Monthly Archives: January 2017

Artificial Intelligence Market Size and Forecast by 2024

Posted: January 4, 2017 at 6:06 pm

Artificial intelligence is a fast emerging technology, dealing with development and study of intelligent machines and software. This software is being used across various applications such as manufacturing (assembly line robots), medical research, and speech recognition systems. It also enables in-build software or machines to operate like human beings, thereby allowing devices to collect, analyze data, reason, talk, make decisions and act The global artificial intelligence market was valued at US$ 126.24 Bn in 2015 and is forecast to grow at a CAGR of 36.1% from 2016 to 2024 to reach a value of US$ 3,061.35 Bn in 2024.

The global artificial intelligence market is currently witnessing healthy growth as companies have started leveraging the benefits of such disruptive technologies for effective customer reach and positioning of their services/solutions. Market growth is also supported by an expanding application base of artificial intelligence solutions across various industries. However, factors such as low funding access or high upfront investment, and demand for skilled resources (workforce) are presently acting as major deterrents to market growth.

On the basis of types of artificial intelligence systems, the market is segmented into artificial neural network, digital assistance system, embedded system, expert system, and automated robotic system. Expert system was the most adopted or revenue generating segment in 2015. This was mainly due to the extensive use of artificial intelligence across various sectors including diagnosis, process control, design, monitoring, scheduling and planning.

Based on various applications of artificial intelligence systems, the market has been classified into deep learning, smart robots, image recognition, digital personal assistant, querying method, language processing, gesture control, video analysis, speech recognition, context aware processing, and cyber security. Image recognition is projected to be the fastest growing segment by application in the global artificial intelligence market. This is due to the growing demand for affective computing technology across various end-use sectors for better study of systems that can recognize, analyze, process, and simulate human effects.

North America was the leader in the global artificial intelligence market in 2015, holding approximately 38% of the global market revenue share, and is expected to remain dominant throughout the forecast period from 2016 to 2024. High government funding and a strong technological base have been some of the major factors responsible for the top position of the North America region in the artificial intelligence market over the past few years. Middle East and Africa is expected to grow at the highest CAGR of 38.2% throughout the forecast period. This is mainly attributed to enormous opportunities for artificial intelligence in the MEA region in terms of new airport developments and various technological innovations including robotic automation.

The key market players profiled in this report include QlikTech International AB, MicroStrategy Inc., IBM Corporation, Google, Inc., Brighterion Inc., Microsoft Corporation, IntelliResponse Systems Inc., Next IT Corporation, Nuance Communications, and eGain Corporation.

Chapter 1 Preface 1.1 Research Scope 1.2 Market Segmentation 1.3 Research Methodology

Chapter 2 Executive Summary 2.1 Market Snapshot: Global Artificial Intelligence Market, 2015 & 2024 2.2 Global Artificial Intelligence Market Revenue, 2014 2024 (US$ Bn) and CAGR (%)

Chapter 3 Global Artificial Intelligence Market Analysis 3.1 Key Trends Analysis 3.2 Market Dynamics 3.2.1 Drivers 3.2.2 Restraints 3.2.3 Opportunities 3.3 Value Chain Analysis 3.4 Global Artificial Intelligence Market Analysis, By Types 3.4.1 Overview 3.4.2 Artificial Neural Network 3.4.3 Digital Assistance System 3.4.4 Embedded System 3.4.5 Expert System 3.4.6 Automated Robotic System 3.5 Global Artificial Intelligence Market Analysis, By Application 3.5.1 Overview 3.5.2 Deep Learning 3.5.3 Smart Robots 3.5.4 Image Recognition 3.5.5 Digital Personal Assistant 3.5.6 Querying Method 3.5.7 Language Processing 3.5.8 Gesture Control 3.5.9 Video Analysis 3.5.10 Speech Recognition 3.5.11 Context Aware Processing 3.5.12 Cyber Security 3.6 Competitive Landscape 3.6.1 Market Positioning of Key Players in Artificial Intelligence Market (2015) 3.6.2 Competitive Strategies Adopted by Leading Players

Chapter 4 North America Artificial Intelligence Market Analysis 4.1 Overview 4.3 North America Artificial Intelligence Market Analysis, by Types 4.3.1 North America Artificial Intelligence Market Share Analysis, by Types, 2015 & 2024 (%) 4.4 North America Artificial Intelligence Market Analysis, By Application 4.4.1 North America Artificial Intelligence Market Share Analysis, by Application, 2015 & 2024 (%) 4.5 North America Artificial Intelligence Market Analysis, by Region 4.5.1 North America Artificial Intelligence Market Share Analysis, by Region, 2015 & 2024 (%)

Chapter 5 Europe Artificial Intelligence Market Analysis 5.1 Overview 5.3 Europe Artificial Intelligence Market Analysis, by Types 5.3.1 Europe Artificial Intelligence Market Share Analysis, by Types, 2015 & 2024 (%) 5.4 Europe Artificial Intelligence Market Analysis, By Application 5.4.1 Europe Artificial Intelligence Market Share Analysis, by Application, 2015 & 2024 (%) 5.5 Europe Artificial Intelligence Market Analysis, by Region 5.5.1 Europe Artificial Intelligence Market Share Analysis, by Region, 2015 & 2024 (%)

Chapter 6 Asia Pacific Artificial Intelligence Market Analysis 6.1 Overview 6.3 Asia Pacific Artificial Intelligence Market Analysis, by Types 6.3.1 Asia Pacific Artificial Intelligence Market Share Analysis, by Types, 2015 & 2024 (%) 6.4 Asia Pacific Artificial Intelligence Market Analysis, By Application 6.4.1 Asia Pacific Artificial Intelligence Market Share Analysis, by Application, 2015 & 2024 (%) 6.5 Asia Pacific Artificial Intelligence Market Analysis, by Region 6.5.1 Asia Pacific Artificial Intelligence Market Share Analysis, by Region, 2015 & 2024 (%)

Chapter 7 Middle East and Africa (MEA) Artificial Intelligence Market Analysis 7.1 Overview 7.3 MEA Artificial Intelligence Market Analysis, by Types 7.3.1 MEA Artificial Intelligence Market Share Analysis, by Types, 2015 & 2024 (%) 7.4 MEA Artificial Intelligence Market Analysis, By Application 7.4.1 MEA Artificial Intelligence Market Share Analysis, by Application, 2015 & 2024 (%) 7.5 MEA Artificial Intelligence Market Analysis, by Region 7.5.1 MEA Artificial Intelligence Market Share Analysis, by Region, 2015 & 2024 (%)

Chapter 8 Latin America Artificial Intelligence Market Analysis 8.1 Overview 8.3 Latin America Artificial Intelligence Market Analysis, by Types 8.3.1 Latin America Artificial Intelligence Market Share Analysis, by Types, 2015 & 2024 (%) 8.4 Latin America Artificial Intelligence Market Analysis, By Application 8.4.1 Latin America Artificial Intelligence Market Share Analysis, by Application, 2015 & 2024 (%) 8.5 Latin America Artificial Intelligence Market Analysis, by Region 8.5.1 Latin America Artificial Intelligence Market Share Analysis, by Region, 2015 & 2024 (%)

Chapter 9 Company Profiles 9.1 QlikTech International AB 9.2 MicroStrategy, Inc. 9.3 IBM Corporation 9.4 Google, Inc. 9.5 Brighterion, Inc. 9.6 Microsoft Corporation 9.7 IntelliResponse Systems Inc. 9.8 Next IT Corporation 9.9 Nuance Communications 9.10 eGain Corporation

The Artificial Intelligence Market report provides analysis of the global artificial intelligence market for the period 20142024, wherein the years from 2016 to 2024 is the forecast period and 2015 is considered as the base year. The report precisely covers all the major trends and technologies playing a major role in the artificial intelligence markets growth over the forecast period. It also highlights the drivers, restraints, and opportunities expected to influence the market growth during this period. The study provides a holistic perspective on the markets growth in terms of revenue (in US$ Bn), across different geographies, which includes Asia Pacific (APAC), Latin America (LATAM), North America, Europe, and Middle East & Africa (MEA).

