#real life Chief Mechanical Engineers

[engineer-gunzelpunk]

Today I Learned there is an animatronic statue of Sir William Stanier at Buttersley Railway Museum with motion sensors

Great documentary of the man with the animatronic manikin at work. Its a bit unnerving seeing it move though...

[gerec]

SPACE AUS - PART 2

The Edge of What Doesn’t End by populuxe

When a mysterious object appears on the moon, Moira MacTaggert calls in two experts with very specific mutations to investigate.

Unfortunately for everyone involved, after years of breaking up and getting back together again, those two experts have finally broken up for good—and they’re the last people in the world who should be stuck together on a spaceship.

burn the land and boil the sea by kaydeefalls (series)

In which the Unification War begins, Erik leads the Browncoats' mutant faction, and Charles searches for something worth fighting for. (Fusion with the Firefly 'verse)

Remind me what you're looking for by pearl_o

"There's a dozen ships here you could get transport on," Erik points out.

"I'm asking you," Charles says.

A Beginner's Guide to Star-Forming Event Horizons by midrashic

Charles Xavier is not thrilled to be on the USSAS Magneto, with its missions to the back-end of nowhere and its captain who is famous for having violated the Prime Directive. But appearances can be deceiving.

And we pulled each other like gravity by hllfire

Erik accompanies Charles, Crown Prince of the Xavier Empire, to his first diplomatic meeting on the planet Themis, where he finds out something about the Prince and they end up talking about the past and how their paths had crossed before.

The Sleeping Beauty in the Ivory Tower (- or Erik Lehnsherr is a hopeless romantic) by ximeria

There is a tale, out among the stars, of a sleeping beauty in an ivory tower.

Infinite Distance by lachatblanche

When they encounter an unfamiliar and seemingly-abandoned ship in the middle of nowhere in space, Captain Charles Xavier of the spaceship Graymalkin heads out to investigate.

Infinite Distance (Finite Time Remix) by SlightWeasel

A month ago, far-flung Genosha went dark on every communications channel.

Whatever happened there, it has little enough relevance for young Charles Xavier, resident of Graymalkin-- until the day he receives a distress call from Erik Lehnsherr, Genosha's only surviving citizen...

Pit stop by diner_drama

Charles was pretty happy with his lot, on the whole. As chief engineer, he spent the majority of his time teaching hot-shot new mechanics and aspiring ship-builders. He could confidently say that he had created an excellent work environment that really allowed these young workers to flourish and grow. The only real challenges, apart from the occasional Very Large Fire (bad) and having to fill in his yearly expense reports (catastrophic), were arrogant pilots who believed that the importance of their ship gave them carte blanche to treat the repair crew like garbage.

Case in point, Erik Fucking Lehnsherr.

Yes, he was the best racing pilot in the galaxy. Yes, he had designed his ship personally and it was fundamentally perfect in every important way. Yes, his steely blue eyes made Charles feel light-headed whenever they came up on his viewscreen.

He was still an asshole.

Neither Rhyme Nor Reason by unveiled

Charles liked to tell people that the first time they met, Serik punched a kitten. (Or, the one where Erik is an angry Vulcan, Charles is still a telepath, and grief still shapes their lives.)

A Vision of Peace by Gerec

They call his people 'monsters' and say that a telepath is incapable of something as universal as falling in love.

But they're wrong about Charles Xavier, heir to the throne of Cerellia; for everything he does in life, he does for love.

It's Magic! (A Gift Remix) by Gerec 

The Oracle agrees to help Erik locate Shaw, if Erik agrees to return to him after the mission.

And now that the deed is done, it's time to keep his promise.

Flirting with Death (Eternal Remix) by Gerec 

Erik Lehnsherr is the latest in a long line of vampire hunters, their legacy going back a thousand years to the days before space travel and the existence of life beyond Earth. He's tracking one of the most dangerous blood-drinkers they've ever known, and he's determined to save the man she's targeted as her next victim.

Now if he could only convince Xavier that his life is in very real danger...

