Archive for June, 2009

A workable prototype, eh? How much longer before we can emulate the brain in these amazing machines?

Working with a group of theoretical physicists led by Steven Girvin, the Eugene Higgins Professor of Physics & Applied Physics, the team manufactured two artificial atoms, or qubits (“quantum bits”). While each qubit is actually made up of a billion aluminum atoms, it acts like a single atom that can occupy two different energy states. These states are akin to the “1″ and “0″ or “on” and “off” states of regular bits employed by conventional computers. Because of the counterintuitive laws of quantum mechanics, however, scientists can effectively place qubits in a “superposition” of multiple states at the same time, allowing for greater information storage and processing power.

The rest is here.

…were never spoken.

Read it here.

Neuroscientist (I assume?) Jonah Lehrer has some interesting observations about trying to mimic the human brain with our current transistor technology.

I personally doubt it will happen with any efficiency using current tech. Perhaps once Quantum Computing or DNA Computing starts to show itself, we can finally mimic the amazing power of the human brain.

Processing Power

Maybe we are starting to hate global brands because they’re both made in a fashion that’s harmful to both enviroment and economy?

In the course of their research, the authors found that the concept of swadeshi has morphed from its origins. “Whereas Gandhi’s villain was colonialist Britain symbolized by its machine production, postcolonial India faces the invasion of Western branded goods,” the authors write. “The anti-consumption movement against Coca Cola in Mehdiganj is shaped by this discourse against globalization.” The authors found that the anti-consumption movement invokes imagery of foreign invaders, poisoned farmland, and exploited workers.

The rest is here.