The market overview section of the report showcases the markets dynamics and trends such as the drivers, restraints, and opportunities that influence the current nature and future status of this market. Moreover, the report provides the overview of various strategies and the winning imperatives of the key players in the artificial intelligence market and analyzes their behavior in the prevailing market dynamics.

The report segments the global artificial intelligence market on the types of artificial intelligence systems into artificial neural network, digital assistance system, embedded system, expert system, and automated robotic system. By application, the market has been classified into deep learning, smart robots, image recognition, digital personal assistant, querying method, language processing, gesture control, video analysis, speech recognition, context aware processing, and cyber security. Thus, the report provides in-depth cross-segment analysis for the artificial intelligence market and classifies it into various levels, thereby providing valuable insights on macro as well as micro level.

The report also provides the competitive landscape for the artificial intelligence market, thereby positioning all the major players according to their geographic presence, market attractiveness and recent key developments. The complete artificial intelligence market estimates are the result of our in-depth secondary research, primary interviews, and in-house expert panel reviews. These market estimates have been analyzed by taking into account the impact of different political, social, economic, technological, and legal factors along with the current market dynamics affecting the artificial intelligence markets growth.

QlikTech International AB, MicroStrategy Inc., IBM Corporation, Google, Inc., Brighterion Inc., Microsoft Corporation, IntelliResponse Systems Inc., Next IT Corporation, Nuance Communications, and eGain Corporation are some of the major players which have been profiled in this study. Details such as financials, business strategies, recent developments, and other such strategic information pertaining to these players has been provided as part of company profiling.

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Artificial Intelligence Market Size and Forecast by 2024

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Algorithm-Driven Design: How Artificial Intelligence Is …

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We use ad-blockers as well, you know. We gotta keep those servers running though. Did you know that we publish useful books and run friendly conferences crafted for pros like yourself? E.g. upcoming SmashingConf San Francisco, dedicated to smart front-end techniques and design patterns.

Ive been following the idea of algorithm-driven design for several years now and have collected some practical examples. The tools of the approach can help us to construct a UI, prepare assets and content, and personalize the user experience. The information, though, has always been scarce and hasnt been systematic.

However, in 2016, the technological foundations of these tools became easily accessible, and the design community got interested in algorithms, neural networks and artificial intelligence (AI). Now is the time to rethink the modern role of the designer.

One of the most impressive promises of algorithm-driven design was given by the infamous CMS The Grid3. It chooses templates and content-presentation styles, and it retouches and crops photos all by itself. Moreover, the system runs A/B tests to choose the most suitable pattern. However, the product is still in private beta, so we can judge it only by its publications and ads.

The Designer News community found real-world examples of websites created with The Grid, and they had a mixed reaction4 people criticized the design and code quality. Many skeptics opened a champagne bottle on that day.

The idea to fully replace a designer with an algorithm sounds futuristic, but the whole point is wrong. Product designers help to translate a raw product idea into a well-thought-out user interface, with solid interaction principles and a sound information architecture and visual style, while helping a company to achieve its business goals and strengthen its brand.

Designers make a lot of big and small decisions; many of them are hardly described by clear processes. Moreover, incoming requirements are not 100% clear and consistent, so designers help product managers solve these collisions making for a better product. Its much more than about choosing a suitable template and filling it with content.

However, if we talk about creative collaboration, when designers work in pair with algorithms to solve product tasks, we see a lot of good examples and clear potential. Its especially interesting how algorithms can improve our day-to-day work on websites and mobile apps.

Designers have learned to juggle many tools and skills to near perfection, and as a result, a new term emerged, product designer7. Product designers are proactive members of a product team; they understand how user research works, they can do interaction design and information architecture, they can create a visual style, enliven it with motion design, and make simple changes in the code for it. These people are invaluable to any product team.

However, balancing so many skills is hard you cant dedicate enough time to every aspect of product work. Of course, a recent boon of new design tools has shortened the time we need to create deliverables and has expanded our capabilities. However, its still not enough. There is still too much routine, and new responsibilities eat up all of the time weve saved. We need to automate and simplify our work processes even more. I see three key directions for this:

Ill show you some examples and propose a new approach for this future work process.

Publishing tools such as Medium, Readymag and Squarespace have already simplified the authors work countless high-quality templates will give the author a pretty design without having to pay for a designer. There is an opportunity to make these templates smarter, so that the barrier to entry gets even lower.

For example, while The Grid is still in beta, a hugely successful website constructor, Wix, has started including algorithm-driven features. The company announced Advanced Design Intelligence8, which looks similar to The Grids semi-automated way of enabling non-professionals to create a website. Wix teaches the algorithm by feeding it many examples of high-quality modern websites. Moreover, it tries to make style suggestions relevant to the clients industry. Its not easy for non-professionals to choose a suitable template, and products like Wix and The Grid could serve as a design expert.

Surely, as in the case of The Grid, rejecting designers from the creative process leads to clichd and mediocre results (even if it improves overall quality). However, if we consider this process more like paired design with a computer, then we can offload many routine tasks; for example, designers could create a moodboard on Dribbble or Pinterest, then an algorithm could quickly apply these styles to mockups and propose a suitable template. Designers would become art directors to their new apprentices, computers.

Of course, we cant create a revolutionary product in this way, but we could free some time to create one. Moreover, many everyday tasks are utilitarian and dont require a revolution. If a company is mature enough and has a design system9, then algorithms could make it more powerful.

For example, the designer and developer could define the logic that considers content, context and user data; then, a platform would compile a design using principles and patterns. This would allow us to fine-tune the tiniest details for specific usage scenarios, without drawing and coding dozens of screen states by hand. Florian Schulz shows how you can use the idea of interpolation10 to create many states of components.

My interest in algorithm-driven design sprung up around 2012, when my design team at Mail.Ru Group required an automated magazine layout. Existing content had a poor semantic structure, and updating it by hand was too expensive. How could we get modern designs, especially when the editors werent designers?

Well, a special script would parse an article. Then, depending on the articles content (the number of paragraphs and words in each, the number of photos and their formats, the presence of inserts with quotes and tables, etc.), the script would choose the most suitable pattern to present this part of the article. The script also tried to mix patterns, so that the final design had variety. It would save the editors time in reworking old content, and the designer would just have to add new presentation modules. Flipboard launched a very similar model13 a few years ago.

Vox Media made a home page generator14 using similar ideas. The algorithm finds every possible layout that is valid, combining different examples from a pattern library. Next, each layout is examined and scored based on certain traits. Finally, the generator selects the best layout basically, the one with the highest score. Its more efficient than picking the best links by hand, as proven by recommendation engines such as Relap.io15.

Creating cookie-cutter graphic assets in many variations is one of the most boring parts of a designers work. It takes so much time and is demotivating, when designers could be spending this time on more valuable product work.

Algorithms could take on simple tasks such as color matching. For example, Yandex.Launcher uses an algorithm to automatically set up colors for app cards, based on app icons18. Other variables could be automatically set, such as changing text color according to the background color19, highlighting eyes in a photo to emphasize emotion20, and implementing parametric typography21.

Algorithms can create an entire composition. Yandex.Market uses a promotional image generator for e-commerce product lists (in Russian24). A marketer fills a simple form with a title and an image, and then the generator proposes an endless number of variations, all of which conform to design guidelines. Netflix went even further25 its script crops movie characters for posters, then applies a stylized and localized movie title, then runs automatic experiments on a subset of users. Real magic! Engadget has nurtured a robot apprentice to write simple news articles about new gadgets26. Whew!

Truly dark magic happens in neural networks. A fresh example, the Prisma app29, stylizes photos to look like works of famous artists. Artisto30 can process video in a similar way (even streaming video).

