1.1 --- a/org/ideas.org	Sat Jul 13 03:25:12 2013 -0400
     1.2 +++ b/org/ideas.org	Sat Jul 13 03:32:15 2013 -0400
     1.3 @@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
     1.4  #+author: Robert McIntyre
     1.5  #+email: rlm@mit.edu
     1.6  #+description: list of ideas from the last ~ 7 years
     1.7 -#+keywords: aurellem ideas half-baked ramdom
     1.8 +#+keywords: aurellem ideas half-baked random
     1.9  #+SETUPFILE: ../../aurellem/org/setup.org
    1.10  #+INCLUDE: ../../aurellem/org/level-0.org
    1.11  #+babel: :mkdirp yes :noweb yes :exports both
    1.12 @@ -11,8 +11,8 @@
    1.13  
    1.14  This is a list of all the ideas I've had that I felt like writing down
    1.15  for the past ~ 7 years. Some of them could be practical inventions and
    1.16 -are "just" waiting the that 95% persperiation to bring them to
    1.17 -furition, some are ideas for science fiction, and some are simple
    1.18 +are "just" waiting the that 95% perspiration to bring them to
    1.19 +fruition, some are ideas for science fiction, and some are simple
    1.20  observations. There are arranged roughly in reverse chronological
    1.21  order, with the most recent ideas at the top of the list. The ones at
    1.22  the bottom of the list are heavily influenced by my time at MIT.
    1.23 @@ -21,11 +21,11 @@
    1.24  them with me or discuss them in more detail, I'd love to hear from
    1.25  you. You can email me at ideas@aurellem.org.
    1.26  
    1.27 -- fixed cryopreservation :: why not use a fixitave to buy enough time
    1.28 +- fixed cryopreservation :: why not use a fixative to buy enough time
    1.29       to ramp up cryoprotectants to an acceptable level at room
    1.30       temperature? Then, the whole system can be rapidly cooled and
    1.31       vitrified. This method "severs the biological link" in that the
    1.32 -     fixitaves are highly toxic, but current vitrification procedures
    1.33 +     fixatives are highly toxic, but current vitrification procedures
    1.34       do this anyway since there can be a lot of freezing damage.
    1.35  
    1.36  - bitcoin wallet :: Part of "server culture", this would be something
    1.37 @@ -35,11 +35,11 @@
    1.38  
    1.39  - libpay :: this would be a free library which would enable
    1.40              micro-donations to software projects and other projects,
    1.41 -            so that you could donate a panny to "emacs" and it would
    1.42 -            be automitacally split up to every person who has ever
    1.43 +            so that you could donate a penny to "emacs" and it would
    1.44 +            be automatically split up to every person who has ever
    1.45              contributed to emacs in proportion to the amount of
    1.46              community esteem, code quantity, bugs fixed, whatever the
    1.47 -            community decides. This might make it posibe for
    1.48 +            community decides. This might make it possible for
    1.49              programmers to live entirely off of free programming.
    1.50  
    1.51  - distributed graphics :: Browser based graphics-card accelerated
    1.52 @@ -61,13 +61,13 @@
    1.53                 voices deeper, etc. The app would allow you to hear
    1.54                 your own voice as others hear it. Most people hate how
    1.55                 their own voice sounds. The app would also allow one to
    1.56 -               immediately change the paramaters of the DSP using good
    1.57 +               immediately change the parameters of the DSP using good
    1.58                 presets.
    1.59  
    1.60 -- predestined body learning :: a good example of pre destined learning
    1.61 +- predestined body learning :: a good example of predestined learning
    1.62       might be the mirror neurons.
    1.63  
    1.64 -- resturant reciept :: use a carbon copy reciept instead of two stupid
    1.65 +- restaurant receipt :: use a carbon copy receipt instead of two stupid
    1.66       copies. 
    1.67  
    1.68  - anti google glass :: glasses with mounted lasers and computer vision
    1.69 @@ -77,7 +77,7 @@
    1.70                      one to wear the towel more securely than just
    1.71                      wrapping it tightly and hoping for the best.
    1.72  
    1.73 -- crossdressing :: Easiest way to disguise onself as a woman is to
    1.74 +- crossdressing :: Easiest way to disguise oneself as a woman is to
    1.75                     wear a burka.
