Exercise is the key, it's as simple as that. I'm talking about the kind that gets your blood pumping and gets you breating a little bit. Ever tried to run a mile when you're out of shape? How about 1/4 mile? How do you feel afterwards?
Like you're going to throw up. Or maybe you are already throwing up. Sedentariness is an illness, and obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes etc. are the side effects.
By exercising every day, and pushing yourself a little every day, you turn your body into the lean mean machine that it was meant to be. It seems to me that, if one exercises and makes it a priority, then all that cake and excessive shit isn't going to look good anymore. The body will start regulating what you eat, and everything will fall into place. Those salads, whole grains, and lean meats are going to look very tasty, and you're not going to want to overeat because you know you'll pay the next day.
Exercise is so good. I'm saddened that so many people haven't discovered it and made it a part of their daily lives. It boosts your health, gives you more energy, more endurance, sculpts your body, and makes you better in the sack. Where is the disadvantage here?
Problem with that is, I can get a portable version of the train schedule, in full color, already printed for me. It is in a nice format, the batteries never die, and it is free!
You also have to carry it around with you, and you can lose it. And if you want to check the bus schedule, too, then that's two pieces of paper. Do you travel all over the city? Then that is a heck of a lot of paper to coordinate.
As previous posts have suggested, most of this new portable technology is more or less not 'needed' until after it goes to market. Cell phones and PDA's are both great examples. In the past, people took the time to be prepared, especially in the business world. Now, why bother? I can have my assistant fax/email/IM it to me or whatever other excuses people use (for people with horrible handwriting, I do think the advent of the computer was a good thing, but again, laziness).
You're right, the technology is not 'needed.' As somebody stated earlier, the wheel and the aqueduct aren't really 'needed' either. It just depends on what you want to accomplish. And how much time and unnecessary effort you want to waste on the process of completing it.
In the past, people took time to be prepared. Now, they can take that time doing something more useful, because they have a tool that takes that hassle away. Time is money--why waste time when there's a convenient alternative?
Having your assistant wirelessly transfer data to you is one thing. Having your date book, address book, note sheet, to-do list and whatever else you want, instantly available to you, is another.
I don't think laziness is what you think it is. Just because somebody is using a tool to enhance their productivity doesn't mean that they are lazy. It means that they are smart, and it means that they get more done.
Consider the average computer user, Joe Sixpack. Mr. Sixpack doesn't ask for much out of his 56kbps (or, these days, even DSL or cable) connection. He reads email and checks sports scores through yahoo, types up the annual Christmas newsletter in Word, and maybe plays a few low-intensity games. He is not interested in "augmented reality," and has no reason for wanting any more power than can be had in a $200 generic PC.
Yes, maybe Joe Sixpack doesn't do much with his computer except check his mail and read about sports. And yeah, probably most of Joe Sixpack's generation do the same kind of things. However, technology will progress, and the younger generations will embrace the technology and use it. Does my grandma know how to use a computer, probably not. But you can bet that her grandkids know all about them. Maybe there isn't a market for the technology right now, but wait five or ten years--it'll be there.
Furthermore, people largely feel antagonistic towards their computers. The computer is a tool, a dangerous tool that often fails.
Again, same point. Eventually all these people who are afraid of computers (because of simple computer illiteracy) are going to die, and the next generation will take their place. You can bet that the younger generation will be very comfortable with the technology and will find tons of uses for it.
I think that wearables are the next logical step after desktop computing. We have wireless technology that works, we have small displays, small hard drives, good batteries, small everything--why should users be stuck with a big chunk of immobile hardware that forces them to stop what they're doing to use, when they can have an incredibly powerful, mobile, potentially hands-free tool at their disposal? I'm not saying that desktop computers are going to become obsolete (they definitely have their uses--programming, for one), I'm just saying that there could be some really, really cool innovations once wearable computing becomes mainstream. There are countless times I wish I didn't have to dig in my backpack for my Palm Pilot--wouldn't it be nice to push one button to turn the thing on, then have your datebook projected in front of you; voice recognition or some kind of portable keypad for input--as hands free as possible. Fast, efficient, and very convenient.
