Monday, May 1, 2017
Sunday, April 30, 2017
View Of The Week: Getting Rid of Traffic Jams! :) :)
We are always blown away by what +Peter H. Diamandis and his team put together. This one on Traffic Jams blew us away as we are pleased to feature this for this weekly edition of "View of the Week"--If you ever put a deposit for the $ 100, please share with us:
Just last week...
Three major developments in transportation were announced last week.
They represent two different strategies to solving the traffic problem: taking to the air and tunneling underground.
Here’s what happened this week:
1. Kitty Hawk: The stealth company Kitty Hawk (backed by Alphabet CEO, Larry Page) announced its first product -- the Kitty Hawk Flyer – and released its first video of a prototype vehicle. (I just put down a $100 deposit on the website to reserve mine.)
While at TED, I had lunch with Sebastian Thrun, CEO of Kitty Hawk. Sebastian is brilliant, the previous head of Google’s autonomous car efforts and professor of AI at Stanford. It's clear that the Kitty Hawk Flyer is just a small peek at what’s to come.
It's also clear that in the long run, autonomous VTOL (Vertical Take-Off and Landing) transporters may actually be easier and safer than autonomous transport on the ground.
For those of you interested in your own KH Flyer, check out this video:
2. Uber Elevate: While I was at TED, my friend Jeff Holden, the Chief Product Officer of Uber, was announcing Uber’s plans to deploy a network of flying cars in Dallas, Texas and Dubai, UAE by 2020.
This is part of Uber’s on-demand urban air transportation initiative called Uber Elevate.
Holden hosted a three-day summit this week to build awareness about Elevate’s mission and define a path towards initial urban eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) operations.
Check out a quick Uber Elevate video here:
3. The Boring Company – Digging Underground: Also this week, Elon Musk's 'Boring Company' revealed its massive tunneling equipment and plans to dig tunnels under Los Angeles.
For context, a few months ago, Musk announced his interest in digging underground tunnels for cars to reduce traffic, launching a company called The Boring Company.
His vision (for the fellow Angelenos out there) involves being able to travel from "Westwood to LAX in 6 min"… which could otherwise take an hour during rush hour.
Current state-of-the-art tunneling technology is very slow and expensive (for reference, subway extension projects today cost about $1 billion per mile, and a snail can travel 14x faster than current tunneling tech).
The Boring Company aims to create a 10x improvement in the price of tunneling.
Like the air, there is a lot of space underground. You can build an arbitrary number of levels of tunnels based on need.
And while air-based approaches raise complaints ranging from noise to distraction, if you dig deep enough underground (around 4 tunnel diameters), people on the surface can’t even detect tunneling activity.
As tunneling continues to drop in price, you can expect Hyperloop One technology to be deployed in these tunnels as well.
Take a look at this video for a better idea of how this would work.
The Future IS Inspiring
As Musk also mentioned at TED, "It's important to have a future that is inspiring "
I couldn’t agree more.
We live in the most exciting time to be alive in human history. There are no problems we can’t solve... including L.A. traffic jams.
Friday, April 28, 2017
Notations From the Grid (W-End Edition); Readings For all To Enjoy
We just picked this up courtesy of +Peter H. Diamandis & his Team as we are pleased to feature this as "readings for the week-end" as we wish all the best of w-ends:
In this week's Abundance Insider: Biodegradable silk batteries, low-cost autonomous taxis, and solar devices that produce water from thin air.
Cheers,
Peter, Marissa, Cody, Kelley, Greg, Sydney and AJ
Peter, Marissa, Cody, Kelley, Greg, Sydney and AJ
P.S. Send any tips to our team by clicking here, and send your friends and family to this link to subscribe to Abundance Insider.
Google Cofounder's 'Flying Car' Makes Its Debut
What it is: Larry Page's once-rumored flying car project, Kitty Hawk, recently demonstrated its prototype Kitty Hawk Flyer lifting off over a lake. The Flyer has small propellers under its base to aid lift-off; as long as it's flying over open water, it can take off vertically. Page's startup has already received approval from the FAA to fly the aircraft in uncongested areas, and will require all drivers to have a pilot's license. The startup's long-term mission is to change the future of personal transportation.