    1.76  
    1.77  - book-mode :: intelligent color highlighting for books and
    1.78 @@ -85,12 +85,12 @@
    1.79                 references. For example, if "Rachael" as red, and "the
    1.80                 blonde haired girl" refers to "Rachael", then "the
    1.81                 blonde haired girl" would he colored red. Also, you
    1.82 -               could disambiguate multi part runon sentences by
    1.83 +               could disambiguate multi part run-on sentences by
    1.84                 highlighting each subcomponent. Maybe would also have
    1.85 -               appliations to scientific reading.
    1.86 +               applications to scientific reading.
    1.87  
    1.88  - Handheld light Rain measurement :: this would be a clear, teflon
    1.89 -     coated plasic disk with a camera underneath the disk. You would
    1.90 +     coated plastic disk with a camera underneath the disk. You would
    1.91       be able to hold the device out and it would measure the rate of
    1.92       accumulation of water droplets from fine mists and light rain by
    1.93       using computer vision to measure the diameters of the drops.
    1.94 @@ -100,12 +100,12 @@
    1.95       maximum/uniform growth for each plant. 
    1.96  
    1.97  - Discrete Faucet :: A faucet with discrete ticks instead of
    1.98 -     continous. 
    1.99 +     continuous. 
   1.100  
   1.101  - Laser Circle :: take a glass microfiliment and shine a laser at one
   1.102                    end at an oblique angle. It will make a perfect,
   1.103                    large circle on the wall, converting a laser beam
   1.104 -                  into a laser cone, perserving most of the energy of
   1.105 +                  into a laser cone, preserving most of the energy of
   1.106                    the laser.
   1.107  
   1.108  - Invisible Glass :: Take a container of liquid and embed a
   1.109 @@ -115,24 +115,24 @@
   1.110       when the liquid is drained. The container might be a fancy
   1.111       wine/spirit bottle or an hourglass.
   1.112  
   1.113 -- Caterpillar people :: A race of catepillar like creatures gains
   1.114 +- Caterpillar people :: A race of caterpillar like creatures gains
   1.115       intelligence after eons of predation by birds, etc. These
   1.116 -     catepillar creatures still undergo metamorphosis into a large
   1.117 +     caterpillar creatures still undergo metamorphosis into a large
   1.118       butterfly-like creature. The metamorphosis process turns the
   1.119       caterpillar's brain into mush and reforms it into a minimal,
   1.120       dumb, truly insect-like mind, completely destroying the person
   1.121 -     the catepillar was. The society develops all sorts of customs and
   1.122 +     the caterpillar was. The society develops all sorts of customs and
   1.123       religious interpretations of the metamorphosis. It is viewed as
   1.124       good and natural by some since it is part of their life cycle and
   1.125 -     necessary to propogate the species, as only the butterflies can
   1.126 +     necessary to propagate the species, as only the butterflies can
   1.127       mate. Some think that the butterflies are still the same person
   1.128 -     because they have the same soul, even they no longer posess the
   1.129 -     memories or personality of the original catepillar. Some see the
   1.130 +     because they have the same soul, even they no longer posses the
   1.131 +     memories or personality of the original caterpillar. Some see the
   1.132       butterfly form as the "true form" of the species, since the
   1.133       butterflies can fly, mate, and are beautiful. Many make a big
   1.134 -     deal out of the fact that 1-2% of the catepillar's mind is
   1.135 +     deal out of the fact that 1-2% of the caterpillar's mind is
   1.136       actually preserved in the butterfly. Some see it as a terrible
   1.137 -     tradgedy and argue that the catepillars should try to stop the
   1.138 +     tragedy and argue that the caterpillars should try to stop the
   1.139       metamorphosis by technology. Practically, some very important
   1.140       members of society undergo hormone therapy and/or surgery to
   1.141       prevent metamorphosis so that they can live longer as themselves.
   1.142 @@ -146,20 +146,20 @@
   1.143       compelling point about homosexuality by introducing a second
   1.144       gender characteristic (bunny/cat, male/female), which makes
   1.145       homophobia look very silly. Here, our own biological legacy of
   1.146 -     pain and death is made to look like the tradegy it is through the
   1.147 -     lense of the the caterpillar people.