However, all of this is still at an early stage. Sure, you could download an app on your phone and get a result in a couple of seconds, rather than struggle with some library on GitHub (as we had to last year); but its still impossible to upload your own reference style and get a good result without teaching a neural network. However, when that happens at last, will it make illustrators obsolete? I doubt it will for those artists with a solid and unique style. But it will lower the barrier to entry when you need decent illustrations for an article or website but dont need a unique approach. No more boring stock photos!

For a really unique style, it might help to have a quick stylized sketch based on a question like, What if we did an illustration of a building in our unified style? For example, the Pixar artists of the animated movie Ratatouille tried to apply several different styles to the movies scenes and characters; what if a neural network made these sketches? We could also create storyboards and describe scenarios with comics (photos can be easily converted to sketches). The list can get very long.

Finally, there is live identity, too. Animation has become hugely popular in branding recently, but some companies are going even further. For example, Wolff Olins presented a live identity for Brazilian telecom Oi33, which reacts to sound. You just cant create crazy stuff like this without some creative collaboration with algorithms.

One way to get a clear and well-developed strategy is to personalize a product for a narrow audience segment or even specific users. We see it every day in Facebook newsfeeds, Google search results, Netflix and Spotify recommendations, and many other products. Besides the fact that it relieves the burden of filtering information from users, the users connection to the brand becomes more emotional when the product seems to care so much about them.

However, the key question here is about the role of designer in these solutions. We rarely have the skill to create algorithms like these engineers and big data analysts are the ones to do it. Giles Colborne of CX Partners sees a great example in Spotifys Discover Weekly feature: The only element of classic UX design here is the track list, whereas the distinctive work is done by a recommendation system that fills this design template with valuable music.

Colborne offers advice to designers35 about how to continue being useful in this new era and how to use various data sources to build and teach algorithms. Its important to learn how to work with big data and to cluster it into actionable insights. For example, Airbnb learned how to answer the question, What will the booked price of a listing be on any given day in the future? so that its hosts could set competitive prices36. There are also endless stories about Netflixs recommendation engine.

A relatively new term, anticipatory design38 takes a broader view of UX personalization and anticipation of user wishes. We already have these types of things on our phones: Google Now automatically proposes a way home from work using location history data; Siri proposes similar ideas. However, the key factor here is trust. To execute anticipatory experiences, people have to give large companies permission to gather personal usage data in the background.

I already mentioned some examples of automatic testing of design variations used by Netflix, Vox Media and The Grid. This is one more way to personalize UX that could be put onto the shoulders of algorithms. Liam Spradlin describes the interesting concept of mutative design39; its a well-though-out model of adaptive interfaces that considers many variables to fit particular users.

Ive covered several examples of algorithm-driven design in practice. What tools do modern designers need for this? If we look back to the middle of the last century, computers were envisioned as a way to extend human capabilities. Roelof Pieters and Samim Winiger have analyzed computing history and the idea of augmentation of human ability40 in detail. They see three levels of maturity for design tools:

Algorithm-driven design should be something like an exoskeleton for product designers increasing the number and depth of decisions we can get through. How might designers and computers collaborate?

The working process of digital product designers could potentially look like this:

These tasks are of two types: the analysis of implicitly expressed information and already working solutions, and the synthesis of requirements and solutions for them. Which tools and working methods do we need for each of them?

Analysis of implicitly expressed information about users that can be studied with qualitative research is hard to automate. However, exploring the usage patterns of users of existing products is a suitable task. We could extract behavioral patterns and audience segments, and then optimize the UX for them. Its already happening in ad targeting, where algorithms can cluster a user using implicit and explicit behavior patterns (within either a particular product or an ad network).

To train algorithms to optimize interfaces and content for these user clusters, designers should look into machine learning43. Jon Bruner gives44 a good example: A genetic algorithm starts with a fundamental description of the desired outcome say, an airlines timetable that is optimized for fuel savings and passenger convenience. It adds in the various constraints: the number of planes the airline owns, the airports it operates in, and the number of seats on each plane. It loads what you might think of as independent variables: details on thousands of flights from an existing timetable, or perhaps randomly generated dummy information. Over thousands, millions or billions of iterations, the timetable gradually improves to become more efficient and more convenient. The algorithm also gains an understanding of how each element of the timetable the take-off time of Flight 37 from OHare, for instance affects the dependent variables of fuel efficiency and passenger convenience.

In this scenario, humans curate an algorithm and can add or remove limitations and variables. The results can be tested and refined with experiments on real users. With a constant feedback loop, the algorithm improves the UX, too. Although the complexity of this work suggests that analysts will be doing it, designers should be aware of the basic principles of machine learning. OReilly published45 a great mini-book on the topic recently.

Two years ago, a tool for industrial designers named Autodesk Dreamcatcher46 made a lot of noise and prompted several publications from UX gurus47. Its based on the idea of generative design, which has been used in performance, industrial design, fashion and architecture for many years now. Many of you know Zaha Hadid Architects; its office calls this approach parametric design48.

Logojoy51 is a product to replace freelancers for a simple logo design. You choose favorite styles, pick a color and voila, Logojoy generates endless ideas. You can refine a particular logo, see an example of a corporate style based on it, and order a branding package with business cards, envelopes, etc. Its the perfect example of an algorithm-driven design tool in the real world! Dawson Whitfield, the founder, described machine learning principles behind it52.

However, its not yet established in digital product design, because it doesnt help to solve utilitarian tasks. Of course, the work of architects and industrial designers has enough limitations and specificities of its own, but user interfaces arent static their usage patterns, content and features change over time, often many times. However, if we consider the overall generative process a designer defines rules, which are used by an algorithm to create the final object theres a lot of inspiration. The working process of digital product designers could potentially look like this:

Its yet unknown how can we filter a huge number of concepts in digital product design, in which usage scenarios are so varied. If algorithms could also help to filter generated objects, our job would be even more productive and creative. However, as product designers, we use generative design every day in brainstorming sessions where we propose dozens of ideas, or when we iterate on screen mockups and prototypes. Why cant we offload a part of these activities to algorithms?

The experimental tool Rene55 by Jon Gold, who worked at The Grid, is an example of this approach in action. Gold taught a computer to make meaningful typographic decisions56. Gold thinks that its not far from how human designers are taught, so he broke this learning process into several steps:

His idea is similar to what Roelof and Samim say: Tools should be creative partners for designers, not just dumb executants.

Golds experimental tool Rene is built on these principles58. He also talks about imperative and declarative approaches to programming and says that modern design tools should choose the latter focusing on what we want to calculate, not how. Jon uses vivid formulas to show how this applies to design and has already made a couple of low-level demos. You can try out the tool59 for yourself. Its a very early concept but enough to give you the idea.

While Jon jokingly calls this approach brute-force design and multiplicative design, he emphasizes the importance of a professional being in control. Notably, he left The Grid team earlier this year.

Unfortunately, there are no tools for product design for web and mobile that could help with analysis and synthesis on the same level as Autodesk Dreamcatcher does. However, The Grid and Wix could be considered more or less mass-level and straightforward solutions. Adobe is constantly adding features that could be considered intelligent: The latest release of Photoshop has a content-aware feature60 that intelligently fills in the gaps when you use the cropping tool to rotate an image or expand the canvas beyond the images original size.

There is another experiment by Adobe and University of Toronto. DesignScape61 automatically refines a design layout for you. It can also propose an entirely new composition.

You should definitely follow Adobe in its developments, because the company announced a smart platform named Sensei62 at the MAX 2016 conference. Sensei uses Adobes deep expertise in AI and machine learning, and it will be the foundation for future algorithm-driven design features in Adobes consumer and enterprise products. In its announcement63, the company refers to things such as semantic image segmentation (showing each region in an image, labeled by type for example, building or sky), font recognition (i.e. recognizing a font from a creative asset and recommending similar fonts, even from handwriting), and intelligent audience segmentation.