Why it's important: Over the past 12 months, we have seen visions of flying cars from companies all around the world, including Airbus, Uber, and Larry Page's investments in Zee.Aero and Kitty Hawk. As autonomous navigation systems, batteries and materials improve, the next five years will be very interesting for flying car developers and enthusiasts. A tsunami of change is coming for the auto and transportation industries. Join the Discussion
Spotted by Dan Swift / Written by Sydney Fulkerson
Self-Taught Artificial Intelligence Beats Doctors At Predicting Heart Attacks
What it is: University of Nottingham epidemiologist Stephen Weng and his colleagues have created an algorithm that can outperform standard methods at predicting heart attacks. The team tested four AI algorithms (random forest, logistic regresion, gradient boosting, and neural networks) against the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) guidelines for predicting a patient's risk of experiencing a cardiovascular event in the next decade. All four algorithms outperformed these standard guidelines, with neural networks correctly predicting 7.6% better than the ACC/AHA method. Interestingly, several factors the algorithms identified as strong predictors were not on the list of the ACC/AHA guidelines (i.e. oral corticosteroid use), while top 10 risk factors under the ACC/AHA like diabetes were not considered.
Why it's important: More evidence of the scientific breakthroughs we're about to make thanks to AI's ability to evaluate significantly larger datasets and incorporate more complex variables faster, better, cheaper and easier than current methods. Time will only tell what discoveries or contrarian insights will come as more doctors leverage machine learning to amplify their decisionmaking abilities. Join the Discussion
Spotted by Gaetan Soltesz / Written by Jason Goodwin
Biodegradable Silk Battery for Temporary Implants
What it is: Australian researchers have developed a bettery technology that relies on non-toxic, biodegradable material used to power smart devices worn outside the body. This new battery technology uses a thin-film material made from magnesium and a plastic electrolyte. The silk-encapsulated battery was almost entirely dissolved after running the test for 45 days. The test's results showed a direct correlation between the number of silk layers around the battery and the battery life, with more layers enabling longer use.
Why it's important: This new battery technology opens up a whole new range of possibilities for healthcare wearables. As these devices continue to improve in both power and versatility, their potential applications are incredible -- from the simple monitoring of bodily functions to chemical treatment delivery and beyond. Join the Discussion
Spotted by Darryl Carr / Written by Sydney Fulkerson
Type Directly From Your Brain At 100 Words Per Minute
What it is: Regina Dugan, Ph.D, VP of Engineering at Facebook (and formerly of DARPA), announced plans to develop a noninvasive brain computer interface based on functional near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). With a research team of 60 led by Mark Chevillet (formerly of Johns Hopkins), Facebook will push fNIRS, spatial resolution, and machine learning principles to new levels to decode speech and language. Beyond the primary use case as a new interface to augmented reality, which would effectively replace screens, Dugan and her team are also focusing on helping disabled or paralyzed people communicate. Eventually, the tech may even enable hearing-impaired people to "hear" via vibrotactile sensors embedded in the skin.
Why it's important: Motivated by a variety of interests, from keeping up with AI advancements to helping the disabled communicate, there's been an explosion of public declarations to bring BCIs into reality. Facebook's entry into the BCI arena will build interest, spark venture funding, and ease public acceptance of radically new technologies. Join the Discussion
Spotted by Marissa Brassfield / Written by Jason Goodwin
Device Pulls Water From Dry Air, Powered By Only The Sun
What it is: A team of scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology recently constructed a solar-powered harvester using a metal-organic framework (MOF) to suck water from dry air. When sunlight hits the water harvester, it heats up the MOF, driving water vapor toward the condenser, where it condenses into liquid water and falls into a collector for later use. Under conditions of 20% - 30% humidity, the prototype successfully pulled 2.8 liters (3 quarts) of water from the air over a 12-hour period, using just one kilogram (2.2 pounds) of MOF. This work provides a far more efficient way to harvest water from air at low humidity than current technologies.
Why it's important: This prototype generates water from thin air -- more evidence that technology makes scarce resources abundant. Imagine how humanity would transform if every family on the planet had access to a solar-powered device like this one, giving them the ability to produce enough water to meet their entire household's needs. Join the Discussion
Spotted by Aryadeep S. Acharya / Written by Sydney Fulkerson
Elon Musk Unveils Neuralink Business Plan
What it is: We've previously covered Elon Musk's new company Neuralink, which will produce a brain-computer interface to help humans keep on pace with superintelligent AIs; thanks to an illustrated post from Tim Urban, we now have a better understanding of how he's thinking about the business model. Much like SpaceX before it, Neuralink will look for early commercial opportunities to help with "certain severe brain injuries (stroke, cancer lesion, congenital) in about four years." Longer term, a mere eight to 10 years out, he sees the potential for healthy persons adopting BCI technologies.