   1.148 +     pain and death is made to look like the tragedy it is through the
   1.149 +     lens of the the caterpillar people.
   1.150  
   1.151  - relationships as a business :: [[http://thedailywtf.com/Articles/Up-or-Out-Solving-the-IT-Turnover-Crisis.aspx][Turnover-Crisis]] is an excellent talk
   1.152       about the "culture of quitting," which is about better business
   1.153       by letting people go instead of keeping them around past their
   1.154 -     "apex". Focouses on information transfer. Cool idea of an alumni
   1.155 +     "apex". Focuses on information transfer. Cool idea of an alumni
   1.156       network, which for relationships would be a group of satisfied
   1.157       ex-lovers, who would recommend new people your way, and who might
   1.158       consider coming to you again, refreshed from their time away with
   1.159       new stories/experiences. I should look for examples of this and
   1.160       how they worked out.
   1.161  
   1.162 -- coffe with tea :: /rlm-tea/ contains 2% sugar, 10% cream, and 20%
   1.163 +- coffee with tea :: /rlm-tea/ contains 2% sugar, 10% cream, and 20%
   1.164                      dylan coffee. /dylan coffee/ contains 5% sugar,
   1.165                      20% cream, and 10% rlm-tea. Start your mornings
   1.166                      with recursion!
   1.167 @@ -180,7 +180,7 @@
   1.168  - remote control wasp :: use computer to drive wings with remote
   1.169    power/logic.
   1.170  
   1.171 -- encrypted email phonebook :: public (distributed?) database of
   1.172 +- encrypted email phone book :: public (distributed?) database of
   1.173       email->private-key pairs, to enable automatic encryption.
   1.174  
   1.175  - universal eye color :: every equivalent creature will see each
   1.176 @@ -196,10 +196,10 @@
   1.177    you don't get bowls where the edges are boiling, while the center is
   1.178    still frozen. Requires a little bit of intelligence/vision, since
   1.179    the exact pattern of heating totally depends on the exact shape of
   1.180 -  the food.  Wouldn't need a carasouel, and wouldn't need a timer,
   1.181 -  just a desired temperature. Could also detect ice, and automotically
   1.182 +  the food.  Wouldn't need a carousel, and wouldn't need a timer,
   1.183 +  just a desired temperature. Could also detect ice, and automatically
   1.184    defrost the parts which are frozen. Might be able to work much
   1.185 -  faster since it can aviod overheating; might have problems with
   1.186 +  faster since it can avoid overheating; might have problems with
   1.187    heating the insides of thick things, might need a weight sensor too.
   1.188    
   1.189    + Would be much cleaner than other microwaves, since food would
   1.190 @@ -209,7 +209,7 @@
   1.191      and learn the exact heating profiles for things that have been
   1.192      cooked before -- it can get faster the more its used.
   1.193  
   1.194 -- compresion :: brain-aware image compression algorithm
   1.195 +- compression :: brain-aware image compression algorithm
   1.196  
   1.197  - Credit card proxy :: would be a company which works like paypal
   1.198       except for real world transactions
   1.199 @@ -217,13 +217,13 @@
   1.200  - Flesh pillow :: a pillow like the arm or torso of a human, complete
   1.201                    with simulated temperature, bones, and heartbeat.
   1.202  
   1.203 -- super screw :: a screw which has only one or two threads and intead
   1.204 -                 uses compresion to fit into a hole (the whole shank
   1.205 +- super screw :: a screw which has only one or two threads and instead
   1.206 +                 uses compression to fit into a hole (the whole shank
   1.207                   of the screw is split into multiple pieces to
   1.208                   accomplish this; the tip is a point, then the middle
   1.209                   bulges out and gets compressed when screwed in.
   1.210  
   1.211 -- light filter :: (like light tweezers) to mechanically seperate
   1.212 +- light filter :: (like light tweezers) to mechanically separate
   1.213                    fluids with different index of refraction
   1.214  
   1.215  - chalk eraser project :: maybe make a directional eraser, for easy
   1.216 @@ -237,12 +237,12 @@
   1.217            evaporation and easily dispose of urea crystals for use in
   1.218            desert -- produce drinkable water.
