changeset 44:596399a9563f

added short descriptions for all ideas.
author Robert McIntyre <rlm@mit.edu>
date Sat, 13 Jul 2013 03:22:14 -0400
parents 7d00e0dbdddb
children bb47bc2ab85b
files org/ideas.org
diffstat 1 files changed, 124 insertions(+), 106 deletions(-) [+]
line wrap: on
line diff
     1.1 --- a/org/ideas.org	Sat Jul 13 03:10:44 2013 -0400
     1.2 +++ b/org/ideas.org	Sat Jul 13 03:22:14 2013 -0400
     1.3 @@ -76,7 +76,8 @@
     1.4                      one to wear the towel more securely than just
     1.5                      wrapping it tightly and hoping for the best.
     1.6  
     1.7 -- Easiest way to disguise onself as a woman is to wear a burka.
     1.8 +- crossdressing :: Easiest way to disguise onself as a woman is to
     1.9 +                   wear a burka.
    1.10  
    1.11  - book-mode :: intelligent color highlighting for books and
    1.12                 articles. It would disambiguate pronouns and involved
    1.13 @@ -171,22 +172,23 @@
    1.14       prove themselves as a good predictor. I wish this could be
    1.15       automated. 
    1.16  
    1.17 -- don't forget about that mirror in the student center!, it's two
    1.18 -  mirrors at right angles, like staring at a corner of a room. The
    1.19 -  light reflects so that it shows you what you actually look like,
    1.20 -  instead of your mirror image.
    1.21 +- true reflection :: don't forget about that mirror in the student
    1.22 +     center!, it's two mirrors at right angles, like staring at a
    1.23 +     corner of a room. The light reflects so that it shows you what
    1.24 +     you actually look like, instead of your mirror image.
    1.25  
    1.26  - remote control wasp :: use computer to drive wings with remote
    1.27    power/logic.
    1.28  
    1.29 -- public (distributed?) database of email->private-key pairs, to
    1.30 -  enable automatic encryption.
    1.31 +- encrypted email phonebook :: public (distributed?) database of
    1.32 +     email->private-key pairs, to enable automatic encryption.
    1.33  
    1.34 -- every equivalent creature will see each others' eyes as black --
    1.35 -  it's universal. Even if the creatures see in radio waves, and their
    1.36 -  eyes are 2m long pieces of jagged metal, when those creatures look
    1.37 -  at each other, they will see black, the absence of light and color
    1.38 -  (since it's being absorbed by the sensor array).
    1.39 +- universal eye color :: every equivalent creature will see each
    1.40 +     others' eyes as black -- it's universal. Even if the creatures
    1.41 +     see in radio waves, and their eyes are 2m long pieces of jagged
    1.42 +     metal, when those creatures look at each other, they will see
    1.43 +     black, the absence of light and color (since it's being absorbed
    1.44 +     by the sensor array).
    1.45  
    1.46  - intelligent microwave :: it learns where the hot nodes of its fields
    1.47    are, and uses them to evenly heat any food item. It has an infared
    1.48 @@ -207,10 +209,10 @@
    1.49      and learn the exact heating profiles for things that have been
    1.50      cooked before -- it can get faster the more its used.
    1.51  
    1.52 -- brain-aware image compression algorithm
    1.53 +- compresion :: brain-aware image compression algorithm
    1.54  
    1.55 -- Credit card proxy - would be a company which works like paypal
    1.56 -  except for real world transactions
    1.57 +- Credit card proxy :: would be a company which works like paypal
    1.58 +     except for real world transactions
    1.59  
    1.60  - Flesh pillow :: a pillow like the arm or torso of a human, complete
    1.61                    with simulated temperature, bones, and heartbeat.
    1.62 @@ -228,35 +230,41 @@
    1.63       release of chalk dust, like fur, and how it likes to rest in a
    1.64       certain direction.
    1.65  
    1.66 -- silver socks
    1.67 +- silver socks :: socks laced with silver for the antimicrobial
    1.68 +                  properties.
    1.69  
    1.70 -- UROP: magnet gear/metal teeth tape device to distill urine through
    1.71 -  evaporation and easily dispose of urea crystals for use in desert --
    1.72 -  produce drinkable water.  
    1.73 +- UROP :: magnet gear/metal teeth tape device to distill urine through
    1.74 +          evaporation and easily dispose of urea crystals for use in
    1.75 +          desert -- produce drinkable water.
    1.76  
    1.77 -- UROP: Make the LED in line with the flow for the microinjector, so
    1.78 -  that it may transmit maximum flow.  Motor that changes distance of
    1.79 -  internal magnet from windings depending on desired speed so as to
    1.80 -  obtain maximum power efficiency.  
