Notations From the Grid (Special Thursday Edition): Some "Food 4 thought"

Please Enjoy!!!

Snapchat Launches Augmented Reality Art Platform

What it is: Snapchat has launched an augmented reality art platform that enables users to view virtual art installations in real-life outdoor settings around the world. Starting with five of Jeff Koons’ most iconic sculptures pinned to 10 global locations, Snapchat is soliciting sign-ups from artists who want to feature their work on the platform. Interestingly, two days after launching the platform, a graffiti artist protested by uploading a tagged version of a Koons sculpture to the same spot in Central Park as the Snapchat Art exhibit.

Why it's important: Augmented reality enables us to digitize art exhibits and place them in public spaces, making fine art accessible by all — including graffiti artists. Art is meant to provoke; what happens to mainstream culture as AR technology makes it easier than ever for artists to share their perspectives with strangers?  Share on Facebook

Spotted by Marissa Brassfield  / Written by Marissa Brassfield 

A Team of Scientists Just Made Food From Electricity — and it Could be the Solution to World Hunger

What it is: In a project called Food From Electricity, a research team in Finland has successfully produced a batch of nutritious, single-cell proteins — and the system they created is solely powered by renewable energy. As Futurism reports, the process simply requires “electricity, water, carbon dioxide and microbes,” which makes the system deployable in deserts and other environments lacking the conditions for traditional agriculture (e.g. soil, humidity, temperature). 

Why it's important: This machine and others like it are a powerful weapon in the global fight against famine and food scarcity. As its core technologies continue to develop and improve, we’ll be able to feed the hungry no matter where they are — and simultaneously mitigate the environmental impact of food livestock by reducing demand.  Share on Facebook

Spotted by Aryadeep S. Acharya  / Written by Marissa Brassfield 

Inside Syntouch, The Mad Lab Giving Robots The Power to Feel

What it is: Startup SynTouch, a spinout from USC, is quantifying the subjective sense of touch. By embedding 19 highly sensitive electrodes behind a dome-shaped silicon "fingertip" filled with saline, the finger measures the change in resistance due to external factors such as pressure. In all, SynTech is able to quantify touch along 15 different dimensions with surprising nuance, such as the difference in coarseness of a suit jacket or a perceived temperature difference between carpet and a tile floor. Not only does this push robotics closer to nuanced interactions with humans and the environment, but as SynTouch's CEO notes, it also has immediate impact in areas like textile quality control and cost versus design choices.

Why it's important: This is a compelling example of how we can use increasingly cheap, powerful sensors to quantify subjective qualities, which in turn enables better AI algorithms and applications of robotics. Combine this with developments in soft robotics (see below), and you have a massively disruptive force in robotics on fhe cusp of entering the mainstream. Share on Facebook

Spotted by Marissa Brassfield  / Written by Jason Goodwin

Hulk Robot Is Coming: New 3D Printed ‘Synthetic Muscle’ Can Lift 1000x Its Own Weight

What it is: A research team led by Columbia University's Creative Machines Lab has created a breakthrough in the field of soft robotics, devising a silicon-based material that functions as an artificial muscle. With a current applied via an electrode, the material can push, pull, lift and twist much like a real muscle, and at strengths exceeding 1,000x its own weight without assistance from an external voltage. As the researchers note, this fills a large gap in current "hard" robotics, which are rigid and struggle with complex tasks such as interacting with living organisms.

Why it's important: When everything we’ve learned about the “brains” of robotics is applied to these artificial muscles to make motion more fluid, we enable a new generation of advanced robots. How will AI and machine learning in robotics explode when we can use these technologies without the current physical constraints? Share on Facebook

Spotted by Peter Diamandis / Written by Jason Goodwin

Alphabet Looks to Restore Cell Service in Puerto Rico with Project Loon Balloons

What it is: The FCC has given Alphabet an experimental license to use its Project Loon balloons to restore cell service to Puerto Rico. “More than two weeks after Hurricane Maria struck, millions of Puerto Ricans are still without access to much-needed communications services,” said FCC Chairman Ajit Pai. “That’s why we need to take innovative approaches to help restore connectivity on the island.”

Why it's important: More evidence that today, an individual is empowered to make the sort of impact only governments could make just decades ago. Here, Tesla, Facebook and now Alphabet (Google) are providing infrastructure support on Internet and cell service, helping those affected by Hurricane Maria rebuild their lives. Will the tech world’s involvement help Puerto Rico come back better than ever? Share on Facebook

Notations On Our World (Mid-Week Edition): On CyberSecurity....

