biopunks

Have you heard of Biopunks? Wait, what… rebel DIY experimenters working with open source genetic code, a kitchen for a lab and meat tenderizer as a reagent!?

Despite the realistically scary thought of a home scientist realeasing or working with potentially dangerous genetically modified DNA, this movement is pretty awesome and does seem to have a supporting community! If your interested in learning more, check out purple haired biopunk Meredith Patterson’s manifesto and Biopunk: DIY Scientists Hack the Software of Life by Marcus Wohlsen.

ShareShare on Twitter

autonomous energy sink?

Autonomous cars represent some fantastic technology. I can see how they could revolutionize movement of goods and reduce traffic/accidents. One thing to consider is the effect of this technology on transportation energy use. What it boils down to is the lack of energy efficiency of individual transportation units versus mass transit systems. I can imagine well developed autonomous personal vehicle systems resulting in an increased number of vehicles on the road. This increase in personal vehicles could reduce the nations already poor use of public transportation, thereby increasing the total energy resources used in daily transport.

However, there is an opportunity for governments and companies developing driverless vehicle technology to combine forces and support/subsidize autonomous public transportation, thereby moving in a positive direction by reduction of transportation energy consumption. What do you think?

ShareShare on Twitter