (or have a staffer pull up the Googles) and learn it. Now before anyone rushes to offer some excuse or another, they need to remember that, prior to this campaign, the man was the host of a radio show whose central theme was political punditry. I mean he should have picked these things up in show prep at the very least. We’re in Rick Perry territory now, folks.
3. More Cyberattacks On Iran
Whether this is us or Israel, I say keep it up just so long as we can take whatever we dish out (that is to say, hopefully whoever is launching these viruses has the antivirus on hand).
14.11.11
Late Edition
1. Congress Is Full of Criminals. No Seriously, It’s Literally Full of Criminals…
A bipartisan orgy of illegality in Congress is detailed by Peter Schwiezer that exposes rampant insider trading on the part of lawmakers who benefitted off of their direct involvement in Wall Street’s dealings. So I’ll ask the obvious question; if this is an example of both parties agreeing on something, should we really get all that excited when they agree on stuff? Speaking for me, anytime I hear about broad bipartisan support the alarm bells start going off that there’s a big stinking pile of money to be made by our public servants somewhere in the deal.
2. Latest GOP Polls
My predictions show signs of coming true. The latest GOP presidential primary polls show Cain slowly starting to fall and Gingrich rising in his place. The end-of-the week polls will tell the tale, but I can’t say that this is surprising. And honestly I don’t really know that the sexual harrassment scandals have had as much to do with Cain’s peak as his inability to perform like a front-runner in media appearances and the last few debates. Now we’ll see if the next anti-Romney has any staying (read: fundraising) power…
3. "We’ve" Been Lazy
President Obama carefully explains how we’ve been lazy about attracting foreign business in this country, which makes a lot of sense because…. wait, what? Did he seriously say that? Who is “we”? Does he mean American businesses? No, no, that doesn’t make any sense. It would make more sense if he was talking about government, since they’re responsible for ensuring a friendly regulatory and business climate for foreign investment. So is he saying that he’s been lazy about it? Like, the “royal we”? I don’t know. But if he’s not just talking out of his ass and is serious about attracting business to the US he might consider LOWERING THE CORPORATE INCOME TAX RATE.
4. Occupy Your Mom
Occupy Oakland camp is officially busted up by the ultra-liberal mayor after even she couldn’t deny the fact that it had become “a place where we had repeated violence and this week a murder” (my emphasis added).
A bipartisan orgy of illegality in Congress is detailed by Peter Schwiezer that exposes rampant insider trading on the part of lawmakers who benefitted off of their direct involvement in Wall Street’s dealings. So I’ll ask the obvious question; if this is an example of both parties agreeing on something, should we really get all that excited when they agree on stuff? Speaking for me, anytime I hear about broad bipartisan support the alarm bells start going off that there’s a big stinking pile of money to be made by our public servants somewhere in the deal.
2. Latest GOP Polls
My predictions show signs of coming true. The latest GOP presidential primary polls show Cain slowly starting to fall and Gingrich rising in his place. The end-of-the week polls will tell the tale, but I can’t say that this is surprising. And honestly I don’t really know that the sexual harrassment scandals have had as much to do with Cain’s peak as his inability to perform like a front-runner in media appearances and the last few debates. Now we’ll see if the next anti-Romney has any staying (read: fundraising) power…
3. "We’ve" Been Lazy
President Obama carefully explains how we’ve been lazy about attracting foreign business in this country, which makes a lot of sense because…. wait, what? Did he seriously say that? Who is “we”? Does he mean American businesses? No, no, that doesn’t make any sense. It would make more sense if he was talking about government, since they’re responsible for ensuring a friendly regulatory and business climate for foreign investment. So is he saying that he’s been lazy about it? Like, the “royal we”? I don’t know. But if he’s not just talking out of his ass and is serious about attracting business to the US he might consider LOWERING THE CORPORATE INCOME TAX RATE.
4. Occupy Your Mom
Occupy Oakland camp is officially busted up by the ultra-liberal mayor after even she couldn’t deny the fact that it had become “a place where we had repeated violence and this week a murder” (my emphasis added).