National Cyber Awareness System  IC3 has released the following as part of the challenges at hand for Cybersecurity month: IC3 Issues Alert on IoT Devices 10/17/2017 06:56 PM EDT Original release date: October 17, 2017In conjunction with National Cyber Security Awareness Month, the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) has issued an alert to individuals and businesses about the security risks involved with the Internet of Things (IoT). IoT refers to the emerging network of devices (e.g., smart TVs, home automation systems) that connect to one another via the Internet, often automatically sending and receiving data. IC3 warns that once a device is compromised, an attacker may take control of an affected system, obtain sensitive information, or cause a denial-of-service condition. US-CERT encourages individuals and businesses to review the IC3 Alert for more information on IoT vulnerabilities and mitigation techniques.

https://www.us-cert.gov/ncas/current-activity/2017/10/17/IC3-Issues-Alert-IoT-Devices

The Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) has issued an alert on distributed denial-of-service (DDoS)-for-hire services advertised on criminal forums and marketplaces. Using DDoS attacks to prevent legitimate users from accessing websites or information can lead to serious consequences.

US-CERT encourages users and administrators to review the IC3 Alert for more information and US-CERT's Alert on Heightened DDoS Threat Posed by Mirai and Other Botnets.

Notations From the Grid (Weekly Edition): On the Possibilities

As a new week dawns,
Please enjoy this that underscores the Vision of the Possible:

Amazon Has Developed an AI Fashion Designer

What it is: Amazon is developing a comprehensive machine learning system to better track fashion and retail trends. One shopping algorithm makes personalized clothing recommendations for users based on their preferences and social media behavior. Another Amazon-developed AI can even generate new clothing styles by parsing related images. This latter algorithm leverages a tool called generative adversarial network, or GAN, made up of two deep neural networks that efficiently learn from raw data by simultaneously working together.

Why it's important: Amazon is digitizing a variety of historically critical roles in the fashion industry: designer, trend forecaster, and even stylist. What happens when advanced machine learning algorithms begin to proactively influence fashion trends, and integrated automated systems can give shoppers an ultra-personalized experience from design to delivery? 

Spotted by Marissa Brassfield / Written by Sydney Fulkerson and Marissa Brassfield

Google Mashes Up Our Eclipse Images to Produce Crowdsourced 'Megamovie'

What it is: Google and UC Berkley partnered on a film called "Megamovie" featuring a compilation of crowdsourced photos of the recent total eclipse. The purpose was to gather a surplus of photos of the peak of the eclipse. The photos will be added to a database for scientists to study the movement and temperature changes in the sun’s outermost atmosphere.

Why it's important: By leveraging the power of the crowd, Google can capture a far more robust array of images -- and for much cheaper -- than if they'd kept the project in-house. What happens when researchers can apply advanced machine learning algorithms to a data set like this one? 

This is as this was reported by Vala Afshar about how Plastic can be used for better things--in light of what we reported on earlier on the Oceans' Summit: 

Plastic roads could soon replace asphalt pic.twitter.com/ySw8x9yOSm

— Vala Afshar (@ValaAfshar) September 26, 2017

Notations On Our World (W-End Edition): On Vision Zero & Traffic Safety

Traffic Safety is a major challenge.   One of the Visionary Organizations that has worked to do something about it is Vision Zero.   It was a movement that began in Sweden that has made profound here in the United States.  In our home County of Orange County, the City of Santa Ana has been at the forefront of it.

Our team recently attended this which we wanted to report on here:  

Thank you for Attending Our Webinar!

Thank you for attending our webinar, Calling for Safe Speeds in the U.S. - A Discussion with NTSB. 

We were honored to have NTSB staff join us to discuss findings from their recent #speedstudy,acknowledging speed as a deadly problem in the U.S., and laying out numerous recommendations to update outdated policies, and allow for greater local control to manage speed, especially with proven solutions.

You can find a recording of the webinar here.

Share with your colleagues, and check out the Vision Zero Network's call to action for the #speedstudy here.

Notations On Our World (Special Friday Edition): On the Virtual "Prowl" w/ Ray Kurzweil & Peter Diamandis...

