Mr Deity returns

As one or two of the two or three regular readers know, I’m impressed by the Mr. Deity shorts. Well, after a delay following the second season, the third season is available. I recommend it.

Robots running amok?

In “Scientists Worry Machines May Outsmart Man,” John Markoff reports on concerns about whether machines might overrun their human creators. It’s the stuff of science fiction, no? Reminds me of the endgame in Sim Earth.

A robot that can open doors and find electrical outlets to recharge itself. Computer viruses that no one can stop. Predator drones, which, though still controlled remotely by humans, come close to a machine that can kill autonomously.

Impressed and alarmed by advances in artificial intelligence, a group of computer scientists is debating whether there should be limits on research that might lead to loss of human control over computer-based systems that carry a growing share of society’s workload, from waging war to chatting with customers on the phone.

Although I pretty much dismiss this concern out of hand (who would build a machine that’s out of control?), I did have a what-if moment.

• If machines ran the world, would they wage wars?
• If machines ran the world, would they immediately take steps to resolve global heating?
• If machines ran the world, would there be capital punishment?
• If machines ran the world, would they behave differently toward each other based on the color of their paint?
• If machines ran the world, would they prevent each other from saying or writing things?
• If machines ran the world, would they worship humans?

Link to Mr. Markoff’s article from the New York Times.

Marvin Gaye’s anthem

For the 1983 all-star game of the National Basketball Association, Marvin Gaye sang the US national anthem, the “Star Spangled Banner.” At that time, the anthem had rarely been sung in any way but quite straightly, one exception being the rendition by Jose Feliciano. Mr. Gaye, an artist with a repretoire that included songs about peace, brotherhood, ecology, as well as love and loss, put his spin on the performance. I suspect many readers will agree with me about that it’s an inspirational performance.

Fav SSB?

Given that it’s the run-up to the US celebration of its nationhood, I have a question for you: What is your favorite version of the US national anthem, the “Star Spangled Banner?”

I consider patriotism a modest virtue. I’d prefer loyalty to human kindness over loyalty to a geographic region or a tribe. Still, I have to admit that I sometimes feel pride (or som’thin’ like that) when I hear a rendition of the patriotic song for the country of my origin.

Gandhi Summer Camp

Here’s one that’d be interesting to follow:

The second annual JMU Gandhi Center Children’s Global Nonviolence Summer Camp will be held August 17 – 21, 2009 at James Madison University, Harrisonburg.

The camp will prepare children ages 8 to 12 to appreciate

• - the value of nonviolence,
• - the potential of nonviolent action to address conflicts,
• - the value of personal and social responsibility,
• - the interconnected nature of human experience, and
• - the planet’s natural environment

as they participate in an eclectic blend of exciting activities.

The program, registration form, and other information is available at:

http://www.jmu.edu/gandhicenter/summercamp.shtml

Building with beak and talons

Creating a nest when one doesn’t have an opposable thumb must be a serious job. Over on Peace, Caffeine, Linux Scott Fraser posted video of a Coopers Hawk working on a nest. Check it by following this link to Mr. Fraser’s blog entry. While you’re there, poke around a bit; he has lots of interesting content.

Seeger’s b’day show

There’s to be a celebration for Pete Seeger’s 90th birdthay in New York at Madison Square Garden. It promises to be quite a show.

Gotta love Fiore

Mark Fiore took a shot at explaining the violence in Mexico: Gringo Guns.