However, as John McCarthy, the late computer scientist who coined the term artificial intelligence, famously said, As soon as it works, no one calls it AI anymore. What was once cutting-edge AI is now considered standard behavior for computers. Here are a couple of experimental ideas and tools64 that could become a part of the digital product designers day-to-day toolkit:

But these are rare and patchy glimpses of the future. Right now, its more about individual companies building custom solutions for their own tasks. One of the best approaches is to integrate these algorithms into a companys design system. The goals are similar: to automate a significant number of tasks in support of the product line; to achieve and sustain a unified design; to simplify launches; and to support current products more easily.

Modern design systems started as front-end style guidelines, but thats just a first step (integrating design into code used by developers). The developers are still creating pages by hand. The next step is half-automatic page creation and testing using predefined rules.

Platform Thinking by Yury Vetrov (Source67)

Should your company follow this approach?

If we look in the near term, the value of this approach is more or less clear:

Altogether, this frees the designer from the routines of both development support and the creative process, but core decisions are still made by them. A neat side effect is that we will better understand our work, because we will be analyzing it in an attempt to automate parts of it. It will make us more productive and will enable us to better explain the essence of our work to non-designers. As a result, the overall design culture within a company will grow.

However, all of these benefits are not so easy to implement or have limitations:

There are also ethical questions: Is design produced by an algorithm valuable and distinct? Who is the author of the design? Wouldnt generative results be limited by a local maximum? Oliver Roeder says68 that computer art isnt any more provocative than paint art or piano art. The algorithmic software is written by humans, after all, using theories thought up by humans, using a computer built by humans, using specifications written by humans, using materials gathered by humans, in a company staffed by humans, using tools built by humans, and so on. Computer art is human art a subset, rather than a distinction. The revolution is already happening, so why dont we lead it?

This is a story of a beautiful future, but we should remember the limits of algorithms theyre built on rules defined by humans, even if the rules are being supercharged now with machine learning. The power of the designer is that they can make and break rules; so, in a year from now, we might define beautiful as something totally different. Our industry has both high- and low-skilled designers, and it will be easy for algorithms to replace the latter. However, those who can follow and break rules when necessary will find magical new tools and possibilities.

Moreover, digital products are getting more and more complex: We need to support more platforms, tweak usage scenarios for more user segments, and hypothesize more. As Frogs Harry West says, human-centered design has expanded from the design of objects (industrial design) to the design of experiences (encompassing interaction design, visual design and the design of spaces). The next step will be the design of system behavior: the design of the algorithms that determine the behavior of automated or intelligent systems. Rather than hire more and more designers, offload routine tasks to a computer. Let it play with the fonts.

(vf, il, al)

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Yury leads a team comprising UX and visual designers at one of the largest Russian Internet companies, Mail.Ru Group. His team works on communications, content-centric, and mobile products, as well as cross-portal user experiences. Both Yury and his team are doing a lot to grow their professional community in Russia.

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Algorithm-Driven Design: How Artificial Intelligence Is ...

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Amrita – Wikipedia

Posted: at 6:03 pm

Amrit (Sanskrit, IAST: amta) or Amata (Pali) is a word that literally means "immortality" and is often referred to in texts as nectar. Amta is etymologically related to the Greek ambrosia[1] and carries the same meaning.[2] The word's earliest occurrence is in the Rigveda, where it is one of several synonyms for soma, the drink which confers immortality upon the gods.

Amrit has varying significance in different Indian religions.

Amrit is also a common first name for Hindus; the feminine form is Amrit.

Amrit is repeatedly referred to as the drink of the devas which grants them immortality.

Amrit features in the samudra manthan legend, which describes how the devas, because of a curse from the sage Durvasa, begin to lose their immortality. Assisted by their mortal enemies, the asuras, they churn the ocean and release (among other auspicious object and beings) amrit, the nectar of immortality.[3]

Amrit is sometimes said to miraculously form on, or flow from, statues of Hindu gods. The substance is consumed by worshippers and is alleged to be sweet-tasting and not at all similar to honey or sugar water.

Amrit was the last of the fourteen treasure jewels that emerged from the churning of the ocean and contained in a pot borne by Dhanvantari, the physician of the Gods.

Amrit (Punjabi: ) is the name of the holy water used in the baptism ceremony or Amrit Sanchar in Sikhism. This ceremony is observed to initiate the Sikhs into the Khalsa and requires drinking amrit. This is created by mixing a number of soluble ingredients, including sugar, and is then rolled with a khanda with the accompaniment of scriptural recitation of five sacred verses.

Metaphorically, God's name is also referred to as a nectar:

Amrit sabad amrit har bai. The Shabda is Amrit; the Lord's bani is Amrit. Satgur seviai ridai sami. Serving the True Guru, it permeates the heart. Nnak amrit nm sad sukhdta pi amrit sabh bhukh lh jvaia. O Nanak, the Ambrosial Naam is forever the Giver of peace; drinking in this Amrit, all hunger is satisfied.[4]

According to Thanissaro Bhikkhu, "the deathless" refers to the deathless dimension of the mind which is dwelled in permanently after nibbana.[5]

In the Amata Sutta, the Buddha advises monks to stay with the four Satipatthana: "Monks, remain with your minds well-established in these four establishings of mindfulness. Don't let the deathless be lost to you."[6]

In the questions for Nagasena, King Milinda asks for evidence that the Buddha once lived, wherein Nagasena describes evidence of the Dhamma in a simile:

"Revered Nagasena, what is the nectar shop of the Buddha, the Blessed One?"

"Nectar, sire, has been pointed out by the Blessed One. With this nectar the Blessed One sprinkles the world with the devas; when the devas and the humans have been sprinkled with this nectar, they are set free from birth, aging, disease, death, sorrow, lamentation, pain, grief and despair. What is this nectar? It is mindfulness occupied with the body. And this too, sire, was said by the Blessed One: 'Monks, they partake of nectar (the deathless) who partake of mindfulness that is occupied with the body.' This, sire, is called the Blessed One's nectar shop."

Miln 335[7]

Amrit (Wylie: bdud rtsi, THL: dtsi) also plays a significant role in Vajrayana Buddhism as a sacramental drink which is consumed at the beginning of all important rituals such as the abhisheka, ganachakra, and homa. In the Tibetan tradition, dtsi is made during drubchens - lengthy ceremonies involving many high lamas. It usually takes the form of small, dark-brown grains that are taken with water, or dissolved in very weak solutions of alcohol and is said to improve physical and spiritual well-being.[8]

The foundational text of traditional Tibetan medicine, the Four Tantras, is also known by the name The Heart of Amrita (Wylie: snying po bsdus pa).

The Immaculate Crystal Garland (Wylie: dri med zhal phreng) describes the origin of amrita in a version of the samudra manthan legend retold in Buddhist terms. In this Vajrayana version, the monster Rahu steals the amrita and is blasted by Vajrapani's thunderbolt. As Rahu has already drunk the amrita he cannot die, but his blood, dripping onto the surface of this earth, causes all kinds of medicinal plants to grow. At the behest of all the Buddhas, Vajrapani reassembles Rahu who eventually becomes a protector of Buddhism according to the Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism.

Chinese Buddhism describes Amrita (Chinese: ; pinyin: gnl) as blessed water, food, or other consumable objects often produced through merits of chanting mantras.

Link:

Amrita - Wikipedia

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Home – Wild Women Vacations

Posted: at 5:53 pm

Welcome to World Famous Wild Women Vacations The Party Capital of the Caribbean Book Now We Are The Beginning Of Your Journey

Our guests are typically 95% Male/Female couples whose wives or girlfriends may consider themselves Hetero-Flexible. Ladies, be curious, be empowered, and discover self confidence on a level you never thought possible.

At Hedo 2 there are no strangers. There are only great friends you have not met yet. Wild Women Vacations goes that extra mile with our Private Parties to insure our first timers will return again and again.

Wild Women Vacations organizes many PRIVATE parties strictly arranged to please our wives or girlfriends and the single ladies who may be joining us.

Some parties will vibrate. Some parties will allow free expressions of a womans inner most desires.

Some parties will push personal boundaries. Some parties will play unique games.

The goal is to awaken the wild woman in you as she may have been asleep too long.

Our themed RAVE nights change every year. It begins with a unique introduction, so arriving with all your GLO costuming from the start sets the mood for an explosion of dancing guests by the main pool. It only ends when the resort next door calls and complains.

Wild Women Vacations hires a local company who brings in an enhanced sound and lighting system along with one of the best DJs in Jamaica.

It is usually the night most guests remember when they return home.

Hedonism II sets up a weekly foam party every Thursday night after their toga party. The pit is set up in the courtyard. Music surrounds the area with current sounds and Jamaicas all time favorites.

Become lost under a tower of foam and dance with strangers, that is, if you can find them.

Many togas are typically discarded somewhere on property with guests not caring if they can relocate them.

One night a week Hedonism II has a fetish night. Wild Women Vacations takes this theme up to the next level as our guests are invited to a PRIVATE, more over the top experience. It can be costume oriented such as goth, leather, corsets, riding crops etc. Occasionally, it can be all of the above and one step beyond.

When one or several of our guests have an expertise in any one particular fetish, and wish to share their knowledge, we will set up a PRIVATE workshop/seminar for them. Ladies usually find these quite intriguing especially if never been exposed to others in the lifestyle.

Forbidden desires are awakened. Occasionally, once the genie is out, it remains out.

All week Wild Women Vacations will set up both PRIVATE and PUBLIC pool parties.

Daytime pool parties are complete with contests that will test the sensual abilities for both men and women. At weeks end you should never miss our Last Person Standing au natural pool party. It is usually shoulder to shoulder and ? to ?.

At night the RAVE pool party is always memorable and during certain weeks, we add one more special PRIVATE themed pool party.

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Top 10 Atheism Quotes – Common Sense Atheism

Posted: at 5:52 pm

There are hundreds of great atheism quotes out there. Like most skillful turns of phrase, they all sound good. But there are many I disagree with, for example All thinking men are atheists (Ernest Hemmingway).

Or consider this Julian Baggini quote: Goblins, hobbits truly everlasting gobstoppers God is just one of the things that atheists dont believe in, it just happens to be the thing that, for historical reasons, gave them their name. Actually, no. Perhaps we could say that God is just one of many things that naturalists dont believe in, or something like that, but atheism is defined only by a lack of belief in gods.

There are hundreds of other atheism quotes to choose from, but these are the ones that strike me most deeply right now.

When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours.

Stephen Roberts

When I was a kid I had an imaginary friend and I used to think that he went everywhere with me, and that I could talk to him and that he could hear me, and that he could grant me wishes and stuff. And then I grew up, and I stopped going to church.

Jimmy Carr

Believe nothing, No matter where you read it, Or who has said it, Not even if I have said it, Unless it agrees with your own reason And your own common sense.

Buddha

To understand via the heart is not to understand.

Michel de Montaigne

I dont know if God exists, but it would be better for His reputation if He didnt.

Jules Renard

Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day; teach a man to fish and he will eat for a lifetime; give a man religion and he will die praying for a fish.

Anonymous

Do not pass by my epitaph, traveler. But having stopped, listen and learn, then go your way. There is no boat in Hades, no ferryman Charon, No caretaker Aiakos, no dog Cerberus. All we who are dead below Have become bones and ashes, but nothing else. I have spoken to you honestly, go on, traveler, Lest even while dead I seem talkative to you.

Ancient Roman tombstone

An atheist doesnt have to be someone who thinks he has a proof that there cant be a god. He only has to be someone who believes that the evidence on the God question is at a similar level to the evidence on the werewolf question.

John McCarthy

Men never commit evil so fully and joyfully as when they do it for religious convictions.

Blaise Pascal

Religion is regarded by the common people as true, by the wise as false, and by rulers as useful.

Anonymous

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Top 10 Atheism Quotes - Common Sense Atheism

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Ground Zero Breaking News

Posted: at 5:49 pm

Breaking News, Recent Shows - posted on January 3, 2017 by Ron Patton 1/3: MACHINE INCARNATE: PREPARING THE HYBRIDGENERATION

Now that 2016 is over, the technocracy is moving quickly and advanced innovations are accelerating exponentially. Many of us in the future will have a hard time conceptualizing future AI. You may not think at this moment it is important to contemplate upon, but a word of warning must given in 2017; your ability to adapt to new technologies will impact the way you interpret and engage with the world. On tonights show, Clyde Lewis talks about MACHINE INCARNATE: PREPARING THE HYBRIDGENERATION.

Deceit in 2017 is all about how it is spun. The lies generated by a government and fed to the media are definitely signs that we are on the verge of pervasive despotism. Well-organized lies that are being used to deceive the consensus will most certainly destroy the trust of the people and will destroy us from within. On tonights show, Clyde Lewis talks about 2017 SABBAT OCCULTO.

It can be argued the entire narrative of 2016 seemed surreal and as we were bumping through the various obstacles in our journey, some of us felt as though something was subverting and overriding our will. In order to better understand what has really transpired over the year, perhaps we should begin at the end reversed chronology. Tonight on Ground Zero, Clyde Lewis talks with Reverse Speech analyst, David John Oates about THE YEAR IN REVERSE: THE ART OF REVERSE CHRONOLOGY.

The Grim Reaper has been working overtime toward the end of 2016, with many well-known celebrities passing away abruptly. The reality is that we have seen an increase in younger people dying, with heart disease being the leading killer of both men and women worldwide. There are ways to overcome these detrimental health issues, safely and effectively. Tonight on Ground Zero, Clyde Lewis talks with nutritional expert, Dr. Joel Wallach about HEALTHY PREPPERS BLEEDING HEARTS CLUB BAND.

On December 26, 1980, several UFO incidents, including multiple-witness sightings by military personnel, ground traces, and radioactive anomalies were reported from Rendlesham Forest. This case which has been nicknamed the British Roswell, is undoubtedly one of the best documented and most significant military encounters with a UFO. On tonights show, Clyde Lewis talks about U.O.U.K. : UNKNOWN OBJECT RENDLESHAM.

Carrie Fisher, who played Princess Leia in Star Wars, passed away today. When Star Wars debuted in 1977, Leias leadership, bravery and heroism were traits rarely found in women on the silver screen. Her iconic image truly spoke to us on a deeper level. Leia had what Carrie Fisher had in life intelligence, strength and courage. On tonights show, Clyde Lewis talks with sci-fi critic and TV host, Mr. Lobo, about YOUR WORSHIP: TRIBUTE TO A PRINCESS.

American public opinion supports doing something about global warming, but what is the question? Those who are adamant about the issue will soon feel their support waning because of the money that every American will have to pay to somehow absolve themselves from carbon sins. The climate debate will most certainly be a mess, as we prepare for the winter of our discontent. On tonights show, Clyde Lewis talks with geo-engineering researcher, Patrick Roddie about CLIMATE DISINFOBESITY: BABY ITS SIZZLING COLD OUTSIDE.

The skies are roaring with strange sounds across the planet with increasing regularity. The sounds range in description from bizarre and creepy to industrial and mechanical. These loud and peculiar noises from above are bringing forth Apocalyptic notions of imminent doom. What could be the cause of this reverberating cosmic disturbance that penetrates deeply into the flesh and soul? On tonights show, Clyde Lewis talks about DO YOU HEAR WHAT I HEAR? ALIENS WE HAVE HEARD ON HIGH.

The tales of DNA sequencing, hybrid cloning, genetic modification and various other stories of alien hybrid doppelgangers are appearing now, in various television documentaries and news stories. Moreover, it has always been feared that genetic modification, transhuman tinkering, and the so-called hybridization of humans from an alien intelligence can create potential extinction level destruction of our species; namely, a modified human replacing a regular human being. On tonights show, Clyde Lewis talks about HYBRID: SUFFER THE LITTLE CHILDREN.