 We are pleased to report on this as we wish all a great weekend: 

Notations From the Grid (Weekly Edition): On The latest from @elonmusk

Space:  The Final Frontier!!!! As the new week dawns, we wanted to report on this courtesy of Peter Diamandis that goes to the heart of the visionaries our World is endowed with we hope all community members and visitors enjoy:  Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos are predicted to be the two wealthiest people on the planet given the dramatic rise of SpaceX, Tesla and Amazon, as well as their large ownership in their respective companies. As a space cadet (since the age of 9), this is incredibly exciting news given that both men have committed their wealth to opening up the space frontier. This past Friday, Elon announced a new rocket ship, codenamed “BFR,” capable of taking 100 people to Mars New York to Shanghai in 37 Minutes The same vehicle, traveling at 18,000 miles per hour, can take 100+ commuters from New York to Shanghai in roughly 37 minutes. The idea of point to point “suborbital” travel has been discussed for the past 20+ years... this is the first time I’ve personally seen a concept that I believe is feasible. Check out this video to learn more: Between autonomous Teslas, the Hyperloop concept and now suborbital rocket travel, Elon is revolutionizing travel both on and off the Earth. Why? What is Elon’s MTP? What’s driving Elon’s Massively Transformative Purpose (MTP)? It’s the same notion we’ve been discussing in our Abundance Community. “Fundamentally, the future is vastly more exciting and interesting if we are a spacefaring civilization and a multiplanet species versus not,” said Elon, speaking to the global aerospace community at the International Astronautical Congress (IAC). “You want to be inspired by things, to wake up in the morning and think that the future is going to be great. And that’s what being a spacefaring civilization is all about.” Taking the BFR to the Moon & Mars The BFR is a two-stage vehicle capable of accommodating 100 passengers in 40 cabins to Mars or the Moon. The vehicle is powered by 31 Raptor Engines (burning Methane and Oxygen). Elon’s entire BFR architecture is based on refueling in Earth orbit — which, by the way, is the primary purpose that Planetary Resources has been created, to obtain oxidizer (LOX) from asteroids. Regarding the Moon, with a single refueling in Earth orbit, the BFR can take passengers and cargo all the way to the Moon’s surface and the back to the surface of the Earth in a fashion that would enable the construction of Moon Base Alpha. As Elon said, “It’s 2017, we should have a Lunar Base by now! What the hell is going on?” How about Mars? The Earth-Mars orbital synchronization occurs every two years, so there are opportunities every two years – in the near term, in 2022 and 2024. At the IAC, Elon announced the goal of two cargo missions to the Martian surface by 2022, with a crewed mission of four BFR’s in 2024. He announced that the tooling for the BFR is already under construction, and construction of the BFR begins in Q1 2018. The first mission would be to find water, and the second mission would be to build the propellant tank (mining and refining water and extracting the CO2 out of the atmosphere to create methane for the Raptor engines). What does this mean? What do you think? How insane does this sound to you? Can you appreciate that we’re alive during an age where individuals (Elon or Jeff) are pulling off what was once only possible by the greatest nations? We’re living during a time when astonishing surprises are materializing at an ever-increasing rate. When seemingly insane or science fiction ideas are routinely becoming real and commonplace (at an ever-increasing rate). Today, older, linear-thinking companies (think: the U.S. industrial-military complex) will become massively disrupted faster and faster. Ultimately, we’re living during a time when an exponential entrepreneur, powered by their MTP, Moonshot and exponential technologies can change the world (or worlds).

Notations On Our World (Special Friday Edition): As #Nate Approaches The United States...

Nate is approaching the United States.      We are hereby featuring this on all our properties in anticipation of Nate hitting the United States:   

