The Intelligence Explosion: A Short Sci Fi Film About AI Ethics

PewDiePie, YouTube’s biggest star, is leaning into his new, far-right following

When Felix “PewDiePie” Kjellberg, YouTube’s most lucrative, popular superstar, uploaded a video featuring a banner with the words “Death to all Jews,” along with a man dressed as Jesus saying, “Hitler did absolutely nothing wrong,” he insisted it was jokes made in bad taste. 

After losing his partnership with Disney, Kjellberg apologized, saying he was just poking fun at the “modern world.”

But attempts to distance himself from his message didn’t deter the so-called “alt-right” from accepting him as one of their own, nor did Kjellberg’s insistence that he wanted nothing to do with them.

Kjellberg may not support them, but in the few short months since his anti-Semitism scandal, far-right celebrities have become Kjellberg’s favorite new bedfellows. Read more (7/26/17)

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Reinventing the Wheel

Planning a trip to the Moon? Mars? You’re going to need good tires…

Exploration requires mobility. And whether you’re on Earth or as far away as the Moon or Mars, you need good tires to get your vehicle from one place to another. Our decades-long work developing tires for space exploration has led to new game-changing designs and materials. Yes, we’re reinventing the wheel—here’s why.

Wheels on the Moon

Early tire designs were focused on moving hardware and astronauts across the lunar surface. The last NASA vehicle to visit the Moon was the Lunar Roving Vehicle during our Apollo missions. The vehicle used four large flexible wire mesh wheels with stiff inner frames. We used these Apollo era tires as the inspiration for new designs using newer materials and technology to better function on a lunar surface.

Up springs a new idea

During the mid-2000s, we worked with industry partner Goodyear to develop the Spring Tire, an airless compliant tire that consists of several hundred coiled steel wires woven into a flexible mesh, giving the tires the ability to support high loads while also conforming to the terrain. The Spring Tire has been proven to generate very good traction and durability in soft sand and on rocks.

Spring Tires for Mars

A little over a year after the Mars Curiosity Rover landed on Mars, engineers began to notice significant wheel damage in 2013 due to the unexpectedly harsh terrain. That’s when engineers began developing new Spring Tire prototypes to determine if they would be a new and better solution for exploration rovers on Mars.

In order for Spring Tires to go the distance on Martian terrain, new materials were required. Enter nickel titanium, a shape memory alloy with amazing capabilities that allow the tire to deform down to the axle and return to its original shape.

These tires can take a lickin’

After building the shape memory alloy tire, Glenn engineers sent it to the Jet Propulsion Laboratory’s Mars Life Test Facility. It performed impressively on the punishing track.

Why reinvent the wheel? It’s worth it.

New, high performing tires would allow lunar and Mars rovers to explore greater regions of the surface than currently possible. They conform to the terrain and do not sink as much as rigid wheels, allowing them to carry heavier payloads for the same given mass and volume. Also, because they absorb energy from impacts at moderate to high speeds, there is potential for use on crewed exploration vehicles which are expected to move at speeds significantly higher than the current Mars rovers.

Airless tires on Earth

Maybe. Recently, engineers and materials scientists have been testing a spinoff tire version that would work on cars and trucks on Earth. Stay tuned as we continue to push the boundaries on traditional concepts for exploring our world and beyond.  

Make sure to follow us on Tumblr for your regular dose of space: http://nasa.tumblr.com.  

holy motors_2017

ArenaFPV

Indiegogo campaign to set up the first arcade to race remote controlled vehicles such as cars and drones, to be played over an internet connection via PCs and smart mobile platforms:

First live VR gaming platform in the world: In ArenaFPV you play in real world with your phone or PC. In our special tracks and arenas you control real mini cars, drones and robots and challenge other online players. Our machines have  ultra fast cameras mounted on them with just 30ms latency. You will get 1080p high quality video stream that will make you feel as if you are in the machine. We also offer special VR kit for maximum reality.

More Here

How does cashless society work?

If there is one post to this tumblr I want to see reblogged like crazy, it’s this one.

So how would a cashless society work? This is, IMHO, one of the most important questions to ask when discussing Star Trek in general. 

Roddenberry had a vision which continues to motivate and inspire people today, because it envisioned humanity so far beyond its time. It allowed the show to craft an ideal. Something that may never be completely achieved, but that should be strived for continually. Providing not a roadmap, but a light to follow. 

Social issues are incredibly important, and are not to be understated when discussing this specific topic- they are the fundamental ideals within the Star Trek universe. But close behind this is the concept of economic enlightenment. In fact, I would argue they are fundamentally one in the same. In order for us to find love among all of us, without any hate or envy or fear, we need to find means of providing for everyone, so that everyone can be given the same opportunities to choose how they live their lives. 