9.11.11
Early Edition
1. Ohio Election Results: Collective Bargaining Rights Preserved, ObamaCare Rejected
The coverage of the results of yesterday’s special election in Ohio has focused almost exclusively on the failure of Issue 2, which sought to uphold Senate Bill 5’s restriction of collective bargaining rights for state employees. The current tally has Issue 2 being rejected by 61%, and the media coverage seems to suggest that this may somehow have an impact on the 2012 presidential elections. I think the issue far more likely to weigh heavily on presidential prospects in 2012 is Issue 3, which proposed to enact an amendment to the Ohio constitution that would opt it out of the federal health care reform law, known colloquially as “ObamaCare”, and more specifically a health care mandate system. The amendment is currently passing by a wide margin of 66%, with every county voting in favor except Lucas County, where it is failing by a less than one thousand vote margin.
2. The Gingrich Window
A propos, the Wall Street Journal editorial page comes out with an echo of my observations from yesterday’s Late Edition regarding the latest GOP primary polls. Gingrich does have an opportunity to cash in on his third place position should Cain implode (though the author’s derisive dismissal of Cain in light of the specific but suspiciously template-style accusations made by Bialek are a bit premature, I have a feeling) and one or more of the inevitable losers drop out sooner rather than later. What’s more, Rick Perry’s decision to not participate in further debates (which will without doubt not do anything to stop his plummeting poll numbers, though it may slow the plunge), starting with tonight’s, does remove some clutter that will allow Gingrich, who will participate, to fill at least a small vaccuum and continue to push his poll numbers up. We shall see.
3. If Iran Goes Nuclear
The inevitable question, with the release of the IAEA report suggesting that Iran is closer than ever to obtaining nuclear weapons, of what President Obama and his sometimes ally Prime Minister Netanyahu will do should they get the bomb. There’s no easy answer, and if we start a full-scale war with Iran to prevent them from obtaining weapons we’re not at all sure that they’ll use for anything but negotiation and prestige I think we’ll look back at the price as having been far too high. On the other hand, the idea of having yet another fundamentalist Islamic state that we know is tied directly to terrorist proxies and killing Americans with their finger on the nuclear trigger presents far too much risk to tolerate. I would tentatively suggest we continue the sabotage operations and try as hard as possible to get their first bomb to go off accidentally in whatever hangar or bunker it’s stashed in. That will embarrass them, destabilize their government even further, and invite international action to contain the disaster within their borders.
The coverage of the results of yesterday’s special election in Ohio has focused almost exclusively on the failure of Issue 2, which sought to uphold Senate Bill 5’s restriction of collective bargaining rights for state employees. The current tally has Issue 2 being rejected by 61%, and the media coverage seems to suggest that this may somehow have an impact on the 2012 presidential elections. I think the issue far more likely to weigh heavily on presidential prospects in 2012 is Issue 3, which proposed to enact an amendment to the Ohio constitution that would opt it out of the federal health care reform law, known colloquially as “ObamaCare”, and more specifically a health care mandate system. The amendment is currently passing by a wide margin of 66%, with every county voting in favor except Lucas County, where it is failing by a less than one thousand vote margin.
2. The Gingrich Window
A propos, the Wall Street Journal editorial page comes out with an echo of my observations from yesterday’s Late Edition regarding the latest GOP primary polls. Gingrich does have an opportunity to cash in on his third place position should Cain implode (though the author’s derisive dismissal of Cain in light of the specific but suspiciously template-style accusations made by Bialek are a bit premature, I have a feeling) and one or more of the inevitable losers drop out sooner rather than later. What’s more, Rick Perry’s decision to not participate in further debates (which will without doubt not do anything to stop his plummeting poll numbers, though it may slow the plunge), starting with tonight’s, does remove some clutter that will allow Gingrich, who will participate, to fill at least a small vaccuum and continue to push his poll numbers up. We shall see.
