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Technology

U=(N/T)M*G: Occluded

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As if the tales and exploits of Vikings weren’t enough to prove their badass nature, I’ve got something that will prove it for all time: sólarsteinn and it’s companion sun board. In the history of the ancient world, those civilizations capable of seafaring were considered the top of pyramid. The oceans, seas and great rivers presented a lot of a society’s resources and wealth, and the ability to harvest that wealth was paramount to a success society. Of course, some were more daring than others when it came to the oceans. Vikings, of course, got crazy with it. There’s even … Read more

TECH: Mysterious Malady in Cuba Embassy – Sound Weapon?

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sound waves

A mysterious illness has been striking people associated with the US Embassy in Cuba — and a secret sonic weapon is rumored to be the source. Over the past year, diplomats in Cuba have experienced an unusual collection of symptoms that range from hearing loss, vertigo, and nausea to concussions, CBS News reported. Yesterday, the mystery grew even more complex when the Associated Press reported that the number of US victims has climbed to 21 people. Canadian diplomatic households were affected as well, the AP says. The Cuban government has denied involvement, and no “piece of equipment” that might be … Read more

This is How the Robot Apocalypse Begins

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robot army

An army of robots has assembled in China and so far they seem content to dance and break records. The move is almost certainly to lull humans into a false sense of security so we will ignore the obvious threat they pose. The 1,069 dancing “Dobi” robots set up by WL Intelligent Technology Co. Ltd. was recognized earlier this month by Guinness World Records for breaking the mark for “most robots dancing simultaneously.” By Ed Mazza – Full Story at the Huffington Post

U=(N/T)M*G: Ballistic

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Oh, have I got something cool today! For many a year, since graphite took over as the lead in our pencils, we authors have unknowing been using a piece of what’s becoming a revolutionary material in the world. It’s Vegeta-level awesome, in my humble opinion. And oh, the things we can do with it! I’m talking about the superhero brother to friendly neighborhood graphite. Graphene. No, seriously, the stuff graphene can do reads like some sorcerer thought this up and made it. Graphene temporary tattoos are being tested for medical monitoring. Scientists are feeding it to spiders, which in turn … Read more

TECH: Robots Really Are After All of Our Jobs

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Robot Priest

A Japanese company has introduced a new role for SoftBank’s humanoid robot “Pepper” – a Buddhist priest for hire at funerals. Chanting sutras in a computerized voice while tapping a drum, the robot was on display on Wednesday at a funeral industry fair – the Life Ending Industry Expo – in Tokyo. Nissei Eco Co., an unlisted plastic molding maker, wrote the chanting software for “Pepper”, which was introduced by SoftBank Group Corp. in 2014. With Japan’s population ageing and shrinking, many Buddhist priests receive less financial support from their communities, prompting some to find part-time work outside their temple … Read more

U=(N/T)M*G: Chips

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As a humanist with an eye to the awesome possibilities of the future, as well as an author who loves to write science fiction, I’m of the personal opinion that all scientific discoveries or advancements are good things. It’s the way those advancements and discoveries are used that makes science bad. We have plenty of examples throughout history of how this works. Never is this more of a possibility than the current times in the world. We have started to microchip humans. Now, I know what some will say, groan in exasperation really. “But T.A., we already have numerous stories … Read more

TECH: Robots to Invade Pisa

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robot

Every year, millions of visitors flock to Italy to immerse themselves in its epic history, art, architecture, culture and traditions, and it’s quite likely that the average tourist goes home from Italy with the impression that they’ve just visited a huge open air museum, never considering that it is, in fact, a modern, innovative country. But all that science and creativity happened in the past … didn’t it? How many tourists, I wonder, are aware that Italy is at the cutting edge of research into robotics? How many visitors to the world famous Torre di Pisa know that Pisa is … Read more

U=(N/T)M*G: Golem

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Chinese scientists broke the boundaries of human technology yet again in early July. With precision, determination and science prowess that just boggles the mind, these scientists managed to send a photon from Earth to an orbiting satellite, using quantum teleportation. Six times. It’s a feat scientists the world over have been aiming for a long time time now. A quantum scientist friend of mine is absolutely green with envy. I applaud this monumental discovery and look forward to more. Quantum teleportation, for those who have no idea what it is, is a process by which quantum information can be transmitted … Read more

TECH: Employees Can Now Get a Chip in Their Hands

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RFID Chip

A company called Three Square Market is offering to chip its employees to do various things at the company without ID. So far at least fifty have said yes. From the press release: Three Square Market (32M) is offering implanted chip technology to all employees. Company employees will have the option to voluntarily implant an RFID microchip between the thumb and forefinger underneath the skin. RFID technology or Radio-Frequency Identification uses electromagnetic fields to identify electronically stored information. The RFID chip will allow employees to make purchases in the company’s break room market, open doors, login to computers, use copy … Read more

Will Elon Musk Really Build the World’s First Hyperloop?

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hyperloop

The beleaguered transit system in the Northeast may receive a boost from one of the most ambitious entrepreneurs in the world. Elon Musk tweeted Thursday that The Boring Company received “verbal” government approval to begin building an underground Hyperloop, saying it would take 29 minutes to go from New York to Washington, D.C. Musk did not say whether this verbal approval comes from the individual cities themselves or from a federal authority. An Amtrak ride on the Northeast Regional line from D.C. to New York currently takes three hours and 20 minutes, according to the passenger railroad company’s website. By … Read more