thoughts: org/good-ideas.org comparison

comparison org/good-ideas.org @ 146:e9c46842080b

finally updated ideas page.

author	Robert McIntyre <rlm@mit.edu>
date	Sun, 12 Apr 2015 17:52:40 -0700
parents	f5a56e2241fb
children	0f8cb1752964

comparison

equal deleted inserted replaced

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-** The Ocean becomes a Drop
+** The Ocean Becomes a Drop
 Upload faces challenges to grow into they type of person that can
 join the greater society -- a god. They have to go though quests
 that replicate all the things that humanity had to accomplish, like
 going to the moon, by themselves.
 lower CPA concentrations than possible at conventional CPA
 concentrations. A major technical limitation facing this technique
 is that it's a very minor effect -- you can only get about 0.1C
 with most systems that have been studied so far.
-- room temp noodles :: how does the physics of cooking noodles work?
+** Room Temp Ramen
-Could you use a vacuum instead of heat to force water into the
+How does the physics of cooking noodles work?  Could you use a
-noodle?
+vacuum instead of heat to force water into the noodle?
-- personal carbon offset :: feel bad about contribuiting to global
+** Personal Carbon Offset
-warming by using electricity / driving a car? Forget trying to
+Feel bad about contribuiting to global warming by using electricity
-"conserve" or "minimize your carbon footprint". Follow the
+/ driving a car? Forget trying to "conserve" or "minimize your
-Platinum rule -- make the world BETTER off than you found it!
+carbon footprint". Follow the Platinum rule -- make the world
-This would be a small, self contained system that sucks C02 out
+BETTER off than you found it!  This would be a small, self
-of the air. It uses electricity, but it's so efficient at
+contained system that sucks C02 out of the air. It uses
-removing CO2 that it more than offsets the CO2 produced by even a
+electricity, but it's so efficient at removing CO2 that it more
-coal plant to produce that electricity. This way, you can still
+than offsets the CO2 produced by even a coal plant to produce that
-drive even a gas guzzler, but have a net negative carbon
+electricity. This way, you can still drive even a gas guzzler, but
-footprint! Maybe something cool could be done with the carbon as
+have a net negative carbon footprint! Maybe something cool could be
-well. Use as much electricity as you want, but negate the damage
+done with the carbon as well. Use as much electricity as you want,
-to the enviroment with more technology.
+but negate the damage to the enviroment with more technology.
-- undoing spermogenesis :: with enough sperm, you can derive the
+** Undoing Spermogenesis
-donor's entire genome. You gain more confidence in the alleles
+With enough sperm, you can derive the donor's entire genome. You
-for a particular gene the more sperm you have. Each additional
+gain more confidence in the alleles for a particular gene the more
-sperm gives you the same sort of information you'd get flipping a
+sperm you have. Each additional sperm gives you the same sort of
-coin and trying to decide whether the coin is H/T of H/H. Is
+information you'd get flipping a coin and trying to decide whether
-there enough sperm in the the average load for you to be as
+the coin is H/T of H/H. Is there enough sperm in the the average
-confident as mitosis?
+load for you to be as confident as mitosis?
-- mars life :: we could engineer life that could survive on mars
+** Mars Life
-(probably some non-vascular photosynthetic poikilohydric creature
+We could engineer life that could survive on mars (probably some
-like a lichen) by taking an extremophile from Antarctica and
+non-vascular photosynthetic poikilohydric creature like a lichen)
-evolving it in increasingly Martian conditions. This could be an
+by taking an extremophile from Antarctica and evolving it in
-easy start to a terraforming process.
+increasingly Martian conditions. This could be an easy start to a
+terraforming process.
-- problem with Aubrey de Grey's ideas :: Aubrey de Grey says that we
-might be able to live forever by continually repairing our bodies
+** Problem with Aubrey de Grey's Ideas
-at the cellular level -- he details 7 different mechanisms of
+Aubrey de Grey says that we might be able to live forever by
-damage and says that if all of them are dealt with /together/
+continually repairing our bodies at the cellular level -- he
-that it would stop aging. (You can't miss even one because
+details 7 different mechanisms of damage and says that if all of
-they're all fatal.)  However, it doesn't take into account that
+them are dealt with /together/ that it would stop aging. (You can't
-we are also beings of information and that there is a very real
+miss even one because they're all fatal.)  However, it doesn't take
-software component to our existence. Even if our biological
+into account that we are also beings of information and that there
-chassies can be maintained forever, I think it is unlikely that
+is a very real software component to our existence. Even if our
-our minds will operate well far outside of the design constraints
+biological chassies can be maintained forever, I think it is
-that we've evolved to handle. Say I programmed a webserver with
+unlikely that our minds will operate well far outside of the design
-the express goal of it being able to serve webpages for month on
+constraints that we've evolved to handle. Say I programmed a
-some stock server. I'll do fairly rigorous testing to make sure
+webserver with the express goal of it being able to serve webpages
-that it can handle the expected load then then some. Now say that
+for month on some stock server. I'll do fairly rigorous testing to
-you want to keep a particular instance of this webserver running
+make sure that it can handle the expected load then then some. Now
-indefinitely. (The program instance is like your mind and the
+say that you want to keep a particular instance of this webserver
-computer it's running on is like your body). You might very well
+running indefinitely. (The program instance is like your mind and
-be able to keep the physical computer infrastructure running for
+the computer it's running on is like your body). You might very
-forever by replacing hard drives / ram / CPUs, etc. However,
+well be able to keep the physical computer infrastructure running
-since I designed the webserver to work for a month, it probably
+for forever by replacing hard drives / ram / CPUs, etc. However,
-has memory leaks, rare stochastic bugs, or other built in limits
+since I designed the webserver to work for a month, it probably has
-/ constraints (think log files or some date rollover shenanigans)
+memory leaks, rare stochastic bugs, or other built in limits /
-that will ultimately kill the webserver even with eternally
+constraints (think log files or some date rollover shenanigans)
-perfect hardware. Do you really expect that a webserver
+that will ultimately kill the webserver even with eternally perfect
-engineered to work for 1 month will run for 10 years without
+hardware. Do you really expect that a webserver engineered to work
-catastrophically crashing? Not even Apache can do this! In fact,
+for 1 month will run for 10 years without catastrophically
-if I put in the extreme effort to make it that robust, I've
+crashing? Not even Apache can do this! In fact, if I put in the
-wasted time that I could have spent on other projects by pursuing
+extreme effort to make it that robust, I've wasted time that I
-an unnecessary engineering goal. Likewise, human minds have only
+could have spent on other projects by pursuing an unnecessary
-ever run for at most 122 years before they are destroyed due to
+engineering goal. Likewise, human minds have only ever run for at
-hardware degradation. Fixing the hardware doesn't change any
+most 122 years before they are destroyed due to hardware
-software bugs that are almost certainly present in the human
+degradation. Fixing the hardware doesn't change any software bugs
-mind. Think of all the pathological things that can go wrong with
+that are almost certainly present in the human mind. Think of all
-a webserver, multiply it by a million, and that likely how
+the pathological things that can go wrong with a webserver,
-evolution has designed our minds. For example, consider memory :
+multiply it by a million, and that likely how evolution has
-why should you expect that we have evolved the ability to
+designed our minds. For example, consider memory : why should you
-coherently organize memories past say 150 years? There's been
+expect that we have evolved the ability to coherently organize
-absolutely no selective pressure for this ability, so you can bet
+memories past say 150 years? There's been absolutely no selective
-that if there's any fitness to be gained from not having
+pressure for this ability, so you can bet that if there's any
-unlimited memory potential (such as better metabolic efficiency),
+fitness to be gained from not having unlimited memory potential
-we have it! You might think that maybe we would just forget
+(such as better metabolic efficiency), we have it! You might think
-things the same way that we sort of forget things that happen
+that maybe we would just forget things the same way that we sort of
-earlier in our lives, but complicated information processing
+forget things that happen earlier in our lives, but complicated
-systems don't have to fail gracefully when they're pushed far
+information processing systems don't have to fail gracefully when
-past their design constraints. A 150 year old person is just as
+they're pushed far past their design constraints. A 150 year old
-likely to suffer a catastrophic psychosis due to software
+person is just as likely to suffer a catastrophic psychosis due to
-limitations associated with memory as he is to do something with
+software limitations associated with memory as he is to do
-all those memories we might consider reasonable. More likely, in
+something with all those memories we might consider
-fact, since there are so very many ways for a complicated
+reasonable. More likely, in fact, since there are so very many ways
-software system to break and so few ways for it to run
+for a complicated software system to break and so few ways for it
-successfully. Therefore, I think Aubrey de Grey's "hardware-only"
+to run successfully. Therefore, I think Aubrey de Grey's
-approach is missing a very important component of longevity
+"hardware-only" approach is missing a very important component of
-science, and any successful effort to make people live orders of
+longevity science, and any successful effort to make people live
-magnitude longer than they do naturally will need to deal with
+orders of magnitude longer than they do naturally will need to deal
-people's software as well as their hardware.
