"Earlier this month, the Russian weapons manufacturer Kalashnikov Group made a low-key announcement with frightening implications. The company revealed it had developed a range of combat robots that are fully automated and used artificial intelligence to identify targets and make independent decisions..."
"Known informally inside the corridors of the Pentagon as 'the Terminator conundrum,' the question being asked is whether stifling the development of these types of weapons would actually allow other less ethically minded countries to leap ahead? Or is it a greater danger to ultimately allow machines the ability to make life or death decisions?"
Thursday, August 17, 2017
Wednesday, August 16, 2017
Goldfish and Alcohol
"During the winter, goldfish and their relatives can have a blood-alcohol concentration beyond the legal limit for drink driving."
Dr. Smartphone
"The airplane had just taken off when one of the passengers lost consciousness."
Eric Topol pulled his smartphone out of his pocket and immediately performed an electrocardiogram (EKG) on the passenger. He used the device to do an ultrasound scan of the man's heart and measured oxygen levels in his blood. He was then able to give the all-clear and the plane could continue its journey. The man had lost consciousness merely due to a temporarily slowed heart rhythm.
Tuesday, August 15, 2017
Recipe Videos In The Style Of Famous Directors
"Hilarious recipe videos in the style of famous directors"
My favorite: "What if Tarantino made Spaghetti & Meatballs?"
My favorite: "What if Tarantino made Spaghetti & Meatballs?"
Russian Casino Hacker
"Meet Alex, the Russian Casino Hacker Who Makes Millions Targeting Slot Machines":
Alex defends his enterprise as cunning but by no means criminal. “We, in fact, do not meddle with the machines — there is no actual hacking taking place,” he says. “My agents are just gamers, like the rest of them. Only they are capable of making better predictions in their betting. Yes, that capability is gained through my technology, it’s true. But why should it be against the law? On the basic level, it’s like using a calculator for counting faster and more accurately, rather than relying on one’s natural capacity.”
Monday, August 14, 2017
Parenting As Viewed Through Cartoons
"Changing Parenting Attitudes, as Seen Through New Yorker Cartoons"
Malicious Code In DNA
"In a mind-boggling world first, a team of biologists and security researchers have successfully infected a computer with a malicious program coded into a strand of DNA"
Friday, August 11, 2017
Bad Password Rules
"The Guy Who Invented Those Annoying Password Rules Now Regrets Wasting Your Time"
Underwater Post Office
"Whale Mail Is the New Snail Mail at the World’s First Underwater Post Office"
Thursday, August 10, 2017
Wednesday, August 09, 2017
Tuesday, August 08, 2017
Monday, August 07, 2017
SR-71 Speed Check Story
"An SR-71 Blackbird Pilot Recounts His Infamous LA Speed Check Story".
As friend JRW notes, "Interesting story about flying the SR-71 — but go all the way to the end. The last 60 seconds is hilarious."
As friend JRW notes, "Interesting story about flying the SR-71 — but go all the way to the end. The last 60 seconds is hilarious."
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