3. If Iran Goes Nuclear
The inevitable question, with the release of the IAEA report suggesting that Iran is closer than ever to obtaining nuclear weapons, of what President Obama and his sometimes ally Prime Minister Netanyahu will do should they get the bomb. There’s no easy answer, and if we start a full-scale war with Iran to prevent them from obtaining weapons we’re not at all sure that they’ll use for anything but negotiation and prestige I think we’ll look back at the price as having been far too high. On the other hand, the idea of having yet another fundamentalist Islamic state that we know is tied directly to terrorist proxies and killing Americans with their finger on the nuclear trigger presents far too much risk to tolerate. I would tentatively suggest we continue the sabotage operations and try as hard as possible to get their first bomb to go off accidentally in whatever hangar or bunker it’s stashed in. That will embarrass them, destabilize their government even further, and invite international action to contain the disaster within their borders.
8.11.11
Late Edition
1. Latest GOP Primary Polls
I see a few things in these polls. One, Cain, despite everything, seems to have some spectacular staying power. If the next set of polls (which will cover the revelations of this week and the additional revelations pertaining sexual harassment allegations certain to come) shows him where he is today then it will be quite something. Another thing I see is just how pathetically quick Perry shot up and then immediately down in the polls as a direct result of people seeing him attempt to articulate what he calls his ideas. Quite frankly I think he, Bachmann, Santorum and probably Hunstman too need to bow out and free their supporters up to counteract the Romney bloc. The third thing apparent here is that Gingrich has a real chance, should Cain falter and some of the above-mentioned clingers-on drop out, to get the "Not Romney" vote if his performance remains consistent, which could make him a real contender for the nomination, despite all odds (and his salacious personal character). And finally, Ron Paul has polled consistently at between about 8 and 11 percent throughout the primary season, placing anywhere from second place to fifth place, which leads one to wonder what kind of a bump he might see from the inevitable dropping out of other candidates.
2. How Dogs Evolved From Wolves
Being fascinated as I am by the history between dogs and humans that originated between wolves and early man, I found this article painted a vivid mental picture of just how cool that story is.
3. Clinton Okay With Oligarchy
Scarborough secures his place as a total jackass by singing the praises of unlimited presidential terms. Shockingly, Bill Clinton joins the chorus. Scarborough, showing a staggering ignorance, compares apples to oranges when he points to Britain's parliamentary system allowing Churchill to have served his repeated, but interrupted, terms. There's a very good reason we passed the 22nd Amendment, and no, it wasn't just that Republicans were jealous of FDR (the amendment wasn't proposed until 1947, by the way, long after Roosevelt's death), but it was a recognition of the possibility of de facto dictatorship and oligarchy that is represented by a single person's long occupation, interrupted or not (Putin, anyone?), of the chief executive office. This is really a parade of idiocy, I'm quite stunned.
I see a few things in these polls. One, Cain, despite everything, seems to have some spectacular staying power. If the next set of polls (which will cover the revelations of this week and the additional revelations pertaining sexual harassment allegations certain to come) shows him where he is today then it will be quite something. Another thing I see is just how pathetically quick Perry shot up and then immediately down in the polls as a direct result of people seeing him attempt to articulate what he calls his ideas. Quite frankly I think he, Bachmann, Santorum and probably Hunstman too need to bow out and free their supporters up to counteract the Romney bloc. The third thing apparent here is that Gingrich has a real chance, should Cain falter and some of the above-mentioned clingers-on drop out, to get the "Not Romney" vote if his performance remains consistent, which could make him a real contender for the nomination, despite all odds (and his salacious personal character). And finally, Ron Paul has polled consistently at between about 8 and 11 percent throughout the primary season, placing anywhere from second place to fifth place, which leads one to wonder what kind of a bump he might see from the inevitable dropping out of other candidates.
2. How Dogs Evolved From Wolves
Being fascinated as I am by the history between dogs and humans that originated between wolves and early man, I found this article painted a vivid mental picture of just how cool that story is.
