What is “Singularity”? Will it hurt? According to Ray Kurzweil it is a point, in which artificial intelligence equals and surpasses human intelligence. Is this even possible? Will our technological advances actually be able to “be smarter than a 5th grader”?
This will happen in another 35 years, or so, according to Kurzweil. Is this possible? I, for one, think not.
For starters, even with rapidly advancing understanding of the human brain, it seems unlikely that any machine could ever posses all the qualities of a human mind. There are many facets of a human mind, many of which could not possibly be duplicated with an algorithm. Spirituality and emotions are but a couple.
Kurzweil talks a lot about virtual reality in his discussions on Singularity. It seems to me that for artificial intelligence to even be equal, with human intelligence, it will need to do so in the real world. Until then I will enjoy my science fiction films and try to match wits with 5th graders.
Patrick Russell
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Is the World round, or is it flat?
After reading Thomas Friedman’s article, It's a Flat World, After All, I was reminded of an essay that I wrote about six months ago. The topic was how technology affected me. In the essay I pointed out that ‘the day of self-taught workers’ was gone. Looking at this “flat world” view only reinforces my thoughts on this.
For the U.S. to survive in a truly global economic arena will not only require, but demand, that the U.S. has enough skilled and knowledgeable workers, and designers, to keep pace with other countries.
So, any young Americans that might read this: Do not think you can just cruise along and have job security. You must strive for excellence!
The following is the URL to Friedman’s article.
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/03/magazine/03DOMINANCE.html
For the U.S. to survive in a truly global economic arena will not only require, but demand, that the U.S. has enough skilled and knowledgeable workers, and designers, to keep pace with other countries.
So, any young Americans that might read this: Do not think you can just cruise along and have job security. You must strive for excellence!
The following is the URL to Friedman’s article.
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/03/magazine/03DOMINANCE.html
Thursday, October 8, 2009
How much is too much?
http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D97GD1200&show_article=1
This link is to an article about an Iranian blogger who paid the ultimate price for expressing his opinion. We, as Americans take free speech for granted too much. We say anything we darn well please, without any fear of persecution. For example, if I said that our country’s leader was a jackass; would I be arrested and thrown in jail? No, but others would certainly have opposing views, and tell me I was wrong. A person in Iran and some other countries is taking a huge risk if they state any opinion other than what their government says is allowed.
Blogging has given anyone with a computer, and internet access, the ability to publish their views and opinions at will. With an audience that is truly worldwide. Is this too much freedom? As an American, I say absolutely not.
I will say, however, that when we do blog, we do need to be mindful of what we say, and how we say it. It is very easy to be mean or hurtful without realizing it. Just like speaking face to face with another person, we need to use discretion and be respectful.
We also need to keep in mind that a blog is out there for anyone and everyone to see. Just because my blog does not get posted on the front page of a major newspaper does not mean that it cannot, or will not, be seen by the person, or people, I might be talking about.
My two cents worth,
Patrick Russell
This link is to an article about an Iranian blogger who paid the ultimate price for expressing his opinion. We, as Americans take free speech for granted too much. We say anything we darn well please, without any fear of persecution. For example, if I said that our country’s leader was a jackass; would I be arrested and thrown in jail? No, but others would certainly have opposing views, and tell me I was wrong. A person in Iran and some other countries is taking a huge risk if they state any opinion other than what their government says is allowed.
Blogging has given anyone with a computer, and internet access, the ability to publish their views and opinions at will. With an audience that is truly worldwide. Is this too much freedom? As an American, I say absolutely not.
I will say, however, that when we do blog, we do need to be mindful of what we say, and how we say it. It is very easy to be mean or hurtful without realizing it. Just like speaking face to face with another person, we need to use discretion and be respectful.
We also need to keep in mind that a blog is out there for anyone and everyone to see. Just because my blog does not get posted on the front page of a major newspaper does not mean that it cannot, or will not, be seen by the person, or people, I might be talking about.
My two cents worth,
Patrick Russell
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Second Life, a virtual world.
These images are from Second Life, a virtual world. What is this? It seems to be more of a way to socialize on the web than anything else. This place is huge, one could spend countless hours exploring Second Life. There are items that can be purchased using Linden bucks, which are purchased with real money. I am unsure what one does with the items, such as the car in the above image.
I have only spent a small amount of time here, and am unsure if I will be back(to Second Life), so that is about all I have to say for now.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
About Patrick's computer experience
Well, it seems that I did not read the instructions for this assignment carefully enough. I need to have two entries up by midnight tonight (Sunday Sept., 27). This is something that I will need to give more attention to, reading with understanding.
This entry will be about me and my experience with computers and productivity software. Like most of you, I have been using computers for personal pursuits and just plain fun for a good number of years now. I have some experience using computers in the workplace as well, but have not needed to use the typical office software that will be covered in the class I am taking.
The places where I have used computers at work did not employ MS word or excel, at least not in my departments. Instead we used a system called Lightspeed. This was a menu driven system, designed for use in automotive shops. It had functions for creating and tracking service repair orders, inventory tracking, parts invoicing and many other things that I did not use.