SPACE AUS - PART 1

[stem-sister-scuffle]

STEM SISTER SCUFFLE: ROUND 1 MASHUP 1

Shion Usuki (Xenosaga) vs Jadzia Dax (Star Trek Deep Space 9)

Shion Uzuki is a Computer Scientist and Roboticist!

Jadzia Dax is an Astrophysicist and Xenobiologist!

Why you should vote for each contestant:

Shion Uzuki:

"OK SO. Shion makes me very deranged so sorry for the 1.7k word essay in your inbox but also you asked for it and im not sorry. Right so on the science side, she and her Tragically Dead lover built KOS-MOS(a robot girl she has lesbian subtext with), who is designed to fight the eldritch abominations from space. She later has to rebuild KOS-MOS by herself and does so. She is very good at her job and the head and Chief Engineer of the KOS-MOS Project at the start of the game (at age 22).

Like this a 00s Main Character who is a woman in STEM who is single during the games themselves and gets to be Complicated. That in of itself is pretty subversive(so subversive there is a large contingent of dudebros who hate her to this day) and awesome, but the real kicker is how she is written.

She is also an extremely well written and developed character (ESPECIALLY for a 00s character)who has one of the most realistic depictions of complex-ptsd in media I have seen to this day. Very few characters come close or top her in my eyes. She is one of the best written characters in the 'xeno' metaseries imo, and that is VERY stiff competition if you have ever watched LPs or played those games.

I feel she should get best woman in STEM more because of how incredible of a character she is than anything else (though she is super smart and good at her job, its just the focus of the games is on her character development over her work).

!!SPOILERS FOR A EXTREMELY PLOT HEAVY GAME SERIES BELOW SERIOUS SPOILERS!! Also uh content warnings for abuse and trauma and stuff.

The majority of this is gonna be on how amazing of a character she is, more than anything so sorry if that wasnt what you were looking for. Promise shes doing science in the games and stuff. So Shion has got that PTSD, and her character arc is the continual chronic trauma piling up until her (not very good) coping mechanisms no longer work and she breaks down and hits rock bottom. It is here with the help of her friends that she finds the resolve to push through just a little bit longer and still find hope in the world. She ends the series on a hopeful (yet bittersweet) note. What is so good about her character arc is that its so realistic. She doesnt get stronger in the face of overwhelming trauma, she breaks down and begs for it all to stop already, and its only through others stepping in to help her despite her best efforts does she find the strength to have hope again at the end. People rarely get better in the face of The Horrors, they break or get worse. People don't expect this of characters and its rare to see, but characters that break are so important IMO, because trauma DOES THAT.

Shions life is a horror show and responsible for At Least Half the content warnings this game has(there is a lot), she even keeps getting goddamn EMAILS all through the first game while actively in the middle of a crisis, and yet she still pulls through. Its cathartic and wonderful to see a character stumble into a happy ending, not really heroically as much as teeth-grit dragging herself across the finish line, but getting it all the same.

They wrote that ptsd amazingly- so much so that long before you get to the specific trauma later games reveal, she displays traits that function as foreshadowing that you can pick up and guess. Her every action and reaction is informed by her trauma and its incredible how much thought went into it.

Early in the first game she has a seemingly hypocritical reaction to not removing the remote self-destruct sequence in the sapient robot people in the setting when she otherwise is very strongly for equal rights for them, until its revealed that she was there as a child during an incident when a whole bunch of them went berserk (because god melts people's brains and that virally infected them all- its this whole Thing) and killed a whole ton of people, including family in front of her. After this incident it was required to have this self destruct switch to prevent that from ever happening again.

This incident is also why she got into robotics and programming, because she didn't want to be scared of them and learned to see them as people in a way many others in the world don't. Her short temper is very clearly emotional disregulation characteristic of ptsd from her life of unresolved and untreated chronic trauma going back to her childhood. In the first game, she is still deeply in mourning (because her lover -named Kevin- got brutally murdered in front of her a few years previous) and still mostly running on the programming Kevin instilled(Kevin is also later revealed as a manipulative abusive dickbag), but over time she starts shaking it off- just in time for the plot to hit her over the head again (but we will get to that).

