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Funny Stuff

Software Gives Computers Sense of Humor

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AIWork on artificial intelligence has been going on forever, and even huge developments have been made in this area. We hear and read about smart computers on a daily basis. We visit online video platforms to watch the awesome creations of scientists. However, we have to admit that there is still a long way to go before computers or robots can match the human brain (in some respects, at least).

While other researchers, engineers, and computer scientists are busy trying to achieve the ultimate AI setup, Chloe Kiddon and Yuriy Brun have come up with something that will give us more amusement than anything right now. They have created a software that adds a human aspect to computers – a sense of humor.

You have to admit that while we love the idea of an emotion-less and 100% efficient robot, the idea of interacting with robots with humor involved is even more appealing. Think of Iron Man and his robot cum fire extinguisher.

More than a generic sense of humor, though, the software gives computers the ability to understand specific kinds of jokes. Imagine this scenario.

My friend and I were driving home from school when a car suddenly pulled out in front of her car and she had to slam on her brakes. I said, “I hate it when they pull out when they know you are coming!” (That’s what she said.) ((Source: TWSS -Yes, there IS a web site for that’s what she said jokes!))

If you don’t get the joke, I suggest you do a quick search on the phrase “That’s what she said”.

So anyhow, the two computer scientists created the system DEviaNT (Double Entendre via Noun Transfer) using jokes found online to train the computer. ((Via Physorg)) The end result? A computer that can tell you “That’s what she said!”

Can’t think of a practical use of this software right now, but who cares?

Image via Trinity

Motorized Hammock: The Ultimate Lazy Guy’s Mode of Transpo

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motorized-hammock
And I thought I was lazy! I am the last person you can expect to ask you to take a walk. Heck, if I could fit into those little trolleys for kids at the mall, I would rent one so I wouldn’t have to walk around. If I can do things the easy way (i.e., not walk), then I would.

Reading about “The American Dream,” a project by Stephen Shaffer and his friends. The American Dream is a hammock which you can use to get around – not only in your backyard, but practically anywhere in town! Using The American Dream, you do not have to walk or drive a car – which can also be a hassle for some people. Instead, you just lie there as if you were enjoying the scenery at a tropical beach. It doesn’t matter – you are in a hammock, the most relaxing thing ever made. DIY at its best!

If you didn’t know, the hammock was invented by the Mayans eons ago. Stephen and his friends took it upon themselves to make an improvement on the hammock by putting it up on wheels. They threw in an Arduino micro-controller and used a PS2 controller for the navigation system. The chassis is from a wheelchair.

See, this thing is not only convenient (although it does take time and effort to build), but it also helps in the battle for the environment by using recycled materials! Here’s the hammock in action, plus some details about its creation. By the way, you have space for some luggage in the back. And that Red Bull trailing behind the hammock tells us that this was created for a Red Bull-sponsored competition. Thumbs up, boys!

American dream, Making the segway look like hard work from vimeo user on Vimeo.

Your Favorite Logo – The Honest Version

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Logos have been used forever to make brands stick. There is no denying that the use of logos work, hence the high premium placed on brilliant logo designers. Now, something we may not think about a lot is the fact that while some logos are brilliant and help make the brand name stick, these logos may not actually be an accurate reflection of what the brand stands for.

Then again, logos are made to show companies in the best light possible, so stark reality may not be the first priority. Am I confusing you? How about we take a look at honest portrayals of some of the most popular logos that we see on a daily basis today? These logos were designed by the guys at Designers Couch ((Designers Couch)). Let the images speak for themselves!

Facebook = Procrastination

Facebook
I only have one question: how many hours do you spend on Facebook everyday? I will not even dare to answer that for myself!

PlayStation = Procrastination

PlayStation
Facebook may be more accessible than the Sony PlayStation, but anyone who has this gaming console will know just how fast time can fly by when playing a game. It’s as honest as logos can get!

Nintendo = Nothing to Do

Nintendo
It’s still funny, but I am not sure “nothing to do” encompasses the concept of Nintendo. Then again, if I think about how people will get together on a boring night and end up playing Wii…could be wrong, though. What do you think?

McDonald’s = McDiabetes

McDonald's
It can also be McOverweight, McUnhealthy, or McDisgusting. Now you know why I am not a logo designer by profession.

Camel = Cancer

Camel
Long known fact. We can substitute Camel for any other cigarette brand, but it would not look as good, would it? Plus, it hasn’t stopped people from smoking for hundreds of years. Will this honest logo make any difference? For my sake, I hope so.

