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Aug 11, 2021

Computer AI passes Turing test in ‘world first’

Posted by in category: robotics/AI

Circa 2014


A computer program called Eugene Goostman, which simulates a 13-year-old Ukrainian boy, is said to have passed the Turing test at an event organised by the University of Reading.

Aug 11, 2021

Physicists Detect Strongest Evidence Yet of Matter Generated

Posted by in category: physics

According to theory, if you smash two photons together hard enough, you can generate matter: an electron-positron pair, the conversion of light to mass as per Einstein’s theory of special relativity.

It’s called the Breit-Wheeler process, first laid out by Gregory Breit and John A. Wheeler in 1,934 and we have very good reason to believe it would work.

But direct observation of the pure phenomenon involving just two photons has remained elusive, mainly because the photons need to be extremely energetic (i.e. gamma rays) and we don’t have the technology yet to build a gamma-ray laser.

Aug 11, 2021

How a simple magnetic field configuration could trigger solar eruptions

Posted by in categories: materials, space

The reconnection of single-looped field lines in the Sun’s corona can create tension forces strong enough to hurl material into space, according to a new simulation.

Aug 11, 2021

Vaccine Lessons From COVID Could Help Prevent Future Pandemics

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, futurism

Effective COVID-19 vaccines arrived in record time. That success story, years in the making, offers lessons that could help prevent future outbreaks, including pandemic influenza.

This article was produced for Sabin Vaccine Institute by Scientific American Custom Media, a division separate from the magazine’s board of editors.

Aug 11, 2021

MASS PSYCHOSIS — How an Entire Population Becomes MENTALLY ILL

Posted by in category: futurism

This video was made in collaboration with Academy of Ideas. They create videos explaining the ideas of history’s great thinkers in order to help supply the world with more knowledge, to empower the individual, and to promote freedom. Please check out their youtube channel for more brilliant content. https://www.youtube.com/c/academyofideas or visit their website to learn more https://academyofideas.com/

In this video we are going to explore the most dangerous of all psychic epidemics, the mass psychosis. A mass psychosis is an epidemic of madness and it occurs when a large portion of a society loses touch with reality and descends into delusions. Such a phenomenon is not a thing of fiction. Two examples of mass psychoses are the American and European witch hunts 16th and 17th centuries and the rise of totalitarianism in the 20th century.

Continue reading “MASS PSYCHOSIS — How an Entire Population Becomes MENTALLY ILL” »

Aug 11, 2021

Reaping double benefits with solar farming

Posted by in categories: climatology, solar power, sustainability

Farmers reap double benefits with solar power in fields Solar panels generate electricity in the fields, helping both farmers and climate protection. DW visits a German solar farm — and looks at other places this combination is paying off. How widely can agrovoltaics spread? Fabian Karthaus grew u…

Aug 11, 2021

Beige Fat “Indispensable” in Protecting the Brain From Dementia

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, neuroscience

Pear-shaped people, whose weight is generally distributed more evenly, rather than “apple shaped” individuals with fat clustered around their middle and often around internal organs like the liver in the abdominal cavity, are considered less at risk for cardiometabolic problems like heart disease and diabetes, as well as cognitive decline, says Stranahan, neuroscientist at the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University.


Summary: Adipocytes, or beige fat cells, are indispensable to the anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects of subcutaneous fat, researchers say.

Source: Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University

Continue reading “Beige Fat ‘Indispensable’ in Protecting the Brain From Dementia” »

Aug 11, 2021

Bio-Inspired, Blood-Repelling Tissue Glue Can Seal Wounds Quickly and Stop Bleeding

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, engineering

When the resulting paste is applied to a wet surface such as blood-covered tissue, the oil repels the blood and other substances that may be present, allowing the adhesive microparticles to crosslink and form a tight seal over the wound. Within 15 to 30 seconds of applying the glue, with gentle pressure applied, the glue sets and bleeding stops, the researchers showed in tests in rats.


A new adhesive that mimics the sticky substance barnacles use to cling to rocks may offer a better way to treat traumatic injuries.

Inspired by the sticky substance that barnacles use to cling to rocks, MIT

Continue reading “Bio-Inspired, Blood-Repelling Tissue Glue Can Seal Wounds Quickly and Stop Bleeding” »

Aug 11, 2021

This 1,992 paper was included on best-selling CDR World Philosophy compilation (before internet) and I claim some credit for circulated it and popularising the “Transhuman sidetrack”

Posted by in categories: chemistry, cryonics, ethics, existential risks, law, life extension, robotics/AI, transhumanism

Since 1,988 and formation of the Posthuman Movement, and articles by early adopters like Max Moore were a sign our message was being received — although I always argued on various Extropian & Transhuman bulletin boards & Yahoo groups &c that “Trans” was a redundant middle and we should move straight to Posthuman, now armed with the new MVT knowledge (also figures on the CDR). There will be a new edition of World Philosophy, the first this millennium, to coincided with various Posthuman University events later this year. Here is the text:

THE EXTROPIAN PRINCIPLES V. 2.01 August 7 1992.

Max More Executive Director, Extropy Institute.

Continue reading “This 1,992 paper was included on best-selling CDR World Philosophy compilation (before internet) and I claim some credit for circulated it and popularising the ‘Transhuman sidetrack’” »

Aug 11, 2021

Norton and Avast are merging into an $8 billion antivirus empire

Posted by in category: cybercrime/malcode

The deal combines decades of cyber security experience.


Norton and Avast are merging in a big anti-virus deal. The combined companies will focus on consumer offerings for cyber security, just as ransomware is becoming a big issue.