TED Community » Danger Lampost

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• A reply on Conversation: How can a global business create a fulfilling relationship with a local community?

  16 hours ago: If you start a business with that intention and value it is possible! But pretty much impossible to change an existing global business.
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  A comment on Conversation: How can a global business create a fulfilling relationship with a local community?

  16 hours ago: I am starting a global business with a major focus on helping local. There are many others doing the same thing because there are many business needs unique to local businesses. However the global business must have a major strategic focus on local to make a difference. Don't bother trying to convert a global business that does not have local as a major focus. If that is not their focus, they will only make a token, good will effort as much for marketing value as anything else.
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  A reply on Talk: Sergey Brin: Why Google Glass?

  1 day ago: I came away with the opposite impression - I found he exactly addressed the title of Why Google Glass. Why? To provide a significantly more seamless and integrated experience so that maybe we won't be staring down at our devices all the time, swiping our screens, disconnecting from those around us. I found his opening bit where he was staring down at his device very effective.
  
  I in fact found an almost complete lack of discussion regarding what Glass is. No mention of hardware, software, platform, features, etc.
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  A comment on Talk: Sergey Brin: Why Google Glass?

  1 day ago: About 4-5 years ago, I spent a year without a mobile device. It was an eye opening experience for me, and I think Sergey makes a very good point with his opening remarks, looking down at his mobile device reading spam. Public places like trains, restaurants, parks, and streets are lonelier than they used to be, because so many people are staring down at their devices, nervously swiping at their devices, often with ear buds shutting out all sounds. Glass tries to solve both the audio and visual problems walling us off from the real world and the real people around us.
  
  I applaud Sergey's efforts to recover our lost personal interactions and more smoothly and seamlessly integrate our online world with our every day lives. As with any paradigm shift, we have to remember this is version 1, and that if this takes off, then over the years it will get smaller, even more out of the way. Imagine this 10 or 20 years from now? Remember what mobile phones were like 20 years ago - even 10 years ago?
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  A reply on Conversation: What does your utopian future look like?

  1 day ago: Hi Thor,
  
  Cyber-world is a good word for it, but we are not limited to living a virtual reality. We are exploring our galactic neighborhood and what we have discovered so far is more interesting than the cyber-worlds we create. There is so much out there to explore, experience, and learn that I can't imagine being bored any time soon. But then again time is infinite, so we have a few choices should someone choose de-animation, or death.
  
  Although your consciousness is backed up, we do not need to restore that backup should all the living, functioning copies of yourself cease (die). We also have a way of hitting the pause button on your consciousness, which effectively gives you death.
  
  There is another option too which some find compelling. They choose incarnation in a human body and when that body eventually dies, we recover your consciousness and we ask you if you would like to return to the cloud and global consciousness, or if you choose, we can pull the plug at that point.
  
  So you've got the plug in your own hands and can pull it whenever you like.
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  A reply on Conversation: What does your utopian future look like?

  2 days ago: Here in 2150 we have found that maintaining the illusion of a separate self is necessary for evolving consciousness. The global mind also has its own illusion of a separate self, as being separate from the rest of the universe. The whole universe is conscious, every rock and tree and moon, even empty space.
  
  When we disconnect from the global consciousness to go exploring, the sense of self is invaluable. Also, we have found that each consciousness will evolve differently and that diversity gives the whole global consciousness strength.

• A comment on Conversation: The removal of all patents

  2 days ago: I am concerned about the possibility of the U.S. Supreme Court allowing patents to be granted for human genes (and other genes). A decision is expected this June. Actress Angelina Jolie's recently announced double mastectomy (in the absence of any cancer) has brought increased focus to this issue because of her fame. From what I understand, the company named Myriad Genetics claims a patent on the gene responsible for her increased risk of cancer, and as a result, this would effectively deny testing for this gene to poorer people.
  
  I would certainly need to research this whole case to understand it, but on the surface of it, the concept of patenting a human gene seems wrong to me.
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  A reply on Conversation: Integrating music into our everyday lives.

  3 days ago: Hi Greg,
  
  You might find the Sanskrit language interesting, as the Sanskrit alphabet was designed in such a way as to give your tongue an exercise. As you say the alphabet, your attention moves from the front of your mouth to the back. The sounds of the language were designed intentionally for effect, so Sanskrit poetry, when pronounced has an effect unlike any other language I've encountered. This is because the sound of words, and how your mouth and tongue move to communicate, affects the way you feel and the way others perceive your thoughts. Somewhat reminiscent of Dune, if you've seen that.

• A comment on Conversation: Integrating music into our everyday lives.

  3 days ago: Hi Lizanne,
  
  I really enjoyed watching your Youtube video. Well edited!
  
  Though my singing would likely cause dogs to start howling and people to cover their ears, I make music and music has been a central part of my life ever since I can remember. I've never had a lesson but I have played the piano since I could walk. See https://soundcloud.com/eniveld/one-string-piano-1 for a typical example of my playing. Sadly, a piano does not fit into my backpack, so it is not a very practical way for me to express myself. Very unlike singing, which is portable.
  
  I do think everyone needs to express themselves through some sort of music, in whatever way they can. I've been a part of drumming circles. Have you tried that?
  
  D

• A reply on Conversation: What does your utopian future look like?

  3 days ago: If you are young enough, it's quite possible you could be there to see it all, if you opt for the immortality part. Many people don't want that for themselves. Ray Kurzweil, the guy who popularized the term 'The Singularity', thinks he may be young enough at age 65.