Random Thought #194

How we interact with our devices now seems to be more and more interactive and natural. A computer used to be like a robot where we commanded it to do something and it was there to execute that task. It was an object or a thing. More and more, we are starting to interact with machines as if they were individuals and we are not just consuming or inputting data, but we are interacting with and manipulating data. These are just some cool examples of this from MIT's tangle media group. Pretty cool stuff.

http://www.businessinsider.com/mit-tangible-media-group-technologies-2013-11

Random Thought #193

This next article is pretty technical in nature but I found it interesting in how networks or groupings of objects are discovered. Historically, there have been two primary methods of mapping these networks: statistical inference (guessing the next connection statistically) and/or spectral analysis (grouping nodes focusing on the flow of information - finding hubs or hot spots). This works well in most cases of denser populations but for sparse networks, it doesn't present a reliable map. The method described in this articlemakes a small modification that makes for more accurate mapping. This has implications in a number of areas such as finding links between colleagues at work as well as mapping the food cycle and the spread of diseases in communities.

http://www.santafe.edu/news/item/pnas-moore-spectral-redemption/

Random Thought #192

I grew up with Star Trek: The Next Generation but was never really into it. In retrospect, if I understood it better, I would be totally fascinated with it. The weapon on choice was the photon torpedo. It sounds good but its even cooler when you deconstruct it and understand the science behind it. Well lucky for all of you, I found an article that does just that. Without further ado, the photon torpedo: deconstructed

http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/but-not-simpler/2013/12/03/how-photon-torpedoes-will-mark-an-end-to-the-energy-crisis/

Random Thought #191

This really blew my mind but you've got to figure that this would eventually happen. There always seems to be an issue with testing new drugs and treatments either because of the lack of willingness in human testers, too many variable to control, or we test on rats (which isn't necessarily a good test for a human but its allowed. Now, we can create simulated body parts on a chip and test these new drugs and treatments with better results and less risk. We could even create our own simulated human body. This is just too cool

http://www.ted.com/talks/geraldine_hamilton_body_parts_on_a_chip.html

Random Thought #190

This was just awesome. Its great to see people in such a good mood and so happy. By the end of this, you should be karaoke-ing with them. I know I was.

http://biggeekdad.com/2013/05/gas-station-karaoke-jam-session/

Random Thought #189

I found this quite interesting. Many have wondered what separates us "humans" from all other creatures? Is it our ability to think or reason? Is it that we have an opposable thumb? Nope. We cook and cooking is what allows us to sustain the immense number of neurons inside our gooey mass.

http://www.ted.com/talks/suzana_herculano_houzel_what_is_so_special_about_the_human_brain.html

Random Thought #188

Interesting little synopsis on "working memory". What it is and how it works. I found it pretty interesting

http://www.ted.com/talks/peter_doolittle_how_your_working_memory_makes_sense_of_the_world.html