+with people's software as well as their hardware.
-- validating neurocryopreservation :: Problem : you want to test
+** Validating Neurocryopreservation
-whether a brain is functionally preserved through vitrification,
+Problem : you want to test whether a brain is functionally
-but you don't want to figure out how to preserve all the other
+preserved through vitrification, but you don't want to figure out
-organs in the animal. It might be possible to keep the rest of
+how to preserve all the other organs in the animal. It might be
-the body at almost 0C and vitrify just the head for only a few
+possible to keep the rest of the body at almost 0C and vitrify just
-minutes. Induce hypothermia, then separate out the head's blood
+the head for only a few minutes. Induce hypothermia, then separate
-supply from the rest of the body, then just cryoptotect and
+out the head's blood supply from the rest of the body, then just
-vitrify the head. Might need some sort of thermal guard to keep
+cryoptotect and vitrify the head. Might need some sort of thermal
-the outer head / neck from becoming too cold. You leave the
+guard to keep the outer head / neck from becoming too cold. You
-spinal cord intact! Then you devitrify to 0C, remove
+leave the spinal cord intact! Then you devitrify to 0C, remove
 cryoprotectant, and then reattach the blood supply. You can
 determine brain preservation using behavioral assays!
-- freezing water purifier :: you slowly freeze water, but also run
+** Freezing Water Purifier
-liquid water over the frozen mass. This takes away basically all
+You slowly freeze water, but also run liquid water over the frozen
-impurities and creates "washed ice" then you melt the ice. Maybe
+mass. This takes away basically all impurities and creates "washed
-you could re-use the heat from creating the ice to melt the ice?
+ice" then you melt the ice. Maybe you could re-use the heat from
+creating the ice to melt the ice?
-- ultra strength :: allow a person to visualize their muscle
-recruitment patterns. Give them adrenaline and let them feel what
+** Ultra Strength
-it's like to have the normal limits removed. See if they can
+Allow a person to visualize their muscle recruitment patterns. Give
-replicate the effects.
+them adrenaline and let them feel what it's like to have the normal
+limits removed. See if they can replicate the effects.
-- phone names :: make a PX record for domain names that's like the MX
-record, except that it is a phone number instead of an IP
+** Phone Names
-address. That way, you can use the domain name registration
+Make a PX record for domain names that's like the MX record, except
-system to provide names for phone numbers. Then, as long as you
+that it is a phone number instead of an IP address. That way, you
-control the domain, you can point people to your current phone
+can use the domain name registration system to provide names for
-number by updating that record.
+phone numbers. Then, as long as you control the domain, you can
+point people to your current phone number by updating that record.
-- edible flowers :: Edible white flowers that you put in a colored
-solution with flavor. When the flower turns the right color, it
+** Edible Flowers
-is also flavored and ready to eat!
+Edible white flowers that you put in a colored solution with
+flavor. When the flower turns the right color, it is also flavored
-- lead bone :: Could you fill in all the empty spaces in a bone with
+and ready to eat!
-lead? Might be cool!
+** Lead Bone
-- the quest for life  :: Many stories that have immortal characters
+Could you fill in all the empty spaces in a bone with lead? Might
-have the "immortal who wants to become mortal" trope. I want to
+be cool!
-story where the protagonist loses their immortality and feels
-/angry/ and ashamed about losing something that's so absolutely
+** The Quest for Life
-crucial to their identity. A reverse of "death makes life worth
+Many stories that have immortal characters have the "immortal who
-living", they feel that living forever is what makes life worth
+wants to become mortal" trope. I want to story where the
-living. Now they've "lost their sunrise" or their "connection to
+protagonist loses their immortality and feels /angry/ and ashamed
-the timeless universe" or something. So they go on a quest to get
+about losing something that's so absolutely crucial to their
-it back, learning about themselves along the way, and regaining
+identity. A reverse of "death makes life worth living", they feel
-the precious thing they lost in the beginning. Which, it they can
+that living forever is what makes life worth living. Now they've
-actually gain their immortality back, means that they never lost
+"lost their sunrise" or their "connection to the timeless universe"
-it in the first place!
+or something. So they go on a quest to get it back, learning about
+themselves along the way, and regaining the precious thing they
-- world-map :: take a small table and paint the continents in
+lost in the beginning. Which, it they can actually gain their
-toothpaste on the table. Make a slightly raised barrier around
+immortality back, means that they never lost it in the first place!
-the table. Slowly pour water onto the table, and it will form the
-oceans!
+** World Map
+Take a small table and paint the continents in toothpaste on the
-- stage magic rituals :: rituals should incorporate elements of stage
+table. Make a slightly raised barrier around the table. Slowly pour
-magic. For example in Teller's rendition of Shakespeare's
+water onto the table, and it will form the oceans!
-Tempest, they have a scene where they levitate a crown in front
-of someone, then put it on his head. They also have a wedding
+** Stage Magic Rituals
-ceremony where they levitated the bride as well. Actual weddings
+Rituals should incorporate elements of stage magic. For example in
-and other ceremonies should incorporate stage magic as an
+Teller's rendition of Shakespeare's Tempest, they have a scene
-enhancement to the gravitas!
+where they levitate a crown in front of someone, then put it on his
+head. They also have a wedding ceremony where they levitated the
-- isotope time dilation :: use a cyclotron to speed up rare isotopes
+bride as well. Actual weddings and other ceremonies should
-developed in nuclear fusion experiments. The relativistic time
+incorporate stage magic as an enhancement to the gravitas!
-dilation will stop the isotopes from decaying, and allow time to
-study them. This is based on radioactive isotopes that fall
+** Isotope Time Dilation
-through the earth's atmosphere that take hundreds of times longer
+Use a cyclotron to speed up rare isotopes developed in nuclear
-to decay than normal.
+fusion experiments. The relativistic time dilation will stop the
+isotopes from decaying, and allow time to study them. This is based
-- marsupial stimulation :: You take a freshly pouched marsupial baby,
+on radioactive isotopes that fall through the earth's atmosphere
-and show it videos and other interactive things while it matures
+that take hundreds of times longer to decay than normal.
-in the pouch. What mental effects would this have?
+** Marsupial Stimulation
-- The dynamically well tempered clavier :: Some older ways of tuning
+You take a freshly pouched marsupial baby, and show it videos and
-instruments sound better, but we use the even-tempered scale
+other interactive things while it matures in the pouch. What mental
-today because it makes it easier to switch keys. With electronic
+effects would this have?
-music, why not make key-annotations and dynamically re-tune the
-piece to sound good in the current key? Could be done as a
+** The Dynamically Well-Tempered Clavier
-midi+annotation -> midi compiler for initial experimentation.
+Some older ways of tuning instruments sound better, but we use the
+even-tempered scale today because it makes it easier to switch
-- death always implies damage :: is is possible for a corpse to differ
+keys. With electronic music, why not make key-annotations and
-from a living person only in the fact that one is dead and the
+dynamically re-tune the piece to sound good in the current key?
-other is alive? NO! A corpse must always have some sort of
+Could be done as a midi+annotation -> midi compiler for initial
-molecular damage which causes the loss of function!
+experimentation.
-- inner eye :: Surgically install a bunch of tiny cameras inside a
+** Death Always Implies Damage
-person. Then, you can activate them all and get a picture of your
+is is possible for a corpse to differ from a living person only in
-internal organs for diagnostic purposes.
+the fact that one is dead and the other is alive? NO! A corpse must
+always have some sort of molecular damage which causes the loss of
-- chaos rails :: The homoclinic tangle (which I call the "rails of
+function!
-chaos") is very beautiful. We couldn't even visualize it before
-computers because it's so complicated! Someone should make a
+** Inner Eye
-visualization of it. Here's my inital [[/thoughts/images/rails-of-chaos.png][The Rails of Chaos]]
+Surgically install a bunch of tiny cameras inside a person. Then,
+you can activate them all and get a picture of your internal organs
-- cryonics middle ages :: some people say that cryonics is an
+for diagnostic purposes.
-experiment and that it is foolish to wait until we have revived a
-human. There is a middle ground where the procedure has a dismal
+** Chaos Rails
-success rate on humans, say 1 in 20, so that you'd be a fool to
+The homoclinic tangle (which I call the "rails of chaos") is very
-try revival. Nonetheless, this very risky procedure could be the
+beautiful. We couldn't even visualize it before computers because
-legal proof of concept needed to create a new class of life
+it's so complicated! Someone should make a visualization of
-between "living" and "dead": "stasis".
