http://discovermagazine.com/2008/jun/27-when-robots-live-among-us
In this article, the writer touches on the fact that we are coming into an age many only thought would exist in movies: the age of the robot. We are already seeing small model robots built and placed in any segment of our house including children’s toys and little rug bots that vacuum the carpet.
This article however poses the brilliant question about what type of effect will robots have on the human connection and need of belonging. As the author articulated, one day, robots may get to the point that they have emotional capabilities. Robots may event evolve the point that they can own property with someone, fulfill parental duties, and even fulfill the sexual roles of intimate companions.
In my eyes, this would be insane and once robots are designed to attempt at procreation or the act of would be a sign that we have truly lost our humanity.
Granted, robots and/or technologies can make things a lot more convenient, but if it can do EVERTHING, that becomes a little disturbing. What’s left for the humans to do? If robots were somehow given the networking capabilities to feel, this would have to be monitored closed because in any technological creation, there can be glitch. These glitches could cause “moral” robots to go get in a car and run over an elderly woman.
There have been advances in sensing emotion from more of the extrinsic environment of it’s surroundings, including where a team is trying to build a robot that senses the moods of its boss in order to learn how to respond.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2002/12/021216070618.htm
Personally, I would like a person trying to figure out my mood. There may be more percentile wrong in a person’s accuracy, but at least I would know she knows of her imperfections and accepts them.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Journal Entry # 13
http://discovermagazine.com/2008/jul/24-ultracapacitors-electric-vehicles
This article is about ultracapacitors and their entrants into the category of options for fuel-efficient applications. Currently used on small gadgets, capacitors typically do not store a lot of energy. Ultracapacitors on the other hand were created for the very purpose of being able to store more energy. Competing with other fuel-efficient technologies such as fuel cells and batteries, capacitors are able to store and release energy very quickly as opposed to its current counterparts.
Ultracapacitors however cannot store as much energy currently as batteries or fuel cells. Recently though, car companies have started testing capacitors on the road. These testing phases done by organizations including AFS, have begun to grow interest in these technologies. The ways of how to increase energy storage remains on of the biggest issues to overcome with capacitor use in application to powering larger pieces of technology requiring a substantial amount of energy.
In an article at Global Spec, it sheds light on the fact that the advancements in capacitors and increasing power storage are all contingent upon the fact of pulse engineering. The engineering of the pulse system of a capacitor, combined with the projected need of power storage can better help those who are aiming to eventually phase capacitor use into big technology items such as cars.
http://www.gaep.com/tech-bulletins/energy-storage-capacitors.pdf
I believe that enhancing the capacitor technology would give on more option in providing, healthier, earth-friendly, and more cost effective products for fuel and power. I do think however that as new technologies come out such as ultracapicitors, we must monitor just how cost-effective they are as well as earth-friendly. For instance, in alternative fuels, it is said that amount of gas it takes to produce ethanol is more than it would be to just use and equivalent gallon of gas to fuel a car. Also, ultracapicitors may take up more energy and produce more pollution being made and my offset any benefit was posed by it being more effective.
This article is about ultracapacitors and their entrants into the category of options for fuel-efficient applications. Currently used on small gadgets, capacitors typically do not store a lot of energy. Ultracapacitors on the other hand were created for the very purpose of being able to store more energy. Competing with other fuel-efficient technologies such as fuel cells and batteries, capacitors are able to store and release energy very quickly as opposed to its current counterparts.
Ultracapacitors however cannot store as much energy currently as batteries or fuel cells. Recently though, car companies have started testing capacitors on the road. These testing phases done by organizations including AFS, have begun to grow interest in these technologies. The ways of how to increase energy storage remains on of the biggest issues to overcome with capacitor use in application to powering larger pieces of technology requiring a substantial amount of energy.
