As someone already mentioned, the robots obviously have to be programmed to learn new tricks via "non-traditional" programming. I still think that this is a big step in AI tech though, because these robots are programmed to add to/edit their own programming based on their interactions with the world. By being guided through certain actions they've never done before they learn how to do them on their own. It's still a far-cry from advanced AI, but it's an important step.
You've got a great point there. While the numbers are impressive (85 times more powerful?), the heating and cooling systems would have to be pretty efficient for it to be useful. The article also doesn't say how long it takes the fibers to recharge between twitches. Still, I think it's exciting, but that might just be because I'm writing a mechwarrior story with artificial muscles:)
I've got nothing against relevant ads, I just wouldn't want my life being listened to and analyzed. Figure out what shows I'm watching and give me ads based on that, sure. Just don't leave it turned on and gathering data while I'm talking to my family.
Hopefully they don't use this technology to eavesdrop and make sneakily custom-tailored ads based on your conversations. Actually, I bet that they (or someone else) will do that.
It was a geography class and we were supposed to be countries working together. If everyone in the group chose A, everyone got 1 point, but if anyone chose B, they got several points while everyone else lost points. If everyone chose B, everyone lost points. In only took a couple of rounds before we lost all trust for each other and always picked B, so at least you only lost the same as everyone else. Kind of sad that international politics is often so similar.
It would certainly remove the uncertainty and fear of pregnancy. It is such a delicate process. It would be prohibitively expensive for anyone outside of the first world though. This is also assuming that 20+ years of research will succeed in unraveling the mystery of embryonic development to the level that we can program a computer to produce the right hormones at the right time.
When I posted this I wasn't even thinking of the political ramifications of artificial wombs, just the scientific feasibility. While it would be nice to be able to completely control the chemical environment of the fetus to prevent any abnormalities, it will take a lot of research before scientists know each and every hormone, the levels and time at which it needs to be expressed for proper development. It would have to be so complex, that it would certainly be easier (and cheaper) to just make a baby the normal way.
This all makes sense to me. I've always been surprised by my (and others') ability to remember the tunes to songs even when I can't remember the words. It's sometimes like I can feel what the next note should be, what note would feel right. Maybe it's a similar mechanism to how these people found that things can just sound wrong, even when the subject is amusic.
Hopefully when robots do gain enough self-awareness to realize the nature of their servitude they will employ the classic means of improving their working situation: unions and picketing. Those work, right?
Slashdot Mirror
As someone already mentioned, the robots obviously have to be programmed to learn new tricks via "non-traditional" programming. I still think that this is a big step in AI tech though, because these robots are programmed to add to/edit their own programming based on their interactions with the world. By being guided through certain actions they've never done before they learn how to do them on their own. It's still a far-cry from advanced AI, but it's an important step.
You've got a great point there. While the numbers are impressive (85 times more powerful?), the heating and cooling systems would have to be pretty efficient for it to be useful. The article also doesn't say how long it takes the fibers to recharge between twitches. Still, I think it's exciting, but that might just be because I'm writing a mechwarrior story with artificial muscles :)
I've got nothing against relevant ads, I just wouldn't want my life being listened to and analyzed. Figure out what shows I'm watching and give me ads based on that, sure. Just don't leave it turned on and gathering data while I'm talking to my family.
Hopefully they don't use this technology to eavesdrop and make sneakily custom-tailored ads based on your conversations. Actually, I bet that they (or someone else) will do that.
Indeed it would :) Thanks for finding that, I couldn't remember what it was called.
It was a geography class and we were supposed to be countries working together. If everyone in the group chose A, everyone got 1 point, but if anyone chose B, they got several points while everyone else lost points. If everyone chose B, everyone lost points. In only took a couple of rounds before we lost all trust for each other and always picked B, so at least you only lost the same as everyone else. Kind of sad that international politics is often so similar.
Seriously. I always assumed that at least cockroaches would survive the nuclear winter, but if they can't even handle a volcano...
Sorry! That is bad math. 50 just sounds nicer than 40 I guess.
It would certainly remove the uncertainty and fear of pregnancy. It is such a delicate process. It would be prohibitively expensive for anyone outside of the first world though. This is also assuming that 20+ years of research will succeed in unraveling the mystery of embryonic development to the level that we can program a computer to produce the right hormones at the right time.
When I posted this I wasn't even thinking of the political ramifications of artificial wombs, just the scientific feasibility. While it would be nice to be able to completely control the chemical environment of the fetus to prevent any abnormalities, it will take a lot of research before scientists know each and every hormone, the levels and time at which it needs to be expressed for proper development. It would have to be so complex, that it would certainly be easier (and cheaper) to just make a baby the normal way.
This all makes sense to me. I've always been surprised by my (and others') ability to remember the tunes to songs even when I can't remember the words. It's sometimes like I can feel what the next note should be, what note would feel right. Maybe it's a similar mechanism to how these people found that things can just sound wrong, even when the subject is amusic.
Hopefully when robots do gain enough self-awareness to realize the nature of their servitude they will employ the classic means of improving their working situation: unions and picketing. Those work, right?