Archive for September, 2016

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World’s First Baby Born with Controversial New ‘Three-Parent’ Technique

September 28th, 2016

Via: Independent: The world’s first child created using a controversial “three-parent” baby technique has been born in Mexico, it has been announced. Limited details about the birth were revealed ahead of the American Society of Reproductive Medicine’s scientific congress in Salt Lake City next month, where it will be discussed more fully. According to critics, […]

The Internet Is No Place for Public Elections

September 26th, 2016

Via: MIT Technology Review: Despite what your local election officials may tell you, you can’t trust the Internet with your vote. This election year we’ve seen foreign hackers infiltrate the Democratic National Committee’s e-mail system as well as voter databases in Arizona and Illinois. These attacks have reinforced what political scientists and technical experts alike […]

Off Topic: Speed Queen Washing Machines

September 25th, 2016

Yesterday, our 19 year old Fisher & Paykel washing machine blew up. Before anyone suggests fixing it, know this: SmartDrive motor melted (several coils fused into a single black blob), the boards up on the console fried and the drum was punctured—not necessarily in that order. It looks like someone fired a .22 from the […]

Self-Driving Trucks Threaten One of America’s Top Blue-Collar Jobs

September 25th, 2016

Via: Los Angeles Times: Carmaking giants and ride-sharing upstarts racing to put autonomous vehicles on the road are dead set on replacing drivers, and that includes truckers. Trucks without human hands at the wheel could be on American roads within a decade, say analysts and industry executives. At risk is one of the most common […]

Monkeys to Operate Robots

September 24th, 2016

Via: IEEE: As if quantum computing wasn’t mind-bending enough, one of D-Wave Systems’ founders is now pursuing another futuristic idea: using artificial intelligence and high-tech exoskeleton suits to allow humans—and, at least according to one description of the technology, monkeys, too—to control and train an army of intelligent robots. Geordie Rose is a co-founder and […]

Obama Used a Pseudonym in Emails with Clinton, FBI Documents Reveal

September 24th, 2016

Via: Politico: President Barack Obama used a pseudonym in email communications with Hillary Clinton and others, according to FBI records made public Friday. The disclosure came as the FBI released its second batch of documents from its investigation into Clinton’s private email server during her tenure as secretary of state. The 189 pages the bureau […]

“Stephen Hawking Wants to Find Aliens Before They Find Us”

September 22nd, 2016

Via: Cnet: In his new half-hour program “Stephen Hawking’s Favorite Places” on science-themed subscription service CuriosityStream, the world’s most famous theoretical physicist flies by the potentially habitable exoplanet Gliese 832c in a CGI spaceship as part of his hypothetical dream itinerary for a tour of the universe. The super-Earth is only 16 light-years away and […]

Real Headline: “Get Ready for Freeways That Ban Human Drivers”

September 22nd, 2016

Sure, they lead with the safety argument, but what you’re going to wind up with is something like this: Didn’t pay taxes? “Driving disabled. Would you like to pay overdue taxes, penalties, fees and interest now?” Didn’t pay parking fine? “Driving disabled. Would you like to pay your fine now?” Children not vaccinated? “Limited destinations. […]

Obama Set to Veto 9/11 Victims’ Bid to Sue Saudis

September 22nd, 2016

Sure, because if the victims families sue the Saudis, guess who else would have to show up in court? Via: AFP: President Barack Obama is poised to veto legislation exposing Saudi Arabia to court action over the 9/11 attacks, stepping in to defend legal precedent and an awkward ally, but inviting election-time opprobrium. White House […]

The Best Thing I’ve Ever Seen on Facebook

September 22nd, 2016

Via: Existential Wednesday:

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