Links for 23-01-2007
Thoughts on sf criticism, conceptualising a cyborg, transhumanist gender-hacking ideas, UK cops hack the government…
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1 - Thoughts on SF Criticism, Technology and Accessibility
“To say that it is ironic that SCIENCE FICTION criticism is reliant upon anachronistic business models is something of an understatement.” Some provocative ideas from Jonathan McCalmont.
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2 - Conceptualizing A Cyborg: New Ideas On Developing Thought-Controlled Artificial Limbs
“The nervous system will certainly rebel if you place hard or sharp electrodes into it to record signals. However, [it] can be tricked to accept an interface letting it do what it likes - assimilating new nerve cells into its own network.”
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3 - Exploding robots may scout hazardous asteroids
“A fleet of exploding probes could prepare the way for warding off hazardous asteroids. Several of the small spherical robots would land on a single asteroid, some exploding while others listen for vibrations…”
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“…other kinds of humans could possibly be created, including other genders or specializations of genders, by administering other hormones, other doses of hormones or stimulating other brain areas.” Radical transhuman thinking.
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5 - Indie music labels join together to grab a slice of online revenues
“Independent music labels around the world have banded together to create Merlin, a ground-breaking licensing agency that has already signed a major deal to make their artists available in MySpace’s new download stores.” Good news.
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6 - BBC in talks on Google link-up
“The BBC is in advanced negotiations with Google to make programming available via a branded channel on the search giant’s video-sharing site…” Wait for the ‘what do I pay my licence fee for’ outcry …
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7 - Honours probe police hacked No10 computers
“[UK] Police used computer experts to obtain confidential material, and are also believed to have approached Number 10’s internet suppliers to gain access to government email records.” ZOMFG t3h f1l+h iz 1337!!!111!on3
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8 - Gemotion screen shows video in living 3D
“Gemotion is a soft, ‘living’ display that bulges and collapses in sync with the graphics on the screen, creating visuals that literally pop out at the viewer.”
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9 - Activation Of Brain Region Predicts Altruism
“Although understanding the function of this brain region may not necessarily identify what drives people like Mother Theresa, it may give clues to the origins of important social behaviors like altruism…”
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10 - Molecule Walks In A Straight Line And Carries A Tiny Shopping Bag In Each Hand
“A research team [...] was the first to design a molecule that can move in a straight line on a flat surface. Now this team has found a way to attach cargo: two CO2 molecules, making the nano-walker a molecule carrier.”
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11 - War is Peace, Freedom is Slavery, Ignorance is Strength.
In-progress online comic version of George Orwell’s classic sf dystopia. Via BoingBoing.
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12 - AN OPEN LETTER TO JACK BAUER
“Dude, when I got that office memo warning you’d be spraying down automatic gunfire near my workplace, I was so damn jazzed I almost wet my pants!” Funny, with barbs.
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13 - Google Earth gives ’space elevator’ a lift
“Stretching the meaning of Google Earth, a community of believers has marked the spot where, so sayeth the faithful, nanotubes will rise.”
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