Topic: Science and Technology (general)
Jean-Claude Bradley, an associate professor of chemistry at Drexel University, is a pioneering practitioner of open notebook science. On this edition of Interviews with Innovators, Bradley explains to host Jon Udell that he believes scientific research happens better and faster when the entire process is transparently narrated online.
A high speed wireless network deployed throughout rural areas of San Diego county has changed both the quantity and quality of research done there. Most prominent is the repurposing of the Palomar telescope to rapidly respond to astronomical events. Following that is a review of some of the best tech toys of 2007.
As we anticipate the possibility of a coming singularity, we ask "What shall our investments bet on and how will the financial climate differ?" Peter Thiel, investor and cofounder of PayPal, however, has a different view. He argues that singularity-like behavior is already here - as seen in the recent and seemingly accelerating cycles of boom and bust. In this talk from the 2007 Singularity Summit, Thiel discusses this and some unique strategies to manage risk.
David Mindell of MIT shares his experience with reading Thomas Pynchon's 1973 novel Gravity's Rainbow. The novel, which tells the story of the design, manufacture, and use of the German V-2 rockets in World War II, shows the fruits of a complicated technical endeavor and contains symbols of bigger issues in society.
Dr. Moira Gunn speaks with biologist and author Stuart Kauffman, about his latest book "Reinventing the Sacred," which discusses a new way to look at science, the universe, and the mystery of life.
Mathematician, magician and lightening fast human calculator Arthur Benjamin delights and amazes the Etech crowd with some stunning numerical acrobatics. In an interactive, high energy performance, he demonstrates and explains the secrets of rapid mental calculation, providing a fascinating window into how the mind thinks. If you've been wondering how to square 73,542 in your head, be sure to listen through to the end of the show.
Dr. Moira Gunn speaks with Michio Kaku, theoretical physicist and author of "Physics of the Impossible" about the improbable, and the very likely in the near future: phasers, force fields and time travel.
Despite amazing strides, computers are still relatively poor at performing high level activities that come naturally to the human brain. Co-founder of Palm, Inc., Jeff Hawkins, describes recent breakthroughs in the modeling of brain functions based on the theory of Hierarchical Temporal Memory. New insights into how the neocortex supports cognition, inference and prediction can be applied to a variety of problems using Hawkins' Numenta computing platform.
Dr. Moira Gunn speaks with Mary Roach, author of "Bonk," and asks her how it is science and scientists go about the subject of human sexuality.
Dr. Moira Gunn speaks with Herbert Hauptman, Nobel Laureate and mathematician, and asks how he and Dr. Jerome Karle opened a new era in research using data from crystallized material research.