+it. Here's my inital stab at it:  [[../images/rails-of-chaos.png][The Rails of Chaos]]
-- Minds and Mirrors :: neat thought experiment -- if you take a mirror
+** Cryonics Middle Ages
-of someone by actually reversing a person's chirality molecule by
+Some people say that cryonics is an experiment and that it is
-molecule, then will the only be able to read mirror writing? The
+foolish to wait until we have revived a human. There is a middle
-answer is yes, by analogy to a purely mechanical scan-tron
+ground where the procedure has a dismal success rate on humans, say
-device. This is one of the only interesting transforms I know
+1 in 20, so that you'd be a fool to try revival. Nonetheless, this
-that can take a human brain and change it in subtle,
+very risky procedure could be the legal proof of concept needed to
-non-destructive ways. It's also an argument against dualism.
+create a new class of life between "living" and "dead": "stasis".
-- biosphere in a bottle :: There are around 15 million species. 15
+** Minds and Mirrors
-million stem cells will fill only a tiny size, far less than a cubic
+Neat thought experiment -- if you take a mirror of someone by
-inch. Preserve a single cell from every species on earth in this
+actually reversing a person's chirality molecule by molecule, then
-small space, and you will have a record of our current biosphere
+will the only be able to read mirror writing? The answer is yes, by
-that can be protected. "Hold the genetic data of all species in
+analogy to a purely mechanical scan-tron device. This is one of the
-your hand!"
+only interesting transforms I know that can take a human brain and
+change it in subtle, non-destructive ways. It's also an argument
-- chaos lock :: The "arrow of time" points in the direction of
+against dualism.
-increasing entropy. The time evolution of chaotic systems depend
-exquisitely on their initial state. If you take a measurement of
+** Biosphere in a Bottle
-a chaotic system at any given point of time, you can evolve that
+There are around 15 million species. 15 million stem cells will
-system backwards or forwards based on your measurement. So let's
+fill only a tiny size, far less than a cubic inch. Preserve a
-say you start the chaotic system in a VERY low entropy state,
+single cell from every species on earth in this small space, and
-then let it run for a while, then take a measurement with some
+you will have a record of our current biosphere that can be
-uncertainty. Your measurement is pretty good, but obviously not
+protected. "Hold the genetic data of all species in your hand!"
-PERFECT. If you evolve the chaotic system back in time, then you
-will see that you don't really reach a state with low entropy an
+** Chaos Lock
-hour before (the entropy is easy to measure with surrogates like
+The "arrow of time" points in the direction of increasing
-alignment, etc). So use this technique to SEARCH for a more
+entropy. The time evolution of chaotic systems depend exquisitely
-accurate measurement! This potentially can give you many more
+on their initial state. If you take a measurement of a chaotic
-orders of magnitude than you could get alone just using an
+system at any given point of time, you can evolve that system
-instrument. Sometimes it will give you bad results, the the odds
+backwards or forwards based on your measurement. So let's say you
-of it doing that are infinitesimal, and you can just measure a
+start the chaotic system in a VERY low entropy state, then let it
-couple of times.
+run for a while, then take a measurement with some
+uncertainty. Your measurement is pretty good, but obviously not
-- cryo-evolution :: perhaps there would be a way to rapidly evolve a
+PERFECT. If you evolve the chaotic system back in time, then you
-symbiotic bacterial organism that could protect human tissues
+will see that you don't really reach a state with low entropy an
-from freezing damage.
+hour before (the entropy is easy to measure with surrogates like
+alignment, etc). So use this technique to SEARCH for a more
-- suicide parasite :: sometimes, people kill themselves for no good
+accurate measurement! This potentially can give you many more
-reason. We often explain this with things like "hidden
+orders of magnitude than you could get alone just using an
-depression" or we say that they had something like chronic jaw or
+instrument. Sometimes it will give you bad results, the the odds of
-back pain. I think that smells of rationalization. I don't buy
+it doing that are infinitesimal, and you can just measure a couple
-it. I propose that in many suicide cases there is a disease that
+of times.
-causes the suicidal behavior. We already know that certain
-parasites have mind-bending properties in other animals, even
+** Cryo Evolution
-mammals like mice. It's not much of a stretch to imagine a
+Perhaps there would be a way to rapidly evolve a symbiotic
-parasite that causes suicides in humans. Some problems:
+bacterial organism that could protect human tissues from freezing
-- What does the suicide parasite get out of it? :: This might be
+damage.
-answered by the whole thing being a glitch caused by
-cross-species contamination. Toxoplasma works this way.
+** Suicide Parasite
-- What predictions does a disease model make :: suicide should
+Sometimes, people kill themselves for no good reason. We often
-be more common among people who share a contagion
+explain this with things like "hidden depression" or we say that
-vector. There should be suicides that don't make any
+they had something like chronic jaw or back pain. I think that
-sense : people who weren't really depressed, who had no
+smells of rationalization. I don't buy it. I propose that in many
-reason to kill themselves. People who have killed themselves
+suicide cases there is a disease that causes the suicidal
-should have a higher incidence of some unknown parasite in
+behavior. We already know that certain parasites have mind-bending
-their brains.
+properties in other animals, even mammals like mice. It's not much
+of a stretch to imagine a parasite that causes suicides in
-- domestic insects :: People should eat more bugs because they're much
+humans. Some problems:
-more efficient, so why not do some major domestication research
-to make very appealing bugs? Beetles, in particular, seem to be
+*What does the suicide parasite get out of it?* : This might be
-excellent targets for domestication because they have extreme
+answered by the whole thing being a glitch caused by cross-species
-levels of genetic malleability. Remember that lobster was once
+contamination. Toxoplasma works this way.
-seen as an animal only fit for prisoners to consume!
+*What predictions does a disease model make* : suicide should be
-- birth-clones :: What if each person was intentionally split at birth
+more common among people who share a contagion vector. There should
-into a normal embryo and a few "backup" cells which are then
+be suicides that don't make any sense : people who weren't really
-frozen. The backup cells are created just the same way as natural
+depressed, who had no reason to kill themselves. People who have
-identical twins. The backups can be used to regenerate
+killed themselves should have a higher incidence of some unknown
-organs. etc. Also, it would be a good sci-fi concept, because you
+parasite in their brains.
-could have a culture where people reward people who were
-especially awesome are "reborn" from their backups. Imagine
+** Domestic Insects
-having a young Bach every generation, etc.
+People should eat more bugs because they're much more efficient, so
+why not do some major domestication research to make very appealing
-- pronunciation guide :: a simple webpage where you type in a word and
+bugs? Beetles, in particular, seem to be excellent targets for
-it returns a simple, English sentence describing exactly how to
+domestication because they have extreme levels of genetic
-pronounce the word. For people who don't want to learn IPA.
+malleability. Remember that lobster was once seen as an animal only
+fit for prisoners to consume!
-- Learning to Teleport :: This is a story about a person who is
-struggling with his/her society's ideas about teleportation. It's
+** Birth-Clones
-considered a fundamental part of being a member of that society
+What if each person was intentionally split at birth into a normal
-(after all, the difference between animals and humans is that
+embryo and a few "backup" cells which are then frozen. The backup
-humans are creatures of pure information while animals are
+cells are created just the same way as natural identical twins. The
-burdened with base matter, "that's how you travel the stars,
+backups can be used to regenerate organs. etc. Also, it would be a
-etc") Humans are born normally, grow up, and then eventually
+good sci-fi concept, because you could have a culture where people
-transcend via destructive upload. Analogies to jumping off a
+reward people who were especially awesome are "reborn" from their
-diving board into a pool (which I simply /could not do/ for a
+backups. Imagine having a young Bach every generation, etc.
-long time), etc.
+** Pronunciation Guide
-- no-float-ice :: cup that has cross beams at the bottom where ice
+A simple webpage where you type in a word and it returns a simple,
-forms. Then when you drink liquid from the glass, the ice stays
+English sentence describing exactly how to pronounce the word. For
-at the bottom and doesn't hit your lips. For bars and fancy
+people who don't want to learn IPA.
-things.
