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May 22, 2015
The Untold Story of ILM, a Titan That Forever Changed Film
Posted by Seb in category: entertainment
As the young director had conceived it, Star Wars was a film that literally couldn’t be made; the technology required to bring the movie’s universe to visual life simply didn’t exist. Eventually 20th Century Fox gave Lucas $25,000 to finish his screenplay—and then, after he garnered a Best Picture Oscar nomination for American Graffiti, green-lit the production of Adventures of Luke Starkiller, as Taken From the Journal of the Whills, Saga I: The Star Wars. However, the studio no longer had a special effects department, so Lucas was on his own. He would adapt, and handily: He not only helped invent a new generation of special effects but launched a legendary company that would change the course of the movie business.
Industrial Light & Magic was born in a sweltering warehouse behind the Van Nuys airport in the summer of 1975. Its first employees were recent college graduates (and dropouts) with rich imaginations and nimble fingers. They were tasked with building Star Wars’ creatures, spaceships, circuit boards, and cameras. It didn’t go smoothly or even on schedule, but the masterful work of ILM’s fledgling artists, technicians, and engineers transported audiences into galaxies far, far away. Read more
May 21, 2015
Want to Write for Singularity University? We’re Hiring a Staff Writer — By Singularity University
Posted by Seb in category: Singularity University
If you’re a writer based in the Bay Area who is fascinated by science, technology, and the future—we invite you to join our team!
We’re seeking a writer to produce engaging stories about all things Singularity University (SU), including programs, startups, and the growing global community of alumni. You will write stories for Singularity Hub to promote SU activities, provide real-time coverage of events, and showcase initiatives and impact. Read more
May 21, 2015
The International Flag of Planet Earth
Posted by Odette Bohr Dienel in categories: alien life, astronomy, cosmology, evolution, futurism, geopolitics, gravity, sustainability, time travel, treaties
May 21, 2015
NASA and The Planetary Society Launch the LightSail
Posted by Odette Bohr Dienel in categories: astronomy, cosmology, education, energy, habitats, physics, science, solar power, space, space travel
May 21, 2015
The Ultimate Interface: Your Brain — By Ramez Naam SingularityHub
Posted by Seb in category: neuroscience
The final frontier of digital technology is integrating into your own brain. DARPA wants to go there. Scientists want to go there. Entrepreneurs want to go there. And increasingly, it looks like it’s possible.
You’ve probably read bits and pieces about brain implants and prostheses. Let me give you the big picture. Read more
May 20, 2015
Simulated Worlds Will Soon Be Indistinguishable From Reality — Victoria Turk | Motherboard
Posted by Seb in category: virtual reality
“So perhaps we’re not that close to a true simulation singularity after all. But as far as simply confusing the human senses about what’s real and what’s not, Fawkes reckons that’s not far off at all. Indeed, you don’t necessarily need perfect graphics to induce suspension of disbelief in the human brain anyway: Just think about how your mind can get carried away watching a film or reading a book. “ Read more
May 20, 2015
World Economic Forum 2015 The Human Capital Report
Posted by Odette Bohr Dienel in categories: big data, business, complex systems, defense, economics, education, governance, government, information science, innovation, law, policy
May 20, 2015
The Trouble with Scientists — Philip Ball | Nautilus
Posted by Seb in category: science
“A common response to this situation is to argue that, even if individual scientists might fool themselves, others have no hesitation in critiquing their ideas or their results, and so it all comes out in the wash: Science as a communal activity is self-correcting. Sometimes this is true—but it doesn’t necessarily happen as quickly or smoothly as we might like to believe.” Read more
May 19, 2015
Why the block chain matters — Reid Hoffman | Wired UK
Posted by Seb in category: bitcoin
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“When you combine Bitcoin’s global scope, its extreme divisibility and its ability to verify transactions without third parties, you end up with a system where engaging in exchanges of economic value becomes nearly as friction-free as tweeting or texting.” Read more