One thing people forget about ptsd is that it can make you just so ANGRY, and its nice to see a character that has that ptsd expression. That isnt the perfect 'good survivor' in response that people like. She makes bad decisions, she pushes people away, she gets snappy because she is running at the end of her rope by the third game and shaking her kneejerk fawn response. She is in a world where so much just keeps happening beyond her control and its horrible, and well, when you are in a situation like that you lash out just to control *something*. The narrative takes the time to be sympathetic to her even when she does this, and it means a lot to me to see that. And now we get to Kevin.

Shion is just starting to get better somewhat. Things are still terrible, but she is starting to have some progress on unpacking trauma and everything... Until a resurrected Kevin shows up and RUINS EVERYTHING.

See as stated before, Kevin is an abusive manipulative sack of dicks. When we see him at first in games one and two and up until his reveal, the red flags are all glossed over and barely noticeable because we are seeing things from Shion's unreliable memories and perspective. Kevin was well-liked, so people have good things to say about him too, which reinforces this. Shion very much behaves, if you know what to look for, like someone whos been through some specific emotional abuse, even as early as the first couple hours of the first game.

But then he shows up (clearly working for the bad guys) and ruins all the progress made. Then asks Shion to join him.

And after some time, Shion agrees, and goes back to her abuser. When people write abuse victims in media, the always make what people tend to consider is 'the right decision'. Very rarely, if ever, do they go back to their abusers the way people often do in real life. A lot of people don't leave their abusers, or they may leave but they go back later. Shion just wants to be happy and not in pain, and at least with Kevin she knows there will be nice things sometimes, instead of the horrorshow that is currently happening. She knows he is using her, that he WILL hurt her again, but she doesnt care because in the moment it feels like the decision that will keep her happiest and most safe.

She feels in the moment -especially critical to this- its the decision that will keep all of her friends the most safe. She is protecting them from Kevin by giving herself up and begging them to stand down. I feel that is something most people dont catch. She is playing peacemaker with her abuser to protect the party, and it doesnt work, but she tried. They never directly say that she has done this kind of thing before, but the very quick way Shion tries to smooth things over implies that this is something she has done in the past and she is trying to make it work again.

When you have been in a relationship like that, sometimes the abuser feels safer(better the devil you know, etc), and when Shion is mostly running on the basest of instincts to survive because trauma DOES THAT to people, yeah is incredibly realistic she went back. Its incredibly well written and agonizing to see.

After this, the party does convince her to leave again, but not before you are forced to fight her in one of the most emotionally painful boss fights in the series.

Key to convincing her to finally leave him is KOS-MOS, who all this time Shion was treating as a person until she became one. KOS-MOS and this other guy named Allen whos sort of her love interest but they never get together on screen give a dramatic speech and she decides that its time to give up on Kevin because her friends wont give up on her.

So we get to loop this back around to her job again! Yes- her being in STEM caused KOS-MOS to exist which saved the world and also her. Her being in STEM and good at it caused Allen to meet her and gain a big fat crush on her that Also saves the world despite him never actually being in the party (thats the power of a workwife!). Science wins!

All of this is also ignoring the actual batshit plot of xenosaga btw, which is a space opera that involves multiple bible figures, psudeo-time travel, the fact that the internet is built on everyones collective subconscious and you can therefore literally hack into someone's brain, a political faction clusterfuck, an immortal evil guy voiced by Crispin Freeman, and eldritch abomination god (who is trapped in what amounts to an infinite battery) trying to cause the apocalypse because a little girl begged for help.

Listen I know xenosaga isnt popular on here so she is probably gonna have a hard time, but that me blorbo she means a lot to me."

"super smart and pretty, loves her job and made a whole sentient humanoid robot, is an accurate representation of a mentally ill woman. play Xenosaga"

"Space lesbian. Made an android that's the reincarnation of her wife from a lifetime ago (who happens to be Mary Magdalene don't worry about that part). Trans gender."