Why it's important: With Facebook and Elon Musk entering the BCI game, we're now in a race to see which approach proves commercially successful. Musk's latest moonshot anticipates both an intelligence explosion and societal concerns over the implications of automation and technological unemployment -- and Tim Urban's illustrations give the public a compelling first glimpse of the plan. Join the Discussion
Spotted by Marissa Brassfield / Written by Jason Goodwin
Blockchain is Helping to Build a New Kind of Energy Grid
What it is: LO3 Energy has developed a system called the Brooklyn Microgrid that enables people to buy and sell locally generated solar energy within their communities using the blockchain. The peer-to-peer energy transaction system was developed by ConsenSys using Ethereum, a blockchain-based distributed computing platform. LO3 Energy chose the blockchain because it enables people to self-organize at the "edge" of the power grid.
Why it's important: The Brooklyn Microgrid sheds light on how a blockchain-based peer-to-peer system could dematerialize and demonetize the energy grid. It's a case study to watch, as it may accelerate public support for renewable energy, decentralized local infrastructure, and even "buy local" initiatives. Join the Discussion
Spotted by Marissa Brassfield / Written by Sydney Fulkerson
Low-Cost Autonomous Taxis for the World
What it is: Recently spun out of online education startup Udacity, startup Voyage Auto is taking aim at Uber, Waymo and Lyft with its self-driving taxi service. The Udacity pedigree brings serious autonomous driving and AI chops: its founder Sebastian Thrun led self-driving cars at Google and won the 2006 DARPA Grand Challenge while at Stanford. Udacity also launched with the huge success of its free MOOC geared towards an introduction to AI (and, specifically, creating self-driving vehicle technology). Voyage will not use work from Udacity students or produce its own car; instead, the plan is to retrofit existing vehicles.
Why it's important: Voyage is tackling a tough problem -- and that requires bold thinking. Tarin Ziyaee, the director of AI at Voyage, recently did a Ask Me Anything session on the Udacity Slack channel with fascinating insights on how cutting-edge companies lead and hire team members capable of Moonshot thinking. As technological progress accelerates, this mindset will differentiate the disruptors from the disrupted. Join the Discussion
Spotted by Jason Goodwin / Written by Jason Goodwin
Tuesday, April 25, 2017
View of the Week: On Climate Change, Science & Other Thoughts
Earth Day was celebrated around the World on Saturday, April 22. This included a March For Science as Scientists around the World sought to underscore the critical link that Science plays in our World. Our Community of Laguna Niguel celebrated Earth Day as the Community came together to work in the Niguel Botannical Preserve.
Mother Earth continues to face profound challenges as our team noted in our Earth Day Notations throughout our Network. What we find so interesting is how the World is stepping up to deal with it in very interesting ways. What China is doing is just one example of it:
This is as we are seeing the continued strides being made by the likes of Tesla and other players who are striving to transform our Earth without waiting for Washington to respond. We look forward to be witness to and reflect upon this journey of transformation.
Friday, April 21, 2017
On This #EarthDay2017.....
As a prelude to Earth Day 2017, The team at +Global Citizen put together 5 recommend movies--our team is pleased to feature the column in all our properties in its' entirety as we wish all a Happy Earth Day!!
5 Movies Global Citizens Need to Watch Before Earth Day
Each week, streaming sites like Netflix, HBO, and Amazon release a whole spate of new movies for us to gobble up.
Global Citizen has scoured the endless landscape of TV, movies, and streaming services to find the best things for you to watch. Check back every week as we present the latest and best offerings for you to enjoy.
1. “The Age of Consequences,” Documentary, Apple iTunes
Available on iTunes for just $0.99, this documentary considers the national and global security implications of a warming planet. Water and food shortages, extreme weather patterns, and rising sea-levels, this documentary argues, will lead to increasing instability, and more crises like the one in Syria.
2. “Avatar,” Drama, Google Play
The highest-grossing film of all time, “Avatar” portrays an indigenous culture’s struggle to survive an invasion from earth-based explorers. The Na'vi are an advanced race that live in harmony with nature and whose way of life is under grave threat from exploitative forces.
“Avatar,” director James Cameron said of the film, “wasn’t so much of a message as it was a feeling — a feeling that you needed to connect better with nature.”
3. “A Plastic Ocean,” Documentary, Netflix
More than 8 million tons of plastic are dumped into the world’s oceans each year, posing a grave threat to this complex underwater ecosystem. This Netflix documentary shows how, eventually, this plastic waste ends up in an unsettling place: our stomachs.
