Category Archives: Science & Technology

all things based on science and technology

Dr. Samori Swygert: Will you be jobless in 2 years?

November 18, 2013 admin Leave a comment

By: Dr. Samori Swygert

We are being replaced by technology. The creations and innovations that bring us tremendous convenience and speed are reducing human utility into obsolescence. Automation, digitization, robotics, and software engineering are replacing humans at lightening speed.

The news outlets routinely report and forecast the unemployment rate. We are also familiarized with the influx of immigrants, and competition with foreigners in this global economy. However, we must address our silent competitor, TECHNOLOGY!

First, it’s important to understand that owners and employers don’t create jobs as a moral obligation to society. Owners and CEOs only hire because an employee is an essential liability to produce their products or operate the services they provide. Owners would be exuberantly thrilled if they could keep the money spent on payroll as revenue and profit! I’m going to share the impetus and reasons why employers are addicted to this downsizing and phasing out of human capital.

Why use technology over humans?

Robots, machines, software, and automation don’t require scheduled lunch breaks. Employers don’t have to worry about holiday schedules or holiday pay. Job productivity is easily predictable, uniformed, measured, consistent, and non-emotional. Theft and employee shrinkage is a nonissue with an inanimate object. Computers can get viruses, but employers don’t have to worry about pregnancy and maternity leave. Attendance is a nonissue because all equipment is onsite 24/7, and this eliminates call-ins, and tardiness.

Moreover, employers are not responsible for provision of health insurance, supplemental life insurance for the employee, and their family. Robots, software and the like, don’t get injured, and thus this relinquishes any responsibility of the employer in worker’s compensation cases. Employers are not bogged down in battles between labor unions, because the employer’s workforce is not based on human resources.

Furthermore, with the use of technology employers eliminate the issues of whistleblowers, insubordination, workplace violence, and s****l harassment. Technology also reduces the legal risks of the employment process for owners, because it eliminates religious, racial, gender, and age discrimination lawsuits.

Oh, I almost forgot, all the payroll money is converted to revenue, or small time insurance/warranty policies that pale in comparison to the cost of a fulltime employee. Technology is void of emotions and is programmed for precise algorithms and protocols of production. Technology lacks poor habits, and is easily upgradable and updated seamlessly.

Samori show me the proof!

This transition of culture in the work environment is happening as I type. Think of the following cases. Blockbuster video used to hire human employees, and now we rent from a Redbox, Netflix, or download our movies. We used to book vacations using a travel agent, and now we use Travelocity or the plethora of online travel sites. Grocery store cashiers have been replaced with automated express checkout lanes. The surge in ATMs starts reducing the need for bank tellers. Courtroom stenographers can be easily replaced by voice to text software like Dragon. Secretaries are now in the palm of executive’s hands with a smartphone, because they have calendars, schedules, alarms and contacts at the tap of the screen. When we call the businesses that we have an account with, we typically get an automated greeting, and the Rosetta Stone assisted language of choice if you press a specific number.

Allow me to be more current, and in depth with the illustration of my argument, consider these developments. What is the use of the Airforce or pilots if we now have drones? Furthermore, the United Nations is currently petitioning countries to stop making robot soldiers (yes they have robot soldiers).1 Bars, lounges, and restaurants are now ushering in robot bartenders (so long to the cute bartender with the good convo fellas, unless you like Computer Love).2 MIT’s technology review reported how Toyota is currently developing robotic nurses.3 Forbes magazine produced an article in November 2012 that detailed how driverless trucks are being used in mining and other transportation endeavors.4 How will this affect the vast number of human truckers, bus drivers, cabs, limo drivers, and train conductors in America? DARPA is under The Department of Defense (DoD), and has created so many mind blowing robotic innovations that you have to ponder your job security. Will we literally evolve into the “Hunger Games”, where our only use is the shear entertainment of the wealthy in the years to come?

I say develop laser like focus on the needs, wants, and demands of society, become your own boss. Acquire resources now, and create an independent impenetrable network of like minded individuals to facilitate some sort of sustainability in our communities. Develop our own systems of commerce, trade, and production. Corporate greed is not concerned about the implications and ramifications of human substitution.

References

1.http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/31/world/europe/united-nations-armed-robots.html?_r=1&

2.http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/01/monsieur-drink-robot_n_4017095.html

3.http://www.technologyreview.com/view/426090/meet-toyotas-robotic-nurses/

4.http://www.forbes.com/sites/timworstall/2012/11/26/dont-tell-the-teamsters-but-driverless-trucks-are-already-here/

5.http://www.darpa.mil/our_work/tto/programs/darpa_robotics_challenge.aspx

Science & Technology

Genetically Modified Babies: Is man playing God?

November 18, 2013 admin Leave a comment

By: Dr. Samori Swygert

We’ve arrived at a benchmark in our science and technological advances. The scientific community has already mapped and sequenced the entire human genome. This allows for breakthrough cures, remedies, and treatments. Stem cell research and gene therapy is giving individuals with life threatening conditions another chance at a healthy and fruitful life.