"She's so mentally ill and loves her robot creation"

"She literally took the project her dead boyfriend was working on, which was a cyborg KOS-MOS, and managed to create a version where KOS-MOS doesn't go berserk and murder and slay. She is also captain of VECTOR. Robotics/cyborgs are her special interest. We stan a girlboss. shes gay af"

"She built her robot girlfriend and managed to creat a version of her where she doesn’t kill innocent people"

"Gay for the robotic war machine she created <3 Girlboss, sad-girl, mad scientist, mecha pilot. She really has it all."

"She made a billion dollar government funded battle android into her wife, with the help of lesbian space destiny of course. She’s simply #nyasome"

"She built herself a robot girlfriend and also her and the gf are reincarnated versions of mary magdelene and her fellower. Thanks!"

"She's autistic, traumatized and made her own girlfriend, "

"She’s the chief of an android development project AND she has a special interest in providing psychological support for artificial humans! She likes women your honor"

"Helped to create anandroid named Kos-Mos who would save the universe. Was the Head and Chief Engineer of the KOS-MOS Project and lead a small group of people to help fine tune Kos-Mos. Also she's just super cool and overcomes any obstacles she may face, despite all the trauma she's been put through. Shion is great and I love her."

"She is a mentally ill legend, she will stay up past midnight programming and working on her android gf instead of going to therapy, and I just think that's really sexy and cool of her. She's the best xeno game protagonist and I will fight on this"

"made a battle robot mary magdalene. fell in love with robot mary. is a reincarnation of a girly who was in love with the OG mary thousands of years ago. whenever robot mary acts like a robot she freaks out. almost dies to get robot mary functioning at 100% several times"

"Shion joined the huge corporate conglomerate Vector Industries when she was just 18 and became head of the KOS-MOS project (her girlfriend battle android) at age 22. Shion’s character growth throughout the series is amazing as she has to deal with her childhood trauma, facing her abuser, and moving on from the past by making steps towards the future. At the end of Episode III Shion finally stops being passively strung along the plot and begins to take steps on her own, embodying the themes of making your own ripples and seizing the future. Also Shion is very gay and is the wife of Mary Magdalene. Not kidding! LESBIAN SHION THE WORLD SHION/KOS-MOS NUMERO UNO CAMPÃO DO MUNDO

"She is the best woman in STEM because she is a very deep character who has an amazingly hard hitting story. She has realistically written PTSD, and is heavily implied to have BPD as well. She shows some very ugly symptoms, and even goes through no character development in the first third of the series which shows how deeply depressed and hurt she is. However, in episode II she begins to show signs of healing. Episode III absolutely goes haywire with her recovery process. She has many ups and downs, and even turns to her abuser, but in the end she overcomes him with the help of her friends AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, her android wife that she made with her own two hands.

So like. Robot wife. Awesome. But what if this robot wife was someone you deeply loved and looked up to in your previous life? So much so that you were called her Maiden. What if you died in her arms? And then, completely unbeknownst to you, after 6000 years, she reincarnated as an android that you programmed. How crazy would that be...

KOS-MOS (the android), starts off as your typical robot without emotions. But as time goes on, she grows more and more warm. And it's all thanks to Shion.

They embrace a ton of times, with KOS-MOS even bridal carrying Shion multiple times AND riding with her in her space motorcycle. Shion is also awesome because she's Japanese and hell yeah she's not White Woman Number 4050. Win.

Um. Also she eventually rebuilt her android's frame and gave her bigger boobs. HAPPY PRIDE.

timestamp 3:30 to end of the video, witness some lesbians :) hope you enjoy if you choose to watch https://youtu.be/eY6kPp-wcKg?t=210"

Jadzia Dax:

"She does a lot of science in space — like xenobiology and physics — but is also the ranking science officer, so she covers a lot of fields. she is an expert in many scientific fields, leads a lot of other scientists, and is a badass starfleet officer who can f you UP in a fight. her alien species is a symbiotic set of species, so Jadzia’s got a worm named Dax in her and has access to all of Dax’s past hosts’ memories & knowledge, part of why she’s an expert in so many fields! but Jadzia, the host, also got multiple degrees in different fields before she was “joined” with her symbiote."

