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.

Evolutionary Psychology

I 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 we find spiders repulsive?

Rarely do we ask these questions, but they are nonetheless important. Some will find evolutionary psychology controversial or even dehumanizing, because it describes our behavior in terms of genes, evolution and fitness maximization. But it is important to bear in mind that just because evolutionary psychology reveals something about human behavior, it does not mean that human behavior 'ought' to be this way, or that the behavior is somehow biologically determined and inevitable. Learning about it can in some cases help us make more conscious and responsible decisions.
To learn more about this fascinating topic:

- The Sweaty T-Shirt Experiment: Nice & short introductory video.

- Evolutionary Psychology: Great introductory page, easy to follow.

- Toby & Cosmides Primer: Excellent primer by the founders of the field, a little more academic.

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.

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.

    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 important attribute of a computer program or a neural network is whether is gives the correct or desired output. As inspired by Alan Turing, intelligence equals behavior.
    But intelligence is not just a matter of acting or behaving intelligently. Behavior is a manifestation of intelligence, but not a central characteristic or primary definition of being intelligent. A moment's reflection proves this: You can be intelligent just lying in the dark, thinking and understanding. Ignoring what goes on in your head and focusing instead on behavior has been a large impediment to understanding intelligence and building intelligent machines.
- Jeff Hawkins, On Intelligence

The Trolley Problem

Thought 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 down a track towards five people. You are on a bridge under which it will pass, and you can stop it by dropping a heavy weight in front of it. As it happens, there is a very fat man next to you - your only way to stop the trolley is to push him over the bridge and onto the track, killing him to save five. Should you proceed?

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

Productive Nanosystems

A 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 a nanofactory and demonstrates key steps in a process that converts simple molecules into a billion-CPU laptop computer.

Download (86.1 MB, Quicktime Required)

Cryonics: Alcor Life Extension Foundation

I 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 Madeira, until that time, then to be recalled to life by the solar warmth of my dear country.
- Benjamin Franklin, in a letter to Jacques Barbeu Dubourg

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