This is a pretty cool idea, or at least I thought so. My youngest son said "I don't particularly understand IKEA directions or algorithms so this is basically the worst of both worlds for me." Finally, we agree about something.
Hopefully, you find it helpful. If not, there's always Wikipedia.
But TV viewership has dropped over 50% ... and that's not a sustainable model anymore.
Luckily, like a true "Shark" he realized something that many people don't...
You have to be committed to your goals, not the tools you use to accomplish that goal.
I shot a video with Kevin where we talk about that ... and more. Check it out
If you have been doing the same thing for 18 months (or longer), chances are the practical realities of time, technology, and a changing competitive landscape implies that you should be doing something different (or at least differently).
What are you doing to stay relevant in your space?
Our physical and virtual realities are beginning to blend. Animation is becoming more realistic. Virtual and augmented reality are becoming more affordable. Wearables are becoming pervasive. And, the internet of things will soon overtake the Internet.
We're moving towards a world where technology envelops every aspect of our lives ... figuratively and literally.
The following (still fictional) video is thought-provoking. What happens when these new technologies are used to influence behavior, decision-making, and even your identity?
Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) are not new fields - but, they are evolving quickly. Technology and infrastructure are getting to the point that AR and VR will become common for us.
You have already started to see it (from Google Glass, to the NBA, and of course, to porn).
"Not too far in the future you will begin to see the integration of AR and VR together eventually leading to having your favorite performer on your lap, in your bedroom doing a custom performance for you and responding to your verbal and physical cues."
Your doctor or nutritionist could help you make better choices for you. Your therapist or coach could help you perceive and respond differently to the challenges life presents you. Marketers could better influence your purchases. Employers could better monitor and measure your performance and productivity. And governments will not be far behind ... doing what they do.
Like many things, these technologies make possible awesome new capabilities (if used well) and horrific consequences (if abused or used in authoritarian ways).
Technology can be scary - especially when it is used to move towards autonomous killing machines.
Recently, a UC Berkeley computer science professor helped to create a video that imagined a world where nuclear weapons were replaced by swarms of autonomous tiny drones that could kill half a city and are virtually unstoppable.
Stuart Russell, the professor, said these drones are already a technological reality.
The video takes the viewer to an auditorium where a speaker showcases a drone roughly the size of a mockingbird. At one point the drone lands on his hand, the speaker quickly recalibrates it and then throws it out into the audience again. After a few seconds, the small drone turns back to the stage and crashes into the forehead of a dummy standing off to the left of the speaker.
“Trained as a team, [the drones] can penetrate buildings, cars, trains, all while having the capacity to evade any countermeasure. They cannot be stopped,” the speaker told the audience in the video.
Russell said that although A.I.’s “potential to benefit humanity is enormous, even in defense,” allowing the widespread use of machines that “choose to kill humans will be devastating to our security and freedom.”
Expect to hear a lot more about Swarm Intelligence (and some of the more positive things it can do).
The Internet of Things (IoT) is literally just a connected network of digital "things" that can interact with each other through the internet (or intranets).
Yet, the IoT also represents a paradigm shift (and the next big upgrade to the web). By 2020, over 26 billion (with a b) things will be connected to the internet.
Click here to see it. It answers questions like "What kind of things? and "how will the things be used?" but also gives you a chance to look at the innovations, the innovators, and the challenges involved.
Ultimately, things like cars, buildings, home appliances and wearables will communicate and interact to create a connected world.
People's homes are already becoming more connected. With smart hubs you can control your alarms, your lights and HVAC, all the way down to starting your coffee machine.
Now imagine that connectivity in a hospital or a supply chain. It's going to be a huge breakthrough.
But what about challenges?
As we get more technologically advanced and interconnected, there are inherent issues and weaknesses.
For example, as more devices access the internet you have more chances for attacks by hackers.
Computers, smartphones and other devices often come with virus protection, security measures and more. The same isn't true of your fridge or your coffee machine...
If there's one vulnerability in your network, that can easily affect all other devices on your network.
As well, there are privacy issues, bandwidth issues and the unfortunate reality for many companies which is ... you may not be nimble enough to keep up with this innovation landscape.
What do you think about IoT? Do you have a connected home already? Can you start your car with your phone? Does your hedge fund use technology like this to let trading systems communicate, coordinate, and collaborate? Can you imagine what that would be like?
There is nothing wrong with your television. Do not attempt to adjust the picture. We are now controlling the transmission. We control the horizontal and the vertical. We can deluge you with a thousand channels or expand one single image to crystal clarity and beyond. We can shape your vision to anything our imagination can conceive. - The Outer Limits (1963)
It almost feels like an episode of Black Mirror, watching these stations quote the same pre-determined diatribe on fake news and it's danger to our democracy.
The very message they are purportedly supporting directly contradicts their actions.
I think most people realize this happens to some degree ... but, it's different when it's presented like this.
Personally, I believe I am reasonably aware and somewhat immune from propaganda. That probably isn't as true as I'd like to believe.
To put it in context - Sinclar Broadcast Group owns nearly 200 stations in 80 different markets, and are looking to buy out more. That is a powerful platform to deliver mass messages and influence the zeitgeist of its audience.
It used to be true that winners wrote history (think empires, wars, etc.). Now, the one that delivers the most broadcast narratives shapes the emotional and seemingly logical responses to what we perceive to be happening around us.
The result impacts elections, financial markets, buying choices, and countless other areas of our life.
As A.I., Bots, and social media grow, our ability to discern truth from 'truthiness' weakens.
Here Are Some Links For Your Weekly Reading - June 24th, 2018
Here are some of the posts that caught my eye recently. Hope you find something interesting.
Lighter Links
Posted at 08:49 PM in Business, Current Affairs, Gadgets, Healthy Lifestyle, Ideas, Just for Fun, Market Commentary, Personal Development, Science, Television, Trading, Trading Tools, Web/Tech | Permalink | Comments (0)
Reblog (0)