Daily Bits

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Sarcastic Computers Coming to a Store Near You

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Sarcastic Computers
Frank and Goodman

How would you like to have a conversation with a computer and feel like you’re actually talking to a human being?

That would be the dream of many a person, I suppose, but what if we throw in a healthy dose of sarcasm? Would the prospect still entice you?

If the work of Michael Frank and Noah Goodman – both assistant professors at the esteemed institution Stanford – pans out, then we might very well have sarcastic computers at our disposal in the future. [Read more…] about Sarcastic Computers Coming to a Store Near You

Are You Digitally Dominant?

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Digital devices
Technology can either be a boon or a bane, depending on how it is used. I suppose hardly anyone will say out loud that they are addicted to digital devices, but it seems that the dangers of this kind of addiction are very much real.

In a recent study conducted by dnx, a digital marketing agency, the terms techno-addict and digitally dominant have come up, both referring to individuals whose lives revolve around communication via text, email, video calls, and other digital means. ((Source)) [Read more…] about Are You Digitally Dominant?

3D Print Your Own Pills

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3D Print Pills
Pills

Hold your horses! It is not possible to have your own drugstore at home just yet, but the likelihood of being able to print your own pills is high. You can thank Professor Lee Cronin, who is the Gardiner Chair of Chemistry at the University for this.

He has conducted research into the possibility of using a 3D printer to make reactionware. This refers to containers made of a polymer gel. Chemicals are then added to the reactionware, which can then result in various applications – including medication. [Read more…] about 3D Print Your Own Pills

Smartphone Use an Indication of Wealth?

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Blackberry
I would never really have thought about it, but a Reuters article got me thinking. ((Source: Reuters)) A study was conducted by The Luxury Institute, with the goal of finding out how wealthy consumers used their smartphones. In other words, they studied the app usage among the members of this sector.

The conclusion? Wealthy people tend to use their smartphones more for apps geared towards finance, travel, and news. They do not seem to have a proclivity for social apps like Twitter or for gaming apps. [Read more…] about Smartphone Use an Indication of Wealth?

Social Networks Linked to Socially Aggressive Narcissism

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Socially Aggressive Narcissism
Too Many Facebook Friends?

So much has been said about Facebook – both negative and positive; and perhaps if we take a close look, we will see more whining than praising. No one can deny that the social network has thrived over the years. And it is not alone. More and more, we see social networks expanding their reach and gathering more active users.

Various theories have been created to explain this boom, not to mention studies conducted to determine the effects of social networks on people who use them a lot. If you are not sick of these kinds of studies, here is something that might interest you: a study showing a link between social networks and socially aggressive narcissism. [Read more…] about Social Networks Linked to Socially Aggressive Narcissism

Pregnant? You Might Want to Avoid Using Your Cell Phone

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Harmful cell phone radiation
Pregnant Woman on Cell Phone
Do you have a bun in the oven? Or do you know someone who does? It might be time to let go of that cell phone in the next several months!

We’ve heard of stories – many true and just as many false – about the adverse effects of radio waves on the human body. Ever since mobile phones came out ages ago (or what seems like ages ago), people have been making speculations about how bad they can be for us. Of course, even those who conducted scientifically sound studies could not make solid conclusions if only because the effects might not be evident decades later. [Read more…] about Pregnant? You Might Want to Avoid Using Your Cell Phone