"She is a star trek science officer, so mostly space anomalies and stuff 😄 She is self assured and takes up space and just a joy to watch. All the bi girls love her 💜"

"First F/F kiss on TV"

"IMMORTAL WORM ALIEN WOMAN who has lived EIGHT LIVES and is GENDERFLUID but is CURRENTLY A WOMAN! She's great"

"She is the lead science officer on her space station! Got four degrees in astrophysics, exoarchaeology, exobiology and zoology. She is an amazing researcher! Jadzia is a Joined Trill, host to the Dax symbiont which has lived 300 years. Jadzia became a Starfleet officer and pursued her science studies before then becoming Joined, which means she also has the wealth of knowledge from Dax's multiple lives. She is an amazing scientist and also loves to have fun, and she's a genderfluid pansexual ICON."

[firenze11]

GT July 2024 - 22 Lost

“Robert Falcon!” A light mechanical voice pierced Rob’s ear. “I swear to the Astral Winds that if you don’t get that lifeboat functional again, I’m going to make you sleep in it!”

Rob rolled his eyes, but replied, “I’m already working on it, ma’am.” He was harnessed to the malfunctioning lifeboat, hanging upside down off its stern, using his AR Link to scan its hull. The ship’s core had flagged this boat with an error but hadn’t specified what the problem was. So far, his diagnostic disagreed. There were a few more things to check, but he grinned, “As far as I can tell, it’s in ship shape.”

The chief’s groan was music to his ears.

“Plus, I wouldn’t mind sleeping in the lifeboat. It’s a much better view, and significantly less smelly.” Rob pointed out.

As the only engineer’s assistant on board, he had the dubious honor of sharing a room with the Chief Engineer. On the bright side, the chief engineer was an ornery crestframe who didn’t need a real bunk to rest, while Rob was a plucky teenage human who very much enjoyed sleeping in a bed instead of a hammock. Since the chief didn’t use it, she let him sleep there despite his very junior rank. The smell was mostly from the various fluids the ship needed to keep running smoothly. All of which ran through its core room, which was naturally where the chief and Rob slept.

If he slept in the lifeboat though, he’d be outside, sleeping among the lights of the Astral Canopy. The Astral Winds, solar currents flowing with the energy that powered their ship would lull him to sleep every night. He wouldn’t have to listen to the sounds of machinery keeping them all alive and moving. Or at least it would be quieter anyway. He’d been joking with the chief, but maybe he should delay a bit. It might be better to sleep out here.

“That can be arranged,” the chief informed him. “I’d sure love to see what happened to you the first time we get a bit too close to one of the solar currents.”

Well, the Chief had a point there. The lifeboats were tied up outside the hull of the ship, and therefore, outside that hull’s protection. The hull of their ship, and her lifeboats, were made of solar wood. Wood that had been infused with the elemental energies of fire and light. They’d be fine if they got closer than ideal to a solar current. But a lifeboat wouldn’t protect Rob from the streams of energy that came from the sun. He’d disintegrate. Which would put a downer on his day.

“All right, all right,” Rob grumbled. “But I don’t see any problems here. Everything’s checked out so far. Maybe there’s something wrong with the connection between the cores?”

The chief grunted, and Rob could almost hear her mechanical brain’s cogs turning. “Could be. Check it out.”

Rob pulled himself into the lifeboat proper. The lifeboat was more of a dinghy than anything else. It was ten feet long, with a single solar sail, a very small core to transform the energy gathered from the sail into thrust, and a tiller to guide where that thrust was directed. The core was also what would communicate with any other ship’s cores in the area.