However, with each new discovery comes the potential for corruption, and perversion of an initially noble motive. According to an article in the Wall Street Journal, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has granted a California based company a patent for a technique that allows them to specifically target and select gene traits for babies.¹

The author, Gau Tam Naik, explained that the company, 23andME, will be able to select genes for hair color, eye color, and etc. The potential donor of an egg or sperm can be screened for any genetic abnormalities, and predisposed genes. This was already being performed in fertility clinics but on a more nonscientific basis. Potential parents could preview profiles of donors and make choices based off info supplied to their profile, but they never had the donor’s full genetic sequence! This new patented technique will screen out individuals with undesirable traits. This gives potential parents choices on both disease related traits, and cosmetic non-disease traits.

According to the article, Catherine Afarian, a spokeswoman for the company, indicated that cosmetic trait selection is not the premise for this patented technique. However, even though that is not the intention, the patent approval is there and this can be practiced in the future, legally.

Positive Implications

As a healthcare practitioner that sees critically ill patients on a routine basis, I understand the role and importance in genetic testing and engineering. Many patients and an overwhelming demographic of the U.S. population suffer from genetic diseases such as: Down Syndrome, Sickle Cell Anemia, Huntington’s Disease, Cystic Fibrosis (CFTR gene), Breast Cancer (HER2 gene), and specific Diabetes types. These advances can save many lives, and prevent many diseases if implemented and utilized appropriately. This can save money, cμt health insurance premiums, and give a peace of mind to parents.

My Concerns

Several concerns come into play when I think about the potential perversion of such a powerful scientific capability. I think of this wave of obsession with Botox lip injections, Breast Augmentation, Gluteal (Bμtt) Implants, and the physical and psychological impact on individuals. I think of eugenics and Hitler’s Nazι experimentations to breed a so called “superior race”. I think of the silly recurrent debates of light skin versus dark skin, “good hair” and “bad hair”. How will this affect our love relationships and marriages when it comes to family planning?

This reminds me of a novel I read by Aldous Huxley called, Brave New World, and individuals were no longer being born, but bread in lab and assigned to a particular social class based on genetic superiority or inferiority that was predetermined by the ruling class.

Moreover, as science continues to progress, the potential to gain an advantage comes into play if more discoveries of intellectual and physical traits can be illuminated. Based on the current financial predicament, those that have adequate finances to use this service may have a “one up” on individuals that can’t afford to get the appropriate genetic remedy, and once again, poorer children would suffer unnecessary health conditions based off the lack of money.

I think of ethnic cleansing, and the current climate, and racial tension in America today. WE HAVE A SEVERE RACE PROBLEM THAT HAS NEVER BEEN SOLVED, AND PEOPLE ARE SCARED AND UNWILLING TO MATURELY AND PUBLICLY ADDRESS IT. I feel this denial, and avoidance to have a mature public discourse on the resolution of racism in America will be the main downfall of our nation.

The article also says that “a patient would first specify certain traits that he or she wants in a child, and based on the patient’s own genetic profile, a computerized system then performs inheritance calculations pertaining to the traits of interest and identifies one or more preferred donors for the recipient”.

I think this concept applied with the specific medical purpose of disease management has a place, but I also fervently believe that strict and stringent governance, guidelines, reviews, and audits should be routinely enforced to restrict abuse of this power.

What are your thoughts on this? Please read the article by visiting the link below. God Bless, and have a wonderful day!!

Reference: http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702303492504579113293429460678

Science & Technology

Dr. Samori Swygert: Asteroid has so much gold that it’s worth $20 Trillion Dollars!!

November 18, 2013 admin Leave a comment

By: Dr. Samori Swygert

I’m very passionate about sharing knowledge with people. I fervently believe knowledge should be shared and not hoarded for personal gain. I would like to share some info about Gold that many of you may not be aware of. There is Gold in space, and tons of it!

Have you ever wondered what NASA does in space? We routinely hear how a new shuttle has launched into space off of Cape Canaveral, and later we welcome it back to earth to much fanfare for a safe return. The news outlets never really go into depth about what they discovered in space. Yes we understand that they have built spacestations, there may be life on Mars, new planets have appeared in our galaxy, but that is typically the extent. What they don’t fully disclose, but you have to research, is the amount of wealth this country and others are competing for, a literal STARS WARS.

What’s it worth in $?

The United States is no longer focused solely on “their GOD” (Gold. Oil. Diamonds). These material items are not my GOD. However, the United States is “Asteroid Mining”. According to an article from the BBC, an asteroid named, Eros, has been noted to contain 20,000 million Tonnes of Aluminum, and equal amounts of Gold, and Platinum. This data that I’m reporting is old news to the space community, because that article was published July 22, 1999. The asteroid itself is quoted to be worth $20,000bn. Yes the numbers, commas, and units of monetization are correct; please view the original article at your leisure from reference number one.¹ Scientists report that an asteroid less than a mile in diameter could be worth $20 Trillion dollars, because of the precious and industry metals within it.² Brent Spiner reported to Forbes Magazine, that there approximately 9,000 asteroids in Earth’s vicinity that are available for mining.³

Who are the players?