    1.81 +- UROP :: Make the LED in line with the flow for the microinjector, so
    1.82 +          that it may transmit maximum flow.  Motor that changes
    1.83 +          distance of internal magnet from windings depending on
    1.84 +          desired speed so as to obtain maximum power efficiency.
    1.85  
    1.86 -- web scraper which monitors various lottries, looking for "special"
    1.87 -  gimmick changes in the rules (like 4x winnings on Wednesdays) and
    1.88 -  computes expected value...  
    1.89 +- lottery scraper :: web scraper which monitors various lottries,
    1.90 +     looking for "special" gimmick changes in the rules (like 4x
    1.91 +     winnings on Wednesdays) and computes expected value...
    1.92  
    1.93  - Memristiors novel design :: make an evolutionary algorithm to make
    1.94    old stuff using all four basic circuit elements.
    1.95  
    1.96 -- Conductive concrete
    1.97 +- Conductive concrete :: concrete that has embedded metal fibers so
    1.98 +     that it can conduct electricity.
    1.99  
   1.100 -- little bitty melting pot
   1.101 +- little bitty melting pot :: might be useful for some types of
   1.102 +     manufacturing/3D printing -- how small can an induction melter be
   1.103 +     made, for example.
   1.104  
   1.105 -- power strip/timer programmable combination
   1.106 +- power strip/timer programmable combination :: meh
   1.107  
   1.108 -- algorthms which learn what their inputs are and in what order, and
   1.109 -  can adapt to changing circumstances -- they remember previous
   1.110 -  arguments and adapt so as to respond to different connections.
   1.111 +- algorthms :: which learn what their inputs are and in what order,
   1.112 +               and can adapt to changing circumstances -- they
   1.113 +               remember previous arguments and adapt so as to respond
   1.114 +               to different connections.
   1.115  
   1.116 -- hear a true pure tone by direct stimultion of the nerves of the ear
   1.117 +- true pure tones :: hear a true pure tone by direct stimultion of the
   1.118 +     nerves of the ear
   1.119    
   1.120  - mechanical analogue to the electrical op-amp ::  would be an object
   1.121       with two levers -- you pull on one lever and the other moves the
   1.122 @@ -284,95 +292,104 @@
   1.123       eyes closed. slogan: want to make a movie people can't take their
   1.124       eyes off of? Just take those parts out!
   1.125  
   1.126 -- capture reading of a scientific atricle via screen capture while
   1.127 -  people read it, then use it to make the article better. like the
   1.128 -  movie-pruning idea.
   1.129 +- optimize an article :: capture reading of a scientific atricle via
   1.130 +     screen capture while people read it, then use it to make the
   1.131 +     article better. like the movie-pruning idea.
   1.132  
   1.133 -- super reading program that teaches people the ideal mental mask to
   1.134 -  apply during reading so as to read very fast. 
   1.135 +- super reading program :: teaches people the ideal mental mask to
   1.136 +     apply during reading so as to read very fast.
   1.137  
   1.138 -- explosive thermite epoxy putty (one part would contain the rust, one
   1.139 -  part the alumimum)
   1.140 +- explosive thermite epoxy putty :: one part would contain the rust,
   1.141 +     one part the alumimum.
   1.142  
   1.143 -- use the above screen capture routine to make a quiz program that
   1.144 -  constructs questions about the content you seemed to gloss over
   1.145 -  while reading. could be easy if the pdf came with embedded
   1.146 -  questions.  Dylan: automatically generate word-cloud about the parts
   1.147 -  you found most interesting; help others who read the same stuff by
   1.148 -  drawing attention to the interesting parts.
   1.149 +- reading comprehension :: use the above screen capture routine to
   1.150 +     make a quiz program that constructs questions about the content
   1.151 +     you seemed to gloss over while reading. could be easy if the pdf
   1.152 +     came with embedded questions.  Dylan: automatically generate
   1.153 +     word-cloud about the parts you found most interesting; help
   1.154 +     others who read the same stuff by drawing attention to the
   1.155 +     interesting parts.
   1.156  
   1.157 -- make a samurai sword, but use osmiridum instead of martensite for
   1.158 -  the cutting part; it should be a better sword.
   1.159 +- hard sword :: make a samurai sword, but use osmiridum instead of
   1.160 +                martensite for the cutting part; it should be a better
   1.161 +                sword.
   1.162  
   1.163 -- use the induction technology used to recharge electric toothbrushes
   1.164 -  with no metal links to send data -- without any metal at all!
