Category: UD’s Sci-Tech watch
Origenes finds a handy “big number” calculator
| May 13, 2018 | Posted by kairosfocus under Back to Basics of ID, Mathematics, UD's Sci-Tech watch |
In the isolated islands of function thread, Origenes cited the exact value of one of a big number. GP asked, how did you do it, as Excel and R are overwhelmed at that sort of level. Origenes answered: Origenes, 104: >> . . . I found this website: https://defuse.ca/big-number-calculator.htm >> Now, I have routinely used […]
How do memristors work? [Onward implications for Strong AI.]
Memristors are in effect tunable resistors; where a resistive state can be programmed [and changed, so far a very finite number of times]. This means they can store and process information, especially by carrying out weighted-product summations and vector-based matrix array product summations. Such are very powerful physically instantiated mathematical operations. For example, here is […]
What about the elusive dream: metallic hydrogen?
| February 14, 2018 | Posted by kairosfocus under knowledge, matter, thus atoms, ions, molecules, phases etc, Science, science education, UD's Sci-Tech watch, warrant, knowledge, science and belief |
With metal-like superionic water already on the table, why not look at the seemingly evasive metallic hydrogen? A year ago, there was a happy announcement (and an article in Science), but doubts have since been entertained; indeed Science issued a correction to the original paper. Science: >>Producing metallic hydrogen has been a great challenge in […]
Why is it that there is discussion of superionic water as being both solid and liquid?
| February 13, 2018 | Posted by kairosfocus under Logic and First Principles of right reason, matter, thus atoms, ions, molecules, phases etc, Physics, popular science and science education, UD's Sci-Tech watch |
One of the things that struck me in looking at superionic water is how it is so often spoken of as though it were partly liquid and partly solid. I did a spot of reflection, which I am thinking it may help to headline. Where, some of the ideas being brought up will help us […]
Water forms superionic ice, a “new” metal-like state with H+ ions as charge carriers
| February 12, 2018 | Posted by kairosfocus under Exoplanets, Geology, Logic and First Principles of right reason, UD's Sci-Tech watch |
Water is of central interest to ID and to many other fields of study relevant to the cosmos and in the world of life. Accordingly, the recent experimental discovery of a predicted metal-like state with a grid of O atoms and with H+ ions flowing through, is significant news. As NY Times reports: >>This new […]
Why look at AI-linked themes — what is the relevance to ID as a scientific enterprise?
One of the key ideas and driving assumptions of modern evolutionary materialistic scientism is that mind can be explained on brain without residue. In an extreme form, we can see it in Crick’s the Astonishing Hypothesis (1994): . . . that “You”, your joys and your sorrows, your memories and your ambitions, your sense of […]
Robo-Doctor? In China, it seems Robot Xiao-Yi has passed the written medical licensing exams
| February 10, 2018 | Posted by kairosfocus under brains and computation vs contemplation, Computing, AI, Cybernetics and Mechatronics, Humor, knowledge, language, Medicine, Science, worldview issues/foundations and society, UD's Sci-Tech watch |
Robo-Doc will see you? Maybe, but not just now. This item popped up from the usual suspect tabloid paper sites while searching on AI and memristors. I have tracked down a couple of more reputable sources so, here goes from China Daily (which is also on the spot): >>A robot has passed the written test […]
More on memristors in action — including, crossbar networks and solving linear equation arrays
| February 9, 2018 | Posted by kairosfocus under Computing, AI, Cybernetics and Mechatronics, UD's Sci-Tech watch |
Memristors [= memory + resistors] are a promising memory-based information storage technology that can work as non-volatile memory and in neural networks. They were suggested c. 1971 by Leon Chua, and since HP created a TiO2-based multilayer architecture device exhibiting memristor capabilites in 2007, they have been a focus for research, given their potential. Here, […]
A note on state space search challenge
As was recently discussed, contrary to objections being made, the concept of blind search and linked search challenge in a configuration or state space is a reasonable and even recognised concept. As we explore this concept a little more, an illustration may be helpful: With this in mind, we may again look at Dembski’s arrow […]
AI, intelligent agency and the intersection with ID
This is a theme of increasing significance for the ID debate, but also it has overtones for an era where AI technologies may be driving the next economic long wave. Which is of instant, global importance, hence the Perez idealised Long wave illustration: However, this is not about economics (save, as a context for major […]
AI and the Voynich Manuscript
The Voynich manuscript has long been a mysterious object, seemingly a medicinal or magical survey of plants, or someone’s play on such documents, but written in an unknown alphabetic script: AI is now being brought to bear on the matter. According to phys dot org: >>U of A computing science professor Greg Kondrak, an expert […]
AI, Memristors and the future (could “conscious” machines lie ahead?)
