Clipmarks | rmowery's clips

Emotion Robots learn from People

Fri, 23 Feb 2007 14:32:58 GMT

clipped by: debbyski

Feelix Growing is a research project involving six countries, and 25 roboticists, developmental psychologists and neuroscientists.

Co-ordinator Dr Lola Canamero said the aim was to build robots that "learn from humans and respond in a socially and emotionally appropriate manner".

The robots themselves are simple machines - and in some cases they are off-the-shelf machines. The most interesting aspect of the project is the software.

The robots will learn from the feedback they receive from humans.

The robots will get the feedback from simple vision cameras, audio, contact sensors, and sensors that can work out the distance between the machine and the humans.

The robots will not be trying to detect emotional states such as disgust but rather will focus on states such as anger, happiness, loneliness; emotions which impact on how the robot should behave.

"It is very important to detect when the human user is angry and the robot has done something wrong or if the human is lonely and the robot needs to cheer him or her up.

One of the first robots built in the project is exhibiting imprinted behaviour - which is found among birds and some mammals when born.

"They get attached to the first object they see when born.

"We have a prototype of a robot that follows people around and can adapt to the way humans interact with it.

"It follows closer or further away depending on how the human feels about it."

Tags: robots, human, behavior, learning

How To Stop Time

Fri, 02 Feb 2007 15:48:12 GMT

clipped by: travislaborde
clipper's remarks: A bizarre experiment you can try Spooky!

Clip Source: www.grasshopper.com

Einstein demonstrated that time is relative.

But the rabbit-hole goes much deeper. Quantum physics discovered that consciousness is entangled in matter in some inexplicable ways; but other than the very fast, or very small, or very large, we tend to assume our “ordinary” reality conforms more to the laws of Newton. Simple cause and effect unfolding with clockwork constancy —well, it’s time to shatter this assumption. Let’s stop time.

Find a clock with a smooth sweeping second hand. The one on this page might work, but depending on how much is running on your computer, it may or may not be completely smooth. If it appears relatively smooth, it will still work, you’ll be able to factor out what you are controlling.

Tags: brain

Check this OUt! Wii!

Sat, 20 Jan 2007 01:39:27 GMT

clipped by: gawyn210
clipper's remarks: very cool

Clip Source: www.engadget.com

The Wii Laptop!

It's the Wii laptop! We spent the last few weeks (including much time spent over the holidays evading relatives) slaving over this bad boy and finally it's complete. Check out the features:

16:9 widescreen LCD, 7-inch diagonal.
Stereo sound
Gamecube controller port
Built-in short range Sensor Bar
Ports for using original Sensor Bar and A/V output jacks (for use on external display)
Built-in power supply and compartment for power cord
Dimensions: 8.5 x 7.7 x 2-inches

Starting next Tuesday we'll be doing a multi-part How-To with detailed instructions for building your own Wii laptop, as well as loads of photos of the construction process. But for now check out the gallery for more detailed photos of the unit, and click on to see some video of the Wii laptop in action.

[Big ups to our man Ben Heckendorn! -Ed.]

Gallery: Wii laptop

Download video
MP4 (H.264) - VGA, QVGA

Tags: wii

Critical Thinking On The Web

Wed, 17 Jan 2007 03:51:19 GMT

clipped by: Socratoad

Clip Source: www.austhink.com

Top Ten

Argument Mapping Tutorials. Six online tutorials in argument mapping, a core requirement for advanced critical thinking.
The Skeptic's Dictionary - over 400 definitions and essays.
The Fallacy Files by Gary Curtis. Best website on fallacies.
Butterflies and Wheels. Excellent reading - news, articles, and much more.
Critical Thinking: What It Is and Why It Counts by Peter Facione. Good overview of the nature of critical thinking. (pdf file)
Of the Liberty of Thought and Discussion by John Stuart Mill. Classic chapter, densely packed with wisdom about thinking.
Chance - best resource for helping students think critically about issues involving probability and statistics
Psychology of Intelligence Analysis, by Richards Heuer. A good overview of how to improve thinking in the light of insights from cognitive psychology.
A Handbook on Writing Argumentative and Interpretative Essays by Ian Johnston
Baloney Detection Part 1 and Part 2 - by Michael Shermer. 10 step guide.