As we move further into the winter months, it is becoming obvious that the global soft coup is underway and the Deep State is being used to carry out what is playing out to be the crime of the century. It is quite obvious the Deep State has declared war on those who wish to oppose the establishment order that is progressing to a world government. On tonights show, Clyde Lewis talks about DEEP STATE OF SHOCK.

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Ground Zero Breaking News

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Not All Fruits and Veggies Are Eczema-Friendly (The 4 …

Posted: at 5:47 pm

Not all fruits and veggies are good the eczema body.

Eat more fruits and veggies because they are super healthy!

You need vitamins from fruits and fiber from veggies!

As cliches go, it sounds like these plant foods are mandatory in our lives or else we will die, or at least, be in poor health.

However, speaking in the perspective of an eczema sufferer, not all fruits and vegetables are created equal not all of them are eczema-friendly.

As an eczema sufferer, we need to avoid certain fruits and veggies.

In this article, Ill list them out and explain why, even though plant foods are nutritious and beneficial in many ways, they are disadvantageous to eczema patients overall.

This article is not designed to defame fruits and vegetables. Fruits and veggies are indeed high in different types of nutritional values and are extremely good for the human body, but not every body responds the same way, so each individual needs to adapt to his/her body needs.

When I mean certain plants are NOT friendly to eczema sufferers, its just the consequences of eating them to an eczema body overrides the nutritional benefits of eating them.

In essence, we need to find out our bodys list of accepted foods and also, to avoid specifically to eczema-unfriendly plant foods.

Nightshades is the family of foods: potatoes (but not sweet potatoes and I highly encourage you to eat them regularly), tomatoes, tobacco, red and green peppers, paprika, eggplants (these are the common ones).

Nightshades naturally contain a group of chemicals called alkaloids.

Plants produce alkaloids as a regular part of their biochemical activity, and these alkaloids are primarily designed to help protect the plants from insects that would otherwise eat them.

And these plant protective mechanisms when ingested just hinder our recovery. For a meaty explanation, read this article.

Some of these foods may be a staple food in your diet, but you can always find substitutes. For nightshades, you can switch for:

Sarah, who runs Vegetalion, with nightshade allergies, wrote four great articles on finding alternatives:

A common problem today is that many people consume way too much sugar.

But assuming that you have no intake of any man-made snacks and drinks. It is still possible to consume a lot of sugar with natural foods.

Vegetables are not a problem, the highest sugar content of veggies are potatoes (which you dont have to care), carrots and beets. But the sugar content of veggies is too low for you to need to reduce intake. So dont worry too much about this.

The reason why sugar intake needs to be limited is because the more sugar you ingest, the more food you give to harmful micro-organisms to feed on in your gut. Yeasts, especially, live on sugar.

As for fruits, avoid these high sugary fruits: tangerines, oranges, cherries, grapes, pomegranates, mangoes, guavas, lychees, figs, bananas and especially dried fruit.

Instead, choose low sugar fruits: lemon, lime, raspberries, blackberries, cranberries, papayas, watermelon and most others are okay. Just avoid the ones mentioned above.

For a more details, go check out Fruits And Vegetable : List of Low and High Sugar Fruit and Vegetable.

The Dirty Dozen is the official term coined by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) that refers to the annual top 12 plants contaminated most heavily by pesticides.

Dirty Dozen: top 12 most contaminated plants are:

New extras: Kale/collard greens and Summer squash.

Clean 15: the top 15 least likely to be contaminated are:

Check out the EWGs 2013 Shoppers Guide to Pesticides in Produce for the official lists.

The reason why Im telling you this is to warn you that when you consume one of the Dirty Dozen (you dont have to completely avoid it), you should cook it long enough, soak it in water overnight, or even peel off the skin to eliminate the residue of pesticides, so you dont end up suffering from the chemicals more than the nutrients you get from the food.

Acidifying refer to foods that leave an acidifying effect in the body after digestion, not its pH value upon tasting.

For a person with eczema, we should aim for a 80-20 balance where 80% of our food is alkalizing and 20% acidifying. Essentially, that means mainly veggies and less meats.

You should be aware that many fruits are actually acidifying. Fruits are great but shouldnt be consumed in mass.

Common strongly acidifying foods include:

Instead, indulge yourself in strongly alkalizing foods:

There are other categories: acidifying, alkalizing, strongly alkalizing; this is only a small list.

Read more on Acid-Alkaline Food Charts (also usable as a grocery shopping list).

You now know what NOT to eat, so what should you be eating?

Here are 10 choices that are highly specifically beneficial to improve skin conditions:

Sweet potatoes are one of the best foods in the world. I eat several daily.

Fermented foods.

Fruits are not normally fermented veggies are the main target e.g. kimchi, pickled veggies, sauerkraut and more. Any plants can be fermented.

Fermented foods are extremely good for people with eczema because fermented foods contain live cultures beneficial micro-organisms that help digestion and the removal of toxins in the gut, which is crucial for healing up eczema.

Ive personally made my own kimchi before, and wrote a guide about it, added with other fermentation resources.

Check it out: How To Make Fermented Kimchi (For Fresh Gut Bacteria)

In brevity, avoid the four evil categories as mentioned above:

Again, if a particular fruit or vegetable gives you a sensitivity, you know what not to eat. This differs with everyone. For me, I have a sensitivity to papayas, green capsicums and kiwis (as far as I know) the skin area my mouth turns red.

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Super Tasty Pumpkin Seeds Recipe – Allrecipes.com

Posted: January 3, 2017 at 10:06 am

Recipe by: Extropian

"Pop a handful of these crunchy seeds in your mouth and you will soon realize you need to go back to the store and get more pumpkins."

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A traditional hummus mixed with pumpkin puree, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice.

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Rate and review

These were very good, they have a Chex Mix flavor vibe to them.Yum!

I made this tonight, but it turned out over browned and way too salty! I baked the seeds (after soaking them in water for two hours) for 45 minutes, turning them after every 15 minutes, but the...

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These were very good, they have a Chex Mix flavor vibe to them.Yum!

These pumpkin seeds are delicious - loads of flavor! I didn't bother to soak and they turned out fine.

This recipe was the worse one for pumpkin seeds that I've tried. The flavor from both the garlic powder and Worcestershire sauce were soooo strong and seemed to fight each other. I made them o...

I made this tonight, but it turned out over browned and way too salty! I baked the seeds (after soaking them in water for two hours) for 45 minutes, turning them after every 15 minutes, but the...

Make these every October after carving pumpkins. Simple and easy and DELICIOUS!

Best recipe I have tried yet. The addition of garlic was great! I also added hot sauce.

These were great. Made just as written. They didn't last long at my party 🙂

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Super Tasty Pumpkin Seeds Recipe - Allrecipes.com

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Transhumanism – Example Problems

Posted: January 1, 2017 at 6:48 am

Transhumanism (sometimes abbreviated >H or H+) is an emergent philosophy analysing or favouring the use of science and technology, especially neurotechnology, biotechnology, and nanotechnology, to overcome human limitations and improve the human condition.

The term 'transhumanism' was coined by biologist Julian Huxley in 1957 who defined it as "man remaining man, but transcending himself, by realizing new possibilities of and for his human nature". Huxley's definition did not gain currency and differs substantially from the one commonly in use since the 1980s.

In 1966, FM-2030 (formerly F.M. Esfandiary), an Iranian-American futurist who was teaching new concepts of the Human at New School University, began to identify as "transhuman" (a short hand for "transitory human") people who were adopting technologies, lifestyles and world views that were transitional to "posthumanity."

Transhumanism, however, was given its modern definition and characterization by philosopher Dr. Max More: "Transhumanism is a class of philosophies that seek to guide us towards a posthuman condition. Transhumanism shares many elements of humanism, including a respect for reason and science, a commitment to progress, and a valuing of human (or transhuman) existence in this life. [] Transhumanism differs from humanism in recognizing and anticipating the radical alterations in the nature and possibilities of our lives resulting from various sciences and technologies []." [1]

Dr. Anders Sandberg describes modern transhumanism as "the philosophy that we can and should develop to higher levels, physically, mentally and socially using rational methods," while Dr. Robin Hanson describes it as "the idea that new technologies are likely to change the world so much in the next century or two that our descendants will in many ways no longer be 'human'."

Transhumanism includes:

Transhumanists generally support emerging technologies, including many that are controversial, such as nanotechnology, biotechnology, information technology, and cognitive science; as well as hypothetical future technologies such as artificial intelligence, mind uploading and cryonics.

Since some observers believe the pace of technological development is increasing, many transhumanist thinkers speculate that the next fifty years will yield radical technological advances. Transhumanism maintains that this is desirable and that humans can and should become more than human through the application of technological innovations such as genetic engineering, molecular nanotechnology, neuropharmaceuticals, prosthetic enhancements, and mind-machine interfaces (see Human Cognome Project).

Following in the tradition of Enlightenment-influenced 19th century political, moral and philosophical thought, transhumanism seeks to build upon the global knowledge base for the betterment of all humankind.

Derived in part from the philosophical traditions of secular humanism, transhumanism asserts that there are no 'supernatural' forces that guide humanity. While largely a grassroots and broadly based movement, transhumanism does tend toward rational arguments and empirical observations of natural phenomena; in many respects, transhumanists partake in a culture of science and reason, and are guided by life-promoting principles and values.

Specifically, transhumanism seeks to apply reason, science and technology for the purposes of reducing poverty, disease, disability, malnutrition and oppressive governments around the globe. Many transhumanists actively assess the potential for future technologies and innovative social systems to improve quality of all life, while seeking to make the material reality of the human condition fulfill the promise of legal and political equality by eliminating congenital mental and physical barriers.

Transhumanism argues there exists an ethical imperative for humans to strive for progress and improvement of the human condition. If humanity enters into a post-Darwinian phase of existence in which humans are in control of evolution, transhumanists argue that random mutations will possibly be replaced with rational, moral, and ethical, but most specifically, guided change.

To this end, transhumanists engage in interdisciplinary approaches to understanding and evaluating possibilities for overcoming biological limitations. This includes the use of the various fields and subfields of science, philosophy, economics and natural and sociological history.

The early transhumanists were formally meeting in the early 1980s at the University of California, Los Angeles, which became the central watering hole for transhumanists. It was here that FM-2030 lectured on the futurist ideology of "Upwingers". John Spencer at Space Tourism Society organized many transhumanist space-related events. Natasha Vita-More (formerly Nancie Clark) exhibited "Breaking Away" at EZTV Media, a venue for transhumanists and other futurists to meet. FM, John and Natasha met and soon they began holding gatherings for transhumanists in Los Angeles, which included students from FM-2030 transhuman courses and audiences from Natasha artistic transhumanist productions and the space and astrophysics community.

Across the planet in Australia, Damien Broderick, science fiction author, wrote The Judas Mandala. In 1982, Natasha authored the Transhumanist Arts Manifesto, and later produced the cable TV show "TransCentury UPdate" on transhumanity. This boutique talking head show reached over 100,000 viewers.

In 1986, Dr. Eric Drexler's famed book on nanotechnology, Engines of Creation, was published in hardcover by Anchor Books. Alcor Foundation's Southern California location became a nexus for futurist thinkers and Northern California's technologists were carrying copies of Engines of Creation. Yet, not all activists who were interested in improving the human condition were involved in "transhumanism". Some did not know of the word, although they were certainly pioneering in what is now transhumanism.

Today, the Extropy Institute, founded by Max More in 1988, and the World Transhumanist Association, founded by David Pearce and Nick Bostrom in 1998, are among the largest transhumanist organizations.

For a list of prominent transhumanists, see list of transhumanists.

As proponents of personal evolution and self-creation, transhumanists tend to use technologies and techniques that improve cognitive and physical performance, while engaging in routines and lifestyles designed to improve health and longevity (see cyborg).

Many transhumanists seek to become transhuman or posthuman, which they see as the next significant evolutionary step for the human species. They believe biotechnological and nanotechnological innovations will facilitate such a leap by the midpoint of the 21st century. Depending on their age, some transhumanists worry that they will not live to reap the benefits of these future technologies. However with this knowledge, many have a great interest in life-extension practices and as a last resort cryonic suspension.

Regional and global transhumanist networks and communities exist to provide support and forums for discussion and working on collaborative projects.

The transhumanist reference that actually describes in detail a large number of the specific alterations that transhumanists desire to make, and which provides guidelines for species names, preemptive control of abuse of genetic modification, and methods of active research and implementation of transhumanist genetic modification of human zygotes, therefore serving as a thorough reference for the implementation of transhumanism, is called 'The Catalog Of Correctable Omnipresent Human Flaws.'

Criticisms of transhumanism can be divided into two main categories: those objecting to likelihood of transhumanist goals being achieved, and those objecting to the ethical and moral principles of transhumanism.

Geneticist and science writer Steve Jones argues that humanity does not, and will never have the technology that proponents of transhumanism seek. He once joked that the letters of the genetic code, A, C, G and T should be replaced with the letters H, Y, P and E. Jones claims that technologies like genetic engineering will never be as powerful as is popularly believed.

In his book Futurehype: The Tyranny of Prophecy, University of Toronto sociologist Max Dublin points out many failed predictions of the past technological progress and argues that modern futurist predictions will prove similarly inaccurate. He also objects to what he sees as fanaticism and nihilism in advancing transhumanist causes, and writes that historical parallels exist to religious and Marxist ideologies. Many transhumanists, however, disagree strongly with the very concept of fanaticism and nihilism, seeing it as inconsistent with the core rationalism of the movement. They also point out that almost every technological advancement of the last century was predicted by science fiction or non-fiction futurists.

Critics or opponents of transhumanist views often favour improvement of ethical behaviour, rather than technology, as the most effective way to improve society. Technological solutions may be compatible with other improvements, but some worry that strong advocacy of the former might divert attention and resources from the latter. As most transhumanists support non-technological changes to society, such as the spread of political liberty, and most critics of transhumanism support technological advances in areas such as communications and healthcare, the difference is often a matter of emphasis. Sometimes, however, there are strong disagreements about the very principles involved, with divergent views on humanity, human nature, and the morality of transhumanist aspirations.

A notable critic of transhumanism is Bill Joy, co-founder of Sun Microsystems, who argued in his essay Why the future doesn't need us that human beings would likely guarantee their own extinction by transhumanist means. This led some to conclude that humanity has an inherent lack of competence to direct its own evolution.

British Astronomer Royal Martin Rees claims in his book Our Final Hour that advanced science and technology brings as much risk of disaster as opportunity for progress. Rees does not advocate a halt to scientific progress, but tighter security and perhaps an end to traditional scientific openness.

Advocates of the primacy of the precautionary principle, such as the Green movement, also favor slow, careful progress or a halt in potentially dangerous areas. Some precautionists believe humanity's collective intelligence should organize first and thus be ready to overcome any dangers from artificial intelligences that do not share human morality, thus avoiding any risk of bodily harm.

In his book Our Posthuman Future, conservative political economist Francis Fukuyama asserts that transhumanism may actually critically undermine the progressive ideals of liberal democracy it favours, through a fundamental alteration of human nature and human equality. "Bioconservatives", like Fukuyama, hold that any attempt to alter the natural state of man (such as cloning, genetic modification) is inherently immoral.

Bill McKibben advocates against germline genetic therapy, arguing that it is inherently wrong to tamper with Nature, and that genetic therapy would be disproportionately available to those of greater financial resources, thereby exacerbating gaps between wealthy and poor.