At home I have used a variety of applications, including Quicken, Turbo Tax, and word processors. These have been very helpful at times and very frustrating at times. Usually my lack of experience and understanding of how to use them has been the root of my frustrations. Things like not being able to find a file after I saved it, not being able to do something I thought the application was capable of doing, or not being able to access a feature that I know came with the operating system(such as the snip tool).
I am taking this computer class to learn how to be more adept at using my computer, and because today's job skills are demanding more computer savvy employees. Having proper training with productivity software and a better working knowledge of basic computer functions can only help me in my career.
Patrick Russell
This entry will be about me and my experience with computers and productivity software. Like most of you, I have been using computers for personal pursuits and just plain fun for a good number of years now. I have some experience using computers in the workplace as well, but have not needed to use the typical office software that will be covered in the class I am taking.
The places where I have used computers at work did not employ MS word or excel, at least not in my departments. Instead we used a system called Lightspeed. This was a menu driven system, designed for use in automotive shops. It had functions for creating and tracking service repair orders, inventory tracking, parts invoicing and many other things that I did not use.
At home I have used a variety of applications, including Quicken, Turbo Tax, and word processors. These have been very helpful at times and very frustrating at times. Usually my lack of experience and understanding of how to use them has been the root of my frustrations. Things like not being able to find a file after I saved it, not being able to do something I thought the application was capable of doing, or not being able to access a feature that I know came with the operating system(such as the snip tool).
I am taking this computer class to learn how to be more adept at using my computer, and because today's job skills are demanding more computer savvy employees. Having proper training with productivity software and a better working knowledge of basic computer functions can only help me in my career.
Patrick Russell
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Views on computers and micro technology
Hello Everybody,
This is my first ever blog! It is my hope that you will find my views and perspectives interesting. I will be talking mainly about computer technology and how it relates to me and the way it impacts my life. I have some rather strong opinions on certain areas of computer and micro technology, and how people at large deal with it and use it on a daily basis.
One example is the apparent dependency our society has on computer technology. For instance, I walk in to the bank to make a deposit, but their computer system is down. Instead of having a back up system in place, they are unable to do any transactions until the computers are back online. Is this a good way to run any business? I think not!
Another example of what I think is a problem that our society needs to address is the lack of etiquette people display while using their cell phones. I see people all the time, ignoring the other people they are eating a meal with, or a mom disregarding a child only so she can gossip with a friend. What happened to manners being important? New technology does not mean we should completely throw our manners out the window.
Then there is this whole texting issue. Why do we need to feel such a strong need to be in constant contact with everyone we know? Often times at the expense of others we know and care for, who are sitting right next to us. I completely do not get this!
So, now that I got that off of my chest, I guess I should say something more directly related to personal computers.
These are wonderful tools, and great toys at the same time. For the money I have spent on computers over the last 15 or so years, I feel like a lot of it was rather frivolous. I mostly play games or e-mail, none of which is essential to me and the way I live. If I did not have a personal computer, it would hinder somethings, but not cause me any real strife.
Just the same, I do get a good deal of enjoyment from them and can communicate and share pictures with relatives that live hundreds of miles away. I also learn about work related things with my computer, so there is some professional merit as well.
So in the end, it seems that I am a supporter of computers and micro technology, and, yes, I do own a cell phone. I also do sometimes use poor manners regarding the use of my cell phone.
My two cents worth,
Patrick Russell
This is my first ever blog! It is my hope that you will find my views and perspectives interesting. I will be talking mainly about computer technology and how it relates to me and the way it impacts my life. I have some rather strong opinions on certain areas of computer and micro technology, and how people at large deal with it and use it on a daily basis.
One example is the apparent dependency our society has on computer technology. For instance, I walk in to the bank to make a deposit, but their computer system is down. Instead of having a back up system in place, they are unable to do any transactions until the computers are back online. Is this a good way to run any business? I think not!
Another example of what I think is a problem that our society needs to address is the lack of etiquette people display while using their cell phones. I see people all the time, ignoring the other people they are eating a meal with, or a mom disregarding a child only so she can gossip with a friend. What happened to manners being important? New technology does not mean we should completely throw our manners out the window.
Then there is this whole texting issue. Why do we need to feel such a strong need to be in constant contact with everyone we know? Often times at the expense of others we know and care for, who are sitting right next to us. I completely do not get this!
So, now that I got that off of my chest, I guess I should say something more directly related to personal computers.
These are wonderful tools, and great toys at the same time. For the money I have spent on computers over the last 15 or so years, I feel like a lot of it was rather frivolous. I mostly play games or e-mail, none of which is essential to me and the way I live. If I did not have a personal computer, it would hinder somethings, but not cause me any real strife.
Just the same, I do get a good deal of enjoyment from them and can communicate and share pictures with relatives that live hundreds of miles away. I also learn about work related things with my computer, so there is some professional merit as well.
So in the end, it seems that I am a supporter of computers and micro technology, and, yes, I do own a cell phone. I also do sometimes use poor manners regarding the use of my cell phone.
My two cents worth,
Patrick Russell
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