One aspect of this Roddenberry version of a fair and enlightened global society would be one with no cash. 

But How Does That Work?

How, can anything work without cash? Or to clarify, money? I don’t believe it could right now, but in the future, if certain issues were solved, we could be well on our way. Here are three aspects of our society that will need to be addressed or achieved before we would even be close:

1. There needs to be a movement to Post-Scarcity

People need to have easy access to homes, health, and the basic comforts that money currently is required to attain. 

There’s a lot of talk about a “post-scarcity” economy. With 3d-printers, efficient production, and global access to information we are already moving towards this. But one big hurdle in this issue is energy. Until we find a means of providing nearly limitless energy to the entire planet, a post-scarcity society will be very hard to maintain. (Cold fusion is an exciting potential leap forward)

2. Automation for the dangerous jobs and Universal Basic Income

We need robots to do the repetitive and dangerous jobs people shouldn’t do or just don’t want to do. The more these jobs are taken up by robots, the more there will be a need for a Universal Basic Income. The general concept is this: companies that produce goods while removing jobs from the market will need to pay tax on the robots that were once paying jobs. The money will then be given to the citizens as a dividend. This will eventually be the foundation for providing a universal live-able distribution of resources to everyone. 

3. Debt needs to be reversed 

The final issue is debt will need to be removed from society. This is arguably the hardest to understand and I imagine even harder to implement. Our current understanding of economics runs on debt. Person A gives money to Person B so that person B can make more money and give back that money (plus interest) to person A. The problem is this seems to allow the money to be consolidated into large pools. Currently the top 8 richest people in the world hold more wealth than the bottom half. 

We need a way to believe in a society that can work in reverse. A society where we pay it forward, rather than pay it back. This is where I haven’t fully understood the ideas being proposed. But one thing is certain, those in the top 1% will need to provide for those in need for this to ever work. There needs to be a rational, if not spiritual enlightenment among the richest in the world that we need to all have a place in society. A place unburdened by overwhelming fiscal obligation. When people don’t owe money, they can make the choices that benefit themselves and the rest of us at the same time. Rather than the choice that just makes them money.

I honestly think this is the biggest hurdle out of all of them. Because while the other issues can be solved with technological and political progress, this one truly requires a global enlightenment. Yes things like bitcoin and ethereum might help, but this is a bigger problem than just banking access and credit.

*Takes Deep Breath*

So that’s one take on Roddenberry’s vision of a cashless society. It’s something I truly hope comes to fruition.  A world where people are secure in knowing they have access to healthcare, a home, and the ability to pursue their passion. A world where all its people are freed to be their best self. Where creativity and science and kindness have priority. Orchestras could play in the park for free. Artists could make paintings of anything for anyone they wish. Scientists can spend their time inventing what they believe will help the planet the most. And we can finally get to the business of exploring the stars. 

Regressing 24 Hours in New Orleans

Another machine learning experiment from Samim explores regression method to moving image, breaking down each frame into visual compartments creating a polygon / Modernist style:

Regression is a widely applied technique in machine learning … Regression analysis is a statistical process for estimating the relationships among variables. Lets have some fun with it ;-)

… This experiment test a regression based approach for video stylisation. The following video was generated using Stylize by Alec Radford. Alec extends Andrej’s implementation and uses a fast Random Forest Regressor. The source video is a short by JacksGap.

You can find out more about the machine learning experiment here

“This is not like playing the two at the same time. The machine and its software aren’t layering the sounds of a clavichord atop those of a Hammond. They’re producing entirely new sounds using the mathematical characteristics of the notes that emerge from the two.”

https://soundcloud.com/wired/nsynth-bass-flute

https://soundcloud.com/wired/nsynth-organ-bass

https://soundcloud.com/wired/nsynth-flute-organ

Read More: https://www.wired.com/2017/05/google-uses-ai-create-1000s-new-musical-instruments/

Elastic Man

Interactive webtoy from Adult Swim put together by David Li features an elastic Morty head which you can stretch and pull to your hearts desire.

