"The editors of the Journal will do our part by seeking out highly meritorious manuscripts that describe research using embryonic stem cells. When treatments derived from this technology emerge, we will publish the papers that describe them. As a physician who has cared for patients who suffered and died from conditions that we are currently unable to treat, I hope that this research can progress rapidly.
"It is reasonable to regulate the technology of somatic-cell nuclear transfer, just as we regulate the use of radioisotopes and recombinant DNA, but it is unreasonable to prohibit research using this technology. No matter what Congress decides, such treatments will be developed somewhere in the world. Physicians and scientists in the United States should be at the center of the action, not on the sidelines. We want to be sure that legislative myopia does not blur scientific insight."
What is this but a blatant effort to shape the political debate over stem cell research? What if a breakthough in adult stem cell research happened--would you trust the NEJM to publish the results?
There's way too much sexual content and other adult-oriented material in Robinson's Mars trilogy for it to be appropriate (in my opinion) for kids of that age. You could of course skip those parts as you come accross them.
I disagree. For jobs that take place in the physical world, that involve some form of physical movement or interaction with physical objects, there will be a need for physical machines to do the work. And the best form for these physical machines will be a humanoid form, because this will make for a multi-purpose machine.
The example of the vacuum-cleaner shaped robot does make sense, but only if you only want to use the robot for vacuuming. But wouldn't it be more effective to have a single robot that could not only just vacuum, but also clean your bathroom, mow your lawn, fix your car, cook your dinner, etc.? I suppose if we had shape-shifting robots ala Terminator 2/3, that would be the best of both worlds, but I doubt that is coming any time soon.
Also, you mention the need for backward compatibility with existing tools. I think we will always want to keep the backward compatibility. Take the example of cooking dinner. Sure, if you wanted to cede complete control of dinner-cooking to your robot, you could probably come up with a more efficient design for the food storage and preparation tools, and a robot designed to use those new tools effectively. But if the new tools are not usable by a human, what happens when the robot breaks down and you are hungry? You can imagine lots of other examples like this.
Actually, I have to admit that I'm stealing most of these ideas from Isaac Asimov, who made a strong case for humanoid robots in his Robot stories and essays.
I do agree with you that non-physical work does not need a humanoid robot to do the work, and agree that having a room full of robots working at computer terminals is not very likely to happen, when a fully automated computer system could be more reliably implemented.
Finally, I just want to disagree most strongly with the author of the article about his conclusions for our economy, and agree with many others who have posted here about the lessons from history that show that in the long run, automation has always resulted in a higher standard of living for society.
Actually, now that I think about it, Highlift Systems, from my understanding, was a precursor to a new company called LiftPort, so that's probably a better link.
I'm glad to see NASA looking at alternatives to rockets. This project, as well as the Space elevator are good ideas that if implemented could revolutionize space travel.
Wow, you're right, that really is bad! Links should always be apparent without having to hover over them.
I find Jakob Nielsen to be an excellent source for scientifically valid usability information. In other words, his advice is based on actual research, not just whatever his cat Mittens told him (anyone know this reference?)
Actually, I think my comment above isn't quite on target. I didn't realize that Marvel wasn't actually the game maker, but rather was a third party whose characters were being used by skinners to create cool characters for various games made by other companies. So Marvel doesn't really have a financial upside to this practice (at least in a short-sighted view).
I believe you're right about protecting your trademark. But couldn't a compromise of some kind be worked out? The skin site could put all kinds of disclaimers on the site about how the copyright belongs to the gamemaker, and Marvel wins because their fans stay happy and will be more likely to buy the expansion pack, or whatever.
You've got to be kidding, right? 2,000 miles of driving?
If not, please provide a reference.
Re:DSL providers need a kick in the ass...
on
150 Mbit/s DSL.
·
· Score: 1
You know, you're absolutely right. I had forgotten how absolutely horrible Qwest DSL customer service was (repressed memories?). When I first got DSL back in August 1999 I would sometimes be on hold for 45-60 minutes with tech. support, and it seemed like no one knew what they were doing.
And you're also right about the installation time lag. DSL takes weeks to be installed, whereas cable for me has been installed in a day or two both times I've gotten hooked up.
DSL providers do indeed need to get a clue. Maybe the speed increase (if it ever happens) could help, but without better customer service and technical support and quicker turnaround, they are never going to regain market share.
