Saturday 31 December 2016

Why build flirtation or "sassiness" into an digital assistant at all?

Why build flirtation or "sassiness" into an digital assistant at all?

Even if the frequency of a female voice is more attention getting, there is no reason that it can't be an informative assistant with out the sexualization. Maybe getting people used to hearing let's get back on topic would be good for everyone.
https://www.engadget.com/2016/08/17/how-we-trained-ai-to-be-sexist/https://www.engadget.com/2016/08/17/how-we-trained-ai-to-be-sexist/

"The politics of Star Wars should always have been allowed to stay warm-fuzzy and mundane. Its dictum that Nazis are bad should always have remained a benign, foregone conclusion. But it didn’t. Ironically, we forgot that Star Wars’ themes were only safe and benign because we had universally accepted governing democratic principles that rejected authoritarianism and white supremacy. Those governing principles are no longer a sure thing." http://www.vox.com/culture/2016/12/31/14024262/star-wars-political-alt-right-backlash

"The politics of Star Wars should always have been allowed to stay warm-fuzzy and mundane. Its dictum that Nazis are bad should always have remained a benign, foregone conclusion. But it didn’t. Ironically, we forgot that Star Wars’ themes were only safe and benign because we had universally accepted governing democratic principles that rejected authoritarianism and white supremacy. Those governing principles are no longer a sure thing." http://www.vox.com/culture/2016/12/31/14024262/star-wars-political-alt-right-backlash
http://www.vox.com/culture/2016/12/31/14024262/star-wars-political-alt-right-backlash

Innovative reuse of materials.

Innovative reuse of materials.

We should do more of this. Repurposing save the energy used in mining.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/shipping-container-hotel-open-for-business-in-bruderheim-1.3915218

Thursday 29 December 2016

It’s that time of year again when people are drawing up resolutions that they may or may not, most likely not, keep for the next 12 months. Almost everyone, however, like to use the opportunity at the changing of the year to get their lives in order. Luckily, there’s an app for that. In fact, there are apps for that. … Continue reading

It’s that time of year again when people are drawing up resolutions that they may or may not, most likely not, keep for the next 12 months. Almost everyone, however, like to use the opportunity at the changing of the year to get their lives in order. Luckily, there’s an app for that. In fact, there are apps for that. … Continue reading
https://www.slashgear.com/best-apps-to-increase-with-your-productivity-29469161/

Non-invasive screening is really coming along.

Non-invasive screening is really coming along.

Hopefully focusing on diseases, like lung cancer mentioned, where early intervention can less onerous and more successful. I don't know that I would want to know I have the precursor for a long and miserable life.
https://www.engadget.com/2016/12/29/simple-breath-test-can-detect-cancer-and-16-other-diseases/

Friday 23 December 2016

Saw Rogue One. Loved it - except the music was a little off.

Saw Rogue One. Loved it - except the music was a little off.

Enjoyed the story and thought the actors had great chemistry. I liked how it showed just how human leaders are - even of a resistance - wanting to play it as safe as possible and willing to sacrifice innocent people because they don't want to believe the baddies are as bad as they are. I found the music inconsistent at times with romantic notes at conflict points. Oh and the Leia cgi face shape was disconcerting.

Looking forward to rewatching.
http://io9.gizmodo.com/a-comprehensive-guide-to-the-worst-rogue-one-takes-on-t-1790441878

Wednesday 21 December 2016

So...optimists aren't oblivious jerks. NSS.

So...optimists aren't oblivious jerks. NSS.

I do consider myself an optimist and I have a very active imagination about the worse that can happen. Since many of these things are out of my control I focus on mentally preparing myself for things I can reasonably respond to.

The original research is behind a paywall unfortunately. I would have liked to know a little more about the groups examined.
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jopy.12289/pdf

http://www.refinery29.com/2016/12/133696/study-finds-optimists-expect-worst

Sunday 18 December 2016

Utilities have a profitable monopoly. They won't want to loose that.

Utilities have a profitable monopoly. They won't want to loose that.

Ontario is taxing solar as income, hopefully they either fully subsidized the installation cost or allow a write down in asset value. Or better yet, a tax credit threshold that would cover homeowners.
https://powur.com/jay.kulesza/news/solar-is-being-held-back-by-regulations-not-technology

Saturday 17 December 2016

The flip side of clean energy sources is gas capture to clean up our mess and be able to use fossil fuels safely for the base.

