tagged w/ Cybernetics
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When Pinochet's military overthrew the Chilean government 40 years ago, they discovered a revolutionary communication system, a 'socialist internet' connecting the whole country. Its creator? Stafford Beer - An eccentric scientist from Surrey........... Stafford Beer achieved the hardest of all pedagogic tasks: he changed the way people think. His protean influence stretches from generations of inspired students, through Salvador Allende’s Chile, to the collective brain. A huge, life-affirming figure has passed, but his work will long survive. http://www.makeahistory.com/index.php/your-details/2204-project-cybersynWhen Pinochet's military overthrew the Chilean government 40 years ago, they... more
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worrg
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1 year ago
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The "control fanatics" like Jay Rockfeller have to be stopped: blowing every instance out of proportion, every chance they get to advance their own selfish agenda to bring oppression to the free people, and with the same token suffocate the people's pockets to enrich their already enriched pockets!The "control fanatics" like Jay Rockfeller have to be stopped: blowing... more
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Norbert Wiener invented the field of cybernetics, inspiring a generation of scientists to think of computer technology as a means to extend human capabilities. He noticed that the feedback principle is also a key feature of life forms from the simplest plants to the most complex animals, which change their actions in response to their environment. Wiener developed this concept into the field of cybernetics...... http://www.makeahistory.com/index.php/your-details/399-invents-cyberneticsNorbert Wiener invented the field of cybernetics, inspiring a generation of scientists... more
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worrg
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1 year ago
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"The past of human evolution is more and more coming to light as scientists uncover a trove of fossils and genetic knowledge. But where might the future of human evolution go?
An old cliché has the highly evolved humans of the future sporting large heads to hold their advanced enlarged brains, "but that's nonsense, whole nonsense," said paleontologist Peter Ward at the University of Washington at Seattle, author of "Future Evolution."
"If you've ever gone through a childbirth or witnessed one," Ward says, "we're already anatomically right on the edge of how big our heads can go — our big brains have already caused extreme problems in childbirth, and if we had bigger and bigger brains, that'd cause more mothers to die in childbirth, so evolution would select against that."
Another idea, suggested by evolutionary theorist Oliver Curry of the London School of Economics, seems like a retread of ideas from science fiction writer H.G. Well's classic "The Time Machine," with the human species split in two over time — an underclass of dim-witted, short goblins, and a genetic upper class of tall, slim, healthy, attractive, intelligent and creative superhumans that eventually are spoiled by technology that will do everything for them, resembling domesticated animals.
"That's crap," Ward said. "Why would that happen? Are we like blind cavefish? After we get Google, do we get stupider? Intelligence is coded on too many genes to just lose a trait like intelligence. That's not going to happen."
Ward suggests that, if left untouched, humans might converge in appearance as populations mix. "I kind of view us all as eventually having chocolate-covered hair and medium stature, getting rid of all extremes," he speculated. "Of course, the big elephant in the room, the change from the past that you cannot ignore when talking about the future of human evolution, is genetic engineering."
Humanity now has an unparalleled means by which to direct our evolution — genetic engineering. By using viruses and other techniques, we can in theory modify our genomes, and over time, scientists may uncover genes underlying intelligence, health, athletic prowess, longevity and other desirable traits, engineering what might seem like superhuman progeny. Genetic engineering is how Ward speculated new species of humans might emerge.
"I think taboos would arise which would prevent mating between populations — 'I don't want them anymore' or 'We want natural people,'" he said. "Of course this is all pure speculation, but this is the only way I can see new human species emerging — unless we get off the planet."
Much more at link!
http://www.livescience.com/strangenews/091116-human-evolution-future.html
So much to think about...where do you think evolution will go? What does the future hold for humans?"The past of human evolution is more and more coming to light as scientists... more
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Treehugger: 'There's nothing like a vision of a world gone to hell to get the point across.
Movies--especially fantastic movies--have the power to hit messages home with people around the world, regardless of class, race, or socio-economic background. In these nine post-apocalyptic movies (and one tv episode), ranging from the 1960's until next month (one's not released yet) the death destruction, and general bleak futuristic visions are all based on environmental disasters. A note on the selection process: Don't expect to see "Waterworld". Bombs, even with savvy green messages, didn't make the cut. Disagree or think I missed something? Fire away in the comments. Oh, and this list is filled with spoilers.'