   1.219  
   1.220 -- UROP :: Make the LED in line with the flow for the microinjector, so
   1.221 +- UROP :: Make the LED in line with the flow for the micro injector, so
   1.222            that it may transmit maximum flow.  Motor that changes
   1.223            distance of internal magnet from windings depending on
   1.224            desired speed so as to obtain maximum power efficiency.
   1.225  
   1.226 -- lottery scraper :: web scraper which monitors various lottries,
   1.227 +- lottery scraper :: web scraper which monitors various lotteries,
   1.228       looking for "special" gimmick changes in the rules (like 4x
   1.229       winnings on Wednesdays) and computes expected value...
   1.230  
   1.231 @@ -258,25 +258,25 @@
   1.232  
   1.233  - power strip/timer programmable combination :: meh
   1.234  
   1.235 -- algorthms :: which learn what their inputs are and in what order,
   1.236 +- algorithms :: which learn what their inputs are and in what order,
   1.237                 and can adapt to changing circumstances -- they
   1.238                 remember previous arguments and adapt so as to respond
   1.239                 to different connections.
   1.240  
   1.241 -- true pure tones :: hear a true pure tone by direct stimultion of the
   1.242 +- true pure tones :: hear a true pure tone by direct stimulation of the
   1.243       nerves of the ear
   1.244    
   1.245  - mechanical analogue to the electrical op-amp ::  would be an object
   1.246       with two levers -- you pull on one lever and the other moves the
   1.247       same way, no matter what's in the way or what it is driving. This
   1.248 -     anlogy could be useful to teach op amps to people.
   1.249 +     analogy could be useful to teach op amps to people.
   1.250  
   1.251 -- paper folding device :: make it convienent to fold lots of papers in
   1.252 +- paper folding device :: make it convenient to fold lots of papers in
   1.253       various ways.
   1.254  
   1.255  - concrete epoxy :: epoxy with sand/ some other solid material.
   1.256  
   1.257 -- light capacator :: suspend some ball of material with a high index
   1.258 +- light capacitor :: suspend some ball of material with a high index
   1.259       of refraction and shine light into it so it gets stuck -- would
   1.260       the light stay trapped forever? Could you build up unlimited
   1.261       quantities of light inside the sphere (which could then be
   1.262 @@ -288,11 +288,11 @@
   1.263       there are a lot of blinking (average this over multiple people)
   1.264       better yet, put it online and do it across thousands of people. I
   1.265       got this from youtube in which there is an episode of kill bill
   1.266 -     whih is composed entirely of the parts in whihc opeople had their
   1.267 +     which is composed entirely of the parts in which people had their
   1.268       eyes closed. slogan: want to make a movie people can't take their
   1.269       eyes off of? Just take those parts out!
   1.270  
   1.271 -- optimize an article :: capture reading of a scientific atricle via
   1.272 +- optimize an article :: capture reading of a scientific article via
   1.273       screen capture while people read it, then use it to make the
   1.274       article better. like the movie-pruning idea.
   1.275  
   1.276 @@ -300,7 +300,7 @@
   1.277       apply during reading so as to read very fast.
   1.278  
   1.279  - explosive thermite epoxy putty :: one part would contain the rust,
   1.280 -     one part the alumimum.
   1.281 +     one part the aluminum.
   1.282  
   1.283  - reading comprehension :: use the above screen capture routine to
   1.284       make a quiz program that constructs questions about the content
   1.285 @@ -339,7 +339,7 @@
   1.286  
   1.287  - bricks :: filled with luminescent plant material
   1.288  
   1.289 -- bio metalic structure :: metal grids with seeds inside, which grow
   1.290 +- bio metallic structure :: metal grids with seeds inside, which grow
   1.291       together and form a durable biological matrix. The metal
   1.292       substrate delivers water. (maybe use plastic instead of metal?)
   1.293       Dylan: enrich plants with inorganic compounds; electrical
   1.294 @@ -352,12 +352,12 @@
   1.295  - cross-modal memory hashing :: a way to retrieve memories more
   1.296       robustly. 