+** Learning to Teleport
-- bitcoins for immigrants :: A common case with Mexican immigrants
+This is a story about a person who is struggling with his/her
-(illegal or not) is that they want to send money they've earned
+society's ideas about teleportation. It's considered a fundamental
-in the US back to their families in Mexico. They currently do
+part of being a member of that society (after all, the difference
-this through things like Money Gram or Western Union, and they
+between animals and humans is that humans are creatures of pure
-get fleeced in the process with fees. Bitcoin could greatly
+information while animals are burdened with base matter, "that's
-reduce the cost of sending money from America to Mexico, but I
+how you travel the stars, etc") Humans are born normally, grow up,
-don't believe that it's currently used for that among Mexican
+and then eventually transcend via destructive upload. Analogies to
-immigrants currently due to lack of knowledge. I bet you could
+jumping off a diving board into a pool (which I simply /could not
-set up physical locations like those obnoxious Western Union huts
+do/ for a long time), etc.
-in places like Texas, Arizona, etc, and greatly undercut
-them. Or, perhaps some educational seminars about bitcoin might
+** No-Float-Ice
-be in order. There's some money to be made there because there is
+Cup that has cross beams at the bottom where ice forms. Then when
-great demand, and it's a good thing to boot!
+you drink liquid from the glass, the ice stays at the bottom and
+doesn't hit your lips. For bars and fancy things.
-- reverse eye-tracking :: A painting that is actually a digital screen
-with a camera. It records people's eye tracks permanently. It's
+** Bitcoins for Immigrants
-"artistic" because paintings are normally these things that you
+A common case with Mexican immigrants (illegal or not) is that they
-look at without changing, but this one is changed the second you
+want to send money they've earned in the US back to their families
-look at it, recording where /you/ looked forever for others to
+in Mexico. They currently do this through things like Money Gram or
-see. Make it be a painting of a woman and see the trolling as the
+Western Union, and they get fleeced in the process with
-breasts and groin area light up with interest from all the males
+fees. Bitcoin could greatly reduce the cost of sending money from
-passing by.
+America to Mexico, but I don't believe that it's currently used for
+that among Mexican immigrants currently due to lack of knowledge. I
-- smart toilets :: Instead of using indirect measures like infrared
+bet you could set up physical locations like those obnoxious
-detectors of the presence of a person, use computer vision to
+Western Union huts in places like Texas, Arizona, etc, and greatly
-directly measure whether the toilet needs to be flushed. I think
+undercut them. Or, perhaps some educational seminars about bitcoin
-a lot of things will end up going this way as we get better
+might be in order. There's some money to be made there because
-computer vision.
+there is great demand, and it's a good thing to boot!
-- validate chemopreservation :: chemopreservation is difficult to
+** Reverse Eye-Tracking
-validate because it destroys the functionality of a brain, and
+A painting that is actually a digital screen with a camera. It
-brain simulation will take a long time to mature as a
+records people's eye tracks permanently. It's "artistic" because
-technology. However, one very powerful way to validate
+paintings are normally these things that you look at without
-chemopreservation would be to have a person/animal learn
+changing, but this one is changed the second you look at it,
-something with high complexity such as a number or the solution
+recording where /you/ looked forever for others to see. Make it be
-to a maze, or a flashbulb memory. Then you preserve their brain
+a painting of a woman and see the trolling as the breasts and groin
-chemically, slice it up, and read /that specific memory/ from the
+area light up with interest from all the males passing by. Then
-detailed brain scan. Much more difficult, but much more doable.
+watch as the painting turns into a commentary on perception and
+popularity -- a sort of eigenvector of perception! Will all
-- candy screw :: edible candy screw with candy nuts that you can screw
+paintings turn into the same thing eventually?
-as well.
+** Smart Toilets
-- better bibliography :: when writing a thesis or paper, have the
+Instead of using indirect measures like infrared detectors of the
-bibliography not just be an opaque list of resources, but have it
+presence of a person, use computer vision to directly measure
-be a list of /summaries/ and /qualities/ that each paper has in
+whether the toilet needs to be flushed. I think a lot of things
-the context of the paper being written. When examining a
+will end up going this way as we get better computer vision.
-bibliography, I want to know if reading the papers in the
-bibliography are worth my time, and I also am probably also
+** Validate Chemopreservation
-interested in exactly the things that are being discussed in the
+Chemopreservation is difficult to validate because it destroys the
-paper I'm reading. The bibliography is the perfect place to
+functionality of a brain, and brain simulation will take a long
-provide information about the referenced papers from the
+time to mature as a technology. However, one very powerful way to
-author's perspective. I will use this biographic form in my own
+validate chemopreservation would be to have a person/animal learn
-thesis!
+something with high complexity such as a number or the solution to
+a maze, or a flashbulb memory. Then you preserve their brain
-- chess visual :: to show the vast size of the game trees considered
+chemically, slice it up, and read /that specific memory/ from the
-by computers, show two people playing chess in a void. They are
+detailed brain scan. Much more difficult, but much more doable.
-floating in space, and there is a simple chess board between
-them. Then, as they play, the game tree's they are considering
+** Candy Screw
-are drawn behind him. The root of the tree starts centered in
+Edible candy screw with candy nuts that you can screw as well.
-their heads or whatever they use to think, and the tree grows out
-from behind, never crossing the dividing plane between the two
+** Better Bibliography
-players. Each player's tree is a different color. As they grow,
+When writing a thesis or paper, have the bibliography not just be
-there are animations for pruning, etc. Eventually, they look like
+an opaque list of resources, but have it be a list of /summaries/
-the hemispheres of a brain, wings, etc. A human's tree might
+and /qualities/ that each paper has in the context of the paper
-occasionally have a long chain, while the computer tree would be
+being written. When examining a bibliography, I want to know if
-more uniform. You could compare deep blue and a modern
+reading the papers in the bibliography are worth my time, and I
-laptop. Use actual data when fighting two computers!
+also am probably also interested in exactly the things that are
+being discussed in the paper I'm reading. The bibliography is the
-- tamper proof gold bars :: [[http://www.tungsten-alloy.com/gold-plated-tungsten-alloy-bar.html][this site]] offers gold plated tungsten bars
+perfect place to provide information about the referenced papers
-as "novelty" items. One reason to prefer coins is because they
+from the author's perspective. I will use this biographic form in
-are much harder to counterfeit because there is less surface area
+my own thesis!
-to mass ratio. However, gold bars are still a great design
-because they can hold a lot of value in a small space. A gold bar
+** Chess Visual
-could be given the same protections (and more) that gold coins
+To show the vast size of the game trees considered by computers,
-have to offer by changing it into a "gold book", which would have
+show two people playing chess in a void. They are floating in
-hundreds of "pages" of gold bound together. This could be
+space, and there is a simple chess board between them. Then, as
-implemented with multiple steel rods going through the book which
+they play, the game tree's they are considering are drawn behind
-can be removed, or some more classier mechanism for holding the
+him. The root of the tree starts centered in their heads or
-pages. The point is that the bar can be EASILY subdivided (and
+whatever they use to think, and the tree grows out from behind,
-people would perform this test before buying), thus guaranteeing
+never crossing the dividing plane between the two players. Each
-it's authenticity.
+player's tree is a different color. As they grow, there are
+animations for pruning, etc. Eventually, they look like the
-- high school science :: this is a lesson in scientific ethics. The
+hemispheres of a brain, wings, etc. A human's tree might
-goal is to calculate /g/, the local gravitational
+occasionally have a long chain, while the computer tree would be
-acceleration. The students are told that the textbook says it's
+more uniform. You could compare deep blue and a modern laptop. Use
-/exactly/ 9.81 before they start the experiment. See how they
+actual data when fighting two computers!
-doctor their results to get closer to the textbook value. It's
-neat because for any given school, /g/ is probably *not* exactly
+** Tamper Proof Gold Bars
-equal to 9.81, because that is just an average!
+[[Http://www.tungsten-alloy.com/gold-plated-tungsten-alloy-bar.html][This site]] offers gold plated tungsten bars as "novelty" items. One
+reason to prefer coins is because they are much harder to
-- opencourseware subtitles :: there are people who type up lectures at
+counterfeit because there is less surface area to mass
-MIT while they are being given, so that hearing impared students
+ratio. However, gold bars are still a great design because they can
-can follow along. These recordings should be kept and given to
+hold a lot of value in a small space. A gold bar could be given the
-OCW for subtitles. If the timestamps of keys are recorded, then
+same protections (and more) that gold coins have to offer by
-it is easy to make subtitles.
+changing it into a "gold book", which would have hundreds of
+"pages" of gold bound together. This could be implemented with
-- screen locking timing :: you use your computer camera to see if you
+multiple steel rods going through the book which can be removed, or
-are sitting in front of the computer. If you are, then the screen
+some more classier mechanism for holding the pages. The point is
-will never lock. If you are, then the screen will lock with a
+that the bar can be EASILY subdivided (and people would perform
-30-40 second timeout. It's an extension of using inactivity to
+this test before buying), thus guaranteeing it's authenticity.