Tags: critical thinking, bull-shit detection

African Presence in the Ancient Far East

Sat, 06 Jan 2007 00:16:26 GMT

clipped by: ksmithii

Clip Source: www.cwo.com

Although the island nation of Japan is assumed by many to have been historically composed of an essentially homogenous population, the accumulated evidence places the matter in a vastly different light. A Japanese proverb states that: "For a Samurai to be brave, he must have a bit of Black blood." Another recording of the proverb is: "Half the blood in one's veins must be Black to make a good Samurai." Sakanouye Tamura Maro, a Black man, became the first Shogun of Japan.

In China, an Africoid presence is visible from remote antiquity. The Shang, for example, China's first dynasts, are described as having "black and oily skin." The famous Chinese sage Lao-Tze was "black in complexion."

Funan is the name given by Chinese historians to the earliest kingdom of Southeast Asia. Their records expressly state that, "For the complexion of men, they consider black the most beautiful. In all the kingdoms of the southern region, it is the same."

The first kingdom in Vietnam was the Kingdom of Lin-yi. Its inhabitants possessed "black skin, eyes deep in the orbit, nose turned up, hair frizzy at a period when they were not yet subject to foreign domination and preserved the purity of this type."

The fate of the Black kingdoms and the Black people of Far East Asia must be tied to increased pressure from non-Africoid peoples pushing down from northern Asia. Indeed, the subject of what might be called "Black and Yellow racial and cultural relations in both ancient and modern times" is so critical that it must be developed as a special area of study. It is of particular importance to African and African-oriented scholars and historians.

Tags: africa, far east, history

Slow Cooker Coconut Rice Pudding

Mon, 09 Oct 2006 18:01:14 GMT

clipped by: mistacat
clipper's remarks: This sounds amazing; I hope it can be made in a rice cooker.

Clip Source: www.thatsmyhome.com

Slow Cooker Coconut Rice Pudding

1 C. raw white arborio rice

4 C. half and half

1 (14-oz.) can coconut milk

2/3 C. granulated sugar

Place the rice in the insert of the slow cooker.

Stir together half and half, coconut milk and sugar in a large, heavy saucepan. Place over medium-high heat and cook, stirring until the mixture is very warm and the sugar has dissolved.

Pour the mixture over the rice, stir well and cover and cook on low for 5 hours or on high for 3 hours. The pudding will bubble and the rice will be very soft. Turn the cooker off and let the pudding sit for 30 minutes before serving.

Yield: 6 cups

Tags: food, cook this, rice, rice pudding, recipes, coconut, coconut milk, cook this priority

Future space devices inspired by spider legs

Wed, 13 Sep 2006 08:51:34 GMT

clipped by: adamc
clipper's remarks: So cool.

Clip Source: www.physorg.com

In a recent issue of Bioinspiration and Biomimetics, Menon and Lira explain how most animals use muscles to bend their joints, but spiders don’t possess such extensors. Instead, these boneless arachnids have legs that are attached to the prosoma, or the main body, which pumps out fluid into the legs by contracting and expanding. Although spiders don’t have veins or even true blood, a pressurized liquid called haemolymph fills the open spaces throughout a spider’s body.

“Space applications require structures, mechanisms and systems that are able to fulfill challenging tasks, while keeping their volumes and masses to a minimum,” wrote the scientists, emphasizing the importance of gossamer structures in the space field. “By folding and deforming the mini-tube, mechanical connectors are avoided, making the system simple, reliable and light.”

