Findings from September 20-21, 2011

www.popsci.com/technology/article/2011-09/killer-drones-when-will-our-weaponized-robots-become-autonomous
As a former debater, I heard a lot of debates about combat drones deployed in Afghanistan and Pakistan, while we didn't examine the future implications of autonomous drones, this article does so very nicely. The scary part about this whole situation, and for many situations of sci-fi weaponry, is that the technologies exist to deploy these weapons, and the only obstacles are cost and a desire to maintain old methods. At the end of the article, the author begs the question that I feel most relevant, "At what percentage of error are we willing to say autonomous robots are ready for war?" This question can not only be applied to drones, but also how much error is an army willing to allow before questions are raised. This could also be used as a message for us, the civilians - how much error do we and can we allow before we need to ask the hard questions in a public sphere, much as has happened in blogs protesting almost any topic imaginable, protected by the government they rail against.

www.technologyreview.com/blog/mimssbits/27185%253Fnlid%253Dnldly%2526nld%253D2011-09-22
Full disclosure, I love my Kindle, and at the speed I read, it wouldn't be feasible for me to take the number of books I need on a family trip without adding another bag to the trip. However, this raises issues of what happens when ebook readers become even more ubiquitous. In addition perhaps being able to read them during take-off and landing (I wish), perhaps they may create a learning divide between the "haves" and "have-nots." While ebook readers are certainly more cost-effective for textbooks, I can't give that textbook to the next person, be it my sibling or my friend, to use. While I'm a big fan in some instances, I'll admit that sometimes a physical book is better. As a bonus, the comments at the bottom are actually worth reading, and don't dissolve into a flame war or obnoxious ad hominems.

www.buzzfeed.com/fxnetwork/the-best-lines-from-its-always-sunny%253Ffb_ref%253DHSUA1
After the two deep finds, I thought this was hysterical. I enjoy It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, but I don't get to watch it nearly enough, so some of these lines were surprises to me. For those who don't know, It's Always Sunny is a show on FX in it's seventh season that follows five
obnoxious friends, called "The Gang," as they try to run a bar. The humor comes from their attempts to game the system and their various personality traits, ranging from huge egos to alcoholism. The humor is crude and offensive, but worth it all the same. I suggest at least reading these, then if any of them make you laugh, watch the new episodes on FX and reruns on Comedy Central.