Absolut = Vomit

Absolut
Funnily honest logo, but I feel that I have to clarify. Absolut only equates to Vomit if you drink a bottle on your own, straight, in a short period of time. I would be more agreeable to a similar idea if it were Jose Cuervo = something. It’s too horrible to think about.

So are these logos honest enough for you?

Gmail Motion – The Real-Life Version

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Remember Google’s April Fools’ prank? Gmail Motion was – is – so ridiculous that we all knew that it was nothing but a prank. In case you missed it ((Have you been living in a cave???)), Gmail Motion is e-mail which can be controlled using your body. With this innovative Google development, all you need is your body and you can do whatever you need with your mail. As one person put it, be careful when you sneeze, though, as you may end up deleting all of your e-mails! Here’s the video of the Gmail Motion in action.

Anyhow, prank or not, the idea is actually realizable. Consciously or not, the guys behind the prank may have started something. You know how it is with creative minds, don’t you? When a bunch of guys from the Institute for Creative Technologies ((ICT at the University of Southern California)) saw the video above, their minds started working overtime.

I can just imagine them as they were watching the video. Hey, this is actually technically possible! Why don’t we give it a shot and give Google a dose of their own medicine while we’re at it?

Armed with a sensor taken from Microsoft’s Kinect (talk about the irony of it), they started a projected called the Software Library Optimizing Obligatory Waving, or SLOOW. You don’t have to be slow to use the set up, but you do have to move your butt (and other body parts). Check out the video the guys created to demo their project.

Now this isn’t exactly your run-of-the-mill scientific proposal, but it seems to work, doesn’t it? While it is real, I doubt that we’ll be seeing this kind of setup available to the general public any time soon.

Need a Girlfriend? Cloud Girlfriend Is the Answer!

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Calling all the Howard Wolowitzes ((The Big Bang Theory)) and Morgan Grimeses ((Chuck)) of the world. A new web site is launching soon, and it promises all the lonely men of Facebook all the benefits of a virtual girlfriend. Dubbed Cloud Girlfriend – The Social Network Girlfriend, this site just might be the answer to the prayers of those men who have been desperately wanting to change their status to “In a relationship with —” on Facebook.

So how does it work? From what can be seen on the site, there are only four steps to the perfect relationship.

  1. Define your perfect girlfriend.
  2. The site will bring her into existence.
  3. Connect and interact with your perfect girlfriend (who has been brought into existence by the guys at Cloud Girlfriend) on Facebook, or whatever your preferred social network may be.
  4. Enjoy a public long distance relationship with your girlfriend.

I kid you not – take a close look at the screen shot below or simply visit Cloud Girlfriend.

Cloud Girlfriend

You won’t be able to do anything on the site except to sign up for when they launch. ((Yes, I did sign up to see if it will work.)) And when you do sign up, you get this message.

Invites

I suppose that if you were to sign up, the assumption is that you will also have at least seven other friends who would want to sign up! (Oh yeah, if you do decide to sign up, do you mind using that link in the image so you can be my referral?)

Going back to the “perfect girlfriend” – believe it or not, there is going to be a real person behind the creation. I guess there is no going around that – I don’t think there is a program smart enough to be the perfect girlfriend. 😉

Do you think that this site will gain traction once launched? More importantly, do you think it will last? Personally, I am wondering if it can be an alternative to playing The Dating Game on Facebook. Oh, and why is it only about girlfriends and not boyfriends???

Elemental Love: We Love the Periodic Table

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periodic-coffee-table
I was never good in Chemistry, but I did more than pass my courses. Still, I cannot explain the attraction I have for everything related to the Periodic Table. Who doesn’t find it fascinating? Hate it or love it, the Periodic Table has something about it that you just can’t ignore.

“Part professional nerd” Eric Curts got my undivided attention – and more – today when I discovered a poem that he wrote and posted in his blog recently. Professional nerd he may be, but Eric seems to be a man who is in touch with his sensitive side – something that one can’t say about a lot of men these days, eh? 😉

Dubbed Elemental Love, the poem integrates some elements in their symbol form. Now it is up to you to dig up those memories of the Periodic Table and remember what the two-letter symbols stand for. It’s not that hard – especially if you have been fixating on the Periodic Table in the past several years.

Elemental Love
In the light of the Ag moon
With the stars and Hg above
I Pb you to a quiet place
And told you of my love

I drew a breath of O
And smiled brave and bold
With my Ne the ground below
I offered a ring of Au

With just a Ni to my name
You said “Yes” thereupon
I kissed you on your Cu lips
Now my lonely days Ar

In case you need some help (shame!), here are the elements used in the poem (in random order): copper, lead, silver, nickel, argon, oxygen, gold, neon, and lead.

Source: Holy Geeks!