Watson
Although it was a shock that a manmade computer was able to beat a human in Jeopardy, now another man has outsmart the machine. It is crazy how technology that humans have the ability to make can be so high-tech that they are smarter than the people that created it. As the future becomes reality, who knows what is going to happen next with technology.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
New Technology
Hummingbirds are learning to spy...
Is technology going too far? Do you think this is a breach of privacy?
Is technology going too far? Do you think this is a breach of privacy?
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Discovery
Shuttle Discovery
The other day I was at the dog park on Davis Island when I saw four cars with elderly people sitting in foldable chairs outside of their cars. When I first walked by I wondered what they were looking for. I turned and saw a big ship that I hadn't recognized, but I didn't think that could be it. Finally realizing what I read on the internet the other day, it was a space shuttle take-off. Instantly, I stood and looked at the sky but it was covered with clouds in that area. This prevented everyone from seeing the shuttle from a greater distance. Endeavour will be the second to last space shuttle launch on April 19th at 7:48 p.m.
In the article, it said that this most recent launch will leave the first humanoid robot to fly in space. That is amazing. This will give the opportunity for NASA to continue their research because soon they won't be able to launch shuttles into space. According to the article, Robonaut 2, or D2, will stay in the space station for a few months before beginning the experiment on having it do simple jobs inside the complex. If technology all works out in everyone's favor, D2 will become an astronaut assistant. How far have we come in the past 50 years? In 1969, we landed on the moon. Today, we are creating humanoids to assist in space research.
The other day I was at the dog park on Davis Island when I saw four cars with elderly people sitting in foldable chairs outside of their cars. When I first walked by I wondered what they were looking for. I turned and saw a big ship that I hadn't recognized, but I didn't think that could be it. Finally realizing what I read on the internet the other day, it was a space shuttle take-off. Instantly, I stood and looked at the sky but it was covered with clouds in that area. This prevented everyone from seeing the shuttle from a greater distance. Endeavour will be the second to last space shuttle launch on April 19th at 7:48 p.m.
In the article, it said that this most recent launch will leave the first humanoid robot to fly in space. That is amazing. This will give the opportunity for NASA to continue their research because soon they won't be able to launch shuttles into space. According to the article, Robonaut 2, or D2, will stay in the space station for a few months before beginning the experiment on having it do simple jobs inside the complex. If technology all works out in everyone's favor, D2 will become an astronaut assistant. How far have we come in the past 50 years? In 1969, we landed on the moon. Today, we are creating humanoids to assist in space research.
Computers
Where to start? The history of technology is absolutely incredible.
Computers. After watching the film in class on the history of computers, I realize how far technology has come. When computers were first introduced and manufactured, they were big, bulky, and unaffordable. As time progressed and people worked on the aesthetics of the computer, it became more popular and marketable. Who would want a computer that weighed 30 tons? Well, in 1946 that's all there was to work with. The ENIAC was completely revolutionary for the time it was developed; however, it was too much work to control it and too much money for it to be marketed. People had to make changes in order to produce a computer that everyone can use in homes and at work. The IBM system created another business-type computer in 1964. However, the Datapoint 2200 was one of the first personal computers that influenced some of the technology used in today's computers.
One of the most amazing stories to me is that of the Palo Alto and later on the Apple. While watching the movie in class, I learned that Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak generated ideas for the Apple computer from the introduction of the Palo Alto. If you aren't fast enough in producing new technology, you will be beat. This is what Jobs and Wozniak proved in the development of computers. Although, Xerox had the original concept for the technology behind their computer, they failed to produce it to sell to the market. This was their biggest mistake that cost Xerox billions in what they could have made. Apple then took this concept of the graphical interface, screen, keyboard and mouse to a new level and reconstructed until they came out with the Apple II. Do Jobs and Wozniak deserve all of the credit for the Apple computer?
Something that I think about often is how much the computer has advanced in my lifetime. As far back as I could remember, I recall sitting on my Mac that looks ancient nowadays. Also, the fact that I had to interrupt my house phone-line to connect to CompuServe boggles my mind. Today, we can be automatically connected to the internet on our cell phones. There is no dial up and no way of being denied access. I can go on and on about how technology has evolved throughout my life, but ultimately the most important fact is that no one can go a day without using some form of technology.
Computers. After watching the film in class on the history of computers, I realize how far technology has come. When computers were first introduced and manufactured, they were big, bulky, and unaffordable. As time progressed and people worked on the aesthetics of the computer, it became more popular and marketable. Who would want a computer that weighed 30 tons? Well, in 1946 that's all there was to work with. The ENIAC was completely revolutionary for the time it was developed; however, it was too much work to control it and too much money for it to be marketed. People had to make changes in order to produce a computer that everyone can use in homes and at work. The IBM system created another business-type computer in 1964. However, the Datapoint 2200 was one of the first personal computers that influenced some of the technology used in today's computers.
One of the most amazing stories to me is that of the Palo Alto and later on the Apple. While watching the movie in class, I learned that Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak generated ideas for the Apple computer from the introduction of the Palo Alto. If you aren't fast enough in producing new technology, you will be beat. This is what Jobs and Wozniak proved in the development of computers. Although, Xerox had the original concept for the technology behind their computer, they failed to produce it to sell to the market. This was their biggest mistake that cost Xerox billions in what they could have made. Apple then took this concept of the graphical interface, screen, keyboard and mouse to a new level and reconstructed until they came out with the Apple II. Do Jobs and Wozniak deserve all of the credit for the Apple computer?
