Cory Doctorow at Chaos: The Coming War on General Computation
Posted 21 days ago
Copyright Was Just The Beginning: Cory Doctorow on the Coming War on General Computation
The Einstein Theory of Relativity (1923 documentary film)
Posted 31 days ago
The Einstein Theory of Relativity: a 1923 Silent Animated Film
No Illusions Podcast: Cameron Reilly Puts Socrates in the Spotlight
Posted 50 days ago
No Illusions Podcast: Cameron Reilly Puts Socrates in the Spotlight
A Transhumanist Manifesto
Posted 417 days ago
A Transhumanist Manifesto
Hamlet's Transhumanist Dilemma: Will Technology Replace Biology?
Posted 497 days ago
Hamlet’s Transhumanist Dilemma: Will Technology Replace Biology?
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Aaron Sims’ Film Archetype: Your Memories Are Just A Glitch!

by Socrates
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Achetype: Your Memories Are Just A Glitch is a short 7 min science fiction film directed by Aaron Sims, starring Robert Joy (Land of the Dead, CSI: NY) and David Anders (Heroes, 24). About the Film: RL7 is an eight-foot tall combat robot that goes on the run after malfunctioning with vivid memories of once being human. As its creators and the military close in, RL7 battles its way to uncovering the shocking truth behind its mysterious visions and past. About the Filmmaker: Aaron Sims is a prominent creature/conceptual designer who has helped bring filmmakers’ visions to life for the past 25 years.  During his illustrious career, Aaron has worked with visionary directors such as Steven Spielberg, Zack Snyder & Martin Campbell on such projects as War of the Worlds, Sucker Punch, Green Lantern and many more. With the help The [...]

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Sons of Chaos: A Post-Apocalyptic Sci Fi Film by Mathieu Turi

by Socrates
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Sons of Chaos is a short post-apocalyptic sci-fi movie written and directed by french director Mathieu Turi. The film is 15 min long and was shot for only $3000. Despite its super low budget it manages to not only grab but also keep the viewers’ attention with the help of some captivating scenes of wilderness and abandoned buildings, cool camera work with interesting perspective and a gripping original music score by Frederic Poirier. The film was presented at different internationnal Film Festivals across the globe and has been selected at the Sitges Film Fest in 2011. Thus, when Mathiu Turi sent me an email suggesting that I share his film on SingularityWeblog.com I was happy to oblige. Synopsis: Biological war has put an end to the world we used to know. The air is now toxic to mankind. And survivors are mere [...]

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Top 5 Tips for Applying to Singularity University

by Socrates
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Those of you who followed SingulatityWeblog.com last summer know that I was very fortunate to attend Singularity University on NASA’s campus in Mountainview, California. The 10 weeks I spent there were one of the most challenging yet inspiring periods of my life. I learned a lot about technology, leadership, entrepreneurship and about myself. I was inspired by meeting people such as futurist and inventor Ray Kurzweil, space enthusiast and entrepreneur Peter Diamandis, astronaut Dan Barry, Apple co-founder Steven Wozniak, and many others from across the globe. I had the unique opportunity to go inside the kitchen of technology, talk to some of the chefs and see what will likely be on the menu for the next decade or more. Since I came back I have been getting numerous emails from people interested in applying who are asking me to read [...]

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Carl Sagan on Charlie Rose: A Pale Blue Dot Capable of Greatness

by Socrates
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I have previously posted a version of Carl Sagan‘s Pale Blue Dot. However, since it is one of my all time favorites, I cannot help it but re-post another high definition version with the same sound but different video. I find it provides a uniquely cosmic perspective that we can often benefit from in our daily lives. I recommend watching the first 2 videos at maximum quality and full screen.   We Humans Are Capable Of Greatness Even though we are all infinitely small specs on an infinitely small spec in an endless universe, we humans are indeed capable of greatness. Check out Carl Sagan’s vision of the human future in space.   If, like me, you find yourself both moved and inspired by Carl Sagan’s voice, then you may want to watch the last video below too. It is the [...]

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The Importance of Doubt, Asking Questions and Not Knowing

by Socrates
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Most of us are uncomfortable not knowing. Just think about it: Wouldn’t it be nice (and easy) if we knew the answers to all the important questions? Who am I? Is there a God? What is his name? What is the purpose of life? How do I live the good life? What is justice?… Knowing is much more comfortable (and easier) than not knowing. That is why most people convince themselves to be absolutely certain they know the answers. Yet, as Voltaire presciently noted “Doubt is not a pleasant condition, but certainty is absurd.” It is absurd to take things on faith, without doubting or testing them in any way, and go on preaching that you really do have the answers. It is absurd to be able to accomplish such an enormous feat simply by following orders and without any substantial struggle, [...]

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Michael Shermer on Singularity 1 on 1: Be Skeptical! (Even of Skeptics)

by Socrates
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I couple of days ago I interviewed Michael Shermer for Singularity 1 on 1. I met Dr. Shermer at the recent Singularity Summit in New York where he was one of the most entertaining, engaging and optimistic speakers. Since he calls himself a skeptic and not a singularitarian, I thought he would bring not only balance to my singularity podcast but also a healthy doze of skepticism, and I was not disappointed. During our conversation we discuss a variety of topics such as: his education at a Christian college and original interest in religion and theology; his eventual transition to atheism, skepticism, science and the scientific method; SETI, the singularity and religion; scientific progress and the dots on the curve as precursors of big breakthroughs; life-extension, cloning and mind uploading; being a skeptic and an optimist at the same time; [...]

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Luke Muehlhauser on Singularity 1 on 1: Superhuman AI is Coming This Century

by Socrates
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Last week I interviewed Luke Muehlhauser for Singularity 1 on 1. Luke Muehlhauser is the Executive Director of the Singularity Institute, the author of many articles on AI safety and the cognitive science of rationality, and the host of the popular podcast “Conversations from the Pale Blue Dot.” His work is collected at lukeprog.com. I have to say that despite his young age and lack of a University Degree – a criticism which we discuss during our interview, Luke was one of the best and clearest spoken guests on my show and I really enjoyed talking to to him. During our 56 min-long conversation we discuss a large variety of topics such as: Luke’s Christian-Evangelico personal background as the first-born son of a pastor in northern Minnesota; his fascinating transition transition from religion and theology to atheism and science; his personal motivation and desire to [...]

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CNET’s Best of CES 2012 Show Awards

by Socrates
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Many of you are following or even visiting the annual Consumer Electronics Show held each January in Las Vegas, Nevada. The CES show is considered to be the largest annual consumer electronics trade show in the world and for good or for bad it is likely that this may have been the very last one ever. At the end of the show CNET presents the best CES product awards. Here is the video of the 2012 awards ceremony for products in diverse categories such as: Car Tech; Cell Phones; Digital Cameras; Emerging Tech; Home Theatre and Audio; Laptop and PC’s; Software, Services and Apps; Networking and Storage; Tablets; Television; The People’s Choice and Best of Show.

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