Many billionaires and privately owned mining firms are jumping into these unbelievable expeditions. A few of these companies are: Space X, Planetary Resources, and Deep Space Industries. Google executive Larry Paige and ex-presidential candidate Ross Perot have even invested with the company, Planetary Resources.^4,5 The precious metals are not the only things these aerospace explorers and investors are interested in. The companies are also using crowd funding as methods of fundraising for their endeavors. Many of these asteroids contain copious amounts of hydrogen and oxygen. This reservoir of these elements expands the possibility of water resources for fueling and other uses.^4,5 Deep Space Industries already have two spacecrafts ready for launching and mining called, The Dragonfly and The Firefly.⁶ These companies and executives are set to become the new Vanderbilts, Fords, Rockerfellers, Carnegies, and Morgans of the space frontier.

The take home message

These companies have imagined, studied, planned, and are now executing their plots. As blacks, I see no reason why this should be an exclusive domain to a few. Based on this information, I think we should definitely encourage our children to become active competitors and participants in this field. We already had Dr. Mae Jemison (a black female medical doctor and astronaut). Also, these can be good investment opportunities for those that have the money or practice group economics. Lastly, this is motivation to think BIG, and don’t think anything is impossible. There are other links you can access to read up on this, and view some videos.^7,8Be blessed, motivated and share the knowledge. God Bless!

References

Science & Technology

Gunshot recognition technology is revolutionizing crime prevention!

November 18, 2013 admin Leave a comment

by: Dr. Samori Swygert

In the wake of recent shootings the issue of gun control has become a hot topic. Gun control has maneuvered its way to center stage of American politics and mass media. The country has been divided by the viewpoints and beliefs of many organizations. The NRA (National Rifle Association), the Tea Party and many other groups advocate a pro-gun position, while many victim’s rights groups lobby for tougher gun control.

Urban inner-city gang violence, racially motivated homicides, crimes of passion, or mass shootings like Virginia Tech, Newton, and even domestic governmental attacks like shootings at Washington Navy Yard, and Fort Hood have captivated and paralyzed America.

However, a new crime fighting tool has emerged a little over a decade ago. A program called Shotspotter, originally developed by the Department of Defense, has cities nationwide opting in to implement this new technological strategy. This system employs the use of sound sensors placed on city streetlamps and buildings that detect and record the audio when a gunshot occurs. The data is transmitted over a secure Wi-Fi connection in 3 to 5 seconds from the location of incident, to a command center or police station. The alert registers in the station with a unique audio signature or acoustic fingerprint. The fingerprint denotes the time, location, and is accurate to within feet of the shots fired.

The system has even been upgraded to record photos, and video footage now. The company claims the system’s video component is adaptable to any video source and camera specifications. This enhancement allows authorities to record footage of escape routes, number of individuals at the scene, and a wide array of forensic evidence necessary to conduct a thorough investigation. This strategy is almost real time monitoring of a crime, and aids in the rapid life saving deployment of medical assistance, quick apprehension of criminals with reduction of unsolved cold cases. This also decreases the chances of mistaken identity, and tampering of the scene of the crime.

CURRENT USE

Currently Shotspotter is being used in over 73 cities in the U.S.. The published cities of note include: Seattle, Washington, Baltimore, Maryland, Gary, Indiana, Englewood, Chicago Lawn, Harrison and Grand Crossing portions of Chicago, Illinois, Hempstead, Roosevelt, and Uniondale, Long Island, New York, Newark, New Jersey, and Washington D.C..

The photo, and video upgrades added a tremendous edge to this system, but that’s not the tip of the iceberg!! The system will use Safety Dynamics’ camera that will direct a high resolution camera at the shooter’s face for facial recognition. The image is then ran through a biometric software database named, Face First Software, hosted by a company named, Airborne Biometric Group. This seeks to make a match with in prior records of individuals in their database. The software is said to create a profile for new shooters. Many of the faces compiled into their database are sourced from 3rd party affiliates such as Facebook, and dating sites.

I think that this has some applicable uses especially when we consider the number of homicides in Miami, Chicago, Detroit, New York, and other major cities. We are losing a large amount of our young brothers and sisters to senseless violence, and so much beautiful young potential has gone to waste. This does seem a little “big brotherish” in scope but I can see some good. This would also allow individuals to keep their guns for true home protection and self defense use, and not wanton criminal abuse of a firearm.

Furthermore, this can reduce cases of “my word against your word” police shootings of unarmed individuals. I think criminals and police alike, will think twice about how they conduct themselves knowing that they will be videotaped, photographed, recorded, and facially scanned when discharging a firearm. I wonder what would have been the outcome of Sean Bell, Amadou Diallo, Trayvon Martin, Jordan Davis, and countless other victims if the prosecution had video, photo, and audio evidence.

They have also developed a tattoo recognition database, but I will post that article with other new practices like this pre-crime system they have developed. Until next time, be blessed!!

References