-initiate the countdown, just with more information.
+** High School Science
-- mirror toilet :: a toilet with a square basin made of mirror instead
+This is a lesson in scientific ethics. The goal is to calculate
-of porcelain. That way, you can see how good of a wipe job you
+/g/, the local gravitational acceleration. The students are told
-have done / watch how your excretion system works.
+that the textbook says it's /exactly/ 9.81 before they start the
+experiment. See how they doctor their results to get closer to the
-- X-ray telepresence :: given that a doctor is operating on a patient
+textbook value. It's neat because for any given school, /g/ is
-via telepresence, one cool things you can do is shine X-rays into
+probably *not* exactly equal to 9.81, because that is just an
-the patient to view the insides during real time. (This doesn't
+average!
-expose either the doctor or patient to chronically damaging
-amounts of X-rays) If the system was coupled with a Bayesian
+** Opencourseware Subtitles
-model of the layout of the structure, and the x-rays were only
+There are people who type up lectures at MIT while they are being
-fired whenever the uncertainty of the model reached a certain
+given, so that hearing impared students can follow along. These
-threshold, then the radiation damage and surgery risk could be
+recordings should be kept and given to OCW for subtitles. If the
-minimized.
+timestamps of keys are recorded, then it is easy to make subtitles.
-- superfluid vascular system :: I wonder what would happen if you
+** Screen Locking Timing
-replaced the blood in a human with a superfluid. What would the
+You use your computer camera to see if you are sitting in front of
-physical dynamics be? Would the superfluid flow through the
+the computer. If you are, then the screen will never lock. If you
-vasculature, or would it ignore it and travel through the cells,
+are, then the screen will lock with a 30-40 second timeout. It's an
-or something else entirely. Since superfluids need to be cold to
+extension of using inactivity to initiate the countdown, just with
-retain their superfluidity, how would the dynamics change during
+more information.
-perfusion of a superfluid, where the fluid gains and looses
-superfluidity as it goes deeper into the body and is cooled by
+** Mirror Toilet
-superfluid from upstream. In summary there are two things to
+A toilet with a square basin made of mirror instead of
-simulate 1.) replace all blood in human with superfluid
+porcelain. That way, you can see how good of a wipe job you have
-instantly. 2.) perfuse superfluid into human.
+done / watch how your excretion system works.
-- projective guessing :: I think that we read and see things by
+** X-ray telepresence
-making a really good guess about what we're expecting to see,
+given that a doctor is operating on a patient via telepresence, one
-and then searching for our guess in what we see. If it really
+cool things you can do is shine X-rays into the patient to view the
-doesn't match, then we start to make more guesses / analyze the
+insides during real time. (This doesn't expose either the doctor or
-image from first principles, but most stuff is projective
+patient to chronically damaging amounts of X-rays) If the system
-guessing.
+was coupled with a Bayesian model of the layout of the structure,
+and the x-rays were only fired whenever the uncertainty of the
-- Intestinal flora maintenance :: why not inoculate babies at birth
+model reached a certain threshold, then the radiation damage and
-with "ideal" gut flora instead of whatever bullshit they
+surgery risk could be minimized.
-naturally get, thus giving them optimal digestive/nutrient
-extraction capabilities. Might also be able to make their farts
+** Superfluid Vascular System
-not stink for life, too. MORE IMPORTANTLY, might help to
+I wonder what would happen if you replaced the blood in a human
-preventatively stop some forms of /colic/, which affects 1 in 5
+with a superfluid. What would the physical dynamics be? Would the
-babies and causes constant screaming and pain for about 5 weeks.
+superfluid flow through the vasculature, or would it ignore it and
+travel through the cells, or something else entirely. Since
-- server culture -- mirrors :: make a distributed system where people
+superfluids need to be cold to retain their superfluidity, how
-can mirror the websites of people they like -- essentially cover
+would the dynamics change during perfusion of a superfluid, where
-the server costs of favored websites. This could make popular
+the fluid gains and looses superfluidity as it goes deeper into the
-websites run at no cost. The system would require that the
+body and is cooled by superfluid from upstream. In summary there
-mirrored content be the same as the official source. Sort of like
+are two things to simulate 1.) replace all blood in human with
-bit-torrent for websites.
+superfluid instantly. 2.) perfuse superfluid into human.
-- map programming :: one problem with functional programming is that
+** Projective Guessing
-in order to remain functional, you have to pass up arguments up
+I think that we read and see things by making a really good guess
-into each calling function to get the full range of behavior
+about what we're expecting to see, and then searching for our guess
-from the lower level functions. Normally people come to a
+in what we see. If it really doesn't match, then we start to make
-compromise involving abstraction and sparing use of dynamic
+more guesses / analyze the image from first principles, but most
-variables to configure runtime behavior. What would be the
+stuff is projective guessing.
-advantages of making a programming language where every function
-receives one argument, a map, which contains all the symbol
+** Intestinal Flora Maintenance
-bindings it would ever need? This map is passed on to all
+Why not inoculate babies at birth with "ideal" gut flora instead of
-subordinate functions. This way, you could replace functions on
+whatever bullshit they naturally get, thus giving them optimal
-the fly, and arrange for there to be sensible defaults,
+digestive/nutrient extraction capabilities. Might also be able to
-etc. Might cause more harm than good but is an interesting idea.
+make their farts not stink for life, too. MORE IMPORTANTLY, might
+help to preventatively stop some forms of /colic/, which affects 1
-- rest nest :: a small EEG device you would attach to your head when
+in 5 babies and causes constant screaming and pain for about 5
-you go to sleep at night. ML algorithms would determine your
+weeks.
-particular sleep cycles. This would mostly be an alarm clock that
-you could give a time range, say 7:00AM - 7:15AM, and it would
+** Server Culture -- Mirrors
-wake you up during an ideal time corresponding to then end of one
+Make a distributed system where people can mirror the websites of
-of your 90 min sleep cycles. You would feel much more rested upon
+people they like -- essentially cover the server costs of favored
-waking up, and would wake up faster. There might be some other
+websites. This could make popular websites run at no cost. The
-uses for the EEG data as well.
+system would require that the mirrored content be the same as the
+official source. Sort of like bit-torrent for websites.
-- image compression :: use a library like gimp or opencv to process an
-image to make it have less entropy, then store the reverse of
+** Map Programming
-those operations along with the compressed simpler image as a
+One problem with functional programming is that in order to remain
-super-compressed image file (possibly accepting some
+functional, you have to pass up arguments up into each calling
-losses). Trades file size for decompression time, and allows one
+function to get the full range of behavior from the lower level
-to cheat by using information in gimp/opencv to compress the
+functions. Normally people come to a compromise involving
-image.
+abstraction and sparing use of dynamic variables to configure
+runtime behavior. What would be the advantages of making a
-- aldehyde-stabalized cryopreservation :: why not use a fixative to
+programming language where every function receives one argument, a
-buy enough time to ramp up cryoprotectants to an acceptable level
+map, which contains all the symbol bindings it would ever need?
-at room temperature? Then, the whole system can be rapidly cooled
+This map is passed on to all subordinate functions. This way, you
-and vitrified. This method "severs the biological link" in that
+could replace functions on the fly, and arrange for there to be
-the fixatives are highly toxic, but current vitrification
+sensible defaults, etc. Might cause more harm than good but is an
-procedures do this anyway since there can be a lot of freezing
+interesting idea.
-damage.
+** Rest Nest
-- dilated security camera :: a security camera that would capture
+A small EEG device you would attach to your head when you go to
-full video footage of everything at 60fps but then decide to keep
+sleep at night. ML algorithms would determine your particular sleep
-only every 1 frame every 5 seconds unless there's something
+cycles. This would mostly be an alarm clock that you could give a
-"interesting" happening.
+time range, say 7:00AM - 7:15AM, and it would wake you up during an
+ideal time corresponding to then end of one of your 90 min sleep
-- bitcoin wallet :: Part of "server culture", this would be something
+cycles. You would feel much more rested upon waking up, and would
-like "coin.your-domain.com" which would serve as
+wake up faster. There might be some other uses for the EEG data as
-your personal trusted access to your own bitcoins
+well.
-from anywhere.
+** Image Compression
-- libpay :: this would be a free library which would enable
+Use a library like gimp or opencv to process an image to make it
-micro-donations to software projects and other projects,
+have less entropy, then store the reverse of those operations along
-so that you could donate a penny to "emacs" and it would
+with the compressed simpler image as a super-compressed image file
-be automatically split up to every person who has ever
+(possibly accepting some losses). Trades file size for
-contributed to emacs in proportion to the amount of
+decompression time, and allows one to cheat by using information in
-community esteem, code quantity, bugs fixed, whatever the
+gimp/opencv to compress the image.