Tags: spider, spiders, space, technology, future, science, haemolymph

Very high price for a strip-tease show

Tue, 05 Sep 2006 23:23:31 GMT

clipped by: invictus
clipper's remarks: Cars and "sex drives" of the Russians... See also Adam's clip .

Clip Source: www.iol.co.za

Men pay high price to watch strippers

Russia - Thieves in Russia made off with dozens of luxury cars after their owners abandoned their vehicles to watch three women strip naked on a beach.

The trio took off their clothes and started washing each other at the man-made Balashikh beach on the Moscow River in the capital.

But as passing businessmen stopped and left their cars to watch the free strip show a gang of thieves made off with their luxury cars.

Once the cars had been stolen the girls picked up their clothes and escaped in a waiting van.

Police, who are now searching for the gang, said the thieves had made off with a string of BMWs and Mercedes.

Tags: thieves, russia, strippers

Cool Shanghai - What do you like most about Shanghai?

Wed, 16 Aug 2006 21:29:15 GMT

clipped by: cur10u5guy
clipper's remarks: Good information site about planning and having a great time in Shanghai.

Clip Source: www.cool-shanghai-guide.com

Tags: shanghai shanghaiguide shanghaichina china chinatr

Whole grain buttermilk pancakes and blueberry syrup

Sat, 12 Aug 2006 04:31:50 GMT

clipped by: bookchick49

Clip Source: www.101cookbooks.com

Whole-Grain Pancakes with Blueberry Maple Syrup

1 (6-ounce) basket blueberries, rinsed
1/4 cup natural granulated sugar (evaporated cane sugar)
1/4 cup real-deal, PURE, maple syrup
2 tablespoons water

2 cups white whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon aluminum-free baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/3 cup natural granulated sugar (evaporated cane sugar)
1/2 teaspoon fine grain sea salt
2 1/4 cups organic buttermilk
2 large organic eggs, lightly beaten
2 tablespoons butter, melted (melt in the pan skillet you are going to use)

butter, to serve (and for pan)

To make the blueberry maple syrup put 1/2 of the blueberries, the sugar, maple syrup, and water in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Heat and stir until the sugar dissolves and simmer for 5 or 6 minutes or until the blueberries begin to split. Remove from heat and press the blueberry mixture through a fine strainer into a bowl. Mash the fruit to get all the juiciness extracted. Throw out the solids. Stir the remaining blueberries into the warm syrup and set aside.

To make the pancakes combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, sugar, and salt in a large bowl. Add the buttermilk, eggs, and melted butter. Stir all the ingredients until they are just combined. Don’t worry if the batter is a bit lumpy, you don't want to over mix.

Heat your skillet, pan, or griddle to medium-hot and brush it with a bit of butter. Test for the right temperature. If a drop of water dropped onto the pan starts to dance, you are in the ballpark. Pour about 1/3 of a cup of batter into the skillet. Wait until the pancake bottom is deep golden in color, then flip with a spatula and cook the other side until golden and cooked through. Repeat with the remaining batter.

Serve with a golden pat of butter and plenty of blueberries and syrup.

Makes about 12 large pancakes, or dozens of silver-dollars - enough to feed a small crowd.

Tags: recipes, pancakes, blueberries, maple, syrup, maple syrup, whole grain

Tuscan White Beans and Chard

Thu, 10 Aug 2006 12:20:05 GMT

clipped by: bunnicula

Clip Source: vegweb.com

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Recipe submitted by divalop, 08/09/06

Tuscan White Beans and Chard

Ingredients (use vegan versions):

1/2 vidalia onion, chopped
large bunch of Swiss chard, stems chopped off
1 teaspoon minced garlic
15 oz. can diced tomatoes (or 1 cup grape tomatoes, quartered with juice)
15 oz. can cannelloni beans (or any white beans). drained and rinsed
4 large fresh sage leaves, minced
salt, to taste
freshly ground black pepper, to taste
red pepper flakes, to taste

2 tablespoons olive oil

Directions:

Wash chard and slice off stem ends. Dice stem ends--approximately 1/4 inch dice.