Nobody says that you have to run OSX on your wearable--something as simple as Palm OS, but better tweaked for the hardware and input devices, could be an incredibly useful tool.
If this technology really works well, it could solve a great many problems associated with computer displays (size, heat generation, cost, etc.)
I'd like to see some kind of "sticker" or something that you can put in your glasses to use as a HUD. Something that doesn't make you look like a freak.
A friend of mine was making a website for a jazz bassist. He took it upon himself to riddle the code with punny comments, such as "this site was written in bassic HTML."
Fortunately, the rest of the world can't see what a goof he is!:)
The old folks will probably feel better in zero G (arthritis may not bother your without gravity) and I believe their hearts will do well also.
Dwelling in low-g for an extended period of time will cause many bad side-effects too, such as decreased bone density. Senior citizens are already frail in that respect, so they might not be the best candidates...
On the other hand, there may be ways to combat this.
This could be the boost to get NASA off its duff and on to Mars. The "space race" got us to the Moon, because we wanted to beat the Russians. I think this is just what we need.. some "friendly" competition.
What I think NASA needs is a reason to go to Mars that will produce something tangible, rather than just winning a spitting contest with Russia.
Take, for example, our getting to the moon first. Yes, it was quite a feat of engineering and otherwise. But we haven't gone back since. There's not much point in going back if we're going just for fun. We'd probably be a little more enthusiastic about getting to Mars if we could mine it, or do something useful with it besides just land on it.
There were several people that got caught 'cheating' last year in one of my CS classes last year at the Univerisity of Washington. The software they used to check the homework, which is always electronically submitted, went beyond looking for exact matches; it also looked for similarities in code structure that had merely variable names changed. In exchange for some donuts once I gave a snippet of code to my roommate, who was also enrolled in the course, but we were smart enough to make the code look completely different in his submission so we didn't get caught.
I've dabbled a bit in 3d graphics and physics, though I'm not a professional developer or physicist, just a student. But I have read some good books that were really useful for physics programming, and 3D programming in general. I recommend reading a good textbook on linear algebra with matrices or sitting in on a course. There are a lot physics uses for matrices, and you can write a pretty good 3D engine based on them. My recommendations for reading:
Cutting-Edge 3D Game Programming with C++, by John DeGoes. Publisher: Coriolis Group Books, 1996.
This book, although probably not cutting edge any more, is a good introduction to 3D programming (polygons, lighting, shading, optimization, physics, a little bit on AI, etc). The code is written in c++ and the examples in the book require Borland C++'s power pack (these were written before DirectX, OpenGL etc. were widely used, probably because not many people had exclusive 3D hardware back then). Although today it's probably too much of a waste of time to code your own 3D engine, as there are a lot of good code libraries out there that work just as good, reading this book walks you step by step through the development of a 3D engine, so you can get a good understanding of how things work.
Introduction to Linear Algebra, by Johnson, Riess, Arnold. Fifth Ed. Publisher: Addison-Wesley.
This was my college textbook for matrix algebra. I still refer to it, there are a lot of really useful applications for matrices in physics, and computer graphics, especially when you have to deal with huge systems of equations--matrix algebra solves these problems pretty easily. This book isn't too dry imho, probably just because I'm a geek though.
With passport, microsoft wishes to be the customs agent of the internet. However, with flaws like this they really are not going to turn many people over to their side.
It seems to me that most of the time the general public (example: mom and dad, aunt Gretchen, etc) aren't aware that these flaws even exist. They are too easily fixed, and those who don't read the e-news every day usually miss out on stuff like this. Besides, even if it becomes big enough for the whole world to see, M$ will probably blame it on somebody else, like their evil 'computer terrorist' (that really saves their MS_A$$). Besides, with M$ pushing passport on everyone who uses.net, what choice do the users have but to use passport, in terms of convenience?
