Week 8 that should be in Week 7 (late) – Playing with statistics to prove any theory…

First I would like to apologize my fellow students, I’ve mixed up my calendar and I’ve thought that my article should be posted another week…

Since just few days ago we had elections to EU parliament, I thought to write few words about lying using numbers. ;) I’m sure everyone came across some bizarre “proof” that was based on completely irrelevant data.

Sometimes you can look at a plot, and after a while you realize that what you see is different than what you initially thought…. Look at “Gun deaths in Florida” – what can you see?

http://freethoughtblogs.com/pharyngula/2014/04/15/thats-a-terrible-chart/

Sometimes the numbers and plots are just fine, but somehow we are trying to connect data that have no connection whatsoever. Checkout this website: http://www.tylervigen.com/
Here you have couple of charts that I find most surprising.


1. Number people who drowned while in a swimming-pool
correlates with
Power generated by nuclear power plants (US)
Correlation: 0.901
      

2. US spending on science, space, and technology
correlates with
Suicides by hanging, strangulation and suffocation

Correlation: 0.992

3. Divorce rate in Maine
correlates with
Per capita consumption of margarine (US)

Correlation: 0.993

That’s quite amazing how unusual correlations can be found, but what conclusion can we make out of it?

There’s a great article by Andrew Gelman, a professor of statistics at Columbia University –
“Lying with statistics”.
http://www.stat.columbia.edu/~gelman/bag-of-tricks/chap10.pdf
There's a citation of an newspaper article that shows studies conducted on children from different countries on how good their reading skills are. The point of prof. Gelman is that it's very hard to compare language skills of people reading in different languages!


Just like comparing someones' manual abilities...

Comparing ability of totally different animals makes completely no sense.

1.      What is wrong with those correlation charts? Data used here are true. ;)
2.      Try to find and give us an example of unlogical/strange conclusion made on basis of wrongly interpreted data.
3.      What's your opinion on making IQ tests? Can someones intelligence be measured by solving few tasks? I believe that those tests show ability to "solve tests" and are not showing someones creativity.

Week 8 B - The next steps in human evolution

We've all been taught that modern humans have evolved during the many years that life originated on earth. Be it from the first bacteria to the first complex organisms like fish, land mammals and apes which haven't really been proven yet but highly suggested. Let the previous species aside since I wouldn't want to focus on this, I am highly interested in finding out what is the next step on our evolution tree. Will it occur naturally or will it be artificial (designed and controlled by us)?

One of the courses that humanity could take to enhance our abilities is genetic modification. A procedure which is already in use (there are some law restrictions though). This would allow for gaining resistance to external factors like immunity to diseases, incombustible skin or even make the need for breathing air obsolete. This might sound science fiction to us but we could achieve the same effect if we had told about our current achievements to our ancestors :) . There are ethical problems though that currently cripple any advance in that field also a risk of unintentionally causing irreversible harm like the incidents of genetically modified crops growing out of control and replacing natural ones.

Another course would be the idea of creating something entirely new that would act similarly to us and by that I mean a thinking and intelligent machine. Sometimes its better to build something from its foundations rather than modifying an entity with a faulty design. We already have some progress in that field, there are plans to create a team of robots that would win a match of soccer versus a team consisting of real people by 2050. The main problem here is whether machines could ever gain self-consciousness and act on their free will (perhaps filtered by a set of rules). Another possibility is simply merging our bodies (or recreating them) with synthetic organs and body parts. There already exist artificial mechanical arms and hearts but the most complex organ of our body which is the true obstucle here is our brain. So far scientists were able to recreate or emulate insect brains, nowadays they struggle to achieve a cat's one. But will the person that has an artificial brain still feel human? :)

Additionally to your opinions on the subject I would like you to answer the following questions:
1. What in your opinion is the next evolutionary step of humanity? Is there any at all?
2. Do you believe that in the future parents will be able to decide about their children characteristics?
3. Do you think we will ever create a machine that could function just like a human being? Would it have consciousness?
4. When do we reach technological singularity? This century? This millennium? Later? Never?
5. Do you think machines could entirely replace us some day? What would happen to us? Could we peacefully coexist?

Week 8 - The line between ensuring the safety of its own citizens and spying them

In time when world fighting with global terrorism USA uses new technology to prevent future terrorist attacks, but some time ago all media in the World informed us that under the guise of fighting with terrorism America uses new technology to spy on its citizens as well as leaders
of other countries also UK use new technology to spy on the leaders of other countries  in time the negotiations on a new EU budget . I found movie where NSA deputy director Richard Ledgett answers Anderson’s questions about the balance between security and protecting privacy.

 http://www.ted.com/talks/richard_ledgett_the_nsa_responds_to_edward_snowden_s_ted_talk#t-854117

And here is interview with Edward Snowden about surveillance and Internet freedom
http://www.ted.com/talks/edward_snowden_here_s_how_we_take_back_the_internet

Question:
1. What is your opinion about that what do  Edward Snowden?
2.What do you think about that goverment spy their citizents?
3.Where  the line between ensuring the safety of its own citizens and spying them?
4.What do you think about that what Richard Ledgett said do you think that he is convincing?

