Tuesday, August 7, 2018
Artificial intelligence: The Future of Mankind
Scientists reckon there have been at least five mass extinction events in the history of our planet, when a catastrophically high number of species were wiped out in a relatively short period of time. We are possibly now living through a sixth — caused by human activity. But could humans themselves be next? This is the sort of question that preoccupies the staff at the Future of Humanity Institute in Oxford.
The centre is an offshoot of the Oxford Martin School, founded in 2005 by the late James Martin, a technology author and entrepreneur who was among the university’s biggest donors. As history has hit the fast-forward button, it seems to have become the fashion among philanthropists to endow research institutes that focus on the existential challenges of our age, and this is one of the most remarkable.
Tucked away behind Oxford’s modern art museum, the institute is in a bland modern office block; the kind of place you might expect to find a provincial law firm. The dozen or so mathematicians, philosophers, computer scientists and engineers who congregate here spend their days thinking about how to avert catastrophes: meteor strikes, nuclear winter, environmental destruction, extraterrestrial threats. On the afternoon I visit there is a fascinating and (to me) largely unfathomable seminar on the mathematical probability of alien life.
Presiding over this extraordinary institute since its foundation has been Professor Nick Bostrom, who, in his tortoise-shell glasses and grey, herringbone jacket, appears a rather ordinary academic, even if his purple socks betray a streak of flamboyance. His office resembles an Ikea showroom, brilliantly lit by an array of floor lamps, somewhat redundant on a glorious sunny day. He talks in a kind of verbal origami, folding down the edges of his arguments with precision before revealing his final, startling conclusions. The slightest monotonal accent betrays his Swedish origins.
Bostrom makes it clear that he and his staff are not interested in everyday disasters; they deal only with the big stuff: “There are a lot of things that can go and have gone wrong throughout history — earthquakes and wars and plagues and whatnot. But there is one kind of thing that has not ever gone wrong; we have never, so far, permanently destroyed the entire future.” Anticipating the obvious next question, Bostrom argues that it is fully justified to devote resources to studying such threats because, even if they are remote, the downside is so terrible.
Staving off future catastrophes (assuming that is possible) would bring far more benefit to far greater numbers of people than solving present-day problems such as cancer or extreme poverty. The number of lives saved in the future would be many times greater, particularly if “Earth civilisation”, as he calls it, spreads to other stars and galaxies. “We have a particular interest in future technologies that might potentially transform the human condition in some fundamental way,” he says.
Monday, August 6, 2018
Do Fidget Spinners Effect your Health?
There's a new trend literally spinning its way around the world, from classrooms to social media. But is it
actually doing what it's marketed to do?
WTOP reports that some fidget spinners – small top-like gadgets you can spin fast with your fingers, meant to
help children focus – are advertised as stress relievers on Amazon, and are even being touted as "perfect for
ADD, ADHD, anxiety and autism."
"Fidgets are great tools for kids who need them, as long as there are ground rules set up with the child and
educator in advance, and as long as the child can follow the rules," Maryland-based occupational therapist
Katherine Ross-Keller told WTOP.
But how could they help those with ADHD? Crista Hopp, an ADHD coach based in Virginia, told WTOP that
"when hands or any other body part is moving, an individual is able to focus more on what they need to."
That's not to say everyone agrees the toys are beneficial in a therapeutic sense.
"The spinner toys, in my opinion, and that of teachers I've spoken to, are just that – toys," according to another
Maryland-based occupational therapist Stephen Poss.
Fidget spinners, a type of "fidget object," could actually be counterproductive.
"Fidget objects are meant to be felt, so that visual attention can be focused on the teacher," he continued to
WTOP.
"Spinner toys are visually distracting, and I think that's their major drawback."
It's not just kids getting in on the fidget-spinner craze either.
"It is extremely satisfying to hold this spinning, whirring toy between your fingers," according to a blog
post from North Carolina-based science educator Beth Harris. "Part of this is the small resistance you feel when
turning the spinner from side to side. What you feel is actually the angular inertia of the spinning toy."