FEMA Encourages Gulf Coast Residents to Prepare Ahead of Tropical Storm Nate

WASHINGTON – FEMA, through its headquarters in Washington, D.C., regional response coordination centers in Atlanta, Georgia, and Denton, Texas, and liaisons to the National Hurricane Center in Miami, Florida, along with federal partners, continues to actively monitor the track of Tropical Storm Nate, remaining in close coordination with state and tribal officials. As of 7 am EDT, according to the National Hurricane Center, the center of Tropical Storm Nate was 230 miles south-southeast of Cozumel, Mexico. On the forecast track, the storm is expected to continue strengthening over the Gulf of Mexico, and could affect portions of the Gulf Coast of the United States as a hurricane late Saturday or early Sunday, with direct impacts from wind, storm surge, and heavy rainfall.  While it is too early to specify the timing or magnitude of the possible impacts, FEMA encourages residents and visitors in areas along the Gulf Coast, from Louisiana through the Florida Panhandle, to monitor the progress of the system and heed advice from local officials. Hurricane and tropical storm watches are in effect for portions of the northern Gulf Coast.  Tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch areas beginning Saturday evening, with hurricane conditions possible in the hurricane watch areas Saturday night.  As of 7 a.m. EDT, a Hurricane Watch is in effect for Morgan City, Louisiana to the Mississippi/Alabama border; Metropolitan New Orleans; Lake Pontchartrain and Lake Maurepas. A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Mississippi/Alabama border to the Okaloosa/Walton County line; and West of Morgan City to Intracoastal City, Louisiana. A Storm Surge Watch is in effect for Morgan City, Louisiana/Florida border and Northern and western shores of Lake Pontchartrain. In advance of the storm, FEMA liaison officers are deployed to emergency operations centers in Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia to help coordinate any requests for federal assistance.  A FEMA Incident Management Assistance Teams is on site at the Louisiana emergency operations center to support response activities and ensure there are no unmet needs. History shows that storm tracks can change quickly and unexpectedly. Residents and visitors in areas potentially affected by the severe weather, in the northern Gulf Coast, should monitor local radio or TV stations for updated emergency information, and follow the instructions of state, local, and tribal officials.   When natural disasters such as tropical storms strike, the first responders are local emergency and public works personnel, volunteers, humanitarian organizations, numerous private interest groups, and neighbors. They provide emergency assistance required to protect the public's health and safety and to meet immediate human need. On Oct. 5, Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards submitted a request for a federal emergency declaration, on October 5, for 17 parishes as a result of the Tropical Storm Nate. The request is currently under review. Safety and Preparedness Tips: The FEMA app (available in English and Spanish) provides a customizable checklist of emergency supplies, directions to open shelters and recovery centers, disaster survival tips, and weather alerts from the National Weather Service. The app also enables users to receive push notifications reminding them to take important steps to prepare their homes and families for disasters. FEMA recommends residents and visitors in areas potentially affected by the storm should monitor the progress of this system for the next several days, heed instructions from local officials and follow the below preparedness and safety tips: Be familiar with evacuation routes, have a communications plan, keep a battery-powered radio handy and have a plan for pets. Visit www.ready.gov or www.listo.gov to learn these and other preparedness tips for tropical storms. If local or tribal officials order evacuations, evacuate. Get to know the terms that are used to identify severe weather and discuss with your family what to do if a watch or warning is issued. For a tropical storm: A Tropical Storm Watch is issued when tropical cyclone containing winds of at least 39 MPH or higher poses a possible threat, generally within 48 hours. A Tropical Storm Warning is issued when sustained winds of 39 MPH or higher associated with a tropical cyclone are expected in 36 hours or less. For a hurricane: A Hurricane Watch is issued when a tropical cyclone containing winds of at least 74 MPH poses a possible threat, generally within 48 hours. A Hurricane Warning is issued when sustained winds of 74 MPH or higher associated with a tropical cyclone are expected in 36 hours or less. A hurricane warning can remain in effect when dangerously high water or a combination of dangerously high water and exceptionally high waves continue, even though winds may be less than hurricane force. For storm surge: A Storm Surge Watch is issued when a tropical cyclone poses the possibility of life-threatening inundation from rising water moving inland from the shoreline within the specified area, generally within 48 hours. A Storm Surge Warning is issued when a tropical cyclone poses a danger of life-threatening inundation from rising water moving inland from the shoreline within the specified area, generally within 36 hours Businesses of all sizes should prepare in advance for the approaching storm to prevent loss of life, property, or disruption to operations. Businesses can review and update their business continuity plans and ensure their workforce knows what to do before and during the storm. Resources are available on web sites such as Ready.gov/business and the SBA.gov/disaster-planning.

Notations On Our World (Special Edition): @Sky #OceanRescue Summit Is Now Live....

Our team has been watching coverage of the Sky Ocean Summit from Malta.    The coverage and awareness by Sky on the profound challenge is absolutely riveting in terms of uncovering the profound challenge of Plastic.     We have already eliminated Single Use Plastic here at the Daily Outsider.   The Prince of Wales sat down with Sky and underscored the profound challenge as he laid out the stark choice.    We have to move now--and we here at the Daily Outsider will do our utmost to do our part.

Notations On Our World (Special Start-Up Edition): On Our World w/The status of "#Startups" Around the World

This is quite a telling Chart that we picked up about how Start-ups are faring around the World Today.   Uber continues to be among the top ones despite its' challenges--including its' latest challenge in London and as its' Founder continues to exert its' influence.    We could not agree more about the comment from Jared Dillian as we will be reflecting upon them throughout properties:  

The fact that WeWork has a $20B valuation is just ludicrous https://t.co/Vbxn1sM4Cp

— Jared Dillian (@dailydirtnap) September 24, 2017

As We #PrayForLasVegas....