Agree or disagree?Treehugger: 'There's nothing like a vision of a world gone to hell to get... more
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Converging technology, transhumanism, and our future in the making. The cutting edge group known as transhumanists see a beautiful future brought about by artificial intelligence, life extension, and cybernetics. What one must realize before getting carried away with such utopian dreams is that transhumanism was born out of the elitist pseudo-science eugenics. This documentary provides vital information on the history of eugenics and its new cutting edge transformation. Please show this documentary to a friend! Featuring: Ray Kurzweil, Nick Bostrom, Dr. Professor Kevin Warwick, Hugo de Garis, Michio Kaku, Aubrey de Grey, Anders Sandberg, Cathy O'Brien, Alan Watt, Alex Jones, Jordan Maxwell, Natasha Vita-More, Stelarc, AI brainchip chip implantable microchip human computer interface bmi bioinformatics alchemy hive mind Charles Galton Darwin T.H. Huxley Julian Aldous Royal Society secular amoral scientism social darwinism mind control politics NSF nanotech nanotechnology biotech biotechnology information technology IT Cognitive Science cognition brain george orwell 1984 meme memetics Oxford University berkeley UC scientific dictatorship dystopia asimo honda robot machine robot hubo mech suit super soldier pharmaceutical combat vehicle unmanned intelligent mkultra free will survival of the fittest bill clinton george w bush change millenium y2k 2001 2035 2010 2012 virtual reality VR mass media mainstream pop culture predictive programming trance formation of americaConverging technology, transhumanism, and our future in the making. The cutting edge... more
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"Cyberdyne Corporation of Japan, in conjunction with Daiwa House, has begun mass production of a cybernetic bodysuit that augments body movement and increases user strength by up to tenfold.
The HAL (Hybrid Assistive Limb) suit works by detecting faint bioelectrical signals using pads placed on specific areas of the body. The pads move the HAL suit accordingly. The Cyberdyne website explains: “When a person attempts to move, nerve signals are sent from the brain to the muscles via motoneuron, moving the musculoskeletal system as a consequence. At this moment, very weak biosignals can be detected on the surface of the skin. HAL catches these signals through a sensor attached on the skin of the wearer. Based on the signals obtained, the power unit is controlled to wearer’s daily activities.”
Among the potential applications, Cyberdyne is emphasizing helping people with movement disabilities, augmenting strength for difficult industrial tasks, disaster rescue, and entertainment.
The HAL suit is not currently available. But according to Nikkei News, Daiwa and Cyberdyne are planning an annual production of 400 units and they should be marketed at approximately $4,200 US dollars.""Cyberdyne Corporation of Japan, in conjunction with Daiwa House, has begun mass... more
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Imagine a computer that can process text, video and audio in an instant, solve problems on the fly, and do it all while consuming just 10 watts of power.
It would be the ultimate computing machine if it were built with silicon instead of human nerve cells.
Compare that to current computers, which require extensive, custom programming for each application, consume hundreds of watts in power, and are still not fast enough. So it's no surprise that some computer scientists want to go back to the drawing board and try building computers that more closely emulate nature.
"The plan is to engineer the mind by reverse-engineering the brain," says Dharmendra Modha, manager of the cognitive computing project at IBM Almaden Research Center.Imagine a computer that can process text, video and audio in an instant, solve... more
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lvp
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3 years ago
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After suffering a stroke while resting from playing a tour in the US, Dorian Cox thought that he would never be able to play guitar again. Thankfully for and others who have been affected by a stroke, there is a glimmer of hope in the form of the SaeboFlex, a mechanical glove that supports the wrist of its user as they grasp, hold, and release objects.
"It's a fantastic service, it's helping tremendously and I think it can work wonders for me and others – it's almost like a gym for my hand," Cox said. "I know things might never be the same again and nobody can give me a definite answer about whether I'll play guitar again but I'm getting back on track with their help."After suffering a stroke while resting from playing a tour in the US, Dorian Cox... more
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