Just another exhibit toward building the case that we live in a cyberpunk world … It appears IKEA was having trouble with ‘rug scalping’ – customers purchasing high-end, designer rugs, then not using them in their homes but rather flipping them on eBay for fun and profit. Ah, the scourges of modern society … it’s […]

I’m seeing an increasing number of articles about the merging of Artificial Intelligence with the human brain. Again, here we see what formerly would be considered just a great science fiction yarn suddenly becoming a very real thing.  As I’ve said in our classes, science fiction is an infinitely broad canvas upon which to noodle with […]

I hope you’re sitting comfortably … Lexus has helped produce a documentary on master craftmanship in the age of automation that runs 60,000 hours in length.  That’s going to require a lot of popcorn and a heap-ton of seventh-inning stretches. Seriously, though, you get to fast-forward over most of it … like, all but an […]

Interesting developments in killer robot country: From Gizmodo on March 5: U.S. Army Assures Public That Robot Tank System Adheres to AI Murder Policy Quote of Note: “Last month, the U.S. Army put out a call to private companies for ideas about how to improve its planned semi-autonomous, AI-driven targeting system for tanks. In its […]

“It’s a crazy world.” – Glen “Somebody ought to sell tickets.” – H.I. “Sure, I’d buy one.” – Glen From “Raising Arizona” You know, it IS a crazy world.  Exhibit A: any news feed, any time of day, from any source.  Pick one.  No, really … do it.  View, read, listen, whatever … mostly, try […]

[Shout out to “Macbeth” for the inspiration for that headline.] In the Remain Relevant course we cover technology (obviously), specifically, we briefly explore what technology is as part of setting the table for broader exploration of content. A workable definition is that technology is a means (whether physical or logical/virtual) by which humans can manipulate their environment […]