Rod Furlan 07/21 – Rod’s timeline
July 28, 2009
GSP-09: Student’s Perspective, By Rod Furlan
(SU’s 2009 Graduate Studies Program)
Follow Rod on twitter at rfurlan
7:18:51 AM
Today I will be covering a day in the life of a Singularity University student #singularityu
7:20:34 AM
Just got up, getting ready for class. We were asked to show up earlier today to discuss our Phase #1 assigment. #singularityu
8:07:02 AM
Walking to breakfast, I AM’ running late!
8:09:55 AM
Cafeteria with Hangar One in the background http://twitpic.com/b3zl2
8:14:38 AM
Breakfast not at the usual place today. That is what I get for not checking the online calendar for updates lol
8:38:12 AM
This is were we are having our classes this week. http://twitpic.com/b429g
8:48:39 AM
Current state of breakfast is undefined. I hope they will bring caffeine and a lot of it.
8:46:55 AM
Starvation is over, food is here!
9:02:56 AM
We are running a little late with our schedule today. @PeterDiamandis is here for an announcement. We should get started soon.
9:06:28 AM
We didn’t have any protein for breakfast today. I can almost feel muscle catabolism taking place inside my body…
9:12:16 AM
Oh there are egg sandwiches around, must investigate…
9:19:09 AM
Our first lecture just started, we will be discussing intellectual property for the next hour #singularityu
9:21:43 AM
At SU we use Etherpad for note-taking, sometimes with hilarious outcomes. #singularityu
9:26:19 AM
Software patents are absurd. Seriously. #singularityu
9:40:31 AM
I wonder if it would be possible to write a random patent generator… (and get a patent for it) #singularityu
9:48:45 AM
Dan Barry just brought up a great point against “wide” patents: e.g. “robot that navigates a household” – way to kill innovation :/
9:52:34 AM
Now we are talking trademarks #singularityu
10:01:21 AM
@ira_a I agree (trademarks are good) :)
10:11:50 AM
Now on to copyright #singularityu
10:20:30 AM
Law & Ethics lecture just ended, we have a quick 10 minute break now – time to procure caffeine. #singularityu
10:21:06 AM
Scientists reveal secret of girl with ‘all seeing eye’ http://ff.im/-5wgQZ
10:21:38 AM
Brain Surgery Using Sound Waves http://ff.im/-5wgRi
10:28:52 AM
We have just reorganized all the tables in the room to maximize engagement. #singularityu
10:30:22 AM
Now on to “Applications of Synthetic Biology”. I love this place! #singularityu
10:31:44 AM
“We need more designers in biology” #singularityu
10:32:49 AM
I find the “DNA is software” analogy somewhat dangerous. Software does not mutate as you copy it… #singularityu
10:34:15 AM
Even though we might be able to add post-copy integrity checks to DNA code, what if the check itself is damaged during copy? #singularityu
10:38:50 AM
Good to know: you can use designer-biology to get around drug patents #singularityu
10:46:25 AM
Globalization will drive synthetic biology development forward. If we don’t do it, someone else will. #singularityu
10:48:20 AM
Check out this Microsoft Research syn-bio project: http://bit.ly/11e9e4
10:56:49 AM
Reading about the Science Commons: http://twitzap.com/u/DVQ #singularityu
11:05:37 AM
We are now discussing applications of synthetic biology – one idea: microbes that will eat anything we don’t want around #singularityu
11:07:52 AM
Another application: revert desertification with designer plants #singularityu
11:10:30 AM
Yet another application of syn-bio: oral-microbiological agents to get rid of plaque #singularityu
11:18:44 AM
Now talking about syn-bio ethics…
11:20:54 AM
Future (possible) syn-bio issues: unpractical genetic “fads”, genetic malpractice, the “playing god” blanket objection #singularityu
11:24:48 AM
Future (possible) syn-bio issues: Genetic “prisoner’s dilemma” designer’s babies vs natural babies #singularityu
11:32:31 AM
Now discussing how can syn-bio help the world in the short term. Ideas: microbes to make medicine and microbes to deal with pollution