-community decides. This might make it possible for
-programmers to live entirely off of free programming.
+** Aldehyde-Stabalized Cryopreservation
+Why not use a fixative to buy enough time to ramp up
-- pronouns :: use capital letters A-Z instead of pronouns. They solve
+cryoprotectants to an acceptable level at room temperature? Then,
-pronoun referents and gender neutrality, are short to
+the whole system can be rapidly cooled and vitrified. This method
-say, and you can encode useful information into the
+"severs the biological link" in that the fixatives are highly
-choice of letter. For example, instead of "Meetings
+toxic, but current vitrification procedures do this anyway since
-shall be presided over by the president, unless she is
+there can be a lot of freezing damage.
-absent." USE "Meetings shall be presided over by the
-president, unless P is absent." We already use this a
+** Dilated Security Camera
-little, since I and U are reserved for the subject and
+A security camera that would capture full video footage of
-object respectively.
+everything at 60fps but then decide to keep only every 1 frame
+every 5 seconds unless there's something "interesting" happening.
-- phone DSP :: software app that inserts an audio DSP between the
-input to a phone and the output. The DSP is delicious
+** Bitcoin Wallet
-and configurable, and can allow men to make their
+Part of "server culture", this would be something like
-voices deeper, etc. The app would allow you to hear
+"coin.your-domain.com" which would serve as your personal trusted
-your own voice as others hear it. Most people hate how
+access to your own bitcoins from anywhere.
-their own voice sounds. The app would also allow one to
-immediately change the parameters of the DSP using good
+** Libpay
-presets.
+This would be a free library which would enable micro-donations to
+software projects and other projects, so that you could donate a
-- restaurant receipts :: use a carbon copy receipt instead of two stupid
+penny to "emacs" and it would be automatically split up to every
-copies.
+person who has ever contributed to emacs in proportion to the
+amount of community esteem, code quantity, bugs fixed, whatever the
-- crossdressing :: Easiest way to disguise oneself as a woman is to
+community decides. This might make it possible for programmers to
-wear a burka.
+live entirely off of free programming.
-- book-mode :: intelligent color highlighting for books and
+** Pronouns
-articles. It would disambiguate pronouns and involved
+Use capital letters A-Z instead of pronouns. They solve pronoun
-references. For example, if "Rachael" was assigned the
+referents and gender neutrality, are short to say, and you can
-color red, and "the blonde haired girl" refers to
+encode useful information into the choice of letter. For example,
-"Rachael", then "the blonde haired girl" would be
+instead of "Meetings shall be presided over by the president,
-colored red. Also, you could disambiguate multi part
+unless she is absent." USE "Meetings shall be presided over by the
-run-on sentences by highlighting each
+president, unless P is absent." We already use this a little, since
-subcomponent. Maybe would also have applications to
+I and U are reserved for the subject and object respectively.
-scientific reading.
+** Phone DSP
-- Handheld light Rain measurement :: this would be a clear, teflon
+Software app that inserts an audio DSP between the input to a phone
-coated plastic disk with a camera underneath the disk. You would
+and the output. The DSP is delicious and configurable, and can
-be able to hold the device out and it would measure the rate of
+allow men to make their voices deeper, etc. The app would allow you
-accumulation of water droplets from fine mists and light rain by
+to hear your own voice as others hear it. Most people hate how
-using computer vision to measure the diameters of the drops.
+their own voice sounds. The app would also allow one to immediately
+change the parameters of the DSP using good presets.
-- Big Brother Farming :: This would be a vision system that would
-individually monitor each plant and turn on water, etc to ensure
+** Restaurant Receipts
-maximum/uniform growth for each plant.
+Use a carbon copy receipt instead of two stupid copies.
-- Discrete Faucet :: A faucet with discrete ticks instead of
+** Crossdressing
-continuous.
+Easiest way to disguise oneself as a woman is to wear a burka.
-- Laser Circle :: take a glass microfiliment and shine a laser at one
+** Book-Mode
-end at an oblique angle. It will make a perfect,
+Intelligent color highlighting for books and articles. It would
-large circle on the wall, converting a laser beam
+disambiguate pronouns and involved references. For example, if
-into a laser cone, preserving most of the energy of
+"Rachael" was assigned the color red, and "the blonde haired girl"
-the laser.
+refers to "Rachael", then "the blonde haired girl" would be colored
+red. Also, you could disambiguate multi part run-on sentences by
-- Invisible Glass :: Take a container of liquid and embed a
+highlighting each subcomponent. Maybe would also have applications
-glass sculpture made out of glass that has exactly the same index
+to scientific reading.
-of refraction and color of the liquid. Then the sculpture will be
-totally invisible in the container, and will only be revealed
+** Handheld Light Rain Measurement
-when the liquid is drained. The container might be a fancy
+This would be a clear, teflon coated plastic disk with a camera
-wine/spirit bottle or an hourglass.
+underneath the disk. You would be able to hold the device out and
+it would measure the rate of accumulation of water droplets from
-- Caterpillar people :: A race of caterpillar like creatures gains
+fine mists and light rain by using computer vision to measure the
-intelligence after eons of predation by birds, etc. These
+diameters of the drops.
-caterpillar creatures still undergo metamorphosis into a large
-butterfly-like creature. The metamorphosis process turns the
+** Big Brother Farming
-caterpillar's brain into mush and reforms it into a minimal,
+This would be a vision system that would individually monitor each
-dumb, truly insect-like mind, completely destroying the person
+plant and turn on water, etc to ensure maximum/uniform growth for
-the caterpillar was. The society develops all sorts of customs and
+each plant.
-religious interpretations of the metamorphosis. It is viewed as
-good and natural by some since it is part of their life cycle and
+** Discrete Faucet
-necessary to propagate the species, as only the butterflies can
+A faucet with discrete ticks instead of continuous.
-mate. Some think that the butterflies are still the same person
-because they have the same soul, even they no longer posses the
+** Laser Circle
-memories or personality of the original caterpillar. Some see the
+Take a glass microfiliment and shine a laser at one end at an
-butterfly form as the "true form" of the species, since the
+oblique angle. It will make a perfect, large circle on the wall,
-butterflies can fly, mate, and are beautiful. Many make a big
+converting a laser beam into a laser cone, preserving most of the
-deal out of the fact that 1-2% of the caterpillar's mind is
+energy of the laser.
-actually preserved in the butterfly. Some see it as a terrible
-tragedy and argue that the caterpillars should try to stop the
+** Invisible Glass
-metamorphosis by technology. Practically, some very important
+Take a container of liquid and embed a glass sculpture made out of
-members of society undergo hormone therapy and/or surgery to
+glass that has exactly the same index of refraction and color of
-prevent metamorphosis so that they can live longer as themselves.
+the liquid. Then the sculpture will be totally invisible in the
+container, and will only be revealed when the liquid is
-This is a continuation of Marvin Minsky's ideas about pain being
+drained. The container might be a fancy wine/spirit bottle or an
-something that preserves our bodies while destroying our minds,
+hourglass.
-something that is a remnant from our too harsh animal days that
-hasn't caught up to the fact that we have very complex brains
+** Caterpillar people
-now. It's a worst-case scenario about a maladaptive genetic
+A race of caterpillar like creatures gains intelligence after eons
-legacy. Also, it's inspired by "There She Is!!!", which makes a
+of predation by birds, etc. These caterpillar creatures still
-compelling point about homosexuality by introducing a second
+undergo metamorphosis into a large butterfly-like creature. The
-gender characteristic (bunny/cat, male/female), which makes
+metamorphosis process turns the caterpillar's brain into mush and
-homophobia look very silly. Here, our own biological legacy of
+reforms it into a minimal, dumb, truly insect-like mind, completely
-pain and death is made to look like the tragedy it is through the
+destroying the person the caterpillar was. The society develops all
-lens of the the caterpillar people.
+sorts of customs and religious interpretations of the
+metamorphosis. It is viewed as good and natural by some since it is
-- relationships as a business :: [[http://thedailywtf.com/Articles/Up-or-Out-Solving-the-IT-Turnover-Crisis.aspx][Turnover-Crisis]] is an excellent talk
+part of their life cycle and necessary to propagate the species, as
-about the "culture of quitting," which is about better business
+only the butterflies can mate. Some think that the butterflies are
-by letting people go instead of keeping them around past their
+still the same person because they have the same soul, even they no
-"apex". Focuses on information transfer. Cool idea of an alumni
+longer posses the memories or personality of the original
-network, which for relationships would be a group of satisfied
+caterpillar. Some see the butterfly form as the "true form" of the
-ex-lovers, who would recommend new people your way, and who might
+species, since the butterflies can fly, mate, and are
-consider coming to you again, refreshed from their time away with
+beautiful. Many make a big deal out of the fact that 1-2% of the
-new stories/experiences. I should look for examples of this and
+caterpillar's mind is actually preserved in the butterfly. Some see
-how they worked out.