Try it out for yourself here

Finding your friends at a festival | by David Urbina  for @neonapp.  Get notified when the app is released. Music: Seven Lions x Illenium x Said The Sky.

the age of the really useful apps is starting

— Nil (@niluspc)

August 16, 2017

This is rad. Hope it shows up at some festivals soon https://t.co/c9a1W7auEe

— Goldroom (@goldroom)

August 16, 2017

One of the best uses for AR I’ve seen. https://t.co/kxGAUzVyEf

— Alexander Danling (@baobame)

August 15, 2017

Seeing more practical and indispensable use-cases for AR than I have for new apps in quite a while. pic.twitter.com/zwHEGkYZrK via @ARKitweekly

— Scott Belsky (@scottbelsky)

August 15, 2017

Reasons like this are why I think AR >> VR https://t.co/7rt5pRT3o6

— Mohammad Al Azzouni (@mazzouni)

August 17, 2017

I need this in my life! https://t.co/yGbGrWYLBD

— Stefan Goodchild ⚛ (@stefangoodchild)

August 15, 2017

ARKit really will bring a new wave of useful functionality to the phone. https://t.co/H6TT1SlFkj

— CM Harrington (@octothorpe)

August 15, 2017

I love this. Good example of AR solving a REAL problem 👏 https://t.co/6wx3RSwSag

— Sam Clarke (@sclarke111)

August 17, 2017

ARKit is going to empower so many awesome apps when iOS 11 ships. https://t.co/MUaTqbDUb1

— Matt Sayward (@mattsayward)

August 15, 2017

By far the most functional implementation of AR I’ve ever seen. https://t.co/cWC3ymxq9z

— Thomas Claessens (@DeClaessens)

August 16, 2017

This looks mighty useful https://t.co/vh3vTjuVLO

— Max Böck (@mxbck)

August 15, 2017

Impressive (and actually useful) https://t.co/VHdlXzAdGY

— Dominik Schmidt (@sluderndotcom)

August 16, 2017

This is such a good idea! https://t.co/X7xhgB7xeT

— Donna Lowe (@reloweeda)

August 15, 2017

👍🏽 would be super handy https://t.co/9Tk2Q16qnE

— Simon (@liquidmedia2013)

August 15, 2017

Genuinely useful AR coming to a field near you. https://t.co/4M8b92UJLk

— Cennydd (@Cennydd)

August 16, 2017

Find you festival friends with AR - Definitely the coolest implementation I’ve seen so far. App revolution 2.0 on its way. https://t.co/dKDkPRbMw1

— Tom Austin (@tomhaustin)

August 15, 2017

I can’t wait to try his app 😱 https://t.co/YHkZ9F91Zn

— Alexandre Mouriec (@mrcalexandre)

August 15, 2017

This is magical. ARKit demos by the app developers have been 👌🏻. Can’t wait to play with these apps. https://t.co/0RmQ7kkCiE

— KietChieng  (@KietChieng)

August 16, 2017

GIMME THAT GIMME THAT RIGHT NOW https://t.co/Hg6fO6GWOq

— Valentin (@valdecarpentrie)

August 15, 2017

This is something I need https://t.co/iVjEkRxCaJ

— Andrew Rodebaugh (@andrewrodebaugh)

August 15, 2017

Less lost folks wandering the festival grounds aimlessly… Love some functional AR! https://t.co/deXJ8nMFQu

— Kent Weber (@WeberKent)

August 15, 2017

Again. This will be a game changer https://t.co/YiN2LQvmU5

— Jens@Gamescom (@JensHerforth)

August 15, 2017

This is a pretty cool use of GPS+ARKit, awesome demo use case! 🛳-it! #ARKit #MapKit #iOS11 https://t.co/LmMjPfo7KW

— Benjamin Hendricks (@benjhendricks)

August 15, 2017

The practical uses of #AR are incredible… this kind of thing will be the norm in the next few years & I can’t wait to test it. #Innovation https://t.co/XdkAdEG11G

— Josh Worth (@JoshWorthh)

August 15, 2017

OMG best use of the #ARKit. At festivals, i spend half my time looking for my friends in the crowd… https://t.co/YPb0AfAFjn

— Julie Tonna (@julie_tonna)

August 15, 2017

Awesome! This would also be cool for something like @ingress / @PokemonGoApp. Ps: love that new iPhone design 😉

— Marcel (@marceldk)

August 15, 2017

OMG !!!!!!!! #Devslopes https://t.co/MzN5RKn1DI

— leonyuon (@leonyuonl)

August 15, 2017

This is amazing! https://t.co/ZrpQBEgaU3

— Shane Griffiths (@shanegriffiths)

August 15, 2017

i just cant stop getting excited by these ARKit demos 🌟 https://t.co/IXAM6N0VBf

— nikhil srinivasan 👾 (@nvs)

August 15, 2017

Just think how much more enjoyable festivals would have been if you weren’t constantly losing/looking for everyone. https://t.co/uzxNJMqI4c

— Neil Cooper (@ncooperdesign)

