More rantings.

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

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

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

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.