Worried About Electronic Vulnerability? You Should Be – A Lot

This is WAY Beyond Your Facebook Account

 

By now, we all know about the Russian interference in our elections. Let’s not kid around by calling it meddling. This is an attack of the most fundamental nature.

But an important element of this aggression has gotten lost in the background for many of us. I am referring to the targeting of our electronic infrastructure writ large.

Russia has been probing our utilities infrastructure. They are trying to understand its connectivity and to find its vulnerabilities. This would make sense if one wanted to have a standby capability to disrupt a modern society.

Can We Save Recycling — By Recycling the Idea?

A good idea has gotten lost in the execution details. Let’s simplify and do better

I like recycling. I bet you do, too. What’s not to like? It is good for the environment. It allows us to participate in a good thing as citizens. It can create jobs and new technology. It’s the right thing to do. And yet…

The hodge-podge of recycling protocols has made it difficult to figure out if we are “doing it right.” Every community, every business has their own definitions and criteria. On an average day, I can expect to have half a dozen opportunities to recycle at different locations.

So, Has Science Blown Your Mind Lately? No? Take a Look at These Discoveries

astronomy-3188563_1920Part of our Hey, Look at That! Science and Technology Series

The scope and scale of science is a never-ending fascination. Nothing else helps us relate to life like science. Science gives us scope, balance, and perspective. Not to mention a huge WOW factor.

It’s easy to forget how vast and complex a thing the Universe is. Science comes through to remind us of that fact. Sometimes it does so with such breadth and depth it takes our breath away. Today, samples of two such discoveries.

Moons? Yeah, We Got Moons

First,

The Unforeseen Consequences and Untapped Potential of Drones

Part of our Hey! Look at That! Technology series

Drones (or Unmanned Aerial Vehicles – UAVs) are a prime example of what often happens with developing technologies.

  • First, the new technology appears, and the possibilities seem unlimited. Everyone gets excited, money gets invested, manufacturing begins –
  • Then, the new toy on the block fails to deliver. A lot of people involved at this point get disgusted (or go broke) and drop out.
  • Not much later, the kinks get worked out. The technology takes off further than anyone anticipated.

There are exceptions of course.

3D Printing is a Big Deal

Part of our Hey, Look at That! Series

3D printing is a fascinating subject. And getting more so by leaps and bounds.

Ray Kurtzweil reminds us in his seminal work, The Singularity, that often times new technology bursts forward with what seems to be great potential, only to fall short. At this point, many people conclude that the promise was greater than the potential and they move on. Others keep at it and in many cases, they finally bring the new technology to fruition, changing the world at an ever accelerating pace.