Often it seems that people will take risks to convenience themselves. Consider driving to work every day--you never know if you're going to make it home in one piece or not. But you still do it.
Slashdot Mirror
That's because fat people don't do anything that makes their bodies scream out for good nutrition. Exercise will fix that problem in a hurry.
Hell yes, I agree!
Exercise is the key, it's as simple as that. I'm talking about the kind that gets your blood pumping and gets you breating a little bit. Ever tried to run a mile when you're out of shape? How about 1/4 mile? How do you feel afterwards?
Like you're going to throw up. Or maybe you are already throwing up. Sedentariness is an illness, and obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes etc. are the side effects.
By exercising every day, and pushing yourself a little every day, you turn your body into the lean mean machine that it was meant to be. It seems to me that, if one exercises and makes it a priority, then all that cake and excessive shit isn't going to look good anymore. The body will start regulating what you eat, and everything will fall into place. Those salads, whole grains, and lean meats are going to look very tasty, and you're not going to want to overeat because you know you'll pay the next day.
Exercise is so good. I'm saddened that so many people haven't discovered it and made it a part of their daily lives. It boosts your health, gives you more energy, more endurance, sculpts your body, and makes you better in the sack. Where is the disadvantage here?
You also have to carry it around with you, and you can lose it. And if you want to check the bus schedule, too, then that's two pieces of paper. Do you travel all over the city? Then that is a heck of a lot of paper to coordinate.
As previous posts have suggested, most of this new portable technology is more or less not 'needed' until after it goes to market. Cell phones and PDA's are both great examples. In the past, people took the time to be prepared, especially in the business world. Now, why bother? I can have my assistant fax/email/IM it to me or whatever other excuses people use (for people with horrible handwriting, I do think the advent of the computer was a good thing, but again, laziness).
You're right, the technology is not 'needed.' As somebody stated earlier, the wheel and the aqueduct aren't really 'needed' either. It just depends on what you want to accomplish. And how much time and unnecessary effort you want to waste on the process of completing it.
In the past, people took time to be prepared. Now, they can take that time doing something more useful, because they have a tool that takes that hassle away. Time is money--why waste time when there's a convenient alternative?
Having your assistant wirelessly transfer data to you is one thing. Having your date book, address book, note sheet, to-do list and whatever else you want, instantly available to you, is another.
I don't think laziness is what you think it is. Just because somebody is using a tool to enhance their productivity doesn't mean that they are lazy. It means that they are smart, and it means that they get more done.
Yes, maybe Joe Sixpack doesn't do much with his computer except check his mail and read about sports. And yeah, probably most of Joe Sixpack's generation do the same kind of things. However, technology will progress, and the younger generations will embrace the technology and use it. Does my grandma know how to use a computer, probably not. But you can bet that her grandkids know all about them. Maybe there isn't a market for the technology right now, but wait five or ten years--it'll be there.
Furthermore, people largely feel antagonistic towards their computers. The computer is a tool, a dangerous tool that often fails.
Again, same point. Eventually all these people who are afraid of computers (because of simple computer illiteracy) are going to die, and the next generation will take their place. You can bet that the younger generation will be very comfortable with the technology and will find tons of uses for it.
I think that wearables are the next logical step after desktop computing. We have wireless technology that works, we have small displays, small hard drives, good batteries, small everything--why should users be stuck with a big chunk of immobile hardware that forces them to stop what they're doing to use, when they can have an incredibly powerful, mobile, potentially hands-free tool at their disposal? I'm not saying that desktop computers are going to become obsolete (they definitely have their uses--programming, for one), I'm just saying that there could be some really, really cool innovations once wearable computing becomes mainstream. There are countless times I wish I didn't have to dig in my backpack for my Palm Pilot--wouldn't it be nice to push one button to turn the thing on, then have your datebook projected in front of you; voice recognition or some kind of portable keypad for input--as hands free as possible. Fast, efficient, and very convenient.