Week 7 - Beauty of exploring the world

Traveling is one of the most beautiful and the most pleasant form of spending free time. It gives you a lot of satisfaction, provides you an experiences and emotions which you can not find in everyday life. The feeling of fulfillment and freedom allows us to cut off yourself from the reality and moves to another dimension: with no pressure, stress and fast pace of life. We are more sensitive to unknown tastes, smells, landscapes and this blog will be about these things.
It doesn’t matter what is the form of our travel: lounging at warm sands of Maroco or conquering the highest peak of former ZSRR. You will return richer in experience. Traveling carries dose of challenges -  not only organizational challenges. Sometimes you have to adjust culturally, respect others behavior which deviates from the rules and norms that we know in our daily life. Sometimes you have to break down the culinary barriers.
Recently, more and more popular has became the programs which combines traveling experience with regional cuisine from around the world. Great example is here Adrew Zimmern – the host of program named 'Bizzare Foods'. In each episode, the host concentrates on cuisine in given country. In this program in vain to find something 'normal' like donuts, chips and hamburgers. You will rather find there such dishes as: sandwich with a brain, live octopus, bone marrow sucked with a straw,  egg with germ of young chicken, fried rat etc. You can see the phenomenon of this program by watching this video recorded in Thailand:

 

Some other 'interesting' examples of bizarre foods:
Durian – the most stinking fruit in the world. It smells like a carcass and you must not eat it in public transport nor bring it on flight board.
Casu Marzu – rotten sheep's milk cheese with larva of flies which make fermentation and better taste.
Fugu – Japanese poisonous fish which despite of its toxicity it is a rarity for many people. Only qualified cook can concoct this fish remaining only a small amount toxic substance that causes numbness of the tongue and lips.  Every year, fugu is the last meal for about 300 people...

And now couple of questions:
If you have no choice, which meal (among describe in this post) would you try?
If you were in Thailand or another 'exotic' country, would you decide to try 'bizarre' food? Do you have any experience with it?
Do you think, people who live in exotic country perceive bizarre foods as 'bizarre' too? What is your the most extreme experience with food?
Describe the most amazing place that you have ever been (or want to be there) and you can recommend to others.

Week 6 - The Poetry of Science: Richard Dawkins and Neil deGrasse Tyson

Continuing with the theme of science, here's a conversation between two renowned scientists: Richard Dawkins (an evolutionary biologist) and Neil deGrasse Tyson (an astrophysicist).

They both exhibit a great talent for explaining complex ideas in simple terms that anyone can follow and find entertaining. That is what made them popular (and of course their contributions to science). See for yourself:

Tyson got in a bit of trouble for dismissing philosophy in response to a question from the audience (near the end of the video at 1:02:47):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RExQFZzHXQ&t=62m47s

He made similar remarks on another occasion. There was an open letter in defense of philosophy addressed to him which received some attention (you can find Tyson's responses in the comment section):

http://horselesstelegraph.wordpress.com/2014/05/08/an-open-letter-to-neil-degrasse-tyson/

1. So what do you think? Is philosophy a dying science, or is it still relevant today?

2. What would you ask either of the professors? Is there something about nature or the universe you've always found hard to wrap your head around?

3. Do you know any scientific facts that you find truly mind-blowing or awe-inspiring?

4. What is the role of scientists? Do you think enough is being done to promote science and explain scientific discoveries to people who have finished their formal education?

5. Who is your favorite scientist?

WEEK 5 Seven Engineering Wonders of the World.

Seven Engineering Wonders of the World.
 Nowadays, the human mind leads to a new wave wonders of mechanical, electronic and construction thereby removing their predecessors. Mankind is trying to strive for the most perfect and modern equipment. Today's engineers are wizards who perform miracles, which not long ago would have been deemed impossible. Thanks to the skills of analysis of mathematics, geometry, algebra today's engineers to create computational systems to study reality in quantum scale. Here are examples of some miracles that exceed the limits of imagination:

1 Agera R. dream car.
 It is an advanced car that effortlessly accelerates to 273.416 mph. The power that has the speed demon is 1140, V8 engine with pure aluminum   5 liter. The total mass of 1 ton. This allows the car accelerates to 70 in 3 seconds. More information at:

http://www.koenigsegg.com/models/agera-r/

2 Sevenstars great design.
Burj Al Arab is a building for $ 650 million. Resembling a sail, built on an artificial island. As a new revolutionary architectural design. Burj Al Arob in Dubai is now one of the largest buildings on earth. This magnificent sail, is one of the largest in the world reaches 330 yard in height. It has 70 floors and a total an area of 111 500 sq yard. The hotel is on top of helipad. It has a restaurant with a natural aquarium full of tropical fish. The building was built in five years.