+it as a terrible tragedy and argue that the caterpillars should try
+to stop the metamorphosis by technology. Practically, some very
-- psychic crystal :: in a science fiction story, this would be an
+important members of society undergo hormone therapy and/or surgery
-object that is very easy to move physically but is extremely
+to prevent metamorphosis so that they can live longer as
-difficult to move with telekinesis.
+themselves.
-- true reflection :: There's a "true mirror" in the MIT student center
+This is a continuation of Marvin Minsky's ideas about pain being
--- it's two normal mirrors at right angles, like staring at a
+something that preserves our bodies while destroying our minds,
-corner of a room. The light reflects so that it shows you what
+something that is a remnant from our too harsh animal days that
-you actually look like, instead of your mirror image.
+hasn't caught up to the fact that we have very complex brains
+now. It's a worst-case scenario about a maladaptive genetic
-- remote control wasp :: use computer to drive wings with remote
+legacy. Also, it's inspired by "There She Is!!!", which makes a
-power/logic.
+compelling point about homosexuality by introducing a second gender
+characteristic (bunny/cat, male/female), which makes homophobia
-- encrypted email phone book :: public (distributed?) database of
+look very silly. Here, our own biological legacy of pain and death
-email->private-key pairs, to enable automatic encryption.
+is made to look like the tragedy it is through the lens of the the
+caterpillar people.
-- universal eye color :: every equivalent creature will see each
-others' eyes as black -- it's universal. Even if the creatures
+** Relationships as a Business
-see in radio waves, and their eyes are 2m long pieces of jagged
+[[http://thedailywtf.com/Articles/Up-or-Out-Solving-the-IT-Turnover-Crisis.aspx][Turnover-Crisis]] is an excellent talk about the "culture of
-metal, when those creatures look at each other, they will see
+quitting," which is about better business by letting people go
-black, the absence of light and color (since it's being absorbed
+instead of keeping them around past their "apex". Focuses on
-by the sensor array).
+information transfer. Cool idea of an alumni network, which for
+relationships would be a group of satisfied ex-lovers, who would
-- intelligent microwave :: it learns where the hot nodes of its fields
+recommend new people your way, and who might consider coming to you
-are, and uses them to evenly heat any food item. It has an infrared
+again, refreshed from their time away with new
-camera or something to keep track of how hot the food is. That way,
+stories/experiences. I should look for examples of this and how
-you don't get bowls where the edges are boiling, while the center is
+they worked out.
-still frozen. Requires a little bit of intelligence/vision, since
-the exact pattern of heating totally depends on the exact shape of
+** Psychic Crystal
-the food.  Wouldn't need a carousel, and wouldn't need a timer,
+In a science fiction story, this would be an object that is very
-just a desired temperature. Could also detect ice, and automatically
+easy to move physically but is extremely difficult to move with
-defrost the parts which are frozen. Might be able to work much
+telekinesis.
-faster since it can avoid overheating; might have problems with
-heating the insides of thick things, might need a weight sensor too.
+** True Reflection
+There's a "true mirror" in the MIT student center -- it's two
+normal mirrors at right angles, like staring at a corner of a
+room. The light reflects so that it shows you what you actually
+look like, instead of your mirror image.
+** Remote Control Wasp
+Use computer to drive wings with remote power/logic.
+** Encrypted Email Phone Book
+Public (distributed?) database of email->private-key pairs, to
+enable automatic encryption.
+** Universal Eye Color
+Every equivalent creature will see each others' eyes as black --
+it's universal. Even if the creatures see in radio waves, and their
+eyes are 2m long pieces of jagged metal, when those creatures look
+at each other, they will see black, the absence of light and color
+(since it's being absorbed by the sensor array).
+** Intelligent Microwave
+It learns where the hot nodes of its fields are, and uses them to
+evenly heat any food item. It has an infrared camera or something
+to keep track of how hot the food is. That way, you don't get bowls
+where the edges are boiling, while the center is still
+frozen. Requires a little bit of intelligence/vision, since the
+exact pattern of heating totally depends on the exact shape of the
+food.  Wouldn't need a carousel, and wouldn't need a timer, just a
+desired temperature. Could also detect ice, and automatically
+defrost the parts which are frozen. Might be able to work much
+faster since it can avoid overheating; might have problems with
+heating the insides of thick things, might need a weight sensor
+too.
 + Would be much cleaner than other microwaves, since food would
 "sputter" and splash liquid much less.
 + Throw in some SIFT+R processing to match previously cooked foods
 and learn the exact heating profiles for things that have been
 cooked before -- it can get faster the more it's used.
-- Flesh pillow :: a pillow like the arm or torso of a human, complete
+** Flesh Pillow
-with simulated temperature, bones, and heartbeat.
+A pillow like the arm or torso of a human, complete with simulated
+temperature, bones, and heartbeat.
-- light filter :: (like light tweezers) to mechanically separate
-fluids with different index of refraction
+** Light Filter
+Works like light-tweezers to mechanically separate fluids with
-- silver socks :: socks laced with silver for the antimicrobial
+different indexes of refraction.
-properties.
+** Silver Socks
-- Rod of Moses :: device to distill urine through evaporation and
+Socks laced with silver for the antimicrobial properties.
-easily dispose of urea crystals for use in desert -- produce
-drinkable water and live an extra few days!
+** Rod of Moses
+Device to distill urine through evaporation and easily dispose of
-- lottery scraper :: web scraper which monitors various lotteries,
+urea crystals for use in desert -- produce drinkable water and live
-looking for "special" gimmick changes in the rules (like 4x
+an extra few days!
-winnings on Wednesdays) and computes expected value...
+** Lottery Scraper
-- Memristiors novel design :: make an evolutionary algorithm to make
+Web scraper which monitors various lotteries, looking for "special"
-old stuff using all four basic circuit elements.
+gimmick changes in the rules (like 4x winnings on Wednesdays) and
+computes expected value...
-- Conductive concrete :: concrete that has embedded metal fibers so
-that it can conduct electricity.
+** Memristiors Novel Design
+Make an evolutionary algorithm to make old stuff using all four
-- little bitty melting pot :: might be useful for some types of
+basic circuit elements.
-manufacturing/3D printing -- how small can an induction melter be
-made, for example.
+** Conductive Concrete
+Concrete that has embedded metal fibers so that it can conduct
-- true pure tones :: hear a true pure tone by direct stimulation of the
+electricity.
-nerves of the ear
+** Little Bitty Melting Pot
+Might be useful for some types of manufacturing/3D printing -- how
+small can an induction melter be made, for example.
+** True Pure Tones
+Hear a true pure tone by direct stimulation of the nerves of the
+ear. Like when Adelson "saw green".
-- mechanical analogue to the electrical op-amp ::  would be an object
+** Mechanical analogue to the electrical op-amp
-with two levers -- you pull on one lever and the other moves the
+would be an object with two levers -- you pull on one lever and the
-same way, no matter what's in the way or what it is driving. This
+other moves the same way, no matter what's in the way or what it is
-analogy could be useful to teach op amps to people.
+driving. This analogy could be useful to teach op amps to people.
-- light capacitor :: suspend some ball of material with a high index
+** Light Capacitor
-of refraction and shine light into it so it gets stuck -- would
+Suspend some ball of material with a high index of refraction and
-the light stay trapped forever? Could you build up unlimited
+shine light into it so it gets stuck -- would the light stay
-quantities of light inside the sphere (which could then be
+trapped forever? Could you build up unlimited quantities of light
-released slowly by frustrated internal reflection?
+inside the sphere (which could then be released slowly by
+frustrated internal reflection?
-- reading comprehension :: use the screen capture routine to make a
-quiz program that constructs questions about the content you
+** Reading Comprehension
-seemed to gloss over while reading. could be easy if the pdf came
+use the screen capture routine to make a quiz program that
-with embedded questions.  Dylan: automatically generate
+constructs questions about the content you seemed to gloss over
-word-cloud about the parts you found most interesting; help
+while reading. could be easy if the pdf came with embedded
-others who read the same stuff by drawing attention to the
+questions.  Dylan: automatically generate word-cloud about the
-interesting parts.
+parts you found most interesting; help others who read the same
+stuff by drawing attention to the interesting parts.
-- optimize an article :: capture reading of a scientific article via
-screen capture while people read it, then use it to make the
+** Optimize an Article
-article better. like the movie-pruning idea.