In an article at Global Spec, it sheds light on the fact that the advancements in capacitors and increasing power storage are all contingent upon the fact of pulse engineering. The engineering of the pulse system of a capacitor, combined with the projected need of power storage can better help those who are aiming to eventually phase capacitor use into big technology items such as cars.
http://www.gaep.com/tech-bulletins/energy-storage-capacitors.pdf
I believe that enhancing the capacitor technology would give on more option in providing, healthier, earth-friendly, and more cost effective products for fuel and power. I do think however that as new technologies come out such as ultracapicitors, we must monitor just how cost-effective they are as well as earth-friendly. For instance, in alternative fuels, it is said that amount of gas it takes to produce ethanol is more than it would be to just use and equivalent gallon of gas to fuel a car. Also, ultracapicitors may take up more energy and produce more pollution being made and my offset any benefit was posed by it being more effective.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Journal Entry #12
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/22/books/review/Hirschorn-t.html?_r=1&ref=technology&oref=slogin
It is exciting to read about the struggle and triumph of such a revolutionary company like Pixar. In this article, it sheds light on the evolution and journey of the graphic animation company that has brought such computer animated classics to the hearts of millions including Toy Story, A Bug’s Life, and Finding Nemo. First starting in the computer division of George Lucas’s production team for Star Wars, the division was never used for any of the scenes and Lucas ended up using scale models instead for special effects. Trying to still push to be recognized as viable and applicable segment, the Computer Division, as Pixar was called back in the day, convinced the studio to feature a 60-second computer animated rendering of Star Wars for the second movie but to no avail.
After realizing the unrecognized worth with Lucas, The Computer Division renamed itself Pixar and caught the attention of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs. After turning him down on his first initial offer, the company finally embraced his guidance and went on a rocky road until they were finally bought for $7.4 billion dollars by Disney.
Now apart of a Disney, Pixar went from sales of $159 million in 2005(http://www.pixar.com/companyinfo/press_box/news/20060307-189666.htm ) to being one of the top creators of animated movies. I believe that it is wonderful because the movies that Pixar are behind are great children’s movies being both uplifting and positive. I think they are one of the great examples of how technology can impact in positive way and bring an optimistic drive to fight for what you envision no matter what.
I remember the first time watching Toy Story. When it came out on VHS, we begged my mom to buy it and would watch it over and over again. Now later in life to read about how that story came to be on my screen is amazing. Also, I never realized just how many movies Pixar is responsible for bringing to the public. I believe Finding Nemo is a classic and to know how much Pixar persisted to get to that point makes me appreciate the story and the wonderful entertainment it brings that much more. Go Pixar!
It is exciting to read about the struggle and triumph of such a revolutionary company like Pixar. In this article, it sheds light on the evolution and journey of the graphic animation company that has brought such computer animated classics to the hearts of millions including Toy Story, A Bug’s Life, and Finding Nemo. First starting in the computer division of George Lucas’s production team for Star Wars, the division was never used for any of the scenes and Lucas ended up using scale models instead for special effects. Trying to still push to be recognized as viable and applicable segment, the Computer Division, as Pixar was called back in the day, convinced the studio to feature a 60-second computer animated rendering of Star Wars for the second movie but to no avail.
After realizing the unrecognized worth with Lucas, The Computer Division renamed itself Pixar and caught the attention of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs. After turning him down on his first initial offer, the company finally embraced his guidance and went on a rocky road until they were finally bought for $7.4 billion dollars by Disney.
Now apart of a Disney, Pixar went from sales of $159 million in 2005(http://www.pixar.com/companyinfo/press_box/news/20060307-189666.htm ) to being one of the top creators of animated movies. I believe that it is wonderful because the movies that Pixar are behind are great children’s movies being both uplifting and positive. I think they are one of the great examples of how technology can impact in positive way and bring an optimistic drive to fight for what you envision no matter what.
I remember the first time watching Toy Story. When it came out on VHS, we begged my mom to buy it and would watch it over and over again. Now later in life to read about how that story came to be on my screen is amazing. Also, I never realized just how many movies Pixar is responsible for bringing to the public. I believe Finding Nemo is a classic and to know how much Pixar persisted to get to that point makes me appreciate the story and the wonderful entertainment it brings that much more. Go Pixar!
Journal Entry #11
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/22/weekinreview/22itzkoff.html?ref=technology
The final chapter in the video game series Metal Gear Solid has been recently released to Playstation gamers. A game based around the renegade soldier Snake Eyes, the game addressed the personal, political, and private interest struggles of those who fight at war.
While it seems critics have become less satisfied with cinematic insertions, which were stated as sometimes going on for more than 30 minutes in the game, the underground chalk world of gamers are more so debating about the hidden meanings of the game and the political symbolisms based off of the current war climate.
As the debate rages, the question of whether there is an underlying connotation to such war games is a pansy question. I believe the true question to be asked is how much do the games play into the ideologies reinforced in such games and how does it affect the gamers’ mindset about the war and the level of patriotism still carried for the country.
Associated Press reported on CBS news that action-packed video games have been studied and have been reported to sharpen the mind.( http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/05/28/tech/main555921.shtml )
Although they may sharpen the mind, at what cost? Depending on what opinions have already been formed, disillusionment can occur by gamers when playing these games. There are rating systems on games but sometimes, kids not young enough to play games such as Metal Gear Solid still find access to such levels of entertainment. Meanwhile, they are playing technologically advanced games with superior graphic interfaces displaying vivid images of how or how not war situations truly are carried out.
I just want to see a positive game with not shooting. But in today’s society, if it does not contain violence or nudity, it just won’t make the money back enough to develop it. I just hope for a day when kids go back to playing cops and robbers. That seems so much better now than ever.
The final chapter in the video game series Metal Gear Solid has been recently released to Playstation gamers. A game based around the renegade soldier Snake Eyes, the game addressed the personal, political, and private interest struggles of those who fight at war.
While it seems critics have become less satisfied with cinematic insertions, which were stated as sometimes going on for more than 30 minutes in the game, the underground chalk world of gamers are more so debating about the hidden meanings of the game and the political symbolisms based off of the current war climate.
As the debate rages, the question of whether there is an underlying connotation to such war games is a pansy question. I believe the true question to be asked is how much do the games play into the ideologies reinforced in such games and how does it affect the gamers’ mindset about the war and the level of patriotism still carried for the country.
Associated Press reported on CBS news that action-packed video games have been studied and have been reported to sharpen the mind.( http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/05/28/tech/main555921.shtml )
Although they may sharpen the mind, at what cost? Depending on what opinions have already been formed, disillusionment can occur by gamers when playing these games. There are rating systems on games but sometimes, kids not young enough to play games such as Metal Gear Solid still find access to such levels of entertainment. Meanwhile, they are playing technologically advanced games with superior graphic interfaces displaying vivid images of how or how not war situations truly are carried out.
I just want to see a positive game with not shooting. But in today’s society, if it does not contain violence or nudity, it just won’t make the money back enough to develop it. I just hope for a day when kids go back to playing cops and robbers. That seems so much better now than ever.
Journal Entry # 10
http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2008/06/20/its-official-there-is-ice-on-mars/
It has just been announced that the Phoenix Lander has found ice water on Mars. Supposedly, the Lander found specimens of white material. The next day, pictures taken of the same area where the chunks of white material were revealed were no longer there. Scientists are confident that only a water based material acts in such a way that would evaporate in comparison with a mineral or salt-based substance. As the article stated, NASA’s motto for the Martian mission is “follow the water”. This directed mission seems to be in hopes of seeing if Mars ever supported primitive life.
However, these white little chunks that were there and disappeared could not have been water at all but a type of food source for microscopic beings that ate them before the next picture was taken.
This theory however, could not hold too much validity because the Lander also dug a pit where it reached a hard surface of white material, believed to be the findings of additional ice collections hidden under the surface of the Martian landscape.
Within this search it seems though, we are basing are strategies for our findings on a water source. But I beg to believe that every existent terrestrial body in the sky may not revolve around carbon as the main building block for that particular environment. According to theorists who have analyzed and summarized the hypothetical occurrences of the Big Bang theory, those have reported that at the beginning of creation hydrogen was 3x more present than other gases. Oxygen however was prevalent as well and thus went through a process called nucleosynthesis to create stars with combinations of chemical processes derived from helium interactions. (http://witcombe.sbc.edu/water/physicsuniverse.html)
Indeed, if stars were created from the chemical phenomenon of hydrogen and oxygen and many scientists believe the whole universe is created off of similar chemical make-ups, there is little to refute that trying to theorize that there exists such an environment where the building blocks of life are very different from those observed on earth exist. It is only when we find this alien planet, but until then, we continue in search of hoping are little white chunks are the beginning to the monopolization of water on the next planet.
It has just been announced that the Phoenix Lander has found ice water on Mars. Supposedly, the Lander found specimens of white material. The next day, pictures taken of the same area where the chunks of white material were revealed were no longer there. Scientists are confident that only a water based material acts in such a way that would evaporate in comparison with a mineral or salt-based substance. As the article stated, NASA’s motto for the Martian mission is “follow the water”. This directed mission seems to be in hopes of seeing if Mars ever supported primitive life.
However, these white little chunks that were there and disappeared could not have been water at all but a type of food source for microscopic beings that ate them before the next picture was taken.
This theory however, could not hold too much validity because the Lander also dug a pit where it reached a hard surface of white material, believed to be the findings of additional ice collections hidden under the surface of the Martian landscape.
Within this search it seems though, we are basing are strategies for our findings on a water source. But I beg to believe that every existent terrestrial body in the sky may not revolve around carbon as the main building block for that particular environment. According to theorists who have analyzed and summarized the hypothetical occurrences of the Big Bang theory, those have reported that at the beginning of creation hydrogen was 3x more present than other gases. Oxygen however was prevalent as well and thus went through a process called nucleosynthesis to create stars with combinations of chemical processes derived from helium interactions. (http://witcombe.sbc.edu/water/physicsuniverse.html)
Indeed, if stars were created from the chemical phenomenon of hydrogen and oxygen and many scientists believe the whole universe is created off of similar chemical make-ups, there is little to refute that trying to theorize that there exists such an environment where the building blocks of life are very different from those observed on earth exist. It is only when we find this alien planet, but until then, we continue in search of hoping are little white chunks are the beginning to the monopolization of water on the next planet.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Journal Entry #8
http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/06/09/fastest.computer.ap/index.html?iref=newssearch
IBM has unveiled what they claim to be the fastest computer in the world. The $100 million dollar supercomputer, called the Roadrunner, can process 1,000 trillion calculations per second and weighs over 500,000 pounds and occupies of 6,000 square feet. As the Washington Associated Press reports, the computer is mainly to be used primarily on nuclear weapons work, including simulating nuclear explosions.
Honestly, in a society where it seems we have enough violence by the help of just man alone and our own depraved concoctions of inflicting pain, it saddens me that the fastest computer in the world will be used for bomb simulation and maintenance.
The article reports that the supercomputer has the potential to operate on many other tasks including finding a cure for HIV, creating new bio-diesel resolutions, and designing more fuel efficient cars. To believe we create a massive piece of machinery, and with all the other proposed and potential uses, it will be used in such a manner is upsetting. It also shows with silent electronic direction, where our focus lies as a nation and as a society.
In my belief, as shared by the pioneers of computer development including Vannevar Bush, the computer is based off of the processes and resources of the human mind. Thus, the creation of a “giant brain” to execute such tasks, inevitably increasing and encouraging conflict and dis-unity is beyond my own natural neural network comprehension.
Whether it be super-computers, personal laptops, flying saucers, or microwaves, I believe technology should aid in working on ways to better society, not harm it. Although, what is actually beneficial for society has become a very subjective and convoluted definition based on perceptions of those in power.
I believe the Amish have it right in the fact we must assess carefully analyze the implications of technology on our communities. Are these advancements truly being created for the benefit and betterment of the whole of humanity?
IBM has unveiled what they claim to be the fastest computer in the world. The $100 million dollar supercomputer, called the Roadrunner, can process 1,000 trillion calculations per second and weighs over 500,000 pounds and occupies of 6,000 square feet. As the Washington Associated Press reports, the computer is mainly to be used primarily on nuclear weapons work, including simulating nuclear explosions.
Honestly, in a society where it seems we have enough violence by the help of just man alone and our own depraved concoctions of inflicting pain, it saddens me that the fastest computer in the world will be used for bomb simulation and maintenance.
The article reports that the supercomputer has the potential to operate on many other tasks including finding a cure for HIV, creating new bio-diesel resolutions, and designing more fuel efficient cars. To believe we create a massive piece of machinery, and with all the other proposed and potential uses, it will be used in such a manner is upsetting. It also shows with silent electronic direction, where our focus lies as a nation and as a society.
In my belief, as shared by the pioneers of computer development including Vannevar Bush, the computer is based off of the processes and resources of the human mind. Thus, the creation of a “giant brain” to execute such tasks, inevitably increasing and encouraging conflict and dis-unity is beyond my own natural neural network comprehension.
Whether it be super-computers, personal laptops, flying saucers, or microwaves, I believe technology should aid in working on ways to better society, not harm it. Although, what is actually beneficial for society has become a very subjective and convoluted definition based on perceptions of those in power.
I believe the Amish have it right in the fact we must assess carefully analyze the implications of technology on our communities. Are these advancements truly being created for the benefit and betterment of the whole of humanity?
Journal Entry # 7
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/11/science/space/11marssoil.html?ref=science
As the New York Times reported, the Phoenix Lander, which is the latest NASA project to Mars, has been able to collect a sample of Martian soil. The Lander has been trying for days to scoop up a sample of the ground, which curiously seems to have a sticky composition.
The goal of retrieving samples is so that the Phoenix Lander can test for water and mineral compositions within the samples. The $420 million dollar project set off 10 months ago and arrived on May 25th, 2008 on the Northeast polar caps of the planet.
It is remarkable to be alive at such a point in time as this. Growing up watching Star Trek and the Martian Chronicles, I was a Trekky Jr.(although not realizing it at the time), and became fascinated with the ideas of other life forms besides the human being existing in the vast and infinite universe.
With the monumental event of the Phoenix Lander reaching Mars and being able to acquire a sample, these explorations are the ongoing search for signs of life, whether past or present in our strange and still foreign stellar surroundings. I often wonder, however, why do we feel the need to go so far? What about the moon?
IN 2006, NASA announced plans to progress forward with a substantial plan for lunar architecture and implementation. In an article posted on NASA’s website, it representatives stated, “NASA's Lunar Architecture Team, chartered in May 2006, concluded that the most advantageous approach is to develop a solar-powered lunar base and to locate it near one of the poles of the moon.”( http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2006/dec/HQ_06361_ESMD_Lunar_Architecture.html)
I have always been excited about space exploration but sometimes I feel that we go so far when there is a moon right above our heads, waiting to be utilized. This does not deter however, my excitement of the accomplishments made on Mars but I wonder how many galactic friends hide in a crater on the moon, ready for us to actualize across a their sunlit horizon.
As the New York Times reported, the Phoenix Lander, which is the latest NASA project to Mars, has been able to collect a sample of Martian soil. The Lander has been trying for days to scoop up a sample of the ground, which curiously seems to have a sticky composition.
The goal of retrieving samples is so that the Phoenix Lander can test for water and mineral compositions within the samples. The $420 million dollar project set off 10 months ago and arrived on May 25th, 2008 on the Northeast polar caps of the planet.
It is remarkable to be alive at such a point in time as this. Growing up watching Star Trek and the Martian Chronicles, I was a Trekky Jr.(although not realizing it at the time), and became fascinated with the ideas of other life forms besides the human being existing in the vast and infinite universe.
With the monumental event of the Phoenix Lander reaching Mars and being able to acquire a sample, these explorations are the ongoing search for signs of life, whether past or present in our strange and still foreign stellar surroundings. I often wonder, however, why do we feel the need to go so far? What about the moon?
IN 2006, NASA announced plans to progress forward with a substantial plan for lunar architecture and implementation. In an article posted on NASA’s website, it representatives stated, “NASA's Lunar Architecture Team, chartered in May 2006, concluded that the most advantageous approach is to develop a solar-powered lunar base and to locate it near one of the poles of the moon.”( http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2006/dec/HQ_06361_ESMD_Lunar_Architecture.html)
I have always been excited about space exploration but sometimes I feel that we go so far when there is a moon right above our heads, waiting to be utilized. This does not deter however, my excitement of the accomplishments made on Mars but I wonder how many galactic friends hide in a crater on the moon, ready for us to actualize across a their sunlit horizon.
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