Watching First Nations Experience (FNX) TV. They have a Shark Tank-like show called Bear’s Lair. A little different, in that its more of a contest with a prize at the end to be used for business investment.

Bear’s Lair TV

Its Balloon Fiesta week here in Albuquerque. Woke up before 7am and saw some balloons in the distance. Decided to drive through Bernalillo down the 313 and see how close we could get. Got some great views from the road. We plan to go Tuesday morning so we drove back home and figured we’d watch it on TV.

Within a few minutes I saw a balloon go by the window. Seemed sort of low, but what do I know? I ran out to get a photo of this beautiful balloon with the Sandias in the background. I stood in the middle of the street taking pictures and waving. But they didn’t wave back. They got lower and lower. Then the landed in the lot right in front of me.

I went over to see if I could help (Yes! Hold us down until the crew gets here!). So I hung on and chatted with the pilots, who were from Katy, TX. Soon the chase crew arrived and they took the balloon down and took it away. Talked to a few neighbors who had gathered and it seems this has happened before, but not often. Amazing experience.

Yet another AI article.  Actually an interview with AI and Robotics pioneer Rodney Brooks.  I met Rodney Brooks in the 1980s and his work was a big influence on me.  Whenever I see anything by Brooks, even an interview, I read it.  His opinions are always informed and grounded in reality.  A good update, and a very long term view, or where we are and where we might be going.  From Crazy Stupid Tech.

iRobot Founder: Don’t Believe The (AI & Robotics) Hype!

I ditched social media a long time ago and I don’t use AI if I can avoid it.  There is a large concentration of power in a small handful of companies that should disturb anyone paying attention.  It isn’t only about your personal privacy, but a sort of censorship in what you are allowed to see on-line.  And it’s all in the control of a small handful of people whose goals are primarily to enrich themselves. 

An article from Jacobin covers lots of territory.  I’m more concerned about media concentration.  These platforms pretty much decide what news stories we all read and view.  That should bother everyone. A lot.

The Algorithms That Dictate Our Lives Are Not Neutral

from Smithsonian Magazine.

Two Years After Cormac McCarthy’s Death, Rare Access to His Personal Library Reveals the Man Behind the Myth