Rob pulled the core out of its setting. It was a clump of crystal orbs attached to a central power core about the size of his fist. A vessel the size of a lifeboat only needed a single cutter-grade power core. It also had modular crystals for communication, signal amplification, life support, and shields. He scrutinized the crystals, his AR goggles displaying diagnostic information in the corner of his vision.

“Ah!” He grinned. “Got it. The signal amplifier’s backup power core isn’t drawing power from the main core. I just need to replace it.”

There was a moment of silence over the com as Rob dug in his pack for a spare micro power core. He was pretty sure he’d thrown one in here before he’d come out. Or maybe that had been a cutter core? Great. Now he wasn’t sure.

“Are you sure that’s it?” The chief asked. “The ship’s core seemed mighty concerned if it was only a backup power core replacement.”

Rob frowned. That was another good point. The ship would have marked that as a medium-priority malfunction. This was a high-priority error.

The lifeboat shifted under Rob. He lurched and grabbed the side of the boat, looking around with wide eyes. The core fell from his hand, and gently floated back to its setting.

“What was that?” Rob called.

“What was what?” The Chief asked.

“The lifeboat moved.”

“How’d it do that? It’s tied up.”

“I don’t know, but it did.”

“It is tied up right?” The chief asked.

Rob looked up at where the boat was tied to the hull of the ship. The backup lines were good and tight, but the main latches were slowly opening. The latches were mechanical. The lines were just ropes. Theoretically, the lines would keep the lifeboat attached, but not if the ship made any sort of fast maneuvers.

“That’s not good,” Rob announced.

“Robert Falcon, get off that lifeboat this instant!” The chief shouted.

Rob glanced back at the boat’s core and saw the actual problem now. It was hard to see, even with his goggles, but deep in the main power core of the lifeboat was a spot of darkness.

“Chief! It’s been corrupted!” Rob shouted. He jumped for the core and ripped it out of its setting. If that corruption spread to the ship’s core through its com mod, they’d all be worse than dead. The corruption would infect the ship’s core, turning her against her sailors.

They’d never survive. Neither would the ship.

Rob looked at the core in his hands, unsure what to do with it.

“Don’t just hold it you damn fool, throw it overboard!” The chief shouted. Rob looked up. The chief was now at the ship’s railing looking down at him. The crestframe’s body was a hodgepodge and jury-rigged affair. Most captains would have thrown her out at first glance. But not Rob’s captain. She’d recognized something in the old crestframe, and it turned out, the chief was the best solar engineer in the seven astral seas.

Rob did as he was told. He moved to the far side of the lifeboat and threw the core overboard as hard as he could. He needed to throw it with enough force to get it out of the ship’s artificial gravity. He chucked it as hard as he could. For a moment, the core slowed in the air as the ship’s life support mod tried to pull it back. But then it hit the edge of the gravity well and started floating away into the distance of the Astral Canopy.

The knot in Rob’s chest loosened, and his heart rate started to settle. Then his stomach jumped into his throat as the lifeboat fell from the ship.

“No, no, no, you blasted barge!” The chief’s voice cracked. How did a mechanical lifeform’s voice crack? “We took care of it! You don’t have to eject!”

Rob’s entire body went cold. The ship had sensed the corruption. She was trying to save herself and her crew by severing the connection to the infected core. The only way she could do that without prior authorization was to get rid of the entire lifeboat. She had reversed her local gravity for the lifeboat, shooting it off into the heights of the Astral Canopy, along with Rob.

It was too late for anyone to stop it. The lifeboat was already past the edge of the ship’s gravity well and was going on the opposite vector of the ship. It gave Rob an excellent view of the solar sailor that had been his home over the last few years. The solar wood of the ship was a dark reddish-orange color. Unlike a seafaring vessel, which had masts going straight up, a solar sailor had masts shooting out in three directions. One straight up, and two out of the hull, angled downward so that its sails looked like a triangle around the ship. The solar sails were shimmering gold with the captured energy of the solar currents.