3. Clinton Okay With Oligarchy
Scarborough secures his place as a total jackass by singing the praises of unlimited presidential terms. Shockingly, Bill Clinton joins the chorus. Scarborough, showing a staggering ignorance, compares apples to oranges when he points to Britain's parliamentary system allowing Churchill to have served his repeated, but interrupted, terms. There's a very good reason we passed the 22nd Amendment, and no, it wasn't just that Republicans were jealous of FDR (the amendment wasn't proposed until 1947, by the way, long after Roosevelt's death), but it was a recognition of the possibility of de facto dictatorship and oligarchy that is represented by a single person's long occupation, interrupted or not (Putin, anyone?), of the chief executive office. This is really a parade of idiocy, I'm quite stunned.
Early Edition
1. GPS Warrants
Seriously, this made it all the way to the Supreme Court? Is this not an easy answer? Of course the police shouldn’t be allowed to attach a GPS device to your vehicle (private property) without a warrant! It doesn’t matter whether the car is on a public road, for crying out loud! Even under the current law police are only allowed to search your vehicle under a specific set of circumstances without a warrant or consent, and that is a one-time search and not a days- or even months-long surveillance operation. Good lord.
2. Never Trust a Microphone
Every politician gets caught being honest when a mic is accidentally left on at some point in their careers. Apparently Presidents Obama and Sarkozy had their moment yesterday when a private conversation between the two leaders was overhead by the media after their mics were left on. Sarkozy was reportedly overheard to call Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a “liar” and say that he “can’t stand” him, to which Obama replied, “You’re fed up with him? I have to deal with him every day!” Cue the trombone: wah waaaaaaah.
3. Death Row Inmate Recieves Stay of Execution For DNA Testing
Yet another case of a man literally within minutes of being killed by the state without the benefit of DNA evidence. Fortunately for him the state of Texas granted him a temporary stay until DNA testing that may prove his innocence can be conducted.
4. Scientists Seek to Create Cellular “Operating System”
I don’t understand the mechanics of this exactly, but if this endeavor proves successful it sounds like synthetic biology would enter an “industrial era” in which mass production of programmable cells and organisms could bring the field into the mainstream and, in all likelihood, a more commercial realm.
5. ASIMO Is Back (without the stairs…)!
As much as I view robots as largely impractical curiosities in their current forms (and in some cases nothing more than grant-funded fulfillments of deviant Japanese masochistic fantasies), I do hold out hope that this private and military R&D will continue without discouragement until they at least manage to refine the current powersuit prototypes into fully functional battle-mechs. I mean anytime I see a robot the first question I literally always ask is "Yes, but have you thought about mounting miniguns, mortars or maybe even a bank off hellfire missiles on it?"
6. Yup, Cyberwar Will Destroy Us All
Dire assessment from America’s top national and cybersecurity experts saying America is woefully unprepared to protect its infrastructure from cyberattack.
Seriously, this made it all the way to the Supreme Court? Is this not an easy answer? Of course the police shouldn’t be allowed to attach a GPS device to your vehicle (private property) without a warrant! It doesn’t matter whether the car is on a public road, for crying out loud! Even under the current law police are only allowed to search your vehicle under a specific set of circumstances without a warrant or consent, and that is a one-time search and not a days- or even months-long surveillance operation. Good lord.
2. Never Trust a Microphone
Every politician gets caught being honest when a mic is accidentally left on at some point in their careers. Apparently Presidents Obama and Sarkozy had their moment yesterday when a private conversation between the two leaders was overhead by the media after their mics were left on. Sarkozy was reportedly overheard to call Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a “liar” and say that he “can’t stand” him, to which Obama replied, “You’re fed up with him? I have to deal with him every day!” Cue the trombone: wah waaaaaaah.
3. Death Row Inmate Recieves Stay of Execution For DNA Testing
Yet another case of a man literally within minutes of being killed by the state without the benefit of DNA evidence. Fortunately for him the state of Texas granted him a temporary stay until DNA testing that may prove his innocence can be conducted.
4. Scientists Seek to Create Cellular “Operating System”
I don’t understand the mechanics of this exactly, but if this endeavor proves successful it sounds like synthetic biology would enter an “industrial era” in which mass production of programmable cells and organisms could bring the field into the mainstream and, in all likelihood, a more commercial realm.