+Capture reading of a scientific article via screen capture while
+people read it, then use it to make the article better. like the
-- movie pruning :: Movies always are too long at first. One way to
+movie-pruning idea.
-shorten them ``scientifically" is to record blink rate during the
-move and then remove / shorten the frames of the parts in which
+** Movie Pruning
-there are a lot of blinking (average this over multiple people)
+Movies always are too long at first. One way to shorten them
-better yet, put it online and do it across thousands of people. I
+``scientifically" is to record blink rate during the move and then
-got this from youtube in which there is an episode of kill bill
+remove / shorten the frames of the parts in which there are a lot
-which is composed entirely of the parts in which people had their
+of blinking (average this over multiple people) better yet, put it
-eyes closed. slogan: want to make a movie people can't take their
+online and do it across thousands of people. I got this from
-eyes off of? Just take those parts out!
+youtube in which there is an episode of kill bill which is composed
+entirely of the parts in which people had their eyes
-- explosive thermite epoxy putty :: one part would contain the rust,
+closed. slogan: want to make a movie people can't take their eyes
-one part the aluminum.
+off of? Just take those parts out!
-- concrete epoxy :: epoxy with sand/ some other solid material.
+** Explosive Thermite Epoxy Putty
+One part would contain the rust, one part the aluminum.
-- hard sword :: make a samurai sword, but use osmiridum instead of
-martensite for the cutting part; it should be a better
+** Concrete Epoxy
-sword.
+Epoxy with sand/ some other solid material.
-- close range wireless :: use the induction technology used to
+** Hard Sword
-recharge electric toothbrushes with no metal links to send data
+Make a samurai sword, but use osmiridum instead of martensite for
-without any metal at all!
+the cutting part; it should be a better sword.
-- perfect pitch :: learn perfect pitch using another sense in
+** Close Range Wireless
-combination (sight or touch)
+use the induction technology used to recharge electric toothbrushes
+with no metal links to send data without any metal at all!
-- bio metallic structure :: metal grids with seeds inside, which grow
-together and form a durable biological matrix. The metal
+** Perfect Pitch
-substrate delivers water. (maybe use plastic instead of metal?)
+Learn perfect pitch using another sense in combination (sight or
-Dylan: enrich plants with inorganic compounds; electrical
+touch).
-interfaces in cellular plant matter => remote-controlled
-photosynthetic/bioluminescent structures.
+** Bio Metallic Structure
+Metal grids with seeds inside, which grow together and form a
-- conducting extracellular matrix :: to allow better control of
+durable biological matrix. The metal substrate delivers
-organic systems and an enhanced nervous system.
+water. (maybe use plastic instead of metal?)  Dylan: enrich plants
+with inorganic compounds; electrical interfaces in cellular plant
-- cross-modal memory hashing :: a way to retrieve memories more
+matter => remote-controlled photosynthetic/bioluminescent
-robustly.
+structures.
-- wooden refrigerator :: to give food a better taste Dylan: like
+** Conducting Extracellular Matrix
-barrels for wine, or planks for salmon. Maybe just have "flavor
+To allow better control of organic systems and an enhanced nervous
-planks" for your pre-existing fridge. Need to mitigate effect of
+system.
-temperature on volatility?
+** Cross-Modal Memory Hashing
-- radioactive transmutation molecule by molecule :: create precious
+A way to retrieve memories more robustly.
-metals or something else economically advantageous. Best
-transmutation I can come up with is mercury into gold, but it's
+** Greener than Green
-not economically viable.
+If you stare at a red light, then you get a green after-image. If
+you immediately look at something green while still seeing the
-- preservation via crowding :: inoculate food with tons of harmless
+green after-image, you will experience a Green like none you've
-bacteria so that there's no room for bad bacteria as a method of
+ever seen before -- color so intense it's beyond the range of
-preservation
+anything that exists in the world.
-- old school preservation :: Pasteur - style holding jar with siphon
+** Wooden Refrigerator
-as a way to store sterilized liquids at room temperature
+To give food a better taste Dylan: like barrels for wine, or planks
-indefinitely w/o refrigeration.
+for salmon. Maybe just have "flavor planks" for your pre-existing
+fridge. Need to mitigate effect of temperature on volatility?
-- restaurant policy :: Throw rude people out of restaurant as a matter
-of course -- make ambiance much better.
+** Radioactive Transmutation Molecule by Molecule
+Create precious metals or something else economically
-- clean windows :: make something that mixes soap with fire hydrant
+advantageous. Best transmutation I can come up with is mercury into
-water (and reduces the pressure a bit) and use it
+gold, but it's not economically viable.
-to clean windows of buildings.
+** Preservation Via Crowding
-- ocarina :: make an ocarina out of pure silver
+Inoculate food with tons of harmless bacteria so that there's no
+room for bad bacteria as a method of preservation
-- fire pen :: pen which burns words on to the page, thus never needing
-any ink. Is there a way to make it runnable from body heat?
+** Old-School Preservation
+Pasteur - style holding jar with siphon as a way to store
-- website to design your own soda :: and label, and have it mailed to
+sterilized liquids at room temperature indefinitely w/o
-you / sell it from your own online store.
+refrigeration.
-- solar panels :: that float on the ocean
+** Restaurant Policy
+Throw rude people out of restaurant as a matter of course -- make
-- handcuffs with more than two cuffs (3?) :: great for daisy chaining
+ambiance much better.
-people, binding them to environment, etc.
+** Clean Windows
-- vector based SOUND files :: like the pictures but with SOUND. codify
+Make something that mixes soap with fire hydrant water (and reduces
-sound in a language with enough symbols so that it can describe
+the pressure a bit) and use it to clean windows of buildings.
-everything and encode it in that. would be like going from speech
-to text or smtg. Could also store sound as an image of the
+** Ocarina
-wavefront encoded as a vector image.
+Make an ocarina out of pure silver. Might have really good acoustic
+properties.
-- genetically engineered glowing fruit :: They have some animals that
-can glow, but glowing fruit that you eat would be AWESOME!
+** Fire Pen
+Pen which burns words on to the page, thus never needing any
-- The body as a key to memory :: IF memories are encoded using
+ink. Is there a way to make it runnable from body heat?
-particular sensory impressions, what happens if the sensory organ
-itself changes?  those memories would become inaccessible. maybe
+** Website to Design Your Own Soda
-this is why we can't remember much from our childhoods. also,
+and label, and have it mailed to you / sell it from your own online
-could this happen throughout life as well? Could S remember stuff
+store.
-from his childhood?
+** Ocean Power
-- lighter flint on spring :: make hot, throw it at something, and it
+Solar panels that float on the ocean.
-makes sparkles!
+** Handcuffs with More Than Two Cuffs (3?)
-- rare bubbles :: Engineer a material which has both ductility and high
+Great for daisy chaining people, binding them to environment, etc.
-surface tension to make the "third"
-minimal-surface-energy solution to a bubble suspended
+** Vector Based SOUND Files
-between two equal-diameter rings. (Solutions are
+Like the pictures but with SOUND. codify sound in a language with
-cylindrical catenary curve, two separated half-bubbles,
+enough symbols so that it can describe everything and encode it in
-and a double-cone)
+that. would be like going from speech to text or smtg. Could also
+store sound as an image of the wavefront encoded as a vector image.
-- Textbook whose content can be varied continuously :: alter level of
-difficulty, rigor, diction, emphasize crossover with certain
+** Genetically Engineered Glowing Fruit
-other discipline, etc. Content generated dynamically from
+They have some animals that can glow, but glowing fruit that you
-knowledge base, along with questions that are moreover altered to
+eat would be AWESOME!
-guide knowledge acquisition. Motivation: One book of
-knowledge. /One./
+** The Body as a Key to Memory
+IF memories are encoded using particular sensory impressions, what
+happens if the sensory organ itself changes?  those memories would
+become inaccessible. maybe this is why we can't remember much from
+our childhoods. also, could this happen throughout life as well?
+Could S remember stuff from his childhood?
+** Lighter Flint on Spring
+Make hot, throw it at something, and it makes sparkles!
+** Rare Bubbles
+Engineer a material which has both ductility and high surface
+tension to make the "third" minimal-surface-energy solution to a
+bubble suspended between two equal-diameter rings. (Solutions are
+cylindrical catenary curve, two separated half-bubbles, and a
+double-cone)
+** Magic Textbook
+whose content can be varied continuously alter level of difficulty,
+rigor, diction, emphasize crossover with certain other discipline,
+etc. Content generated dynamically from knowledge base, along with
+questions that are moreover altered to guide knowledge
+acquisition. Motivation: One book of knowledge. /One./
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