Sunday, February 9, 2014
Are Robots Hurting Job Growth?
(Disclaimer: The video wouldn't load on CBS's site, so I did a search at YouTube and I think I found the same video).
One of the main points in the video is that robots have been around for a long time (which is what I was thinking during the video). They have taken jobs, but that same technology has created more jobs. There are people that say this is not happening this time. Jobs are not being created at the same pace as they are being lost to technology.
The end of the video made me smile... Instead of training a human to do your job, you will be training a robot to do your job.
Watson, The Supercomputer
What, no Trebek???
I think the most impressive thing about Watson is the voice recognition. It can compute the data that it "hears" and then come up with the correct answer from it's database. The questions that it didn't answer must not have been in the database because I would think that the computer would be able to "buzz" in much faster than a human.
I am amazed at what computer programmers come up with to make these things possible. Pretty cool stuff...
Singularity...
Wow, I think my head is about to explode...
I think singularity is when computers become smarter than all humans. Ray Kuraweil says that eventually, we will no longer need bodies. We will download our brains into a computer and be able to live forever (if we make sufficient backups). He also said that by the early 2030s, most of our organs will be replaced with tiny robots.
Artificial intelligence and nanobots are said to be the technologies that will usher in the singularity. This just makes my head spin. It is hard to comprehend that a computer will be able to function like a human and to also have nanobots that can replicate anything. Things might get out of control (The Terminator). There are couple of TV shows that remind me of this. Intelligence on CBS is about a guy who has a computer chip planted in his brain. He is super smart, because he can access any database he needs. He can also render locations from photos and place himself there to check out the location. The other show is Almost Human of FOX. It has an android that looks and acts just like a human that is paired with a police officer. He has trouble expressing human emotions though, which is what I see could happen with artificial intelligence. Unless maybe they can replicate that with a learning program. Again, head about to explode...
Some say that the singularity will happen very soon, others say within a few decades. As technology advances, this might happen. I don't think we will completely get away from our bodies like Kuraweil thinks, but I can see robotic body parts (I think this is all ready happening). But as a human society, I think we want and need the comfort of other human beings.
I think singularity is when computers become smarter than all humans. Ray Kuraweil says that eventually, we will no longer need bodies. We will download our brains into a computer and be able to live forever (if we make sufficient backups). He also said that by the early 2030s, most of our organs will be replaced with tiny robots.
Artificial intelligence and nanobots are said to be the technologies that will usher in the singularity. This just makes my head spin. It is hard to comprehend that a computer will be able to function like a human and to also have nanobots that can replicate anything. Things might get out of control (The Terminator). There are couple of TV shows that remind me of this. Intelligence on CBS is about a guy who has a computer chip planted in his brain. He is super smart, because he can access any database he needs. He can also render locations from photos and place himself there to check out the location. The other show is Almost Human of FOX. It has an android that looks and acts just like a human that is paired with a police officer. He has trouble expressing human emotions though, which is what I see could happen with artificial intelligence. Unless maybe they can replicate that with a learning program. Again, head about to explode...
Some say that the singularity will happen very soon, others say within a few decades. As technology advances, this might happen. I don't think we will completely get away from our bodies like Kuraweil thinks, but I can see robotic body parts (I think this is all ready happening). But as a human society, I think we want and need the comfort of other human beings.
Saturday, February 1, 2014
It's a Flat World After All...
Man, that was a long article...
It is kind of scary when you think about it. Before, mainly manufacturing jobs were being outsourced. Now that the rest of the world has caught up to us in technology, those jobs are added to that outsourcing as well. I think it is going to be hard to keep up with the rest of the world. Like the article said, the younger generations in the US feel they are entitled, and don't want to work. And those who want to get educated might not be able to with the high cost of school these days. Plus, once you get trained, a lot of companies are going to look over seas anyways, because that is where their manufacturing is. Why pay someone here when you can pay someone (and most likely, for less money) where the goods are made?
It is kind of scary when you think about it. Before, mainly manufacturing jobs were being outsourced. Now that the rest of the world has caught up to us in technology, those jobs are added to that outsourcing as well. I think it is going to be hard to keep up with the rest of the world. Like the article said, the younger generations in the US feel they are entitled, and don't want to work. And those who want to get educated might not be able to with the high cost of school these days. Plus, once you get trained, a lot of companies are going to look over seas anyways, because that is where their manufacturing is. Why pay someone here when you can pay someone (and most likely, for less money) where the goods are made?
Saturday, January 25, 2014
Model Sues Google...
Freedom of speech vs. the right to know who is saying that speech.
I guess if someone was saying terrible things about me anonymously, I would want to know who is saying it. But then again, if you don't have the kahonies to say these things with your real name attached, then should anyone put any faith into what you are saying? If it is slander, then I don't think it really matters. But if they are accusations, then you should have the right to face your accuser.
Although, freedom of speech should let you say whatever you want to say. But I still think if you are going to say something outrageous, or stupid, have the decency to attach your name to it.
Middle East Uprising...
Very interesting article.
Kind of puts Facebook in a hard spot. Wanting the uses to have freedom of speech, but also wanting to get into countries that frown on those ideas. Having to figure out if the user is doing something illegal (like a government trying to stop an uprising), or if they are just trying to get word out about what is going on in their country.
I'm not sure how I feel about this. Although I believe in freedom of speech, how far should a company go to insure that freedom for it's users? Why should the company be responsible for ensuring your message gets heard? The only thing they should be responsible for is keeping your information confidential.
I guess if you are afraid of getting found out by using your real name (like Facebook requires), then I guess you need to find another way to get your word out. But then again, what is wrong with using an alias when you aren't hurting someone. I might say that maybe you don't feel strong enough if you don't use your real name, but you could probably do more good if you use an alias don't get shut down, or thrown into prison.
Hmmm, lots to thing about...
Kinda rambled on there, but that's what makes a blog a blog right? :o)
Kind of puts Facebook in a hard spot. Wanting the uses to have freedom of speech, but also wanting to get into countries that frown on those ideas. Having to figure out if the user is doing something illegal (like a government trying to stop an uprising), or if they are just trying to get word out about what is going on in their country.
I'm not sure how I feel about this. Although I believe in freedom of speech, how far should a company go to insure that freedom for it's users? Why should the company be responsible for ensuring your message gets heard? The only thing they should be responsible for is keeping your information confidential.
I guess if you are afraid of getting found out by using your real name (like Facebook requires), then I guess you need to find another way to get your word out. But then again, what is wrong with using an alias when you aren't hurting someone. I might say that maybe you don't feel strong enough if you don't use your real name, but you could probably do more good if you use an alias don't get shut down, or thrown into prison.
Hmmm, lots to thing about...
Kinda rambled on there, but that's what makes a blog a blog right? :o)
Syrian Blogger Arrested...
Stories like this make me glad to be living in the United States. Although I might take my freedom for granted sometimes (being a white male that grew up in a nice home and city). The civil rights movement was not too long ago, and we still have people being discriminated against today. But, unlike in other countries, you usually don't end up in jail for expressing your views. Again, I am glad to be an American.
Saturday, January 18, 2014
Second Life
What is it?
Looks like it is a 3D world that has actual people interacting. Looks like it might be similar to the Sims game from a few years ago, except it says that is free. But like most things, you are probably limited by what you can do without purchasing upgrades.
You can talk to others by voice or text. People and places are all created by users.
I think you could waste a lot of time in this make-believe world.
And there are biker chicks...
Looks like it is a 3D world that has actual people interacting. Looks like it might be similar to the Sims game from a few years ago, except it says that is free. But like most things, you are probably limited by what you can do without purchasing upgrades.
You can talk to others by voice or text. People and places are all created by users.
I think you could waste a lot of time in this make-believe world.
And there are biker chicks...
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