Re:DSL needs shot in the arm
on
150 Mbit/s DSL.
·
· Score: 1
That was the first thing they had me do (update the Cisco's firmware and change a bunch of settings, including disabling the web interface...can't remember all of it, it was almost 2 years ago). But even with all of the appropriate Code Red fixes the problem kept on happening.
Thanks for the ideas!
Re:DSL needs shot in the arm
on
150 Mbit/s DSL.
·
· Score: 1
In my case there was something wrong with the line, I think. I was using a Cisco 675 router, and they tried swapping that out without success. They also swapped out the DSLAM card on their end. That still didn't fix the problem, which was that every couple of days or so the Cisco would lock up, and would have to be manually power cycled.
I basically got to the point where Qwest didn't have any other ideas, and since Roadrunner cable access was available, I jumped ship.
What you say is true, in a way, but that shouldn't be enough to stop us. Mars is the best planet or satellite in our solar system (besides Earth, of course) for humanity to move to next and eventually colonize.
Unless you think we should wait until we have faster-than-light travel or generational starships and look for an "earth-like" planet in a different solar system, Mars is where we need to go to keep the frontier spirit alive. Humans need a challenge, and even if 99.999% of us never go to Mars, having some people who do will provide inspiration for all of us.
Exploration with robotic probes and landers is fine, but eventually (sooner rather than later) we need to go to Mars with the ultimate goal of colonization (and terraforming).
DSL needs shot in the arm
on
150 Mbit/s DSL.
·
· Score: 4, Insightful
Most people I know who have a choice between DSL and cable modem have gone with cable (myself included). This mostly comes down to the speed difference (although in my case it also had to do with a maddening disconnect problem that Qwest DSL could not seem to solve for me).
If DSL could truly start offering service that is MUCH faster than cable, they might be able to reverse the trend towards cable (67% for cable vs. 28% for DSL according to a recent Pew Internet & American Life Project study.)
Slashdot Mirror
Scientists, whether or not they admit it, are guilty of letting their political views cloud their research all the time.
For example, look at the recent editorial from the New England Journal of Medicine. I quote:
"The editors of the Journal will do our part by seeking out highly meritorious manuscripts that describe research using embryonic stem cells. When treatments derived from this technology emerge, we will publish the papers that describe them. As a physician who has cared for patients who suffered and died from conditions that we are currently unable to treat, I hope that this research can progress rapidly.
"It is reasonable to regulate the technology of somatic-cell nuclear transfer, just as we regulate the use of radioisotopes and recombinant DNA, but it is unreasonable to prohibit research using this technology. No matter what Congress decides, such treatments will be developed somewhere in the world. Physicians and scientists in the United States should be at the center of the action, not on the sidelines. We want to be sure that legislative myopia does not blur scientific insight."
What is this but a blatant effort to shape the political debate over stem cell research? What if a breakthough in adult stem cell research happened--would you trust the NEJM to publish the results?
You forgot
Page 3: Profit!!!!
There's way too much sexual content and other adult-oriented material in Robinson's Mars trilogy for it to be appropriate (in my opinion) for kids of that age. You could of course skip those parts as you come accross them.
I disagree. For jobs that take place in the physical world, that involve some form of physical movement or interaction with physical objects, there will be a need for physical machines to do the work. And the best form for these physical machines will be a humanoid form, because this will make for a multi-purpose machine.
The example of the vacuum-cleaner shaped robot does make sense, but only if you only want to use the robot for vacuuming. But wouldn't it be more effective to have a single robot that could not only just vacuum, but also clean your bathroom, mow your lawn, fix your car, cook your dinner, etc.? I suppose if we had shape-shifting robots ala Terminator 2/3, that would be the best of both worlds, but I doubt that is coming any time soon.
Also, you mention the need for backward compatibility with existing tools. I think we will always want to keep the backward compatibility. Take the example of cooking dinner. Sure, if you wanted to cede complete control of dinner-cooking to your robot, you could probably come up with a more efficient design for the food storage and preparation tools, and a robot designed to use those new tools effectively. But if the new tools are not usable by a human, what happens when the robot breaks down and you are hungry? You can imagine lots of other examples like this.
Actually, I have to admit that I'm stealing most of these ideas from Isaac Asimov, who made a strong case for humanoid robots in his Robot stories and essays.