5. ASIMO Is Back (without the stairs…)!
As much as I view robots as largely impractical curiosities in their current forms (and in some cases nothing more than grant-funded fulfillments of deviant Japanese masochistic fantasies), I do hold out hope that this private and military R&D will continue without discouragement until they at least manage to refine the current powersuit prototypes into fully functional battle-mechs. I mean anytime I see a robot the first question I literally always ask is "Yes, but have you thought about mounting miniguns, mortars or maybe even a bank off hellfire missiles on it?"
6. Yup, Cyberwar Will Destroy Us All
Dire assessment from America’s top national and cybersecurity experts saying America is woefully unprepared to protect its infrastructure from cyberattack.
7.11.11
Early Edition
1. Rise of the (Office) Machines
A piece from the Economist that gives voice to murmured discussions I have heard in various circles about how the Great Recession has spurred businesses to replace employees with software for the sake of cost and efficiency, and that those jobs are unlikely to return if the technology proves in the long term to be an improvement over flesh and blood white collar drones. The article cites a figure of roughly 50 million jobs (which equates to about 40% of all employment) that could reasonably be performed by computer software. The white collar software is certainly here to stay, and the market will either have to self-correct by reallocating those replaced into other areas or we will see a further, steady decline in US birth rates and population growth. We'll also have to figure out how to configure these white-collar software programs to experience a lack of fulfillment, crushing regret, and compulsive sycophancy.
2. Cop Cameras
I don’t have a problem with cops being fitted with cameras so long as a couple of very firm rules apply. The first, cops have to turn the cameras off when they enter a private residence, place of business or other private property, unless in the case of hot pursuit when turning the camera off is not reasonable due to the intensity of a confrontation or the officer’s personal safety. Any video taken in any of these circumstances would be inadmissible evidence. The second, police videos taken with these cameras absolutely must be made available to defendants and plaintiffs in both criminal and civil cases.
3. Caution on Cain
This article echoes a lot of my major concerns about Herman Cain as a general election candidate (apart from the “character” argument that says just because vague sexual harrassment charges have been levelled against him by women likely sympathetic to Obama that he is a weaker candidate on account). His clear ignorance on foreign policy and his major fumbles on such fundamental issues as abortion are disconcerting enough, but his repeated willingness to “fake it” through these issues during interviews rather than either admit he isn’t up to speed on them from the outset or more expertly dodging them is cause for additional concern. And while I’m no fan of career politicians, I think in the case of the presidency, given the constitutional responsibilities apportioned to the office, it’s pretty important we have someone with at least some public office experience, preferably in an executive capacity. That having been said, I would still vote for Herman Cain over Barack Obama any day of the week (though I’m getting pretty sick and tired of having to hold my nose when I cast my ballot every four years).
4. North Carolina Eugenics Victims
A bit of a haunting history lesson about what happens when governments, state or federal, are given license to make decisions regarding your health or your person, with or without your consent. While liberals rightly decry this dark chapter in history for its state-sanctioned racism, I imagine they don't get too outraged over the concept that government may claim a "public interest" can be served by a measure of control over your body (in this case, contemporary concepts of racial purity that of course are ludicrous to modern society), considering they overwhelmingly support the current delivery vehicle that finds a vested "public interest" in reduced health care costs warrants such state purview.
A piece from the Economist that gives voice to murmured discussions I have heard in various circles about how the Great Recession has spurred businesses to replace employees with software for the sake of cost and efficiency, and that those jobs are unlikely to return if the technology proves in the long term to be an improvement over flesh and blood white collar drones. The article cites a figure of roughly 50 million jobs (which equates to about 40% of all employment) that could reasonably be performed by computer software. The white collar software is certainly here to stay, and the market will either have to self-correct by reallocating those replaced into other areas or we will see a further, steady decline in US birth rates and population growth. We'll also have to figure out how to configure these white-collar software programs to experience a lack of fulfillment, crushing regret, and compulsive sycophancy.