In wok or large frying pan, warm olive oil.

While waiting, feed a couple of chard leaves to your house bunnies if they are allowing you to live in their house.

Once oil is warm, vidalia, chard stems, sage and garlic. Sauté until soft.

While chopped veggies are sautéing, roughly chop remaining chard leaves and drain and rinse beans. Add both to pan, dump in contents of diced tomatoes (including liquid) and cover. Once chard is soft, stir it up and add salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes to taste.

Serve hot with either rice or half of a whole-wheat bagel spread with Earth Balance per serving. Pet bunnies while eating this yummy dish!

Feel free to modify to suit your taste! This would probably work well with spinach or collard greens as well, but it's been a great year in New England for Swiss chard!

Serves: 2-4

Preparation time: 20-25 minutes

Tags: white kidney beans, swiss chard, tomatoes, main dishes, side dishes, vegan, recipes

3 Bean Salad

Wed, 09 Aug 2006 23:02:16 GMT

clipped by: bunnicula

Clip Source: www.postpunkkitchen.com

It's really easy, but I swear it's awesome!

3-Bean Salad

1 (15 oz) can of Kidney Beans
1 (19 oz) can of Garbanzo Beans
1 (15 oz) can of Black Beans
1/4 cup White wine vinegar ( or other, but I like it with this)
1 bundle diced green onions (about 1/4 cup)
1 clove of Garlic diced, and mashed to a paste
1/4 tsp cumin
3 Tbls Oil (I use Flax)

salt to taste

Toss everything in a bowl and let sit for 1 hour. Store in the fridge. I didn't like it at first, but after a while I found I needed more, and more! It's sort of like 3 bean crack. It's good by its self or with chips or pretzels.
If you'd like you can add a diced bell pepper to this, but it's not essential.

Tags: kidney beans, chickpeas, black beans, salads, vegan, recipes

6-year-old boy did 10000 pushups in hours

Tue, 08 Aug 2006 20:32:59 GMT

clipped by: arifsali
clipper's remarks: Unbelievable

Clip Source: www.chinadaily.com.cn

6-year-old boy did 10000 pushups in hours

Lu Di, 6, does pushups as other young kungfu students watch at a kungfu school in Central China's Henan Province July 26, 2006. According to school president Shi Yongdi, Lu did 10,000 pushups in three hours and twenty minutes four days ago. Since he shows so much promise, Shi says the school will waive his tuition for ten years. [Xinhua]

Tags: health, children

Researchers Find New Learning Strategy

Tue, 08 Aug 2006 00:51:50 GMT

clipped by: MomLes

Clip Source: www.sciencedaily.com

Researchers Find New Learning Strategy

Central to being human is the ability to adapt: We learn from our mistakes. Previous theories of learning have assumed that the size of learning naturally scales with the size of the mistake. But now biomedical engineers at Washington University in St. Louis have shown that people can use alternative strategies: Learning does not necessarily scale proportionally with error.

In so doing, Kurt Thoroughman, Ph.D., assistant professor of biomedical engineering at Washington University, and his graduate student, Michael Fine, have discovered a new learning strategy they call categorical adaptation in which steps of learning are sensitive to the direction of error, but do not scale proportionally with the size of the error. Eventually, their findings could have an impact in the rehabilitation of people with neurological ailments such as strokes by making use of different learning environments.

Tags: learning, motor skills

A Subversion addin for Microsoft Visual Studio .NET

Fri, 04 Aug 2006 20:57:11 GMT

clipped by: lordoffli

Clip Source: ankhsvn.tigris.org

AnkhSVN is a Visual Studio .NET addin for the Subversion version control system. It allows you to perform the most common version control operations directly from inside the VS.NET IDE. Not all the functionality provided by SVN is (yet) supported, but the majority of operations that support the daily workflow are implemented.

Tags: programming, cvs, source control, .net, addons