2 November 2014 ~ Festival of Ideas

Listening to: Leo Sayer ~ Long Tall Glasses

Last weekend I attended the second annual Berkeley Uncharted: A Festival of Ideas.

Here is a link to the photo gallery.

http://www.berkeleyside.com/2014/10/29/photo-gallery-uncharted-2014-a-festival-fit-for-berkeley/

I'm in the fourth picture, second row, wearing a white sweater.

There were so many topics covered, I went home at the end of each day just tired from overactive brain stimulation. Some highlights and tidbits to challenge every day thinking:

• Google has bought 8 robotics companies in the past year. with access to data (weather, maps, behaviors) via the internet, it hopes to do more with robotics than just a self driving car. But, how easily could a robot be hacked? Can we program ethical dilemmas?

• In 1967 only 33 states allowed inter-racial marriage. Today, only 31 states allow gay marriage.

• Origin of the word "computer" was a reference to a person who did mathematical calculations for a living.

• Psychology of Aging. We are living on average 30 years longer than in 1900. Can we think differently about education and work and living so those 30 years aren't just tagged on at the end of our lifespan?

• The "Maker Movement" is all about people making things and sharing ideas.

• If by 2042 we are all a minority, how do we create a majority?