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May 18, 2016

Can We Receive Messages from the Future?

Posted by in categories: computing, mathematics, quantum physics, time travel

About ten years ago scientist Dave Bacon, now at Google, presented that a time-travelling quantum computer could rapidly solve a bunch of problems, known as NP-complete, which mathematicians have lumped together as being hard. The problem was, Bacon’s quantum computer was travelling around ‘closed timelike curves’. These are paths through the fabric of spacetime that loop back on themselves. General relativity lets such paths to exist through contortions in spacetime identified as wormholes.

Why send a message back in time, but lock it so that no one can ever read the contents? As it may be the key to resolving presently intractable problems. That’s the claim of an international collaboration.

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May 18, 2016

Engineers just smashed the world record for solar power

Posted by in categories: solar power, sustainability

A team of Australian researchers just built solar cells that harvest 43% more efficient than the previous record-holder.

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May 18, 2016

May 18th-20th Google I/O Developers Conference Live Feed

Posted by in categories: machine learning, virtual reality

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Today’s conference emphasizes virtual reality and machine learning.

Live Feed

May 18, 2016

Space exploration will spur transhumanism and mitigate existential risk

Posted by in categories: alien life, cyborgs, existential risks, geopolitics, policy, robotics/AI, solar power, space travel, sustainability, transhumanism

Friends have been asking me to write something on space exploration and my campaign policy on it, so here it is just out on TechCrunch:


When people think about rocket ships and space exploration, they often imagine traveling across the Milky Way, landing on mysterious planets and even meeting alien life forms.

In reality, humans’ drive to get off Planet Earth has led to tremendous technological advances in our mundane daily lives — ones we use right here at home on terra firma.

Continue reading “Space exploration will spur transhumanism and mitigate existential risk” »

May 18, 2016

This smart earpiece translates languages as they are spoken

Posted by in category: futurism

Definitely getting a pair. Now, I will know all the gossip in any language-lol.


VIDEO: So long, language barriers.

Continue reading “This smart earpiece translates languages as they are spoken” »

May 18, 2016

Gauntlev 1

Posted by in categories: computing, particle physics

A tool able to generate remote forces would allow us to handle dangerous or fragile materials without contact or occlusions. Acoustic levitation is a suitable technology since it can trap particles in air or water. However, no approach has tried to endow humans with an intertwined way of controlling it. Previously, the acoustic elements were static, had to surround the particles and only translation was possible. Here, we present the basic manoeuvres that can be performed when levitators are attached to our moving hands. A Gauntlet of Levitation and a Sonic Screwdriver are presented with their manoeuvres for capturing, moving, transferring and combining particles. Manoeuvres can be performed manually or assisted by a computer for repeating patterns, stabilization and enhanced accuracy or speed. The presented prototypes still have limited forces but symbolize a milestone in our expectations of future technology.

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May 17, 2016

Microsoft’s Predictive Touch Screen

Posted by in category: futurism

Here’s a mobile screen that knows what you want to do BEFORE you touch it.

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May 17, 2016

Size of Brain Region May Impact How Well Exposure Therapy Works for PTSD

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, health, neuroscience

Interesting read on PTSD. Wonder how much this plays into DARPA’s own research around memory removal on PTSD patients. hmmm.


New research suggests that PTSD patients with a larger region of the brain that helps distinguish between safety and threat are more likely to respond to exposure-based therapy.

The study expands upon prior research that discovered having a smaller hippocampus is associated with increased risk of PTSD.

Continue reading “Size of Brain Region May Impact How Well Exposure Therapy Works for PTSD” »

May 17, 2016

Will technology allow us to transcend the human condition?

Posted by in category: transhumanism

Transhumanism: A primer.

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May 17, 2016

U.S. startup pursues self-driving semis but big-rig bots still down the road

Posted by in categories: robotics/AI, transportation

I do see delays of self-driving 18 wheelers across the US. Too many laws & regulations would need to change, consumer safety & protection advocacy groups, etc. will delay this in the US.


SAN FRANCISCO – Picture an 18-wheel truck barreling down the highway with 80,000 pounds of cargo and no one but a robot at the wheel.

To many, that might seem a frightening idea, even at a time when a few dozen of Google’s driverless cars are cruising city streets in California, Texas, Washington and Arizona.

Continue reading “U.S. startup pursues self-driving semis but big-rig bots still down the road” »