What happened in Las Vegas last night is horrific.    We join all in mourning the loss of life (59 at last count).  We here at the Daily Outsider Welcome  President Trump's  Statement as he will be going to Las Vegas this Wednesday to meet with First Responders, victims and their families.   

Although today may not be the day, it is imperative that we ask the question how many more mass shootings must we be witness to.    In our View, the question by Charles P. Pierce must be answered by the current political leadership in Washington from President Trump, to Speaker Ryan and the entire current political leadership in Washington:

If Newtown wasn't enough, why would Las Vegas be enough? https://t.co/xJM67YMm0y

— Charles P. Pierce (@CharlesPPierce) October 2, 2017

A Profound Question that America has to confront as we all mourn the victims.    What is clear is that prayers are simply not enough anymore.

View of the Week (Special Edition): How Satya Nadella Works

As a new quarter dawns,  please enjoy this from Satya Nadella as he reflected upon "How I Work".    As all who wish to embrace a "Vision of the Possible", there are lessons to be learnt by us all:

Notations On Our World (Special W-End Edition): On the interesting Possibilities as the New Quarter Dawns.....

The 4th Quarter of 2017 is before us..... A look back courtesy of the team @ Futurism and the prospect of Machines being better than Humans.... Onward to the 4th Quarter with all its' possibilities.... SETI Scientist: Seven Places In Our Solar System Likely Host Microbial Life Off World In an interview with Futurism, SETI astronomer Seth Shostak said that, when it comes to extraterrestrials, we may not have too look much longer — or too far away. He identified seven places in our solar system that could host microbial alien life. READ MORE 5 Futuristic Ways to Beat Traffic Advanced Transport Excited for the future of transportation but worried about heavy traffic? Well, fret not. A number of startups have been working on the technology to beat traffic jams and we're presenting five of these ideas here. READ MORE Fermilab is Looking for New, Practical Uses for Particle Accelerators Robots & Machines Particle accelerators have been a huge help to scientists grappling with the biggest mysteries pertaining to physics. Now, a new Fermilab program is set to find out what else they can do.READ MORE People in Two U.S. States Will Get $1,000 a Month in a New Basic Income Trial Future Society Tech startup fund Y Combinator has announced plans for a new basic income trial in the United States. The experiment could yield valuable new insights regarding universal basic income's potential to address job loss due to automation. READ MORE Stephen Hawking Has Flawed Ideas About Alien Life, According to Former SETI Scientist Off World Douglas Vakoch is part of a group scientists that actively works to initiate first contact with alien civilizations. Stephan Hawking argues that this strategy is too risky, but Vakoch counters that our existence is already obvious to advanced aliens. READ MORE See Full Infographic Underground Tunnels, Flying Cars, and More — This Is How We’ll Beat Traffic in the Future

A timeline of when machines can achieve human-like capabilities #AI pic.twitter.com/mAfiwr3QWE

— Vala Afshar (@ValaAfshar) September 28, 2017

We leave you all with this:

Kindness is perhaps the most essential quality of being fully human.

- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

A part of kindness consists in loving people more than they deserve.

- Joseph Joubert

My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness.

- Dalai Lama

Kindness in words creates confidence.

Kindness in thinking creates profoundness.

Kindness in giving creates love.

- Lao Tzu 

Reflections....

As we go dark in all our properties, we hope all continue to enjoy visiting our Virtual Circle we've curated in our home property and our broadcast pods featuring Al Jazeera and Sky News.  We also will keep our Twitter Channel updated with regular updates courtesy of our partners Nuzzel and Paper_li.

As we have reflected upon our journey, these captured the essence of our view on the privilege we have had to serve as we look forward to the on-going journey:

Gratitude is an attitude that hooks us up to our source of supply.
And the more grateful you are, the closer you become to your maker,
to the architect of the universe, to the spiritual core of your being.
- Bob Proctor

It is the common, everyday blessings of our common everyday lives
for which we should be particularly grateful.
They are the things that fill our lives with comfort and our hearts with gladness --
just the pure air to breathe and the strength to breath it;
just warmth and shelter and home folks;
just plain food that gives us strength; bright sunshine on a cold day;
and a cool breeze when the day is warm.
- Laura Ingalls Wilder

We also pay tribute to all the valiant fighters for freedom and justice around the World as we also remember all the journalists, human rights campaigners and the US Dreamers as we leave you all with one of our favorite poems that has inspired us ever more: