Andy Blumenthal talks about three technology imperatives for 2016.
1) Medical technology
2) Counter-terrorism technology
3) Space technology
Enjoy and happy New Year!
Showing posts with label Technology. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Technology. Show all posts
December 25, 2015
Technology Forecast 2016
Andy Blumenthal talks about three technology imperatives for 2016.
1) Medical technology
2) Counter-terrorism technology
3) Space technology
Enjoy and happy New Year!
December 14, 2015
Looking For Astronauts - Apply Here
OPM Job announcement today for Astronauts.
Work for NASA at the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center.
Train for missions to the International Space Station, on two new commercial spacecraft, and for the Orion deep-space exploration vehicle.
To go where no man or woman has gone before...
Dreams do come true!;-)
(Source Photo: here with attribution to Paul Hudson)
October 13, 2015
Fantastic Drone Capabilities Coming
Exciting video by Futurism on what drones can and will do.
Swarming.
Wall landings.
Acrobatics.
Drone on drone landings.
Playing catch.
Juggling.
Building a rope bridge.
These little drones are so versatile and dexterous that perhaps what they can do is only limited by our imagination.
Soon drones will do everything from caring for people's personal needs to building our cities, fighting diseases from within our very bodies, and conducting open warfare on the battlefield and behind enemy lines.
August 1, 2015
Nothing Is Something AND Something Is Nothing
The Uber glorified taxi service and app (with an almost half billion dollar operating loss) is now valued at--get this--over $50,000,000,000!
And commodities--you know the precious materials that REAL things are made off (gold, silver, copper, aluminum, oil, gas, coal, wheat, cotton, corn, soybeans, cotton, cocoa, coffee, sugar, beef, and more) hit a 13 year low.
When the nothings of this world like a basic cab service become invaluable and the real things that power our homes, technology, transportation, and manufacturing become valueless--then we know a day of painful financial reckoning is coming.
The markets can stand on their head for only so long before the blood rushes in and people become dizzy and see spots.
A reversion to the mean is the one something here that is inevitable, along with a pretty decent recession to boot. ;-)
(Source Photos: Andy Blumenthal)
May 15, 2015
The Back To The Future Car
It's the DeLorean sports car on display by Smithsonian Magazine in Washington, D.C.
I love the winged doors that go up, the cool muscle body, and of course being able to time travel.
The past--I'd like to stroll through the Garden of Eden, witness the splitting of the Red Sea and the giving of Ten Commandments, see Samson bring down the pillars on the Philistines, meet King David and worship at the Holy temple, shake hands with Ben-Gurion, and talk with and hug my parents and grandparents again.
For the future...its got to include space travel to other worlds, the eradication of disease and hunger (and by the way the national debt too), and the coolest technology to do everything. ;-)
(Source Photo: Minna Blumenthal)
May 9, 2015
From Vintage to Modern Threats
This was in commemoration of 70th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day.
My father (A'H) used to tell me about when he was in England during the war and the Nazi bombers would fly over and carpet bomb them in a blitzkrieg.
This happened night after night, and so adaptive as people are, they sort of got used to the bombardment, if that is possible to say.
After a while, instead of taking safety behind closed doors at home, people returned to go to the movies and dancing at night, even while the buildings next door were still being blown up--to the right and the left of them.
In the morning, those who survived would get up, and see what was knocked down and what still standing.
Hard to imagine living that way!
Now with new more destructive weapons (WMD, ICBMs, EMPs, etc.), we can only imagine that the destructive aftermath of WW II would be nothing in comparison to what a round III would be like.
It is crucial that we maintain our innovativeness and military superiority and not only offensively to defeat the enemy, but defensively so that we can stop whatever is coming at us whether a dirty bomb in suitcase, an ebola-type virus in an infected person or food, a drone carrying anthrax, or malware over the network.
We have come a long way in the last 70 years technologically, but the risk and stakes have also never been higher. ;-)
(Source Video: Minna Blumenthal)
April 9, 2015
The Way Things Were
How many of you know this word?
It usually refers to someone from prehistoric times, like a cave-dweller.
But it is used to refer to people who are basically just old fashioned.
A near relative of the Troglodyte is the Luddite who opposes new technologies.
Today, a colleague said to me that he misses the old organization phone books we used to have with organization charts and readily available contacts everywhere.
It didn't matter that we have this electronically now, he likes the hardcopy ones that he could keep on his desk and flip through...to heck with technology.
Then he goes that someone called him (jokingly, I think) a troglodyte for feeling this way.
Well there is something to be said for the good 'ol days and I understand people that appreciate "the way things were", but in many ways, those days weren't all that good--think poverty, illness, corruption, racism, and more.
So I feel quite blessed to be living now, rather than say at almost any other time in history.
In looking out towards the near future, I am prepping myself for the new smartwatch coming out from Apple later this month, and while I have my doubts about it (having gotten so attached to my smartphone especially the large screen--6 plus, Yes!), I realize...
That the next technology tidal wave is coming with wearables (and then embeddables), and if you don't get on board and adopt early...you might as well be riding an old Timey Bike around town with a big sign on your back that says, "Troglodyte...A Stick In The Mud and Stuck In The Past!" ;-)
(Source Photo: here with attribution to Marie-ll)
January 23, 2015
Poli-trick-ians, No Way!
So I find a way to ask someone(s) what they are seeing and experiencing, and what they think about what's going on in Washington, D.C.
So this time, I asked someone about whether they watched the State Of The Union this week.
The answer?
No way!
Why not?
They said (as if they heard this little mnemonic from others before), "because, they are all 'POLI-TRICK-IANS!'"
I said, well that's cute, but what do you mean?
This is what they said (paraphrasing):
- They don't speak the truth.
- They just say what they think people want to hear.
- It's all just fighting between the (political) parties.
- It's not really about the people.
- It's not about making a difference, anymore [just about being in and keeping power].
Wow, this was pretty powerful.
I could sense the anger and frustration.
Also, the disillusionment.
Checking in on the ratings, this seemed to jive with CNN (and other news media) saying, "State of the Union was President's Lowest-Rated Yet."
According to Nielsen only 31.7 million people tuned in...that's out of a current U.S. population of 324 million!
On the positive side, the number of tweets was way up to 2.6 million during the hour-long address--how sweet those tweets.
Seriously though, we are here to serve the people...how do we get back their respect?
I suspect that the answer revolves around the following:
- We need to turn from fighting each other to fighting our real enemies like the threat from Islamist Terrorism and Weapons of Mass Destruction.
- We need to break the gridlock and get something done (lot's of things done)!
- We need to stop the political cliches and talk from the heart to the heart.
- We need to stop thinking about ourselves and focus on the people--all the people (not the middle-class versus the rich, not main street from wall street, not the color or race that you are or aren't)!
- We need to tackle the many big problems we are facing--the national debt, national defense (including cybersecurity), environmental sustainability, raising the level of housing, food, medical care, and education for all, and of course, everything technology and innovation!
We need to go from a perception of poli-trick-ians to genuine representatives and leaders of the people for the people. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
January 20, 2015
Superhero Socks
POW!
WHAM!
ZAAP!
KAPOW!
SPLAT!
We are living in an age with potential for great upheaval whether from terrorism and weapons of mass destruction, bigotry and social inequality, national debts and unpaid social entitlements, poverty and pandemics, global warming and environmentally unsustainable practices, and the clash of Western and Eastern civilizations.
Thank G-d for advances in technology and innovation to help address these huge challenges of our time.
However, whoever is portraying everything as all rosy or telling you to just be optimistic and all will be well--they're feeding you a bunch of you know what!
We need a superhero/Messiah leader to come help us save the day and these socks would be perfect for their arrival. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
November 18, 2014
Say Little And Do Much
"It's not what we say, it's what we do that really matters."
Hope you enjoy!
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
November 5, 2014
Luv Technology, Always
November 3, 2014
Orange You Glad I Didn't Say Banana
Took this photo of this very cool looking Orange Fridge.
It actually comes in all sort of vibrant colors including pink, blue, and even "Union Jack."
Made by an Italian appliance maker called SMEG, whose tag line is "Technology with style."
I like technology, and I like design...so this is great stuff!
For home and Museum of Modern Art. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Disabled Be Heard
Promising technology coming from Israeli startup Voiceitt.
Chosen by Wall Street Journal global technology conference as an audience favorite application.
This technology will help the disabled who have trouble speaking to effectively communciate with others.
The application translates sounds and intonation patterns into words that can be understood.
Victims of Stroke, Parkinsons, ALS, Cerebral Palsy, and Autism may benefit from this.
The founder of the technology himself has two siblings with Cerebral Palsy and he is driven to personally address their challenges.
Application is expected to be released 2nd quarter 2015.
To me, it is especially encouraging when we use technology to help the disabled live a fuller and more comfortable life.
Life is tough enough on people the way it is already, so if we can help make things better for those who are disadvantaged in any way, what a great, great thing to do! ;-)
October 30, 2014
G-d, Nature and Technology
October 22, 2014
Walk Like A Chicken
But this was something different yesterday in downtown D.C....
Using virtual reality to "See Life Through A Chicken's Eyes"--complements of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).
So I go up and ask the attendant what this is all about.
She says, "You can take the virtual reality tour and walk around a field as a chicken!"
She goes on, "Only we're having some trouble with the technology, so can you come back in 20 minutes?"
Uh, okay, but 2 things:
1. Yes, I do believe in ethical treatment for everyone (including animals), and no one should suffer where we can (and should) prevent it.
2. I did just have some chicken (only Kosher, of course!) to eat just last week (and it was pretty good), and while I am curious to see the virutal reality, I can't make it back here in 20 minutes, but thank you!
Lesson: Treat all life compassionately, but I don't have to walk around as a chicken to see that! ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
October 7, 2014
The Games Organizations Play
So HP, under Meg Whitman, is breaking up into a PC/printing company and an enterprise products and services firm.
Um...well of course it’s the right thing to do to focus each and release the
great value of these two companies.
Only, just a few years ago, under Carly Fiorina, HP a
printer and enterprise products company combined with Compaq, a PC company, in
order to gain the size and clout to succeed in the ever-competitive technology
marketplace.
The B.S. of corporate America—everything and the opposite--to
try and do something, almost anything, to try and raise the share prices of those
strategically stalled companies.
From Meg Whitman, CEO of HP:
- October 2011--“Together we are stronger!”
- Then today, 3 years later--“Being nimble is the only path
to winning.”
Yeah, whatever.
Merge, split—wash, rinse, repeat…fool the fools.
HP is still HP—especially compared to Apple, Amazon, Google,
and even now Lenovo. ;-)
(Source Photo: here with attribution to Angie Harms)
September 24, 2014
Rosh Hashanah iPhone Greeting Card
September 3, 2014
Who Would Advertise This?
"LOW IQ"
Who would pay to advertise this on their car?
And perhaps more importantly, do they mean that they have a low IQ or perhaps the whole state of Virginia (no offense to all my friends and colleagues there).
From a technology and creativity standpoint...Silicon Valley or Metro Washington, D.C., Silicon Valley or Metro Washington, D.C., Silicon Valley or Metro Washington D.C.--I get it! ;-)
(Source Photo: Dannielle Blumenthal)
August 23, 2014
Can You Love A Robot?
While I certainly understand loving (new helpful) technology, actually making love to a machine is taking things a little too far.
Even with great advances in artificial intelligence (AI), a robot can be nothing more than an artificial partner...a humanoid is not a human!
Despite portrayals in the movie Her (2013) of a nerdy writer who falls in love with his life-like operating system, the reality of human and machine love is more a desperate call for companionship and understanding than a real connection of equals--physically, intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually.
While a computer may be programmed to say the things you want to hear, to laugh at your jokes, and even to succumb to your advances, love cannot be programmed or even artificially learned.
The complex dynamics between two real people locked-in the emotional roller coaster of life with its ups and downs, pulling together and pushing apart, of shared experiences, challenges, and conflicts, can only be met head on with a best friend, soulmate, diametric opposite, and at the same time congruent equal.
Only another human being can love you and be your love.
A machine, however beautiful designed, charming, and learning of you, can be just a poor surrogate for the sad person screaming out for connection in a large lonely world. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
August 19, 2014
Panic, Technology To Rescue
- ISIS is threatening the West with "dangerous new extremism"
- Syria's death toll tops 170,000 with more than 10,000 believed tortured to death.
- Boko Haram is still abducting young girls (and boys).
- Iran says no deal on nukes.
- Ebola is "out of control."
- China is emergent as the U.S. pivots east and space becomes militarized with anti-satellite weapons.
- Russia is resurgent (Crimea is history to Ukraine).
- The national deficit only hints at the true extent of our unfunded liabilities from entitelements.
- The economy is bubbling over the top again, warns Robert Shiller.
- Racial and income inequality continues to divide America (case in point, Ferguson MO).
- Nearly 1 in 3 American adults has an arrest record.
- Almost half the world--3 billion people--live in poverty on less then $2.50 a day.
Ah, if only technology could solve all our global problems--and this is a big list and not by any means comprehensive.
It's a race of the "world is exploding all over" with technology trying to make it better with more and better information, innovation, productivity, security, and cures.
Almost like the war of good over evil--we may lose the battle, but hopefully (let's pray) in the end, we will win the war. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
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