Whatever you can do we can do better...
By now you must understand I have a love of technology in most of it's incarnations, most specifically in Robot technology. When I was in H.S. I read a book called Caliban written by Roger MacBride Allen set in Isaac Asimov's robot universe. It started an obsession with robot science fiction that is still going strong. I found Asimov's stories to be incredibly easy to read, while retaining a strong connection of social issues between our world and the one he was creating. His Robot series novels are a must read for any science fiction fan with an affection for cyborgs, robots, or thinking machines in our society. The picture above is from the Prototype Robot Exhibition in
Japan. Besides these two jazz playing bots, there is a ballroom dancing bot that should inspire any person with two left feet to go out a better themselves, lest they be replaced by an inhuman companion.
On to Eddie Bauer and their battle with those that like to protest everything. Last month a few protesters trying to make a valid point about nano technology and its use without understanding got semi-nude and proudly displayed their feelings about Bauer's move. Wired has the story here. I just find this a little funny. I am all for understanding tech before we use it, but all they did was make better stain proof pants, hardly something to cause some type of grey goo meltdown which most of those against nano tech fear. At least there were boobies on display in addition to super teched out pants. I will ask this question though: How come no one ever hot or really beautiful makes it to these "nude" protests. Is there a pre-requisite that says if your delicious body detracts from the cause/point you are trying to promote then stay at home and keep your clothes on? I think maybe...
Last but not least an essay by Lawrence Lessig on Free software and Free Society in Brazil. Long known for it's incredible Carnivale celebration and horrendous crime, Brazil was recently host to a forum that proposed to take ownership of ideas and give them back to the people towards a better end then sheer profit. It's a little lengthy, but very insightful and refreshing. If you have confusion about free software and what it is, this article is not the best read. It is pretty relevant if you want to know why people are making such a fuss over the use of these programs. Hope you enjoy it.
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