   1.165 +- close range wireless :: use the induction technology used to
   1.166 +     recharge electric toothbrushes with no metal links to send data
   1.167 +     without any metal at all!
   1.168  
   1.169 -- reading is a form of synsethesia
   1.170 +- reading :: is a form of synsethesia
   1.171  
   1.172 -- A machine which translates the text eg, "ACTGAC" into actual DNA
   1.173 +- DNA printer :: A machine which translates the text eg, "ACTGAC" into
   1.174 +                  actual DNA
   1.175  
   1.176 -- ferro-fluid magnetic field suspended micro generator to make
   1.177 -  electricity
   1.178 +- black generator :: ferro-fluid magnetic field suspended micro
   1.179 +     generator to make electricity
   1.180  
   1.181 -- alcohol/fluid flow powered battery
   1.182 +- alcohol battery :: alcohol/fluid flow powered battery
   1.183  
   1.184 -- folding razor blade sword
   1.185 +- folding razor blade sword ::
   1.186  
   1.187 -- learn perfect pitch using another sense in combination (sight or
   1.188 -  touch)
   1.189 +- perfect pitch :: learn perfect pitch using another sense in
   1.190 +                   combination (sight or touch)
   1.191  
   1.192 -- kaleidoscope projector
   1.193 +- kaleidoscope projector ::
   1.194  
   1.195 -- razor blade de-sharpener (for guilt free disposal)
   1.196 +- razor blade de-sharpener :: for guilt free disposal
   1.197  
   1.198 -- bricks filled with luminescent plant material
   1.199 +- bricks :: filled with luminescent plant material
   1.200  
   1.201 -- metal grids with seeds inside, which grow together and form a
   1.202 -  durable biological matrix. The metal substrate delivers
   1.203 -  water. (maybe use plastic instead of metal?)  Dylan: enrich plants
   1.204 -  with inorganic compounds; electrical interfaces in cellular plant
   1.205 -  matter => remote-controlled photosynthetic/bioluminescent
   1.206 -  structures.
   1.207 +- bio metalic structure :: metal grids with seeds inside, which grow
   1.208 +     together and form a durable biological matrix. The metal
   1.209 +     substrate delivers water. (maybe use plastic instead of metal?)
   1.210 +     Dylan: enrich plants with inorganic compounds; electrical
   1.211 +     interfaces in cellular plant matter => remote-controlled
   1.212 +     photosynthetic/bioluminescent structures.
   1.213  
   1.214 -- conducting extracellular matrix
   1.215 +- conducting extracellular matrix :: to allow better control of
   1.216 +     organic systems and an enhanced nervous system.
   1.217  
   1.218 -- cross-modal memory hashing
   1.219 +- cross-modal memory hashing :: a way to retrieve memories more
   1.220 +     robustly. 
   1.221  
   1.222 -- flossing thimble-gaurds (these actually exist)
   1.223 +- flossing thimble-gaurds :: (these actually exist)
   1.224  
   1.225 -- integrate lattice learning with rules by generating hypothetical
   1.226 -  examples
   1.227 +- rules + lattice learning :: integrate lattice learning with rules by
   1.228 +     generating hypothetical examples
   1.229  
   1.230 -- wooden refridgerator to give food a better taste Dylan: like barrels
   1.231 -  for wine, or planks for salmon. Maybe just have "flavor planks" for
   1.232 -  your pre-existing fridge. Need to mitigate effect of temperature on
   1.233 -  volatility?
   1.234 +- wooden refridgerator :: to give food a better taste Dylan: like
   1.235 +     barrels for wine, or planks for salmon. Maybe just have "flavor
   1.236 +     planks" for your pre-existing fridge. Need to mitigate effect of
   1.237 +     temperature on volatility?
   1.238  
   1.239  - radioactive transmutation molecule by molecule :: create precious
   1.240       metals or something else economically advantageous.
   1.241  
   1.242 -- innolculate food with tons of harmless bacteria so that there's no
   1.243 -  room for bad bacteria as a method of preservation
   1.244 +- crowd preservation :: innolculate food with tons of harmless
   1.245 +     bacteria so that there's no room for bad bacteria as a method of
   1.246 +     preservation
   1.247  
   1.248 -- pasteur - style holding jar with siphon as a way to store liquids ar
   1.249 -  room temperature indefinately w/o refridgeration.(7/26/2009)
   1.250 +- old school preservation :: pasteur - style holding jar with siphon
   1.251 +     as a way to store liquids ar room temperature indefinately w/o
   1.252 +     refridgeration.