The flip side of clean energy sources is gas capture to clean up our mess and be able to use fossil fuels safely for the base.
http://phys.org/news/2016-12-dangerous-gases.html

Maybe an app that just lets you take a picture?

Maybe an app that just lets you take a picture?

Tracking with MyFitnessPal became easier once there was barcode support but that only works if everything you eat is prepackaged. Just don't bring stuff into your house you don't want to eat. I usually track for a couple of days to reset eating habits.
http://www.theverge.com/2016/10/6/13179152/self-reporting-health-studies-accurate-research

Wednesday 14 December 2016

@CharlieJane has an amazing submission for this month's @Wired Magazine.

@CharlieJane has an amazing submission for this month's @Wired Magazine.

It would take longer to ask all the questions answered by this story than the length of story. Whether all of them were considered during the writing is irrelevant as good art provokes questions and thought.

Sunday 11 December 2016

Truth in labeling - it's about time.

Truth in labeling - it's about time.

I always wondered about Cold FX. It didn't seem to work for me or anyone I knew but Health Canada so ok. I also didn't realize how useless multi-vitamins were until my doctor casually said they're a waste of money when I asked about taking calcium.

I only want to maintain health in a cost effective way. But there are parent out there who are ineffectively treating their children's illnesses and Health Canada has done little to help them until now. Decisions need to be made on verifiable statements.
https://sciencebasedpharmacy.wordpress.com/2016/09/25/towards-more-effective-supplement-regulation-in-canada/

Saturday 10 December 2016

One year with the Samsung Gear S2

One year with the Samsung Gear S2
Many people haven't found their groove with smart watches. As someone who flipped between smart watched and FitBit devices it's nice to be happy with a long term device. As you can tell with FitBit as my alternate, I am into health monitoring. As a gadget j...
http://www.androidcoliseum.com/2016/12/one-year-with-samsung-gear-s2.html

Monday 5 December 2016

My Gear S2 got a firmware update tonight.


My Gear S2 got a firmware update tonight.

Nice feature I already noticed, time left until full charge. I'll check out the S Health features tomorrow in exercise class. Looks interesting. I've had my Gear S2 for a year now. I think what keeps it fresh for me is being able to change the watch band. Anyway, I'll probably do a 1 year review soon.

Note - red cast is because I'm running Twilight.

Sunday 4 December 2016

Two thumbs up

Two thumbs up

Fred thought we were going to Passengers and I didn't know what to expect but we both really enjoyed the movie:) Definitely not the combative alien invasion tropes we usually see.
https://www.youtube.com/attribution_link?a=8giXqYX4Wb8&u=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D7W1m5ER3I1Y%26feature%3Dshare

Carbon neutral way; high capacity energy.

Carbon neutral way; high capacity energy.

This kind of innovation doesn't happen without funding for basic research - which always seems "blue sky" because it's not immediately available to monetize. This would be great for the Artic.

Saturday 3 December 2016

It's alive! The ebook edition of The Babylon Eye is now available for sale from Amazon: http://getbook.at/babyloneye

It's alive! The ebook edition of The Babylon Eye is now available for sale from Amazon: http://getbook.at/babyloneye

Thanks to everyone who helped and encouraged me throughout this project, especially Tallulah Habib, Nerine Dorman, Marijke Du Toit, and above all Brendon Bussy without whose support and encouragement I could never have finished this book. Even though I never used his ideas for jokes. I'll work them into the next book Brendon!

And of course, all the rest of my lovely on- and offline friends.

Phew! Launching this book has given me an acute case of butterflies in the stomach. I will now escape to Newlands forest for a long walk with Pippin
https://mashadutoit.com/2016/11/30/the-babylon-eye-is-launched/

Canada needs electrical infrastructure as much as it needs pipelines.

Canada needs electrical infrastructure as much as it needs pipelines.

We have the same wind belt and it's only through old fashioned thinking that Saskatchewan isn't getting on with renewables like Alberta. Energy self-reliance is key.
https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/plugged-in/wind-energy-experts-see-lower-costs-bigger-turbines-on-the-horizon/