Further opposition to transhumanism comes from critics who point to subjectivity in the use of concepts such as "enhance" and "limitations", seeing eugenicist or master race ideologies of the past as warnings of what transhumanism might unintentionally encourage, as evidenced by the emergence of fringe offshoots such as "prometheism" and "transtopianism". Some transhumanists do advocate forms of liberal eugenics but many others distance themselves from this term (prefering reprogenetics instead) to avoid being mistakenly associated with the pseudoscientific and dehumanizing views and practices of early-20th-century eugenics movements. However, given that transhumanism essentially developed out of the California self-improvement culture, the idea of equating that culture with Nazi-style eugenics is seen as laughable if not libellous by the vast majority of transhumanists.

Science fiction has depicted transhumanism in various forms for many years.

Template:Spoilers

The Ousters of the Hyperion saga by Dan Simmons are an example of transhumanity, even verging into the posthuman. Instead of "clinging to rocks" like the rest of humanity (which hated and feared them as barbarians), they headed for deep space, adapted themselves to that environment with nanotechnology, and entered into a symbiotic relationship with their technology. Simmons' later books Ilium, and its sequel, Olympos, depict a different situation in the far future where posthumans seem to have been consumed by their own technology; a small population of less-modified humans, utterly dependent on technology that they don't understand, continues to live on Earth. Ironically the most advanced and "humane" beings in the solar system are intelligent robots living on the moons of Jupiter.

Another author who depicts a few different transhumanist themes is Alastair Reynolds. His Revelation Space series, set around the 25th and 26th centuries CE, depicts a few different factions of transhumanists, including the Conjoiners, the Ultras, and the Demarchists, in roughly descending order of transhumanist alteration. Most of the characters and the societies in interstellar space are included in one or another transhumanist group, suggesting that purely unaltered humans would be rare in spacefaring civilization. The Conjoiners, the most aggressively transhumanist faction, are a collective of posthumans which experienced a quickening when they started to use nanotechnology to improve their bodies and brain capacities. The Ultras take pride in ostentatious cybernetic implants, and genetic alterations to a lesser degree, as a way of setting themselves apart. The Demarchists, even though the least aggressive transhumanist group, who value remaining traditionally human for the most part, nevertheless make heavy use of cybernetic implants and genetic engineering, though achieving their effect inconspicuously. In Century Rain, Reynolds has a group called Slashers, which are based upon the Slashdot community. In this book nanotechnology is also the important factor. In Reynolds' novelette Diamond Dogs, the plot is centered on the increasingly aggressive transhumanist alterations the protagonists undertake to better enable them to pursue a difficult quest.

The Borg in Star Trek are one of the more prominent depictions of transhumanists in popular culture, in a version of transhumanism limited in scope to the addition of cybernetic implants and a species hive mind. The Borg seek "perfection" in the form of complete artificiality, but make little progress of their own, preferring to assimilate technology and minds from other species.

Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom, a novel by Cory Doctorow, explores a number of transhumanist themes, including "cures" for death and scarcity. Another free novel, Manna by Marshall Brain, also depicts a transhuman future.

A role-playing game called Transhuman Space written by David L. Pulver, illustrated by Christopher Shy, published by Steve Jackson Games is part of the "Powered by GURPS" line. [2]

The Culture Series by Iain M. Banks depicts a future in which our galaxy is dominated by a civilisation called the Culture. The Culture represents in many ways the success of transhumanism; it is a perfect democratic utopian society in which every member has the ability to alter their own body and genetics through technology. An especially prominent link with transhumanism is the development of 'drug glands' in human bodies, which allow people to produce and take advantage of thousands of combinations of psychoactive substances within their own brains.

Elements of transhumanism are found in the writings of science fiction author Greg Bear. Examples include Eon (1985) and its sequel Eternity (1988) in which a future human society inadvertantly returns to their past (our present). Extensive use is made of computer theory with regards to the downloading/uploading of human personality and memories, as well as genetic engineering and cloning to improve life and ensure immortality. Another example, the short story Hardfought (1993), depicts a fascinating if pessimistic view of humanity in the far future, where human society and biology are strictly manipulated and controlled to ensure maximum effectiveness in the struggle against the galaxy's oldest inhabitants. Finally, architecture, AI and articial implants and bodies are depicted in Strength of Stones (1982), where a brilliant architect attempts and fails to create religious utopias on a distant world.

The novel Heart of the Comet by David Brin and Gregory Benford also explores the uploading of personality to computer, when the character Virginia transfers her memories and personality into the processor of the computer JonVon, effectively evolving into the first individual of the new phylum: Biocybernetic man.

In the video game Half-Life 2, the player's primary enemies are transhumans created by an alien race known as the Combine. The human antagonist and puppet ruler of Earth, Dr. Breen, argues that the transhuman state is necessary and can only be achieved with outside (alien) help.

The video games of the Deus Ex series feature transhumanism heavily as a theme, though the first game seems bent against it. In the original game, the player must fight against a technocratic conspiracy to replace human beings with machines; although to avoid approaching the issue from a strictly black-and-white point of view, the hero as well as many of his friends are themselves transhuman cyborgs, and the so-called "good guys" (the enemies of the conspiracy) are in fact conspirators themselves, and represent the oppression of mankind over mankind, as opposed to the "bad guys" who represent the desire to misuse transhuman technologies to control people. The second game, Deus Ex: Invisible War, also features transhumanism among its themes; a relatively large number of people have transhuman characteristics within the game, also including the main character. Since the first serial, the world has collapsed into chaos and savagery, and the only way many were able to survive is by enhancing their minds and bodies to thrive in the new environment. Many organizations, such as the World Trade Organization within the game, embrace transhumans as being necessary at least part of the time: there are some situations in the new world which simply cannot be handled by naturals. Most notable, however, is the struggle between two broad "sides", those against the new transhumans, who find voice in a fanatical organization calling itself the Knights Templar, and the strong proponents of transhumanism, notably the Denton brothers (the heroes of the first game) and their organization ApostleCorp, who seek what they call the "Great Advance", and a much more radical cyborg movement, the Omar, who believe natural humanity is beyond saving, and who advocate that transhumans join their New Breed and leave humanity to die.

The collaborative Orion's Arm Worldbuilding Project has created a vast populated future universe with many different visions of the future of humanity, including many different types of transhuman being.

Cavedog Entertainment's award-winning Total Annihilation featured a 4-millenia war between two opposing political groups: the Core, who advocated the mandatory "uploading" of human consciousness into a massive, planet-wide AI, and the Arm, a group of humans who did not wish to give up their physical bodies.

The videogames Halo and Halo 2 feature the Master Chief, the result of a project to enhance an existing human specimen with cybernetic and genetic alteration.

Aldous Huxley's Brave New World shows the effect of how humans are engineered from birth to be of a certain mental standard, and how elements from technology and mass production have been incorperated into society - notably 'Fordism' which views Henry Ford as a messiah.

Although some transhumanists report a strong sense of spirituality, they are for the most part secular. In fact, many transhumanists are either agnostics or atheists. There are, however, a number of transhumanists that follow liberal forms of Eastern philosophical traditions, and a minority of transhumanists that have merged their beliefs with established religions (see Christian transhumanism). Some transhumanists also look to The Simulation Argument as a basis for a modern form of deism.

Despite the prevailing secular attitude, transhumanism seeks to actualize the goals and hopes traditionally espoused by religions, such as immortality. Some transhumanists hope that future understanding of neurotheology will enable humans to achieve control of altered states of consciousness and thus 'spiritual' experiences.

Materialist transhumanists do not believe in a transcendent human soul. They often believe in the compatibility of the human minds with computer hardware, with the theoretical implication that human consciousness may someday be uploaded to alternative media. Consequently, most material transhumanists subscribe to the ethics of personhood theory.

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Transhumanism - Example Problems

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