Our Intelligence: Our Definitions

Clearly if other animals exhibit impressive intelligence appropriate to their environment, perhaps we are not as special as we've been taught. A good conversation with a dolphin about the latest cetacean gossip would be convincing evidence that humans are not the pinnacle of evolution, only the temporary pinnacle of one small twig on the tree of life.We humans have always thought of ourselves as particularly bright, proudly noting our compassion, humor, altruism and impressive capacity to generate language, mathematics, tools, art, and music along with computer development and software development. In citing this self-serving list, filtered to our benefit, we assume that humans possess, and other animals lack, these honorable traits or capabilities. We ignore the inconvenient fact that we choose to define and measure intelligence in terms of our greatest strengths. We arbitrarily exclude from the definition of intelligence higher brain functions in other animals. Enter the compelling interest in communication with dolphins. We would be low on the list of smart animals if we included in our basic definition of intelligence the ability to use self-generated sonar to explore the environment and to communicate.

Net Neutrality

Once upon a time, companies like AT&T, Comcast, Verizon, and others declared a war on the internet’s foundational principle: that its networks should be “neutral” and users don’t need anyone’s permission to invent, create, communicate, broadcast, or share online. The neutral and level playing field provided by permissionless innovation has empowered all of us with the freedom to express ourselves and innovate online without having to seek the permission of a remote telecom executive. But today, that freedom won’t survive much longer if a federal court — the second most powerful court in the nation behind the Supreme Court, the DC Circuit — is set to strike down the nation’s net neutrality law, a rule adopted by the Federal Communications Commission in 2010. If the neutrality is to go, so does meritocracy because it depends on the deals that are struck with the phone services and web service providers, not how great technology and coding a certain company has. Unfortunately there are plenty of loophole to go around.

Texting While Driving: Very Costly

As it turns out, texting-while-driving penalities vary widely from state to state. According to a new state-by-state analysis by Mother Jones, I would have gotten off easy — the offense carries a $20 base fine in California. But had I been driving in Alaska, I could have been facing not only a $10,000 ticket, but a year in prison as well. It may seem somewhat ridiculous that a simple text could carry such a stiff fine. But remember, more teenagers will die this year from texting behind the wheel than from drunk driving. And a recent research study shows that even hands-free texting is more dangerous than drunk driving. Most states’ penalties fall somewhere between California’s lax $20 charge and Alaska’s brutal $10,000 fine — the median national penalty is $100. But it’s important to remember that we’re only talking about base fines. Many states, counties and towns tack on extra fees and penalties to traffic offenses. I think that the penalties should be much more strict for all phone service usage behind the wheel. Including spelling a word in words with friends. It seems like the laws are lagging behind the technology.

Legallity and Your Social Network

Considering that most of us are on some sort of social network, we have to be aware of some of the legal consequences that come with sharing too much, and this even includes the VoIP systems. If your social network post or photo discloses criminal activity, you can be investigated and arrested. Although it may seem like you can remain anonymous online, nothing is private. Everything can and will be traced back to you. Before posting anything online, stop and ask yourself, "Will this post negatively affect me? Could it ever be used against me?" Don't be surprised if you go in for an interview and your potential employer has viewed your Facebook profile. Applicants for jobs or universities need to be aware of what's on their social network profile, not just what they post but what their friends add to their walls or tag them in. When you hire an attorney, you assume everything you tell them is keep in confidence. You are confident he or she will be trustworthy and keep all information confidential. This agreement means that whatever you disclose cannot be used against you in court. With such an agreement, don't be the one who breaches your own confidentiality by carelessly posting on Facebook.

Internet Addiction

Do you think that you are addicted to the internet? At what threshold does it start looking like addiction? I use the internet all the time for VoIP service conversations so my time online comes in around ten hours a day. America’s first hospital-based “internet addiction” rehab program opened over Labor Day weekend at Bradford Regional Medical Center in Pennsylvania, and while that debut highlights the pervasiveness of the net in our everyday lives, experts are still debating whether the lure of social media or online gaming actually constitutes addiction. This is idea of a rehab is almost laughable because there are so many other variables that need to be considered before labeling someone with an internet addiction. If you really find that the internet, internet fax, and emails are interfering with your life, you should try taking small breaks where you are completely disconnected for a period of time. How attached are you to your phone services?

Annoying People on Facebook

There are millions of people using Facebook so there is a great chance that there will be a couple that are very annoying, especially with the introduction of internet phone services. One of the most obviously annoying people are the ones that post all the time and too much information. No one cares what you had for lunch or dinner or wants to hear about your doctors appointments. Also, people need to stop oversharing their location. Either you're trying to attract a stalker or you're trying to level up in some bizarre video game version of your life. Thanks for alerting us of your stops at the taxidermist, foot massage kiosk, psychic, cactus nursery and restroom. As far as pictures go, no one wants to see you without a shirt unless you are Matthew McConaughey. Better yet, please no selfies. What irritates you about people using Facebook?

Technology Eras

I am sure that you all have heard about the CEO of Microsoft, Steve Ballmer, stepping down from his position. If you have not delved into the articles with about 100 different angles, I can spare you the details and break it down. First of all, there are plenty that describe how the exit was sudden and just as many that say it was planned and in the making for several years. Other go on to describe and debate whether he was the worst or the best CEO. It is definitely a mixed record as far as most are concerned. PCs have had an era and it is coming to an end with mobile applications and smartphones right behind to take its place. The world is far better off than it would have been if Microsoft had managed to stay on top forever as it had with the PCs. What do you think about his exit and him as a "visionary" in general?