Nobody says that you have to run OSX on your wearable--something as simple as Palm OS, but better tweaked for the hardware and input devices, could be an incredibly useful tool.
I'd like to see some kind of "sticker" or something that you can put in your glasses to use as a HUD. Something that doesn't make you look like a freak.
This came from http://www.blindwino.com/bigwino.html.
Fortunately, the rest of the world can't see what a goof he is! :)
Dwelling in low-g for an extended period of time will cause many bad side-effects too, such as decreased bone density. Senior citizens are already frail in that respect, so they might not be the best candidates...
On the other hand, there may be ways to combat this.
What I think NASA needs is a reason to go to Mars that will produce something tangible, rather than just winning a spitting contest with Russia.
Take, for example, our getting to the moon first. Yes, it was quite a feat of engineering and otherwise. But we haven't gone back since. There's not much point in going back if we're going just for fun. We'd probably be a little more enthusiastic about getting to Mars if we could mine it, or do something useful with it besides just land on it.
You left out a couple of steps:
4. Collect Underpants.
5.
6. Profit.
Benford and Hawking share insights on the meaning of life, the universe, and everything, as such minds are want to do.
Too bad all their mind are belong to us.
-The Flex CD is non-toxic and may be used with food items
A little bit odd, don't you think?
There were several people that got caught 'cheating' last year in one of my CS classes last year at the Univerisity of Washington. The software they used to check the homework, which is always electronically submitted, went beyond looking for exact matches; it also looked for similarities in code structure that had merely variable names changed. In exchange for some donuts once I gave a snippet of code to my roommate, who was also enrolled in the course, but we were smart enough to make the code look completely different in his submission so we didn't get caught.
I've dabbled a bit in 3d graphics and physics, though I'm not a professional developer or physicist, just a student. But I have read some good books that were really useful for physics programming, and 3D programming in general. I recommend reading a good textbook on linear algebra with matrices or sitting in on a course. There are a lot physics uses for matrices, and you can write a pretty good 3D engine based on them. My recommendations for reading:
Cutting-Edge 3D Game Programming with C++, by John DeGoes. Publisher: Coriolis Group Books, 1996.
This book, although probably not cutting edge any more, is a good introduction to 3D programming (polygons, lighting, shading, optimization, physics, a little bit on AI, etc). The code is written in c++ and the examples in the book require Borland C++'s power pack (these were written before DirectX, OpenGL etc. were widely used, probably because not many people had exclusive 3D hardware back then). Although today it's probably too much of a waste of time to code your own 3D engine, as there are a lot of good code libraries out there that work just as good, reading this book walks you step by step through the development of a 3D engine, so you can get a good understanding of how things work.
Introduction to Linear Algebra, by Johnson, Riess, Arnold. Fifth Ed. Publisher: Addison-Wesley.
This was my college textbook for matrix algebra. I still refer to it, there are a lot of really useful applications for matrices in physics, and computer graphics, especially when you have to deal with huge systems of equations--matrix algebra solves these problems pretty easily. This book isn't too dry imho, probably just because I'm a geek though.
With passport, microsoft wishes to be the customs agent of the internet. However, with flaws like this they really are not going to turn many people over to their side. It seems to me that most of the time the general public (example: mom and dad, aunt Gretchen, etc) aren't aware that these flaws even exist. They are too easily fixed, and those who don't read the e-news every day usually miss out on stuff like this. Besides, even if it becomes big enough for the whole world to see, M$ will probably blame it on somebody else, like their evil 'computer terrorist' (that really saves their MS_A$$). Besides, with M$ pushing passport on everyone who uses .net, what choice do the users have but to use passport, in terms of convenience?
Often it seems that people will take risks to convenience themselves. Consider driving to work every day--you never know if you're going to make it home in one piece or not. But you still do it.