2. Cop Cameras
I don’t have a problem with cops being fitted with cameras so long as a couple of very firm rules apply. The first, cops have to turn the cameras off when they enter a private residence, place of business or other private property, unless in the case of hot pursuit when turning the camera off is not reasonable due to the intensity of a confrontation or the officer’s personal safety. Any video taken in any of these circumstances would be inadmissible evidence. The second, police videos taken with these cameras absolutely must be made available to defendants and plaintiffs in both criminal and civil cases.
3. Caution on Cain
This article echoes a lot of my major concerns about Herman Cain as a general election candidate (apart from the “character” argument that says just because vague sexual harrassment charges have been levelled against him by women likely sympathetic to Obama that he is a weaker candidate on account). His clear ignorance on foreign policy and his major fumbles on such fundamental issues as abortion are disconcerting enough, but his repeated willingness to “fake it” through these issues during interviews rather than either admit he isn’t up to speed on them from the outset or more expertly dodging them is cause for additional concern. And while I’m no fan of career politicians, I think in the case of the presidency, given the constitutional responsibilities apportioned to the office, it’s pretty important we have someone with at least some public office experience, preferably in an executive capacity. That having been said, I would still vote for Herman Cain over Barack Obama any day of the week (though I’m getting pretty sick and tired of having to hold my nose when I cast my ballot every four years).
4. North Carolina Eugenics Victims
A bit of a haunting history lesson about what happens when governments, state or federal, are given license to make decisions regarding your health or your person, with or without your consent. While liberals rightly decry this dark chapter in history for its state-sanctioned racism, I imagine they don't get too outraged over the concept that government may claim a "public interest" can be served by a measure of control over your body (in this case, contemporary concepts of racial purity that of course are ludicrous to modern society), considering they overwhelmingly support the current delivery vehicle that finds a vested "public interest" in reduced health care costs warrants such state purview.
3.11.11
Early Edition
1. This Wasn't In The Coloring Book....
Occupy Oakland becomes a violent, mindless mob seeking to create more jobs, close the income gap and end corporate cronyism by shutting down the nation's fifth largest shipping port and engaging in street fights with the police.
2. Scientists Create Molecular Computer That Resembles Human Brain Function
I really have no clue what this means, but it doesn't look to have any immediate practical effects. But it appears to be one more small step in the long march toward the potential birth of artificial humans.
3. A Cain Supporter Is Worrried
This piece from the American Spectator raises most of the concerns I've had about Cain not being ready for primetime no matter how much his supporters may wish he was. The current allegations against him of sexual misconduct, strangely becoming larger everyday (where were the folks claiming knowledge of behavior that could "end his campaign" when he first began to rise in the polls.... or declare his candidacy for president?) have just piled more upon him.
Occupy Oakland becomes a violent, mindless mob seeking to create more jobs, close the income gap and end corporate cronyism by shutting down the nation's fifth largest shipping port and engaging in street fights with the police.
2. Scientists Create Molecular Computer That Resembles Human Brain Function
I really have no clue what this means, but it doesn't look to have any immediate practical effects. But it appears to be one more small step in the long march toward the potential birth of artificial humans.
3. A Cain Supporter Is Worrried
This piece from the American Spectator raises most of the concerns I've had about Cain not being ready for primetime no matter how much his supporters may wish he was. The current allegations against him of sexual misconduct, strangely becoming larger everyday (where were the folks claiming knowledge of behavior that could "end his campaign" when he first began to rise in the polls.... or declare his candidacy for president?) have just piled more upon him.
2.11.11
Early Edition
1. Occupy Wall Street Officially Jumps the Shark
Behold, the definition of irony: Occupy Wall Street has released an adult coloring book, for sale on Amazon, which features the famously anti-capitalist Thomas Edison and Steve Jobs on the cover. And someone, ostensibly from the movement, has applied to trademark the term "Occupy Wall Street." I'm starting to think this whole thing is some enormously clever joke being played on rabid leftists by subversive conservatives. Oh.... but the pervasive rape and assault kind of makes it not funny.
