But, as pointed out, smart AI aren't a challenge. They just force you to find the edge case where the AI becomes dumb- and it will. In general, you don't need to make the AI smarter to increase the challenge- you just need to make it tougher. That's what every game ends up doing, in the end- even games like the…

While it's true that no one can say what happens in a singularity (that being the definition of a singularity), any model that argues that a singularity can ignore the second law of thermodynamics is fighting an uphill battle. We have observed similar singularities, and our observations show that they have to obey the…

Based on the trippy finale, I think the answer is "both!"

It has more to do with entropy than energy. The thermodynamic interpretation of entropy is essentially: "energy that can't be used to do work". The energy is there, but it can't be harnessed to do work.

This is definitely true. The universe simply doesn't have the mechanical efficiency to "bounce".

I always thought DoOitMK did a good job showing why Whuffie was a bad idea. The book struck me as a cautionary tale, but some people look to it as an instruction manual.

I just watched The Holy Mountain for the first time, recently. It made me really want to drop acid.

Who is Number 1?

It's seemingly ordinary, though. I think there's a lot of room for awe and wonder, but it takes someone who really appreciates the nature of the ocean.

11) Writing is a massively collaborative project. Not only will you need constant collaboration with others to hone and improve your work, the very act of being read requires a reader. Have faith in that reader, and know that they're creative and inventive and have hopes and dreams- put enough detail into your story…

I can honestly say that I've never had a conscious thought. At least, if I have, I haven't known about it- I'm not sure how I'd identify one if it happened.

It was just disappointing is all.

if they're property, they have no rights.

Mainline Season 1, watch Season 2, skip Season 3.

You do if you want to trick the can of coke into playing nice with you. It's been awhile since the episode aired, but as I recall, the "contract" promised the clones all sorts of protections. The contract was just a prop to give the clones a false sense of security.

Pittsburgh's eagles have laid two eggs and also have a cam.

Damn, I'd have a full beard after a week. I'm not quite 48 hours since my last shave, and I'm pretty scruffy.

Do they? I don't really see that. There's no real "melancholy" social group in ascendance right now. Hipsters certainly aren't the replacement for emo.

My wife prefers beardless. Personally, I've never been able to grow out past that itchy, uncomfortable phase.

If that were the case, there'd be no hipsters. I have a gold satin cowboy shirt with embroidered flowers on it, an array of paisleys in every hue and combination, and a selection of disco shirts. Everybody dresses more boring than me.