AI — artificial intelligence — is emerging as a future-driver. For example, we have been hearing of driver-less cars, and now we have helmsman-less barges: As The Guardian reports: >>The world’s first fully electric, emission-free and potentially crewless container barges are to operate from the ports of Antwerp, Amsterdam, and Rotterdam from this summer. The […]
Sci-Tech: Meltdown patches patched as a first wave of lawsuits hits Intel over Meltdown and Spectre [u/d, AMD sued over Spectre too]
| January 23, 2018 | Posted by kairosfocus under Computing, AI, Cybernetics and Mechatronics, General interest, Geo-strategic issues, governance, UD's Sci-Tech watch |
The Meltdown-Spectre processor architectural flaw crisis we have been monitoring has deepened as Intel has to patch its initial patch: . . . and as a first wave of the inevitable lawsuits hits. Here, we clip one in San Francisco: NB: Comment 3 below links and clips documentation AMD has been sued over its […]
A Maxwell Demon engine in action beyond the Carnot/ “standard” Second law limit
Maxwell’s Demon (sometimes, “Max”) has long been a fictional device for discussing how if we have access to information we can manipulate molecular scale particles to extract work. Now, physics dot org is discussing a case: >>Physicists have experimentally demonstrated an information engine—a device that converts information into work—with an efficiency that exceeds the conventional […]
The Meltdown microprocessor architecture flaw vs control systems in industry
| January 17, 2018 | Posted by kairosfocus under Computing, AI, Cybernetics and Mechatronics, Functionally Specified Complex Information & Organization, General interest, UD's Sci-Tech watch |
Let’s follow up our earlier Sci-Tech Newswatch on the Meltdown-Spectre MPU architecture flaw issue. (We see here just how hard it is to create a robust, complex design that can readily be adapted to changes in the environment. Besides, a heads up on a big but under-reported story is helpful.) In a new Jan 15, […]
“Alien Megastructure Is Not The Cause Of The Dimming Of Tabby’s Star ” (Design Inference filter in action; Sci Fi Fans disappointed)
According to SciTech Daily in a January 3, 2018 article, Tabby’s star, aka KIC 8462852, has had a mysterious brightening and dimming cycle. (Such a cycle, of course raises the interesting thought of the erection of a Dyson Sphere or a similar megastructure.) As the article reports: >>A team of more than 200 researchers, including […]
Is Technology a new religion? (And if so, what is happening at Temple Google?)
AFP tells us regarding the current Consumer Electronics Show (CES): >>Tech is the new religion, offering hope of salvation in a troubled world as industry leaders converge in Las Vegas this week. Technology will not just help us communicate better and give us bolder and brighter screens. It is promising to end urban congestion, treat […]
Uncommon Descent ranked well within the top 1% of web sites
| January 10, 2018 | Posted by kairosfocus under Food for thought, Free Speech, General interest, Media, Media Manipulation, Agit-Prop &/or Lawfare, Of General Interest, UD's Sci-Tech watch |
A few days ago, frequent commenter Dionisio noted: >>http://www.ranking.com/ Web Rank Biblegateway.com 168 MIT.edu 7,280 HARVARD.edu 7,246 Nature.com 7,449 Desiringgod.org 10,105 Answersingenesis.org 11,865 Gty.org 15,018 Icr.org 19,037 Religionnews.com 22,188 Rzim.org 35,858 Samaritanspurse.org 40,274 Truthforlife.org 49,862 Royalsociety.org 53,686 Evolutionnews.org 58,755 Jamesmacdonald.com 60,164 Reasons.org 65,259 Uncommondescent.com 80,763 Pandasthumb.org 106,377 Kodugamelab.com 668,032>> I took a look, especially at […]
An Unhappy New Year for computers and smart devices: the Meltdown & Spectre flaws in Intel, AMD and ARM processors
| January 4, 2018 | Posted by kairosfocus under Computing, AI, Cybernetics and Mechatronics, General interest, governance, UD's Sci-Tech watch |
On Wednesday, January 3rd, there has been an announcement of two security flaws that affect Intel, AMD and ARM micro-chips, thus potentially affecting PC’s, telephones and a great many appliances alike. As a Yahoo News article reports: “Phones, PCs, everything are going to have some impact, but it’ll vary from product to product,” Intel CEO […]
Sci-Tech: Apple walks off the edge of the cliff — who’s next?
| December 23, 2017 | Posted by kairosfocus under agit-prop, opinion manipulation and well-poisoning games, Darwinist rhetorical tactics, governance, Media Manipulation, Agit-Prop &/or Lawfare, UD's Sci-Tech watch |
One of the underlying themes of UD is that we need to be aware of how big, powerful institutions and organisations can go wrong. A typical rhetorical response to that, is to dismiss such concerns as mere ill-founded, empty conspiracist theorising. So, it is appropriate to point out a striking case that shows how easily […]