http://www.jumeirah.com/en/hotels-resorts/dubai/burj-al-arab/

3 Defend the final-Grenade XM 25 CdTe.
XM 25 CdTe is a manual semi-automatic grenade launcher that can throw out diverse ammunition at a distance of 70 yard to reach the tremendous destruction. Grenade not only fires missiles but also program them wirelessly and on pace to explode at a specific distance, or after a certain period of time. 

http://www.military.com/video/guns/grenade-launchers/xm25-wonderweapon-or-white-elephant/885454592001/

4 Mechanical monster
 The world's largest land the vehicle KRUPP BAGGER 288 is larger than the ancient Greek titan and heavier than the Titanic. Bagger is the world's largest excavator dimpled. This huge excavator has been designed by the German company Krupp for digging the mountains in Germany in search of coal. Bagger 288 kicks 240 000 tons of coal or earth day. 

http://www.totaljobs.com/careers-advice/tj-knows-it/magnificent-machines-bagger-288-bucket-excavator

5 A breakthrough in computing power.
A quantum computer D-Wave One, can make calculations millions of times faster than today's computers. It works in many ways different than those classic computer. However, the most important is its ability to superposition, that is, switching bits of data in more than one state simultaneously and expressing mathematical problems in the form of energy operators, energy forces of moving molecules. D-Wave One demonstrates the great potential of quantum computers, but it is clear that the potential to revolutionize the computing is even greater.

http://www.dwavesys.com/

6 Hyper Plane speed of Mach 20
Falcon HTV 10 - times the exceeds the speed of sound. It is capable of exceeding a speed of 12427.9 mph . So far, the Falcon HTV has enabled mass hypersonic flight data. This includes the verification of the reaction control system (RCS), a supersonic communication system, GPS is an amazing achievement, given that the speed of speeding Falcon than 3 mile per second, and the coating properties required for flight termoochronnej this great speed in the Earth atmosphere.

http://www.space.com/12604-darpa-hypersonic-glider-falcon-htv2-photos.html

7 Icon Technology
 Golden Gate Bridge proves that the impossible is possible by connecting San Francisco and Marin County. When the bridge was completed in 1937, the Golden Gate Bridge was the longest suspension bridge because its the longest span length is 1280. Not only that, but stringing the bay of San Francisco, this miracle is opposed to notoriously high wind speeds, dense fog, powerful tides, the depth of the channel 113  and serious off-road obstacles. The Golden Gate Bridge is a great feat of engineering because of the advanced construction techniques. The introduction of new developments in metallurgy means not only the advancement galvanic coating and carbon steel, but also covering leaded with power paint and surface, and later paint primer with zinc silicon and vinyl final layer to protect against corrosion.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Gate_Bridge


Questions:
1. Which of these of miracles is most interesting?
2. What do you think? What humanity can still to create?
3. How far away reach of human imagination?
4. What else should we improve?
5. How do you think. How will the world look like in 100 years?

Week 5: Crowdfunding - investment or a gamble?

The idea

Crowdfunding is a relatively new method of financing various projects (be it new technology, music, movies, games) through "the crowd" - ordinary people willing to invest in something they find promising. Theoretically, it is a way for consumers to choose a project they personally find appealing and beneficial, without relying on big corporations to deliver a finished product. It supports creativity and innovation, giving new ideas a chance to become reality.

According to Kickstarter, one of the most popular crowdfunding platforms, their success rate is 44% - with success defined as meeting the project's original financial goal. Considering that failed projects can be restarted with altered funding goals, development plans and marketing materials, this number might be somewhat higher in reality.

On the other hand, "success" is highly relative in this case. Money collection is merely one part of the process - and not necessarily the hardest one. Delays are a very common issue, with larger projects often taking months longer than their initial release date. The reasons may vary - initial funding goal might have been too low, or scope of the project might have been too ambitious.

"Why 84% of Kickstarter's top projects shipped late?"

Some projects have been abandoned entirely - in which case the creator is required to refund the backers. Unfortunately, the actual process is not dependant on the crowdsourcing platform and not guaranteed in any way. There are also cases where delays are largely indefinite, with no projected release date or status update. While it's impossible to declare project a scam without thorough investigation, it is sometimes a possible option and a potential risk to be considered.

As such, "Are Crowdfunding Sites the Future, or a Bubble Waiting to Burst?" - is quite a legitimate concern for many potential investors.

The reality?

1. What's your opinion on crowdfunding when compared to traditional financing methods?
2. Have you personally invested in a crowdfunding project? Why/why not, would you consider it at any point?
3. What do you think about projects that "succeed", but still fail to deliver the product at any point?
4. What if the project changes during development and the end result is different from what was promised?