Interesting couple of pieces in yesterday's FT. One, by Sarah O'Connor, discussed the absence of a "European Silicon Valley", but then went on to point out that the USA's Silicon Valley doesn't seem to be doing much for US productivity these days.
The other, by Adam Jezard, reminded us that the word "robot" was coined by Karel Capek, in his 1920 play R.U.R; mentioned in passing that the Science Museum in London is currently crowdfunding (Kickstarter) an exhibition on robots for 2017; discussed Isaac Asimov and his three laws of robotics - and finally expressed the hope that "global policymakers might consider what the dawn of the robots really means for us".
Oh, and a third article (Robin Wigglesworth) quoted the investment company Gavekal's 2010 note that "sometimes, all computers do is replace human stupidity with machine stupidity." There was also a piece about data leakage through wifi hotspots, and another suggesting that "today's interconnected world is now seen by many as posing the biggest risk to our world."
There was also a letter from a commuter. Ed Mitchell declares himself to be the only passenger reading a paper copy of the FT on the 7.31 train from the south coast to London. "I have also become invisible," writes Mr Mitchell, a presenter on Share Radio.
The other, by Adam Jezard, reminded us that the word "robot" was coined by Karel Capek, in his 1920 play R.U.R; mentioned in passing that the Science Museum in London is currently crowdfunding (Kickstarter) an exhibition on robots for 2017; discussed Isaac Asimov and his three laws of robotics - and finally expressed the hope that "global policymakers might consider what the dawn of the robots really means for us".
Oh, and a third article (Robin Wigglesworth) quoted the investment company Gavekal's 2010 note that "sometimes, all computers do is replace human stupidity with machine stupidity." There was also a piece about data leakage through wifi hotspots, and another suggesting that "today's interconnected world is now seen by many as posing the biggest risk to our world."
There was also a letter from a commuter. Ed Mitchell declares himself to be the only passenger reading a paper copy of the FT on the 7.31 train from the south coast to London. "I have also become invisible," writes Mr Mitchell, a presenter on Share Radio.