   1.297  
   1.298 -- flossing thimble-gaurds :: (these actually exist)
   1.299 +- flossing thimble-guards :: (these actually exist)
   1.300  
   1.301  - rules + lattice learning :: integrate lattice learning with rules by
   1.302       generating hypothetical examples
   1.303  
   1.304 -- wooden refridgerator :: to give food a better taste Dylan: like
   1.305 +- wooden refrigerator :: to give food a better taste Dylan: like
   1.306       barrels for wine, or planks for salmon. Maybe just have "flavor
   1.307       planks" for your pre-existing fridge. Need to mitigate effect of
   1.308       temperature on volatility?
   1.309 @@ -365,25 +365,25 @@
   1.310  - radioactive transmutation molecule by molecule :: create precious
   1.311       metals or something else economically advantageous.
   1.312  
   1.313 -- crowd preservation :: innolculate food with tons of harmless
   1.314 +- crowd preservation :: inoculate food with tons of harmless
   1.315       bacteria so that there's no room for bad bacteria as a method of
   1.316       preservation
   1.317  
   1.318 -- old school preservation :: pasteur - style holding jar with siphon
   1.319 -     as a way to store liquids ar room temperature indefinately w/o
   1.320 -     refridgeration.
   1.321 +- old school preservation :: Pasteur - style holding jar with siphon
   1.322 +     as a way to store liquids at room temperature indefinitely w/o
   1.323 +     refrigeration.
   1.324  
   1.325 -- resturant policy :: Throw rude people out of resturant as a matter
   1.326 +- restaurant policy :: Throw rude people out of restaurant as a matter
   1.327       of course -- make ambiance much better.
   1.328  
   1.329 -- clean windows :: make something that mixes soap with firehydrant
   1.330 +- clean windows :: make something that mixes soap with fire hydrant
   1.331                     water (and reduces the pressure a bit) and use it
   1.332                     to clean windows of buildings.
   1.333  
   1.334  - ocarina :: make an ocarina out of pure silver
   1.335  
   1.336  - fire pen :: pen which burns words on to the page, thus never needing
   1.337 -              any ink. Is ther a way to make it runnable from the
   1.338 +              any ink. Is there a way to make it runnable from the
   1.339                human's energy?
   1.340  
   1.341  - website to design your own soda :: and label, and have it mailed to
   1.342 @@ -403,22 +403,22 @@
   1.343  - Mouse :: with a horizontal scroll wheel in addition to the vertical
   1.344             scroll wheel
   1.345  
   1.346 -- logic maintance system for big institutions :: to make sure the
   1.347 +- logic maintenance system for big institutions :: to make sure the
   1.348       things they are thinking about doing are not retarded
   1.349  
   1.350 -- http://www.regulations.gov/
   1.351 +- http://www.regulations.gov/ :: cool site
   1.352  
   1.353  - genetically engineered glowing fruit :: sell seeds?
   1.354  
   1.355  - memory slide :: IF memories are encoded using particular sensory
   1.356                    impressions, what happens if the sensory organ
   1.357                    itself changes? those memories would become
   1.358 -                  unaccessable. maybe this is why we can't remember
   1.359 +                  inaccessible. maybe this is why we can't remember
   1.360                    much from our childhoods. also, could this happen
   1.361 -                  throught life as well? Could S remember stuff from
   1.362 +                  throughout life as well? Could S remember stuff from
   1.363                    his childhood?
   1.364  
   1.365 -- make a completely indestructable phone :: no moving parts or display
   1.366 +- make a completely indestructible phone :: no moving parts or display
   1.367       you should be able to slam it around all you want, and it will
   1.368       just work. brutally simple. aerogel around the battery, minimal
   1.369       interface - never gets too hot, and can be dropped into water. no
   1.370 @@ -456,7 +456,7 @@
   1.371  
   1.372  ** From Jacob's idea list
   1.373  
   1.374 -- Roommate-cancelling headphones: uses roommate's laptop mic to seed
   1.375 +- Roommate-canceling headphones: uses roommate's laptop mic to seed
   1.376    noise cancellation alg in your headphones (would this
   1.377    work?). -Update on sound canceling headphones that take feed from
   1.378    tv: how about ones that cancel people talking on the phone by