Something that I think about often is how much the computer has advanced in my lifetime. As far back as I could remember, I recall sitting on my Mac that looks ancient nowadays. Also, the fact that I had to interrupt my house phone-line to connect to CompuServe boggles my mind. Today, we can be automatically connected to the internet on our cell phones. There is no dial up and no way of being denied access. I can go on and on about how technology has evolved throughout my life, but ultimately the most important fact is that no one can go a day without using some form of technology.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Jeopardy
Technology has been growing every day. Relating to my other class, I just watched 2001: A Space Odyssey, and saw the significance of HAL, the intelligent computer. Also, relating this topic of computer intelligence to Digital Arts class. I recently had to respond to the article: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/13/business/13sing.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all, which talks about Singularity University and how some form of superior intelligence will take over the world. Is this superior intelligence the computer? Can the computer outsmart humans?
Well, after reading the article Computer Wines on 'Jeopardy!':Trivial, It's Not, I believe it is more than possible for computers to outsmart humans. Ken Jennings was famous for winning 74 games in a row on Jeopardy. However, he has just recently lost to an I.B.M. computer named Watson, after the founder of I.B.M., Thomas J. Watson. One of the smartest human beings lost $1 million on Jeopardy to a computer programed to answer questions.
Something I found to be interesting in this article was that the computer knew when it was confident or not. At one point in the show, Watson answered a question with several question marks at the end, posing a sense of unfamiliarity. Watson was able to respond to questions faster when it was confident it knew the correct answer.
Overall, this is a massive advancement in technology that can shape our future. A question answering machine was able to beat a human. Even though the computer won the game, it still had a few imperfections during its performance. Also, relating to the article about Singularity University, it is important to realize that today, technology is going to have a significant impact in our lives, and especially the medical field. Would you trust a robot performing surgery on you?
A glimpse into the future shows computers are going to be outwitting humans. Are they going to completely replace humans altogether? Or can they?
The incident on Jeopardy shows that I.B.M. researchers are trying to perfect the capabilities of Watson and future computers. Science is transforming the world. Soon, computers will be able to complete more functions in society. I.B.M. plans to create a physician's assistant service that will allow doctors to question a computer assistant. This project may be completed in less than 2 years. It is incredible how people can build a computer to work in a way that outsmarts humans.
Well, after reading the article Computer Wines on 'Jeopardy!':Trivial, It's Not, I believe it is more than possible for computers to outsmart humans. Ken Jennings was famous for winning 74 games in a row on Jeopardy. However, he has just recently lost to an I.B.M. computer named Watson, after the founder of I.B.M., Thomas J. Watson. One of the smartest human beings lost $1 million on Jeopardy to a computer programed to answer questions.
Something I found to be interesting in this article was that the computer knew when it was confident or not. At one point in the show, Watson answered a question with several question marks at the end, posing a sense of unfamiliarity. Watson was able to respond to questions faster when it was confident it knew the correct answer.
Overall, this is a massive advancement in technology that can shape our future. A question answering machine was able to beat a human. Even though the computer won the game, it still had a few imperfections during its performance. Also, relating to the article about Singularity University, it is important to realize that today, technology is going to have a significant impact in our lives, and especially the medical field. Would you trust a robot performing surgery on you?
A glimpse into the future shows computers are going to be outwitting humans. Are they going to completely replace humans altogether? Or can they?
The incident on Jeopardy shows that I.B.M. researchers are trying to perfect the capabilities of Watson and future computers. Science is transforming the world. Soon, computers will be able to complete more functions in society. I.B.M. plans to create a physician's assistant service that will allow doctors to question a computer assistant. This project may be completed in less than 2 years. It is incredible how people can build a computer to work in a way that outsmarts humans.
Museum of Television
Museum of Television
What a fascinating website to learn all about the history of television. Anything related to television can be found on here. The exhibit I explored was about the ever-famous Marilyn Monroe. There are two lines on the opening of this exhibit that I found very important. "The movies made her a star. Television made her a legend." This is a strong but true statement. Growing up as Norma Jean Baker, she never had the stardom. As Marilyn Monroe gained stardom, she become an idol and symbol for people. Her audiences looked up to her and wanted to be her. She is a representation of the shift from film to television.
Entering the film industry in 1948 and then television in 1949, no one noticed who she was. When she began doing more projects and commercials, her studio, Fox, realized that her talent should not just be wasted on the big screen. However, it surprised me to learn that her fame was not reached to its fullest potential until her death. Her fame came from the replays of her films and shows on television. Television allowed Monroe to be appreciated as an actress because people could watch her whenever they wanted in their homes. People now know who the real Marilyn Monroe is. The first broadcast of one of her movies, How to Marry a Millionaire aired on television in 1961. This changed television forever. The incredibly high ratings received for her movie made a statement of how special she was. Through television, Monroe has become a status symbol.
What a fascinating website to learn all about the history of television. Anything related to television can be found on here. The exhibit I explored was about the ever-famous Marilyn Monroe. There are two lines on the opening of this exhibit that I found very important. "The movies made her a star. Television made her a legend." This is a strong but true statement. Growing up as Norma Jean Baker, she never had the stardom. As Marilyn Monroe gained stardom, she become an idol and symbol for people. Her audiences looked up to her and wanted to be her. She is a representation of the shift from film to television.
Entering the film industry in 1948 and then television in 1949, no one noticed who she was. When she began doing more projects and commercials, her studio, Fox, realized that her talent should not just be wasted on the big screen. However, it surprised me to learn that her fame was not reached to its fullest potential until her death. Her fame came from the replays of her films and shows on television. Television allowed Monroe to be appreciated as an actress because people could watch her whenever they wanted in their homes. People now know who the real Marilyn Monroe is. The first broadcast of one of her movies, How to Marry a Millionaire aired on television in 1961. This changed television forever. The incredibly high ratings received for her movie made a statement of how special she was. Through television, Monroe has become a status symbol.
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