I do agree with you that non-physical work does not need a humanoid robot to do the work, and agree that having a room full of robots working at computer terminals is not very likely to happen, when a fully automated computer system could be more reliably implemented.
Finally, I just want to disagree most strongly with the author of the article about his conclusions for our economy, and agree with many others who have posted here about the lessons from history that show that in the long run, automation has always resulted in a higher standard of living for society.
Good point, I should have left intellectual property out of the discussion.
There is a big difference between patents and copyrights, however, which is what I was attempting to point out.
{Insert obligatory IANAL statement here}
I don't mean to nitpick, but the SCO claims have nothing to do with patent law, rather copyright/intellectual property law.
XM Radio is a subscription-based "radio" service.
I don't actually have it myself, but I have heard good things about it.
Space Weather Forecast:
Today: Very cold, calm.
Tomorrow: See above
No.
Actually, now that I think about it, Highlift Systems, from my understanding, was a precursor to a new company called LiftPort, so that's probably a better link.
I'm glad to see NASA looking at alternatives to rockets. This project, as well as the Space elevator are good ideas that if implemented could revolutionize space travel.
I'd like to see this gene added to cats and dogs. Don't you hate it when you trip over them in the dark?
This change was added after the orginal post. See above.
In retrospect, I think I was a bit too harsh with my "his cat Mittens" comment. My apologies to Mr. Louis.
I find Jakob Nielsen to be an excellent source for scientifically valid usability information. In other words, his advice is based on actual research, not just whatever his cat Mittens told him (anyone know this reference?)
Actually, I think my comment above isn't quite on target. I didn't realize that Marvel wasn't actually the game maker, but rather was a third party whose characters were being used by skinners to create cool characters for various games made by other companies. So Marvel doesn't really have a financial upside to this practice (at least in a short-sighted view).
Still too bad.
I believe you're right about protecting your trademark. But couldn't a compromise of some kind be worked out? The skin site could put all kinds of disclaimers on the site about how the copyright belongs to the gamemaker, and Marvel wins because their fans stay happy and will be more likely to buy the expansion pack, or whatever.
Or perhaps the space shuttle itself...
You've got to be kidding, right? 2,000 miles of driving?
If not, please provide a reference.
You know, you're absolutely right. I had forgotten how absolutely horrible Qwest DSL customer service was (repressed memories?). When I first got DSL back in August 1999 I would sometimes be on hold for 45-60 minutes with tech. support, and it seemed like no one knew what they were doing.
And you're also right about the installation time lag. DSL takes weeks to be installed, whereas cable for me has been installed in a day or two both times I've gotten hooked up.
DSL providers do indeed need to get a clue. Maybe the speed increase (if it ever happens) could help, but without better customer service and technical support and quicker turnaround, they are never going to regain market share.
That was the first thing they had me do (update the Cisco's firmware and change a bunch of settings, including disabling the web interface...can't remember all of it, it was almost 2 years ago). But even with all of the appropriate Code Red fixes the problem kept on happening.
Thanks for the ideas!
In my case there was something wrong with the line, I think. I was using a Cisco 675 router, and they tried swapping that out without success. They also swapped out the DSLAM card on their end. That still didn't fix the problem, which was that every couple of days or so the Cisco would lock up, and would have to be manually power cycled.
I basically got to the point where Qwest didn't have any other ideas, and since Roadrunner cable access was available, I jumped ship.
What you say is true, in a way, but that shouldn't be enough to stop us. Mars is the best planet or satellite in our solar system (besides Earth, of course) for humanity to move to next and eventually colonize.
Unless you think we should wait until we have faster-than-light travel or generational starships and look for an "earth-like" planet in a different solar system, Mars is where we need to go to keep the frontier spirit alive. Humans need a challenge, and even if 99.999% of us never go to Mars, having some people who do will provide inspiration for all of us.
Exploration with robotic probes and landers is fine, but eventually (sooner rather than later) we need to go to Mars with the ultimate goal of colonization (and terraforming).
Most people I know who have a choice between DSL and cable modem have gone with cable (myself included). This mostly comes down to the speed difference (although in my case it also had to do with a maddening disconnect problem that Qwest DSL could not seem to solve for me).
If DSL could truly start offering service that is MUCH faster than cable, they might be able to reverse the trend towards cable (67% for cable vs. 28% for DSL according to a recent Pew Internet & American Life Project study.)