Archive for the 'Rise of the Machines' Category
New Cameras to Watch Cameras That Watch You
September 14th, 2012This practice is common in Britain. Via: WTOP: Many people find speed cameras frustrating, and some in the region are taking their rage out on the cameras themselves. But now there’s a new solution: cameras to watch the cameras. One is already in place, and Prince George’s County Police Maj. Robert V. Liberati hopes to […]
Army Wants Tiny Suicidal Drone to Kill From 6 Miles Away
September 11th, 2012Via: Danger Room: Killer drones just keep getting smaller. The Army wants to know how prepared its defense-industry partners are to build what it calls a “Lethal Miniature Aerial Munition System.” It’s for when the Army needs someone dead from up to six miles away in 30 minutes or less.
Step Right Up and Take a Ride on Thomas Friedman’s Hamster Wheel to the Good Life
September 10th, 2012The truth is, if you want a decent life, make sure that you’re engaged in lifelong learning about how to avoid the hellish circle jerk described in this New York Times piece. Check out the comments at the link if you need some comedy gold. Most people are telling Friedman where to insert it. Via: […]
DARPA Funded Cheetah Robot Treadmill Test at 28MPH
September 6th, 2012Via: BBC: Noel Sharkey, professor of artificial intelligence and robotics at the University of Sheffield, said the robot was “an incredible technical achievement, but it’s unfortunate that it’s going to be used to kill people”. Research Credit: jb
Estonia to Teach Programming in Schools from Age 6
September 5th, 2012Via: Geek.com: With the launch of the Raspberry Pi, computers are becoming affordable again for the younger generations. Now what we need is kids learning about computers in greater detail, including what the hardware is inside the box, and how to create rather than just use software. Estonia looks to be the pace setter in […]
Television Stations Could Start Using Drones To Cover News Stories
September 5th, 2012Via: CBS: A drone originally developed for military use could soon be used by television stations and journalists as a news-gathering device. The Schiebel Corporation’s Camcopter, which is used by the United Arab Emirates Army and the Germany Navy, could soon be used for broadcasting purposes, according to TV News Check. “To me, the potential […]
EU Funding Orwellian Artificial Intelligence Plan to Monitor Public for ‘Abnormal Behavior’
September 4th, 2012Via: Telegraph: A five-year research programme, called Project Indect, aims to develop computer programmes which act as “agents” to monitor and process information from web sites, discussion forums, file servers, peer-to-peer networks and even individual computers. Its main objectives include the “automatic detection of threats and abnormal behaviour or violence”. Project Indect, which received nearly […]
U.S. Flew Spy Drone Missions from Australia
September 3rd, 2012Via: ABC: The United States flew highly classified Global Hawk spy drone missions from the Royal Australian Air Force base at Edinburgh in South Australia from late 2001 until at least 2006. … Global Hawk’s American manufacturer, Northrop Grumman, provided civilian ground crews to service the drones at the RAAF base.
Simplicity Parenting
September 3rd, 2012Simplicity Parenting: Using the Extraordinary Power of Less to Raise Calmer, Happier, and More Secure Kids by Kim John Payne with Lisa M. Ross
Wal-Mart Tests iPhone App Checkout Feature
September 1st, 2012Wow! Bonus points to Wal-Mart for getting their own employees to test a system that will be used to lay them off. Via: Reuters: Wal-Mart Stores Inc is testing a system that would allow shoppers to scan items using their iPhones and then pay at a self-checkout counter, a move that could trim checkout times […]