2. Prophet Muhammad Needs Uptight Dumbasses with Molotov Cocktails to Protect Him From Free Speech
A French newspaper that invited Muhammad to be a guest editor and critizes Sharia Law had its office firebombed and its website hacked in retaliation. Who wants to worship a creepy, humorless teetotal that forbids you from drawing him and has to rely on mooncalves with molotov cocktails to keep him safe from his one weakness: criticism.
3. More Reasons To Be Afraid of Cyberwar
Fears arising now that what was likely a US government-made cyberweapon deployed against the Iranian nuclear program could be turned back on us and used to bring down our entire infrastructure. I'm becoming more and more convinced that the next major war will start cyber, obliterate the belligerents' networks, defense and power grids, and then devolve into a somewhat more sophistocated version of early 20th century trench warfare. There is much to fear, my friends, much to fear indeed.
Behold, the definition of irony: Occupy Wall Street has released an adult coloring book, for sale on Amazon, which features the famously anti-capitalist Thomas Edison and Steve Jobs on the cover. And someone, ostensibly from the movement, has applied to trademark the term "Occupy Wall Street." I'm starting to think this whole thing is some enormously clever joke being played on rabid leftists by subversive conservatives. Oh.... but the pervasive rape and assault kind of makes it not funny.
2. Prophet Muhammad Needs Uptight Dumbasses with Molotov Cocktails to Protect Him From Free Speech
A French newspaper that invited Muhammad to be a guest editor and critizes Sharia Law had its office firebombed and its website hacked in retaliation. Who wants to worship a creepy, humorless teetotal that forbids you from drawing him and has to rely on mooncalves with molotov cocktails to keep him safe from his one weakness: criticism.
3. More Reasons To Be Afraid of Cyberwar
Fears arising now that what was likely a US government-made cyberweapon deployed against the Iranian nuclear program could be turned back on us and used to bring down our entire infrastructure. I'm becoming more and more convinced that the next major war will start cyber, obliterate the belligerents' networks, defense and power grids, and then devolve into a somewhat more sophistocated version of early 20th century trench warfare. There is much to fear, my friends, much to fear indeed.
1.11.11
Early Edition
1. More on Free Will & The Human Brain
A piece from the New York Times on neuroscientist Dr. Michael Gazzaniga and his studies on brain function, free will and the applications of neuroscience to society and our legal system. His new book, "Who's In Charge: Free Will and the Science of the Brain," may be an excellent resource for the ongoing debate on free will amongst us.
2. Yet Another Way the World Might End
This from the Atlantic, a bit hysterical but looks at the ways in which misunderstandings between the US and China could lead to nuclear war (basically a retread of any number of articles one might have read circa 1969). I'm actually surprised this article didn't discuss the far more plausible cyberwar situation that could lead to tactical nuclear strikes or accidental launch.
3. Listen, I'm a Journalist. Don't Ask Me For Details.
I love how there's so much interest in protecting the identities of the accusers in this Cain "scandal" but no regard whatsoever in protecting the reputation of Cain himself from unsubstantiated slander. That aside, I'm pleased the gentleman behind "breaking" this story is honest enough to admit that he's not interested in clarifying any of the details in these allegations.
A piece from the New York Times on neuroscientist Dr. Michael Gazzaniga and his studies on brain function, free will and the applications of neuroscience to society and our legal system. His new book, "Who's In Charge: Free Will and the Science of the Brain," may be an excellent resource for the ongoing debate on free will amongst us.
2. Yet Another Way the World Might End
This from the Atlantic, a bit hysterical but looks at the ways in which misunderstandings between the US and China could lead to nuclear war (basically a retread of any number of articles one might have read circa 1969). I'm actually surprised this article didn't discuss the far more plausible cyberwar situation that could lead to tactical nuclear strikes or accidental launch.
3. Listen, I'm a Journalist. Don't Ask Me For Details.
I love how there's so much interest in protecting the identities of the accusers in this Cain "scandal" but no regard whatsoever in protecting the reputation of Cain himself from unsubstantiated slander. That aside, I'm pleased the gentleman behind "breaking" this story is honest enough to admit that he's not interested in clarifying any of the details in these allegations.
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