June 2007

I knew this would happen at some point. I warned Miles that one day, 1-800-Flowers or ProFlowers or any number of eGifting shops we shopped at for our grandmother(s) would send me email reminding me to send her flowers on her birthday, Mother’s Day, etc.

So, here we have it in the image of my Y! Mail inbox above. A wonderful example of how personalization can really go wrong. ProFlowers tells me to "Send Sandra 36 Petite Roses".

Here’s the problem:

• Sandra (my paternal grandmother) died in December 2006
• Even if Sandra (aka Nana) were alive, I would *never* buy her petite roses — just not her style!

C’mon folks, it’s 2007. Let’s get personalization right even if you are not a global media platform.  Please don’t act on my personal order history without my consent.  It’s as simple as asking your users what info they’ don’t mind retaining. 

Would be an entirely different story here, if the email suggested I send flowers to  someone  (a) alive and (b) someone I know who actually likes petite roses.

{sigh}

Technology may one day destroy us. That day may not be so far away (depending on half-empty/half-full daily filter). I’ve noticed a couple really compelling articles on the state of robotics. In particular, the articles raised concerns of the ethical aspects of robots, both in their interactions with humans and also when robots are completely autonomous.

In my reading experience, the two articles were nearly back to back in time. Looking now, the two articles are separated by nearly two months.  The first piece,  "The ethical dilemmas of robots",  appeared on March 9th. While the second article, "Robot future poses hard questions", was published on April 24th.  The only reason time is of consequence is because I don’t ever recall reading any such controversial publications about robotics in such a short time-span. Not even back in my robotics class at art school in 1990.

At any rate, both articles  signify increasingly astute observations about the ethical dilemmas we, as humans, are to face regarding robots rights. It’s fascinating stuff.  I have no doubt, robots will become smarter than humans. This may be the case, if only to display the programming prowess of engineers and our computational potential.

Turns out
Science Fiction has been a misnomer all these years.  Science, sure, but the Fiction is transitional. Until our race is overtaken by robots or other forms of technology wreak (even more) havoc on us environmentally or socially, I will be in deep awe of the quality of technological progress enables these days.

I’m beside myself with excitement over the recent study of 200 scientists who have found key genetic variants that determine a handful of the major diseases worldwide. This study, the Wellcome Trust Case Consortium, has just announced their watershed results today. The BBC provides a nice  overview and also some insight into the actual diseases the research has covered.

When our wars, climate change and disparity between populations can be overwhelming,  technological progress which supports and enhances humanity provides such a sweet, sweet contrast.

Can’t help seeing this remarkable photo from the demonstration in Caracas this past week,  think about corporate philanthropy and to what extent some businesses might go to capitalize on a peoples powerlessness and frustration.

Imagine: Full page ad with this photo centered covering 2/3 the page in the  nyt/WaPo/wsj, with a bold caption underneath: "FUCK KHAKI’S, we DEMAND Freedom of Speech"

Looks like even more unrest is to take place in Caracas. Thousands of Chavistas gathered today in support of Chavez’s decision to terminate the broadcasting of the dissenting RCTV.  Will be watching this over the coming days to see what becomes of this, along with any overt/attempted intervention or statements from the brothers Castro and the US. A great documentary  details the failed coup in 2002, as it was happening and is a fantastic witness to the internal tensions which seize Venezuela.

Here we are, full circle, with what Chavez understands to be more coup attempts incited by Radio Caracas. So, maybe this anti-Chavez  protest _was_ sponsored by "Gap", afterall. Whatever conspiracy theories may exist will never cease as long as Chavez and Bush co-exist as leaders. 

Am all for the people here and their right to expression.  Though, what to say? Censorship is very obviously in our backyards too not to mention the mess our news media has become. We could use some intense protesting here with regards to the overall state of our increasingly faux-freedoms.

more  -> FreeRCTV.org

[photo by AP, naturally]