Temporary Human

"We’re born, we live for a brief instant, and we die. It’s been happening for a long time." - Steve Jobs

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Neuroscience of Deus Ex: Human Revolution (via @io9)

In the video game Deus Ex: Human Revolution, neuroscience meets synthetic augmentation in a fascinating and terrifying manner. The game focuses on the war between people who are neurologically augmented, and those who are too principled (or too poor) to seek artificial augmentation. The question of what makes us human is critical to the story and the path you choose to take in its conclusion. But to what extent are the features of Deus Ex: HR grounded in reality, as opposed to merely science fiction?

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Bio-chemical circuits may make you a man of a machine

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The Unbearable Stasis of “Accelerating Change”

… and other “pseudo-transcendentalizing narratives …  futurological re-run(s) proposed as fresh insight in the form of glossy pages” to wit, 

And when I declare that the more assertively “techno-transcendental” varieties of futurological discourse (like the transhumanists, the singularitarians, the techno-immortalists, the nano-cornucopians, the digital-utopians) are simply extreme and hyperbolic variations of mainstream neoliberal global developmental policy discourse and mainstream marketing, advertising, and PR forms, this latter claim shouldn’t be seen as undermining the first. Because there is an unmistakably faith-mobilizing pseudo-transcendentalizing strain to be discerned in this very PR marketing imaginary, deranging us from our present distress into a yearning toward consumer techno-futures bathed in pastels and robots and cars and DNA helices and chocolate and glossy hair and youthful skin and golden sex.

thought provoking aromas both opulent and intense with blackcurrant, violets, rosemary and cedar playing a central role. a dense purple ruby hue with palate awash in flavors of boysenberry, cassis, and star anise. structural stanzas are supple and fine grained. overall, excellent line and length of rumination. an outstanding, youthful, fresh and vibrant cerebrant of tenacious vintage. (remix culture)

(Source: wfs.org)

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You have 2.5 billion heart beats in a lifetime. Imagine if you could choose how to spend them. Imagine being able to control an artificial limb or even an external machine – a car, perhaps – with your brain.

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Daydreaming through a Database of Emotional States” #socialai

Permalink Re-blog if you agree that these poor and stupid people should be properly sterilized, or at the very least allowed to flail, flounder, and die off in Darwinian Splendor. Wait, nevermind, your violent opposition to Basic Income in today’s nearly Star Trek level roboticized society with a labor participation rate rapidly approaching 50%, already makes your intent crystal clear. Nice job, thou superior moral and intellectual beings. wearethe99percent: This is the sign I made today, and plan to stand at a busy corner in the rain.  I do not live in Oregon, or Washington state.  I am disabled, my husband lost his job due to illnesses which include Stiff Person Syndrome, scaring on his brain (could be MS) hypothyroid, sick sinus syndrome (requiring a pacemaker at 37), and now something showing up on his liver.  We believed that it would only be a short time before he would be better and be able to get back to work.  That was two years ago.  His unemployment benefits have run out, and now with all his diagnosis we are able to finally pursue disability for him.  My SSDI and child support come to a monthly total of $2346.00 monthly.  Our rent - we can’t afford to buy - is $1150.00 a month.  We are currently $195.00 overdrawn, and the overdraft protection has been turned off by the bank.  We have no more gas in our car.  I will get the last half of child support next week; coincidentally that is exactly $195.00.  The next SSDI check won’t be here until June 1st. We have not paid our utilities, or car payment in two months.  We have a six month old who needs diapers.  He was our 1% miracle - as in birth control is only 99% effective.  Go figure.  If my husband’s disability is not approved soon we will be homeless by July.  Because our situation is dire now, we have written letters through his SSDI attorney for compassionate allowances.  However, once we are homeless our situation is no longer considered “dire”. We will survive this.  Our marriage will survive this.  But, I am putting my country on notice.  I will not accept this any longer, I will not back down, I will not forgive, and I will not forget.  I will fight for change, I will fight this oppression.  My family is the 99%, and I am PISSED OFF!!!
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Open the pod bay doors, HAL.

Where Speech Recognition Is Going. Voice-controlled interfaces are showing up in mobile phones, TVs, and automobiles. 

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nano vacuum tubes

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3d blood vessels

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Smart Pebble robots replicate objects the way a good hive mind should (video)