Aug 282012
 
Robonaut 2: Alive and Suddenly Super Busy

NASA is finally letting Robonaut 2 do some stuff and sharing it with the public – there’s actually a steady feed of news, only mildly cheesy 1st-person commentary, and some decent R2 photos & video beaming down from the ISS.

Aug 082012
 
There's a New Machine on Mars. Again. It's Different this Time, Right?

About this Mars mission: What’s up here? Why is it so much more exciting this time? Maybe just the global convergence of social media around an aggressively virile meme? What do you think? Ideas? Suggestions? Derision?

Jul 062012
 
Top 5 for the Fifth: American Technological Prowess (Do We Still Got the Juice?)

In many ways, technological utopianism is the heart and soul of the United States; it has driven our hyper-speed development and rise to global prominence. But, is the US rising or declining? Technologically speaking, does America still have “it?”

Jul 032012
 
TERMINAL ANACHRONISM: The Polling Place & Voting Booth (vulnerable)

Here in 2012 we still have to physically go to a location to cast a ballot for almost any election. Why is that acceptable? Do we just want the patronizing “I Voted” sticker? COME ON – WE HAVE THE TECHNOLOGY! (repost)

Dec 152011
 
Hey Grandpa, Ask Northern Africa about how Social Media is Ruining Our Brains, K?

There are some things to which we’re all too connected – I’ll certainly admit that. But splashing out some junk science conjecture to broadly condemn the immensely powerful forces of social technology is just weak sauce.

Nov 172011
 
Digital Privacy, Facial Recognition, and Streamlined Bar Hopping in the Windy City

Anyone who moans and complains about Facebook privacy has got to be partially brain damaged. But faces are not something we can share selectively – well, unless we go all hijab on ourselves or something…