   1.253  
   1.254 -- Throw rude people out of resturant as a matter of course -- make
   1.255 -  ambiance much better.
   1.256 +- resturant policy :: Throw rude people out of resturant as a matter
   1.257 +     of course -- make ambiance much better.
   1.258  
   1.259 -- make something that mixes soap with firehydrant water (and reduces
   1.260 -  the pressure a bit) and use it to clean windows of buildings.
   1.261 +- clean windows :: make something that mixes soap with firehydrant
   1.262 +                   water (and reduces the pressure a bit) and use it
   1.263 +                   to clean windows of buildings.
   1.264  
   1.265 -- make an ocarina out of pure silver
   1.266 +- ocarina :: make an ocarina out of pure silver
   1.267  
   1.268  - fire pen :: pen which burns words on to the page, thus never needing
   1.269                any ink. Is ther a way to make it runnable from the
   1.270                human's energy?
   1.271  
   1.272 -- website to design your own soda, and label, and have it mailed to
   1.273 -  you / sell it from your own online store.
   1.274 +- website to design your own soda :: and label, and have it mailed to
   1.275 +     you / sell it from your own online store.
   1.276  
   1.277 -- solar panels that float on the ocean
   1.278 +- solar panels :: that float on the ocean
   1.279  
   1.280  - handcuffs with more than two cuffs (3?) :: great for daisy chaining
   1.281       people, binding them to environment, etc.
   1.282 @@ -383,15 +400,15 @@
   1.283       to text or smtg. Could also store sound as an image of the
   1.284       wavefront encoded as a vector image.
   1.285  
   1.286 -- Mouse with a horizontal scroll wheel in addition to the vertical
   1.287 -  scroll wheel
   1.288 +- Mouse :: with a horizontal scroll wheel in addition to the vertical
   1.289 +           scroll wheel
   1.290  
   1.291 -- logic maintance system for big institutions to make sure the things
   1.292 -  they are thinking about doing are not retarded
   1.293 +- logic maintance system for big institutions :: to make sure the
   1.294 +     things they are thinking about doing are not retarded
   1.295  
   1.296  - http://www.regulations.gov/
   1.297  
   1.298 -- genetically engineered glowing fruit -- sell seeds?
   1.299 +- genetically engineered glowing fruit :: sell seeds?
   1.300  
   1.301  - memory slide :: IF memories are encoded using particular sensory
   1.302                    impressions, what happens if the sensory organ
   1.303 @@ -408,25 +425,26 @@
   1.304       holes -- uses field effects for everything from the buttons to
   1.305       inductive charging and data transfer.
   1.306  
   1.307 -- midi to ocarina "tabs" program (online website? buy ocarinas from it
   1.308 -  too)
   1.309 +- midi to ocarina "tabs" program :: (online website? buy ocarinas from
   1.310 +     it too)
   1.311  
   1.312 -- 3d printing with sound pulses (or just patterns) -- like the 8.03
   1.313 -  lecture
   1.314 +- 3d printing with sound pulses (or just patterns) :: like the 8.03
   1.315 +     lecture
   1.316  
   1.317  - lighter flint on spring :: make hot, throw it at something, and it
   1.318       makes sparkles!
   1.319  
   1.320 -- Rebranding New+Clear Energy with informational campaign and
   1.321 -  public debate forum to enforce its transparent and open
   1.322 -  nature. France needn't be the world leader in nuclear
   1.323 -  energy. (Dylan) 
   1.324 +- nuclear energy :: Rebranding New+Clear Energy with informational
   1.325 +                    campaign and public debate forum to enforce its
   1.326 +                    transparent and open nature. France needn't be the
   1.327 +                    world leader in nuclear energy. (Dylan)
   1.328  
   1.329 -- Engineer a material which has both ductility and high surface
   1.330 -  tension to make the "third" minimal-surface-energy solution to a
   1.331 -  bubble suspended between two equal-diameter rings. (Solutions are
   1.332 -  cylindrical catenary curve, two separated half-bubbles, and a
   1.333 -  double-cone)
   1.334 +- bubbles :: Engineer a material which has both ductility and high
   1.335 +             surface tension to make the "third"
   1.336 +             minimal-surface-energy solution to a bubble suspended
   1.337 +             between two equal-diameter rings. (Solutions are
   1.338 +             cylindrical catenary curve, two separated half-bubbles,
   1.339 +             and a double-cone)
   1.340  
   1.341  - Textbook whose content can be varied continuously :: alter level of
   1.342       difficulty, rigor, diction, emphasize crossover with certain