The Actuator – May 13th

Our local Starbucks reopened this past Thursday. Mobile orders only and only one person at a time is allowed inside to pick up their order. It felt almost normal to visit the shop. I look at this as the beginning of businesses opening up again. There will be a period of adjustment as we adapt to the new normal, but we’ll get there.

As always, here's a bunch of links I hope you find useful. Enjoy!

Google and Facebook employees can work from home for the rest of the year
Google used to be proud of the fact that they kept remote workers to a minimum. Now that everyone’s working from home, it will be hard to get everyone back to the office.

Microsoft now blocks reply-all email storms to end our inbox nightmares
I can’t understand why this wasn’t implemented, say, 20 years ago.

Scientists Release Genetically Engineered Moths for First Time
What’s the worst that can happen?

Most of Zoom runs on AWS, not Oracle – says AWS
I am shocked, shocked to discover that Oracle put out a misleading PR statement.

Singapore Officials Using ‘Robodogs’ To Enforce Social Distancing In Parks
I’m starting to think we’re living in a Westworld simulation.

Google, Apple Reveal More Contact-Tracing Details
Neither company has plans to monetize any data collected. Well, not right now. Just wait until we’re about six months past rollout.

Michael Dougherty Made a Video Tribute to All of the Horror Movies Moments Guiding Him Through the Pandemic
Enjoy this and see how many movies you recognize.

Either someone dropped a perfectly good mask on accident, or Thanos snapped his fingers.

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rschroeder 11 months ago

Boston Dynamics' robots warning residents of Singapore to keep their distance to control the spread of Corona Virus? It seems we are either late to that party (I'm talking to you, New York City), or we might not be doing too badly self-isolating to keep from spreading it, even when we don't think we might have it ourselves (thank you, Minnesota!).
It's interesting to see this use of Boston Dynamics' devices, instead of just watching videos of them doing gymnastics or moving packages.
I honestly think these are the right predecessors to Robo-Cop and Terminator type devices, since the only thing controlling them is the morals and ethics of their owners.
I don't know any military leaders who can honestly say they wouldn't be prepared to launch an army of military robots against a foe, particularly when there's no risk to their operators from continents away.
In a way, these funky robots are sort of like biologic species introduced to fill some need in the environment, with folks only hoping & praying there won't be some unexpected and unfortunate consequence.
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rschroeder 11 months ago

Boston Dynamics' robots warning residents of Singapore to keep their distance to control the spread of Corona Virus? It seems we are either late to that party (I'm talking to you, New York City), or we might not be doing too badly self-isolating to keep from spreading it, even when we don't think we might have it ourselves (thank you, Minnesota!).
It's interesting to see this use of Boston Dynamics' devices, instead of just watching videos of them doing gymnastics or moving packages.
I honestly think these are the right predecessors to Robo-Cop and Terminator type devices, since the only thing controlling them is the morals and ethics of their owners.
I don't know any military leaders who can honestly say they wouldn't be prepared to launch an army of military robots against a foe, particularly when there's no risk to their operators from continents away.
In a way, these funky robots are sort of like biologic species introduced to fill some need in the environment, with folks only hoping & praying there won't be some unexpected and unfortunate consequence.
- Cancel
- Up +1 Down
- Reply
- More
- Cancel

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