August 15, 2017

Future killer Jazz Fest/Mardi Gras app for iPhone. (and really every other large gathering where you wanna find your friends) https://t.co/RXkVrLOuQB

— Stephen Sullivan (@swgs)

August 15, 2017

💯 arkit is legit 💯 https://t.co/8h3gWtdMtE

— Sean PJPGR Doran (@spjpgrd)

August 15, 2017

Another cool use of #ARKit https://t.co/0QUrN4BgJF

— Matt Zarandi ⚡️ (@MattZarandi)

August 15, 2017

Now this is something genuinely useful for AR https://t.co/7CvykUc2SQ

— Joel (@joevo2)

August 16, 2017

#musthave https://t.co/4KIhkWghKD

— Gee 🔥 (@Georg_Schmo)

August 15, 2017

This would have come in so handy on many occasions. https://t.co/2jI7uQn1Lf

— Steven Lin (@Stevenchlin)

August 15, 2017

Another great usecase! https://t.co/T5ggr8Qyez

— Schlabbeschambes (@DerHurly)

August 15, 2017

AR is gonna be so cool https://t.co/qmlxshUk03

— Beans (@beano629)

August 15, 2017

This is pretty brilliant! https://t.co/TevMmjBLKE

— Vlad Vukicevic (@vvuk)

August 15, 2017

A 🔥use case here ⬇️ just amazing #ARKit https://t.co/elPyWbW4iO

— Glenville Morris (@glenvillemorris)

August 15, 2017

Now thats a smart techcombi https://t.co/wH8ECU7VxO

— thefirstfloor (@jeroenduhmooij)

August 15, 2017

We gonna be livin’ in 2025 real soon. https://t.co/RgXCAjdb2t

— David Bird (@David_Burns_Red)

August 15, 2017

here’s another super rad use case that would also work for finding your Lyft / Uber driver https://t.co/JVm3oqGrW9

— TIFFANY ZHONG (@TZhongg)

August 15, 2017

Great usage of ARKit! https://t.co/jJ1VDOX4zb

— Elliot Turner (@eturner303)

August 15, 2017

#ARKit (demo) with a practical concept to navigate space and impact social engagement #AR #interactivetech #socialAR https://t.co/2352xf9haz

— Melody Koebler (@melabyyte)

August 15, 2017

Well, that’s bloody awesome https://t.co/XvCLwNsqJB

— Neil Kleiner (@nkleiner)

August 15, 2017

Handy real-world application for #AR. Beats “we’re to the left of the stage” https://t.co/zoMbK4dUSm

— Jon Williams (@yesthatjon)

August 15, 2017

Now THIS is awesome › https://t.co/xP6LamQuua #ARKit

— Jermaine (@dviate)

August 15, 2017

Neat idea. Is it just me or does it feel like it wants a giant column of light like in an MMO or something? https://t.co/SM2dKw80wT

— Gabe Weiss (@GabeWeiss_)

August 15, 2017

Yes and yes! And not just for finding people you already know, opt-in real-time people discovery in the offline world has massive potential https://t.co/zsAQy0q55z

— Shuvi👩🏻‍💻 (@shuvi)

August 15, 2017

Find my friends on a whole new level #ARKit https://t.co/l53rkXr4PS

— Spencer Bratman (@SpencerBratman)

August 15, 2017

Eyyy this is what I’m talkin about—next to disrupt social media? https://t.co/eN2BSvYXNh

— Kenneth Ng (@KennethLNg)

August 16, 2017

Well this is awesomely handy. https://t.co/KmU4FJvErV

— Dan Z (@danactual)

August 16, 2017

Stop this is amazing!! https://t.co/ZcTy1iAlVt

— Daniel Feodoroff (@mrdanielfeo)

August 16, 2017

Clever! https://t.co/SnjqQD8gL9

— geoff brown (@cgeoffreybrown)

August 16, 2017

Looking forward to way more of this … https://t.co/Qdx0fMK3sh

— Neil Voss (@neilvoss)

August 16, 2017

Just watch this video, one of the best uses of AR I’ve seen https://t.co/OZFjwiIKLP

— Ben King (@kngbn79)

August 16, 2017

AR tinder is gonna be wicked

— Utkarsh Gupta (@u7karsh)

August 16, 2017

Now this is cool! #arkit #ar #AugmentedReality https://t.co/s7E4jkqkpN

— Jen Abel 💬💫 (@jjen_abel)

August 17, 2017

i’ve been waiting for an app like this for a while https://t.co/0uaEwKgtm9

— ✨🌵🦊 🌴✨ (@ryanrogalski)

August 17, 2017

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