March 7, 2009
For background:
I disliked the word “nanobot” the first time I heard it.
I like it less now.
I don’t know what it means.
Once, “robot” meant a machine that resembled a human being. In fiction, robots usually were intelligent and capable of plot-advancing independent action.
Later, “robot” also meant a machine with an arm that could do certain kinds [...]
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March 5, 2009
I want a car that uses less gasoline — fewer gallons per mile — but car makers quote fuel economy in miles per gallon instead. The resulting numbers are counter-intuitive, leading to decisions that create needless waste, cost, and CO2 emissions.
For example, upgrading from a 20 mpg car to a 35 mpg car seems about [...]
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