Nearly 11 percent of children ages 4 to 17 have received an ADHD diagnosis, according to the latest data
available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Friday, July 20, 2018
Weekly Update for July 20 Women Centric, Directed, and Written Films Playing Near You
Source: Latest Feed
Thursday, July 19, 2018
Cheryl Boone Isaacs and Quincy Jones Working on Doc About the History of Black Hollywood
Source: Latest Feed
Wednesday, July 18, 2018
BAMcinématek Hosting “Pioneers: First Women Filmmakers” Film Series
Source: Latest Feed
Tuesday, July 17, 2018
“Transparent’s” Trace Lysette to Star in and Exec Produce “Colors of Ava”
Source: Latest Feed
Monday, July 16, 2018
Exploring the Psyche: July’s VOD and Web Series Picks
Source: Latest Feed
Friday, July 13, 2018
Weekly Update for July 13 Women Centric, Directed, and Written Films Playing Near You
Source: Latest Feed
Thursday, July 12, 2018
2018 Emmy Nominations: Tiffany Haddish, Sandra Oh, Issa Rae, and More
Source: Latest Feed
Wednesday, July 11, 2018
Unfinished Jane Austen Novel “Sandition” Coming to PBS’ “Masterpiece”
Source: Latest Feed
Tuesday, July 10, 2018
Disney and UN’s Girl Up Launch Female Filmmaker Project
Source: Latest Feed
Monday, July 9, 2018
Trailer Watch: Friendships Are At Stake in Season 6 of “Orange Is the New Black”
Source: Latest Feed
Friday, July 6, 2018
Weekly Update for July 6 Women Centric, Directed, and Written Films Playing Near You
Source: Latest Feed
Thursday, July 5, 2018
Andrea Riseborough Creates Production Company to Support Women in the Industry
Source: Latest Feed
Wednesday, July 4, 2018
Chance The Rapper Gets Engaged To Longtime GF Kirsten Corley At Backyard 4th Of July BBQ
Chance the Rapper is making an honest woman out of baby mama Kirsten Corley. We've got video of his sweet proposal to his longtime girlfriend at a backyard 4th of July BBQ.
Source: Hollywood
July 4th 2018: Fireworks Spectaculars Across the Country — See Pics From NYC, Philly & More
Happy Birthday America! The nation celebrated turning 242 years old on July 4, 2018 and we're got firework spectaculars photos from across the country for the big holiday.
Source: Hollywood
Kim Kardashian Shares Adorable Throwback July 4th Pool Party Pic With Kendall & Kylie Jenner — And Adrienne Bailon!
Memories, memories, memories!!
For the Fourth of July mid-week holiday here, Kim Kardashian West decided to share some old, nostalgic personal photos of a previous year's pool party an picnic for the holiday -- and we are sooooo happy for it!
Kim just posted this photo of her at a MUCH younger age alongside sisters Kylie Jenner and Kendall Jenner (who look like such babies!!!!) and long-time family friend Adrienne Bailon (below) on her personal blog!!!
Ahhhh! The nostalgia!!! Back in the days of the Cheetah Girls, and back when Rob and Adrienne were a thing!! How time flies...
Kim wrote along with the pic (below):
"Since it's the Fourth of July, I wanted to throw it back to these pictures we took in 2008 when we had a pool party. Such fun memories! We made a cake and everyone got thrown in the pool, lol. I hope everyone has a great Fourth of July today!"
Ha!!
Too fun!!
What'd y'all think, Perezcious readers?? And how'd you spend your Fourth??
Let us know in the comments (below)!!!
Source: New feed
Ronnie Ortiz-Magro And Jen Harley Reunite For Fourth Of July Fun Amid Ongoing Legal Drama
Uhhh... so much for all that relationship (and legal) drama from, like, two seconds ago?!
Ronnie Ortiz-Magro and Jen Harley have apparently buried the hatchet -- for now -- after publicly showing out together on social media by spending the Fourth of July holiday together along with their 3-month old baby girl, Ariana Sky.
Related: Watch Ronnie & The Situation Get Into Explosive Fight
The pair popped up on Ronnie's Instagram Stories a few hours ago, with a filtered selfie video of him and Jen making kissy faces along with some holiday-themed graphics and images.
Reportedly, they're together for the holiday because they've brought Ariana Sky to see the Jersey Shore star's family -- which could mean Jen is in for a, uh, special treat dealing with the in-laws.
Ch-ch-check 'em out (below):
Well OK then!
Seems like all is good and back to normal... for now...
[Image via Instagram.]
Source: New feed
Gal Gadot Slays On A Gigantic Waterslide On The Fourth Of July: See The Video!
Source: New feed1
Area Man Shoves 74 Wieners In His Mouth — America Rejoices, Victorious In The Only Contest That Matters
USA! USA! USA! USA!
America may be a pretty shitty place to live right now if you're black, or brown, or a woman, or LGBT, or somebody with a soul and/or a conscience (or any combination of all the above!), but if you're a big fat ol' white dude who loves wieners in your face, oh boy, do we have some good news for you!!!
As you can see (above), Joey Chestnut once again won America's finest tradition on Wednesday afternoon when he set a new world (!) record by consuming 74 hot dogs at the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest at Coney Island, New York.
An age-old July 4th tradition, this 102-year-old (!) ten-minute-long all-you-can-eat contest has lately been truly dominated by America's best eater, in Chestnut. And today, he did it again -- though he had 64 on screen at the end of the contest, officials later said he actually ate 74. Oooookay...
Eat it up, America! Our roads and bridges are falling apart, our schools are rapidly turning into underfunded lukewarm dog shit, and our leaders are more corrupt and hapless than they've ever been, but forget all that, because no one sticks wieners in their mouths like we do, damn it!!!!
USA! USA! USA! USA!
Source: New feed
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