this curious life

 

While many Americans were finalizing preparations for Thanksgiving on Nov. 21, the U.S. Deputy Defense Secretary Ashton Carter signed a new policy directive aimed at reducing the risk and “consequences of failures in autonomous and semi-autonomous weapon systems that could lead to unintended engagements.” In other words, the Pentagon was making sure that the U.S. military doesn’t end up in a situation where robots are able to decide whether to pull the trigger on a human.

 

In an attempt to head that future off, Terminator-like, Cambridge University has announced it’s setting up a center next year devoted to the study of technology and “existential risk” — the threat that advances in artificial intelligence, biotechnology and other fields could pose to mankind’s very existence.

 

Read more: http://newsfeed.time.com/2012/11/29/rise-of-the-machines-cambridge-university-to-study-technologys-existential-risk-to-mankind/#ixzz2Ddt8C5H2

England have yet again slumped out of a tournament at the quarter final stage on penalties.

 

But what's the best way to deal with such disappointments?  Following England's latest defeat in a major tournament on penalties..............

 

'England fans can get annoyed by a coaching structure and culture of footballthat has apparently left the national team without players who competentlypass the ball.'

 

Strong stuff!!

  

Philosophy provides clues as to how sportsmen and women and fans alike can cope rationally with such losses:

 

'............gaining a sense of perspective after a loss is something sportprofessionals have to do.'

 

Gaining perspective therefore requires a philosophical attitude:

 

'..........The Oxford English Dictionary gives one of the meanings of"philosophical" as "characterised by uncomplaining acceptance of adversecircumstances; wise, calm, stoical".'

 

Unfortunately, these are not characteristics usually associated with fan(atic)s of anything.  Certainly not England football fans and perhaps, most tellingly, not many England football players.