tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54945922012-02-10T23:46:38.139-05:00Nadernoreply@blogger.comBlogger331100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5494592.post-51959607173055993552007-04-25T00:04:00.001-05:002007-04-25T00:05:14.836-05:00

My C++ project is done! It can solve a Rubik's cube by "looking" at it through a webcam. It also shows the solution in 3D. In this video you can see it in action. It was a fun project, I'm glad that it works as planned! I hope you like it.

Nadernoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5494592.post-1146342150659148992006-04-29T15:21:00.000-05:002006-04-29T16:48:44.556-05:00

Evolutionary PsychologyI love evolutionary psychology. It is a relatively new field that sheds a bright light on human behavior. It tries to explain behaviors that are universal to the human species, but that we usually take for granted. For example: * Why are small children cute? * Why do we find some people more attractive than others? * Why do couples cheat on each other? * Why do

Nadernoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5494592.post-1139673944440544752006-02-11T11:05:00.000-05:002006-02-11T11:05:44.450-05:00

A film by the Immortality Institute that explores various aspects of extreme life extension including cryonics (cryogenics), caloric restriction, transhumanism, and other scientific pursuits of extreme life extension.Highly recommended.

Nadernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5494592.post-1133987741101016582005-12-07T15:35:00.000-05:002007-01-02T17:47:35.083-05:00

I have always wanted to make a trance track. I finally did it! It's not as well mixed as a commercial record because I'm a beginner at music creation. Also, it's pretty short. I would appreciate any comments about it.Vocals by Kate Lesing. Got them from VIP Zone, a great site to get samples from. Listen to the song, mixed using Reason 3.0.More of my attempts at music creation are available here.

Nadernoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5494592.post-1126410647776664512005-09-10T22:50:00.000-05:002005-09-10T22:51:55.763-05:00

    In my opinion, the most fundamental problem with most neural networks is a trait they share with AI programs. Both are fatally burdened by their focus on behavior. Whether they are calling these behaviors "answers," "patterns," or "outputs," both AI and neural networks assume intelligence lies in the behavior that a program or a neural network produces after processing a given input. The most

Nadernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5494592.post-1123020929568897732005-08-02T17:13:00.000-05:002005-08-02T17:15:29.576-05:00

The Trolley ProblemThought Experiment 1:A trolley is running out of control down a track. In its path are 5 people who have been tied to the track by a mad philosopher. Fortunately, you can flip a switch which will lead the trolley down a different track. Unfortunately, there is a single person tied to that track. Should you flip the switch?Thought Experiment 2:As before, a trolley is hurtling

Nadernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5494592.post-1122489470086445542005-07-27T13:37:00.000-05:002005-07-27T14:01:20.156-05:00

I have designed a new website for a friend who has just started a new computer retail business. I think it doesn't look too shabby. What do you think? www.compunivers.com

Nadernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5494592.post-1121884558333270912005-07-20T13:34:00.000-05:002005-07-20T13:43:20.420-05:00

Productive NanosystemsA new "must-see" short film has been produced using computer animation to assist in visualizing nanosystems and molecular manufacturing and is downloadable free.Productive Nanosystems: from Molecules to Superproducts, is a collaborative effort of animator and engineer John Burch and pioneer nanotechnologist Dr. K. Eric Drexler.The four-minute film depicts an animated view of

Nadernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5494592.post-1119536923573403212005-06-23T09:27:00.000-05:002005-06-23T09:28:43.580-05:00

Cryonics: Alcor Life Extension FoundationI wish it were possible, from this instance, to invent a method of embalming drowned persons, in such a manner that they might be recalled to life at any period, however distant; for having very ardent desire to see and observe the state of America a hundred years hence, I should prefer to an ordinary death, being immersed with a few friends in a cask of

Nadernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5494592.post-1119535431247988022005-06-23T09:03:00.000-05:002005-06-23T09:03:51.253-05:00

Ignorance is not bliss – it's downright dangerous.- Unknown

Nadernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5494592.post-1118886459312577562005-06-15T19:49:00.000-05:002005-06-15T20:47:39.353-05:00

Men never do evil so completely and cheerfully as when they do it from religious conviction.- Blaise Pascal

Nadernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5494592.post-1118782542836850012005-06-14T15:54:00.000-05:002005-06-14T15:56:45.930-05:00

I am a 21st century person who was accidentally launched in the 20th. I have a deep nostalgia for the future.- FM-2030

Nadernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5494592.post-1118777753248794162005-06-14T14:35:00.000-05:002005-06-14T14:48:02.180-05:00

Last week, I assisted to a gathering of transhumanists in downtown Montreal. It was my first non-virtual chatting session with real-life transhumanists. It spurred some interesting discusions and it was always entertaining mostly because Justice (the group organizer) is a very talented speaker. I really had a good time and will definitely be back next month.Ben, one of the people there asked if

Nadernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5494592.post-1117995135758190402005-06-05T13:10:00.000-05:002005-06-05T13:12:15.763-05:00

Computer Science is not really very much about computers. It's not about computers in the same sense that physics is not really about particle accelerators, and biology is not really about microscopes and petri dishes; and geometry is not really about using surveying instruments [...]. When a field is just getting started and you don't really understand it very well, it's very easy to confuse the

Nadernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5494592.post-1117276269222804332005-05-28T05:30:00.000-05:002005-05-28T05:32:55.113-05:00

The Cyborg ManifestoWhen machines first started computing, we said computing was not central to being human. When machines started assembling objects, we said assembly was not central to being human. When machines began to listen, talk and engage in advanced tactics and strategies (as in games like chess), we said these cognitive skill were not central to being human. All technological progress

Nadernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5494592.post-1113925204903938412005-04-19T10:39:00.000-05:002005-04-19T23:29:22.943-05:00

The Fable of the Dragon-TyrantOnce upon a time, the planet was tyrannized by a giant dragon. The dragon stood taller than the largest cathedral, and it was covered with thick black scales. Its red eyes glowed with hate, and from its terrible jaws flowed an incessant stream of evil-smelling yellowish-green slime...Subject:The Fable of the Dragon-Tyrant is a parable about overcoming our literally

Nadernoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5494592.post-1113266393159908722005-04-11T19:39:00.000-05:002005-04-19T10:43:03.943-05:00

Beyond DefaultsWhat constitutes "better" is our own decision, but we should realize that saying "I'm totally perfect the way I am" is just a cop-out to avoid the hard work of self-improvement. The notion that humanity is just a default, the first step on a long journey of improvement, is known as transhumanism. - Michael Anissimov

Nadernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5494592.post-1113193242435542372005-04-10T23:19:00.000-05:002005-04-19T10:46:35.473-05:00

The Naturalistic FallacyThis is an explanation of the naturalistic fallacy, which is trying to draw a conclusion about how things ought to be based solely on information about how things are in fact. For example, some people believe that because the human body currently lives up to an average of 80 years, wanting to live up to age 200 (or 1000 or whatever) is a bad thing, because it's not how

Nadernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5494592.post-1113083917775256532005-04-09T16:57:00.000-05:002005-04-19T10:47:09.006-05:00

A Theory of Fun.This is an intellectually stimulating speech (with audio) by Eliezer Yudkowsky that he gave at the Transvision Conference on Transhumanist Bioethics at Yale University on June 28, 2003. Eliezer is a computer scientist who does research at the Singularity Institute for Artificial Intelligence.

Nadernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5494592.post-1112500778911945032005-04-02T22:56:00.000-05:002005-04-19T10:48:50.553-05:00

The Singularity Institute has only been around since 2000, but we've already published the equivalent of two volumes of material on the topic of how to create systems that are more intelligent and kind than default humans. If you think our mission is a noble one, then please read through some of our introductory material. The reasoning is occasionally complex, but some very thoughtful and

Nadernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5494592.post-1111728986505893782005-03-25T00:32:00.000-05:002005-04-19T10:51:28.093-05:00

I uploaded a bunch of color pictures that I like. More will come as I surf the web and discover new ones that I judge worthy of being added.

Nadernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5494592.post-1111113901315433482005-03-17T21:44:00.000-05:002005-03-17T21:45:01.316-05:00

It's time for a few gratuitous childhood pictures.

Nadernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5494592.post-1111077505569799302005-03-17T11:36:00.000-05:002005-04-19T10:53:14.960-05:00

Here's my List of 43 Things that I would like to DO.

Nadernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5494592.post-1110584732094209612005-03-11T18:44:00.000-05:002005-03-17T11:24:34.476-05:00

Drink wine... This is life eternal...This is all that youth will give you...It is the season for wine, roses and drunken friends...Be happy for this moment... This moment is your life.

Nadernoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5494592.post-1111078010853006872005-03-08T23:45:00.000-05:002005-04-02T17:00:10.160-05:00

I put up a gallery of my Favorite Black & White PicturesHere's the address: www3.sympatico.ca/deltreenc/bw/I owe most of them to: dfg and augen and other stumblers that I forgot.

Nadernoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5494592.post-1110519925119034352005-03-05T00:45:00.000-05:002005-03-18T09:43:28.800-05:00

Things You wanted to Know about Introverts but were Afraid to AskWhat's an introvert? An introvert is a person who frequently needs to spend time away from other people. Take me for example. If I am forced to stay around people for longer than I can stand, I'll become as cranky as an old dog. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy people, I just need some time alone to "recharge". Unfortunately, most

Nadernoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5494592.post-1110583540541016552005-03-03T18:24:00.000-05:002005-03-17T11:26:07.943-05:00

To take Darwin seriously means, among other things,to place the study of human nature squarely within the context of evolutionary biology —which the social sciences have consistently failed to do.- Loyal Rue, 'Sociobiology and Moral Discourse', Zygon, vol. 33, no. 4 (December 1998), p. 526

Nadernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5494592.post-1110583215482114072005-02-24T18:19:00.000-05:002005-03-11T18:20:15.483-05:00

I'm so broke I can't even pay attention...get it? hehe. *sighs*No seriously. I should participate in one of those clinical trials where you get $1400 just by swallowing a bunch of pills. yeah, I know, you could die and stuff. So what. At least you get some cash and free candy pills. It's only fair.

Nadernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5494592.post-1110583152157233382005-02-24T11:27:00.000-05:002005-03-11T18:19:12.156-05:00

A Jehova's Witness knocked on my door this morning.I was planning to grunt loudly and slam the door at her face as fast as you can say "brain-washing cult". Instead, I just stood there like a dolt and listened to her enthusiastic stories about the environment and the Bush administration. I even took the nicely illustrated pamphlet that she offered. It read: "Sauvera-t-on la planète Terre?". I was

Nadernoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5494592.post-1110519380682237962004-06-03T23:35:00.000-05:002005-03-11T00:52:50.973-05:00

During my vacation in Lebanon, I wrote a small essay about the need to 'modernize' psychology. I found out later that a much better essay was written on the topic:A New Intellectual Framework for Psychiatry, By Eric R. Kandel (PDF)Here's my essay anyway:A Wake Up Call to Modern PsychologistsSince the 1950’s, endless debates have been opposing partisans of Freudian psychology and those of

Nadernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5494592.post-1110519259748487142003-07-21T23:33:00.000-05:002005-03-11T00:53:13.143-05:00

Thinking slowly is not the same thing as thinking ineffectively. A common misconception is to associate slow thinking with dumbness. In reality, it seems that slowness increases efficency and intelligence in any situation. Being deliberetively slow allows the brain to analyse any idea more entirely, taking into account more factors than it could normally handle. As a result, the quality of our

Nadernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5494592.post-1110519135927900112003-07-02T23:29:00.000-05:002005-03-11T00:53:39.690-05:00

I've been interested in Evolutionary Psychology (EP) for quite some time now. EP focuses on shared human nature; that is, behavioral patterns common to the whole human species. Lately however, I've been also interested in behaviors unique each individual/group of individuals; that is, different personality types, and ways to categorize them. The

Nadernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5494592.post-1056987214673903482003-06-30T10:33:00.000-05:002005-03-11T00:39:45.590-05:00

It was a beautiful summer day, abundant with heat, noise, brightness and sweat. Another one of those days where my brain cells were very disposed to hibernate. So I decided to hit a strip bar with some friends. It's not that I like bars, I despise them, but I thought I'll undertake a normal social activity for once and do what everyone else does. I didn't mention it before, I'm an INTP*. To put

Nadernoreply@blogger.com