The Skeptics Guide #714 - Mar 16 2019 (Ad Free)
Added 2019-03-16 17:05:32 +0000 UTCInterview with Peter de Jager
News Items: Release of Golden Rice, How Intelligent is AI, Atomic Clock May Replace GPS System
Who's That Noisy
Questions and E-mails: Audio book, Champing at the Bit
Science or Fiction
Comments
We DO need to get together an Overwatch group. Steve, what's your handle?
Checkout DSmagic.us and DeepFakeStop.com
2019-06-15 01:57:10 +0000 UTCSince I am now a Patreon, I feel free to razz you guys (and gals). BTW - great book; I'm re-reading it for the second time. But this is about atomic clocks. I'm going to call BS on part of this. I read the PopMech article, and the U of Sussex paper. I don't doubt somebody is working on reducing the size of an AC, I expect them to succeed someday, and that is cool. But, I see no-way an AC in my smart phone (or even my car) is going to let me keep navigating accurately without GPS signals. Accurate time-keeping has been a fundamental part of navigation practically from the beginning. But an atomic marine chronometer on my sailboat isn't enough - I have to determine local noon and then compare the difference to find longitude. Likewise, GPS works by comparing a time pulse from a known location with a local clock to determine the distance the receiver is from the satalite. It is the comparison that gives you information. Even an inertial nav system will drift and has to be re-aligned periodically. My best guess was that having a local AC could simulate the satalite AC, but you need 4 of them for a fix - one won't cut it - and I'm still not sure it makes sense to try and simulate a bunch of GPS satalites in your phone. Checkpoint - I have 3 very accurate wrist watches. I haven't noticed any improvement in my navigating abilities when I am wearing one of them. Counterpoint - I haven't noticed any improvment in my punctuality either, so it is probably just me.
Jack Reeves
2019-03-22 01:31:33 +0000 UTCI am 100% assuming that was on purpose. A great joke, imho.
John Garrett
2019-03-20 00:48:10 +0000 UTCUm guys, maybe give those of us with an Amazon Echo a warning that you are going to repeatedly say "Alexa" during one section of the show. My Echo started going nuts, until I muted the mic on the device. I don't think changing the wake word to "Amazon", "Echo" or "computer" (the other options currently available in the Alexa app) would have helped me either. Cheers. Loving the show though guys...keep it up!
John P
2019-03-19 22:49:24 +0000 UTCDammit, catching up and I'd skip the interview in favor of the premium full-length version... except that isn't up yet!
Claudia Mastroianni
2019-03-19 17:50:21 +0000 UTCThank you Steve! "I could care less..." kills me every time I hear it....
Lord Rancid
2019-03-17 10:29:07 +0000 UTCI'm a data scientist whose worked in Big Ag (making the dreaded GMOs) and now I'm in Public Transit. My training is in classical statatistcs, but I've used a few AI systems for various problems. I'm definitely not an AI expert... Actually, one can say I'm fairly skeptical of how AI's are playing out in the real world. But, if you find no one better, I'll field some questions.
Brandon A Whited
2019-03-16 23:10:37 +0000 UTCYou should reach out to Jeremy Howard of fast.ai to talk about what it's like to be a practitioner of developing ai. He's a talented researcher, programmer, and educator.
Steven Noble
2019-03-16 20:13:20 +0000 UTCI see the Rogues have cracked time travel and are sending us recordings from the future! Lol
Aiste
2019-03-16 17:28:17 +0000 UTC
