In Which I Feel Like Cassandra

About a year and a half ago, right as this whole economic down turn was getting well under way, someone asked me what I thought. I said, "It could be worse" and then explained how.

Imagine, if you will, a country like the US, with no real free health care. Now, a large number of people, particularly the lest well off, are without jobs and now, without health care. And a pandemic disease of some sort hits.

I thought, surely this will not happen.

And then this morning, I check the BBC headlines, as I always do, and what do I see?

This.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to be feeling very edgy and paranoid, and disinfecting everything I own.

RIP Sir Jefferey Hudson

RIP Sir Jefferey Hudson: A dwarf presented in a pie to King Charles I. 1619-1682.

Isn't this reason enough to get a PhD in history focused on early modern Europe? And was he knighted before or after he was baked in a pie?

Btw, if you want to know the real story click here.

A Change of Vector

Well, its official now.

Monday April 13 th, I turned in my paperwork stating that I accept a position at GSU's history department as a PhD student.

That's right. GSU came through with funding enough that it gives me incentive to stay. A GTA assistantship, and tuition waiver. While slightly less than what U of SC offered, it is enough that I still stay in the positive for staying here. And this way I do not have to move, find a new place to live, etc.

Surprisingly, the decision to change majors wasn't that hard. Part of me struggled with it for a few days, but in my heart, I really do feel I am still doing the same work, regardless of what department. At least this way people will not keep telling me to ignore obvious connections.

So, history. And staying in Atlanta, and at GSU.

It's Not Human

A bald, child-like creature dangles its legs from a chair as its shoulders rise and fall with rythmic breathing and its black eyes follow movements across the room.
It's not human -- but it is paying attention.
Below the soft silicon skin of one of Japan's most sophisticated robots, processors record and evaluate information. The 130-cm (four-foot, four-inch) humanoid is designed to learn just like a human infant.

Meet the Child-robot with Biomimetic Body

Many people who have observed this robot find it outright creepy - it is very deep into the uncanny valley, I will give it that. However, the approach they are taking to teach the robot to recognize facial expressions, human contact, and voices is very interesting. Particularly nice is the fact it has learned to walk like a real human child would - by observation and mimicry. These researchers are on to something big.

Zul