Database
Internet Giants, Defied by Bitcoin, Now See its Tech as a Remedy
This article is about a push toward decentralization among internet giants, such as Facebook and Twitter. The inspiration is the model Bitcoin uses. No one is in charge of the virtual currency. Instead, a network of computers manages it. Even the founder of the World Wide Web is working on ways to help shift private data ownership away from the few. Decentralization is not a panacea though. Facebook and Twitter have their own host of issues that will need addressed either way, like what political content is and isn’t filtered. Naturally, people are skeptical whether Facebook and Twitter are making a genuine effort to decentralize, or if they’re just trying to score some good press.
I tend to be skeptical of large corporations. The love of money is the root of all evil. Pushing for “increased privacy” sounds more to me like a push for good press, and with it more money. This is not to say that Facebook and Twitter are inherently bad though. Facebook advertisements help small businesses, and Twitter is used for more than “Presidential” tweets. Back when I used Twitter, I’d follow my regional rail line’s Twitter account for instant status updates. Technology is a huge benefit when used appropriately, but also provides huge pitfalls if not careful. Though I am skeptical, I do hope social media sites really are decentralizing.
Network
Artificial Intelligence System Learns the Fundamental Laws of Quantum Mechanics
Artificial Intelligence, AI for short, is all around us. For example, it can recognize faces or predict purchasing behavior. Now, AI has started predicting molecular wave functions and electronic properties of molecules. A deep machine learning algorithm was developed by a team of chemists, physicists, and computer scientists. This is what can predict the quantum states of molecules. Normally, solving these complicated equations requires months of computer time. This new algorithm can do it in seconds, which is amazing. This joint effort took 3 years but was well worth it.
I am not a physics expert by any means, but I remember taking the required physics classes for engineers, as well as the required chemistry classes. In these classes, I learned the basics of quantum mechanics. Atoms are complicated yet fascinating. Electrons move around so fast, and there are so many places within the electron orbit that an electron can jump to. I know quantum mechanics is the “newest” branch of physics. Given the relative youngness of the branch, it appears scientists are making huge strides in understanding the quantum realm.
Sociology
Inside an Amazon Warehouse, Robots’ Ways Rub Off on Humans
In the Amazon Warehouse on Staten Island, robots and humans work side by side. A lot of tasks have been automated, but human “pickers” will be around for years to come. These are the people who pick items out of bins to ship out to customers. Amazon is in the news a lot. Some workers claim awful work conditions. That’s what started the investigation to begin with. A man believes he was wrongly fired, as he was being held to unreasonable standards. Robots can work fast, so the humans need to work fast too, right? The workers are definitely finding ways to be more efficient like the robots, as the article title suggests. Adjacent bins are emptied first, as opposed to bins all over the warehouse. This cuts down on walking time.
I use Amazon a lot. I have a student prime membership, and the quick delivery has saved me many times. I can rent textbooks and get a ream of paper last minute. At what cost though? I often worry I am contributing to the sufferings of Amazon workers. Are the managers being unreasonable? Do they have a point to an extent?
Future
The Tech That Will Invade Our Lives in 2020
Technology is everywhere. Smart homes seem to be the big thing lately. Thermostats connected to phones allow users to heat up their homes before they get home from work. Cars have blind spot monitoring. Smart watches monitor a user’s health. The prediction is that a new cellular network called 5G will become prevalent in the new decade. The article predicts smart homes will go even further. Everything we currently have will keep gaining momentum as the article puts it.
I personally wear a smart watch. I find it immensely helpful. It helps to have a timer right on my wrist to keep up with my time management. I can see if a notification is important without getting my phone out of my pocket. It even tracks my heart rate and workouts. I am glad this technology is available.
I am very skeptical of smart homes. Some people have their dead bolts on their front doors connected to their internet, which I think is absurd. It is a lot easier to hack into a homeowner’s internet than most people think. I am hesitant to even get a smart light bulb. I think homes should be off the grid, or internet connections need to be way more secure before smart homes take off.
Comments to Others
Brian, The farming article is really neat. Farmers in this country are so depended on and I don't think a lot of people realize that. It makes perfect sense that we use the technology available to us to increase the efficiency and productivity of farming. This will lower the price of crops and just overall boost the economy. That's a very basic analysis though, as of course much more goes into it than just that. Are the farmers provided training to use the technology? Or does someone do it for them? What cost is there to the farmer?
Andrew, The article about 3D printing provides some cool new options. I never would've considered 3D printing a boat. It appears that 3D printing is slowly but surely becoming the new norm, and not so much a niche industry anymore. Previously, I've only ever printed little things, like a little pinwheel. It's crazy to think that one day people might be sailing on a boat that was 3D printed.
Varsha, Your post on technology, particularly data collection, is very insightful. Data collection can seem innocent, but it is a huge invasion of privacy. I agree that nothing done on the internet is truly hidden. It's concerning that someone browsing a news site innocently is unwillingly "selling" their private data, and indirectly influencing their internet browsing experience. I'm sure it makes a lot of people want to throw away every electronic they own. However, the human desire to connect and relate to other people is what keeps everyone online. Plus, deleting your Facebook account doesn't get rid of the data they already have.
4 comments:
You bring up good questions when it comes to the treatment of workers at Amazon warehouses. I actually know a few people who work at the warehouses. They do not complain much about the working condition however they do complain about the absurd amount of stuff people order, from tissue papers to bottled water bottles. However, it may be the case at other locations of warehouses that are all across the world. Especially, in underdeveloped countries where the cost of labor is cheap.
I am always interested in articles following AI. The article you summarized regarding AI learning Quantum Mechanics made me think of the good AI can since there are numerous articles describing the potential harm that AI can bring. Creating an AI that can predict the quantum states of molecules is a huge accomplishment not only in the AI field, but also in the tech field as a whole. This use of AI shows the vastness and flexibility possible within its capabilities, so I believe that AI can be the reason behind many modern-day discoveries and the advancement of technology. Once AI can learn how to design, new technologies will emerge quicker and more efficiently than any human could ever produce.
Abigail,
Regarding your part about the future, technology is everywhere in our lives like sensors. How complicated this technology is, and you find it mostly in every device. As you mentioned your smartwatch has a sensor that can count your steps and your heartbeats. Also in smartphones, cars, and buildings. Most of the constructions have a fire sprinkler system that uses sensors that gives alarms in case of emergencies. In addition to that, it can auto control the temperature in the building by an HVAC system. Actually, my dad uses the sensor lights in our house to reduce electricity consumption.
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