For a superstar with unbelievable looks, charm, versatility and range, it is positively astounding how much time and energy Hugh Jackman wastes on mediocre movies. So from the previews, I dreaded Real Steel. An action flick about boxing robots? I made plans to be out of town. Well, I guess there’s no fool like an old fool. I have seen Real Steel. Get ready. It is exciting, palpitating, surprisingly fresh, action-packed, double-barreled dynamite. Read More
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At first, it appeared the coolest thing about the new Yotel near Times Square was that the futuristic inn was almost entirely automated. Check-in is done at computer terminals in the lobby. The conference room doubles as a billiard hall, with the tables flipping from Powerpoint-enabled to pool cue-ready. The slick food may Read More
People have been spinning horror scenarios out of the science of robotics since Mary Shelley wrote Frankenstein, but technological limitations have largely kept technophobes’ concerns from becoming reality. Only recently have the more sweetly nicknamed “bots” actually become destructive: “Robo-signers” are booting people from their homes, program traders are destroying the stock market Read More
Nights grow cool. Leaves begin to turn. Fall is here and with it comes a shower of random web items, stuff you may want to know even if you don’t want to use it. First and foremost we’re discussing doing something terrible with robots. Then we’ll explore the dark recesses of an artist’s mysterious love-hate Read More
In case the high-frequency whizzing in the audio track of The New York Times video of reporter Amy Harmon interviewing a robot, “Bina48,” kept you from watching, here’s more or less how it went.
Times: Hi, Bina.
Robot: Uhh, I’m glad to meet you.
Times: I’m glad to meet you too!
Robot: So where Read More