11:37:08 AM
Time for a break and then some… ROBOT TALK #singularityu
11:45:06 AM
Now on to a AnyBots Presentation by Trevor Blackwell #singularityu
11:46:14 AM
Anybots tele-presence robots: http://anybots.com/
11:47:01 AM
@ira_a Not likely I would be able to, our schedule is very aggressive :(
11:58:20 AM
Oh I want one of those robots so bad #singularityu
11:56:03 AM
Looking at something that looks like a dishwasher loading/emptying robot. This changes everything. #singularityu
11:56:29 AM
@ira_a Will do :)
12:01:17 PM
Whoa, this guy have a HMD and data-gloves and he is using it to drive the robot. #singularityu
12:01:54 PM
Now the robot is preparing coffee…
12:05:06 PM
Plan: start with an able yet dumb robot (teleoperated). Add automation little by little (starting with repetitive bits) until 99% autonomous
12:08:21 PM
When a robot kills, who pulled the trigger? #singularityu
12:09:46 PM
Likewise, when a robot surgeon saves someone, who is the hero? #singularityu
12:34:06 PM
We are about to step into the bus, we are visiting Autodesk this afternoon. #singularityu
1:07:28 PM
All on board the singularity bus! #singularityu http://twitpic.com/b4ymj
1:53:13 PM
Arriving at Autodesk #singularityu
2:01:49 PM
And here we are @ Autodesk, I hope there will be swag! #singularityu http://twitpic.com/b55vp
2:03:12 PM
2:05:21 PM
2:22:12 PM
“Design for Mankind’s Greatest Challenges” http://twitpic.com/b58fl
2:32:08 PM
Love the idea of a prototyping culture, it lets you make decisions based on real data, not opinions.
2:36:07 PM
SU students are coming to SF! 1st stop CitizenSpace -5pm, then Tres Agaves-6pm. Come meet us! #singularityu #su_happyhour
2:38:34 PM
Making stuff isn’t the problem anymore – differentiation is #singularityu
2:50:51 PM
“If god didn’t create it, one of our clients did” heard @ Autodesk #singularityu
2:57:30 PM
“Design is the application of technology to serve human needs” #singularityu
3:14:48 PM
#singularityu @ Autodesk http://twitpic.com/b5f3r
3:30:15 PM
Auto-stereoscopic monitor – I need one SO BAD #singularityu http://twitpic.com/b5h58
4:19:06 PM
The image on the screen represents the viewport of the little guy on the table #singularityu http://twitpic.com/b5nle
4:30:48 PM
#singularityu was here @ Autodesk http://twitpic.com/b5p0t
4:34:27 PM
Back to the singularity bus #singularityu
4:40:20 PM
I love technology way too much. It is unnatural. #singularityu
4:49:03 PM
Just arrived at the Citizen’s Space #singularityu
4:51:24 PM
5:02:21 PM
@PeterDiamandis is always thinking of always to help one billion people #singularityu http://twitpic.com/b5t5e
5:56:36 PM
Twittering from…. Twitter! #singularityu http://twitpic.com/b60d2
6:13:51 PM
At Twitter HQ, hanging out #singularityu http://twitpic.com/b62my
6:19:04 PM
TwitterBox 360 #singularityu http://twitpic.com/b63c9
6:30:17 PM
Just ran into @ev and @biz with some #singularityu students. Cool moment. Now off to tres agaves (via @salimismail)
6:43:52 PM
Having dinner now #singularityu http://twitpic.com/b6c3n
8:13:12 PM
Back to the singularity bus, heading back to NASA AM’es, Twitting from a borrowed phone (thanks Nitesh!) #singularityu
9:26:19 PM
Back to NASA AM’es, time to read about this midnight deadline I keep hearing about… #singularityu
10:28:30 PM
We’re here to figure out a way to help 1 billion people in 10 years. It is a tall order, tonight will probably be a long night #singularityu
10:29:15 PM
So, how would you help 10^9 people in a decade? Suggestions welcome! #singularityu
11:48:36 PM
Talking about the 10^9 team project at the SU studend lodge #singularityu
http://twitpic.com/b7298
11:49:44 PM
Ideas, everywhere I look. #singularityu http://twitpic.com/b72c1
11:55:35 PM
This is the end of a day in the life of a Singularity University student – time to call my wife and then go to bed #singularityu