'I'm always looking for the Hows and the Whys and the Whats,' said Muskrat, 'That is why I speak as I do. You've heard of Muskrat's Much-in-Little, of course?'
'No,' said the child. 'What is it?'
- The Mouse and his Child. Russell Hoban.

Go here to find out more.

Sunday 2 August 2015

Smartbird and Spot

This robot bird was invented more than 4 years ago.
I can't believe how casual we are today about things that really are astonishing.  If this was the renaissance, even, there would be people on horseback galloping all over the place shouting it out.



And, here's 'Spot' from earlier on this year.  This is almost creepy.  Imagine being chased by one of these!  It recovers its balance after being kicked better than a real dog would.

9 comments:

  1. Yes aren't they incredible. What isn't credible is that America has nuclear silos controlled by floppy disks twenty years old. This is just solid state gyro. ICBMs have real ones in them It's terrifying to think of a mistake. You can get a camera for a few dollars that lets you know it's level.
    Why can't America control mass destruction. Sorry Kate the USA is frightening in it's capability and in it's capacity to ruin or an annihilate our planet.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Adrian - that IS scary. but there are lots of things in the States that scare me. Until recently I thought that we could never have the same things in little ol' NZ. But that was before we got a PM who trained in the States…

      Delete
  2. Frighteningly smart; I think I prefer the 'real things'.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes Cro. It's like something from a dystopian movie.

      Delete
  3. The problem is that I share Adrian's fears and sentiments on this subject but as I can't do anything about it I ignore it. Unfortunately so do the people who can do something about it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I usually ignore stuff too. Therein lies (a form of) sanity.

      Delete
  4. I am reading this on Saturday afternoon, 1 August 2015, so you haven't written it yet from my perspective. Spookier than robots.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ha, Robert. I am exceedingly clever.

      Delete
  5. The sad thing about these machines is that they have no brains at all - all they are able to do is to follow the commands programmed into them by humans - which means we need to be very, very afraid indeed.
    If they had their own brain they would probably most likely be a good addition to the planet.

    ReplyDelete

Spam will go in the incinerator. All other comments are gratefully received. Communication is what makes the world go 'round.