Joseph Tainter’s The Collapse of Complex Societies (Cambridge University Press, 1988) presaged Jared Diamond’s Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed (Viking, 2004). Both books provide vivid explanations of how societies fail and why. Societies create mechanisms to deal with new challenges. Walls are built to thwart Mongol hoards. Regulations are created to deter […]
After eight years, I finally upgraded my iPhone 6 to an iPhone SE, the slim traditional version of the iPhone 13. I still have my iPhone 1, by the way, from 2007. The expanded capabilities of this new digital device enabled a major upgrade of my cognitive assistant, Emily, who I introduced in my blog […]
I posted a piece on Emily, my cognitive assistant, last March. Several readers have asked me what she really knows. Beyond deep understanding of health and well being, driverless cars, and complex systems in general, what does she know about me? She has complete access to everything I do via computer or other digital devices. […]
Where will AI take us? I understand that Field & Stream is planning a special issue on AI-based deer, elk, and fish. Gourmet is planning a special issue on robotic food gathering and preparation. Psychology Today is addressing how to deal with conflicts with your cognitive assistant. My cognitive assistant is Emily, an appealing but […]