4. “Jumbo Wild,” Documentary, Netflix, Amazon Prime
Produced in collaboration with Patagonia, “Jumbo Wild” takes us to the backcountry of British Columbia where a coalition of First Nations people, environmentalists, and locals have fought back against a proposed all-seasons resort development that would threaten sacred lands and threatened grizzly bear populations for more than 20 years.
5. “Love Thy Nature,” Documentary, Amazon Prime
The argument made by “Love Thy Nature” is quite simple: if humans were to deepen their relationship with nature, they’d be more inclined to help protect it. Narrated by actor Liam Neeson, this documentary urges you to embark on this critical journey to save the planet.
Thursday, April 20, 2017
Notations From the Grid (Special Edition): On this "Earth Day 2017"
Enough Said......
Climate Change Refugees https://t.co/9sdhKFZlZS #globalcitizen— DailyOutsider (@ordinaryfaces) April 20, 2017
Notations From the Grid ("Visions" Weekly Edition): On the Strength of the Human Spirit
 | Read the Essay that got a Malaysian Girl Accepted Into All 8 Ivy League Universities Afterschool
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 | These women weren't allowed to run the Tehran marathon. So they defied the rules to complete their own race instead Independent
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Wednesday, April 19, 2017
Tip of the Week: On Keeping Food Safe
With the recent advent of rough weather, FEMA published this which we hope all enjoy as part of new periodic series here in the "Visions" Channel, "Tip of the Week":
Keep Food Safe in a Power Outage
How long will food stored in the refrigerator be safe to eat during a power outage?
Emergencies happen, especially with extreme weather conditions. When they do, the best strategy begins with an emergency plan. This includes knowing the proper food safety precautions to take before, during, and after a power outage.
Minimize the potential loss of food and reduce the risk of foodborne illness by knowing how to determine food safety. You can learn the right decisions for keeping your family safe during an emergency with these food safety facts from the Food and Drug Administration.
Be Prepared
When the Power Goes Out
Once the Power is Restored
Inadequately refrigerated or frozen perishable food such as meat (like beef or pork), poultry (such as chicken or turkey), seafood, milk, and eggs may cause illness if consumed, even when thoroughly cooked.
Begin preparing for power outages, severe weather and other emergencies now by joining the Prepareathon.
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Tuesday, April 18, 2017
View of the Week: Kids React To Computers....
We hope this brings a smile....it reminds us all how far we've come to fulfill the "Vision of the Possible:
Monday, April 17, 2017
An #Outsider Newsflash: SB17-107: Vulnerability Summary for the Week of April 10, 2017
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The US-CERT Cyber Security Bulletin provides a summary of new vulnerabilities that have been recorded by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) National Vulnerability Database (NVD) in the past week. The NVD is sponsored by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center (NCCIC) / United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team (US-CERT). For modified or updated entries, please visit the NVD, which contains historical vulnerability information.
https://www.us-cert.gov/ncas/bulletins/SB17-107
Thursday, April 13, 2017
On This Easter Week-End 2017....
On The Eve of Easter Week-End 2017, We are pleased to feature this compilation of thoughts courtesy of +Jonathan Huie on all #Outsider properties. It reminds us all how we should approach on-going challenges and always make sure we forgive--and never hate:
Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love.
- St. Francis of Assisi
You have heard that it was said,
"Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth."
But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person.
If someone strikes you on the right cheek,
turn to him the other also.
- Jesus (Matthew 5:38-39)
It is not enough to say we must not wage war.
It is necessary to love peace and sacrifice for it.
- Martin Luther King, Jr.
If a shepherd has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray,
does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains
and go in search of the one that went astray?
And if he finds it, truly I tell you,
he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray.
- Jesus (Matthew 18:12-13)
Know that all people are your brothers and sisters.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie
Happy Easter to all......
Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love.
- St. Francis of Assisi
You have heard that it was said,
"Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth."
But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person.
If someone strikes you on the right cheek,
turn to him the other also.
- Jesus (Matthew 5:38-39)
It is not enough to say we must not wage war.
It is necessary to love peace and sacrifice for it.
- Martin Luther King, Jr.
If a shepherd has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray,
does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains
and go in search of the one that went astray?
And if he finds it, truly I tell you,
he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray.
- Jesus (Matthew 18:12-13)
Know that all people are your brothers and sisters.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie
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