The ship skewed into a hairpin turn. The chief was working fast. The ship was already coming about after him, but it wasn’t going to be fast enough. They’d been going at nearly maximum speed. Already, the ship was vanishing into the darkness, no longer visible to the naked eye. The depowered lifeboat would get lost against the ambient echoes and solar energy of the Astral Canopy. The ship’s sensors wouldn’t be able to find him alone.

Normally, that wouldn’t be a huge deal. These lifeboats were designed to be found. But it was the boat’s com mod that sent out that signal. The very com mod that had been attached to the core Rob had thrown overboard. His AR link could be tracked a short distance. But the lifeboat was moving fast, and he was already past that. The chief and the Captain would be able to make a good guess about his trajectory, but it would still be like finding a needle in a haystack. They’d be relying on luck as much as anything else.

Unless Rob could find a way to amplify the signal of his AR link.

Rob let out another breath and relaxed again. He could do that. He just needed to give his AR link some more power. He grabbed his pack and found the backup power core he’d been looking for at the very bottom. He just needed to connect his AR link to it, and that should get the job done. No big deal.

The lifeboat jerked to a halt, throwing Rob into its mast hard enough for him to see stars for a second, and giving him an instant headache. The hairs on the back of his neck stood up.  The lifeboat shuddered.

Something had caught the lifeboat, and it hadn’t been a ship’s tractor line. There were any number of creatures in the Astral Canopy that might be interested in a free-flying lifeboat. Most of them would be quite pleased to find a nice, tasty human inside.

Rob looked around with only his eyes for options. There was a pistol in the storage compartment. But that was all the way over on the other side of the boat. Rob’s crest wasn’t fully awakened yet. It was connected to the ship, and if he’d been there, his crest might have helped him. But he wasn’t. He was defenseless.

His eyes landed on the micro power core in his hands. It was the only realistic chance he had of the ship finding him. But it was also the only possible weapon he had against whatever was about to try and eat him.

The boat lurched harder, and Rob jumped into action. He didn’t make a conscious decision. It just happened. He spun as he connected his AR link to the power core. Instead of using the core to overpower his AR Link, he used all the remaining power in his AR Link to overcharge the micro power core. So overcharged, it would explode if someone blew on it too hard. Rob only had to give the command. Rob turned to see what creature was trying to make a snack of him, and his heart tried to jump out of his chest at the same as his stomach tried to escape through his backside.

It was a jelly slime.

Jelly slimes were only barely alive. They were a type of ooze that had adapted for the Astral Canopy. They consisted of a ship-sized blob of acidic ooze that served as their bodies, and tentacles of paralyzing ooze that reached out from that body in all directions. As it floated along through the canopy, anytime those tentacles brushed up against something, they immediately stuck to it pulling close to the main body. When its prey touched the main body, the slime would engulf it, and begin breaking it down to add more mass to itself. It wasn’t a quick process either. The slime’s body would paralyze anything alive inside of it while simultaneously keeping it alive. The victim would be slowly digested alive, which could take days.

On average, they were the size of a large astral barge. This one was small. It was only the size of a solar sailor. Which was still plenty large enough to completely swallow Rob and his lifeboat.

But Rob and the boat were still on the fringes of the jelly slime’s reach. Only one tentacle had latched on. If Rob could get that off his boat, he might be able to get away before the other tentacles snagged him.

Rob threw the power crystal at the tentacle. It hit with a plop, but Rob hadn’t thrown hard enough. The core was only a few feet from the edge of the lifeboat. That was too close. If Rob blew it up that close, it might destroy the ship as well.

More tentacles were heading his way. The tentacle that had grabbed the boat was starting to pull. He didn’t have time. It’d be better to die quickly in an explosion than slowly in the belly of a jelly slime.

Rob triggered the power crystal, and everything went white.

---

This is actually the first chapter of Rob and Wyll's story. But it fit so well with the prompt that I just had to do it. Not a lot of GT for GT July I guess though. Oh well. It gives a bit of context for all of the other prompts you've seen them in.

Check out the prompt list here: https://www.tumblr.com/gianttol/751027101880270848/gt-july-2024-prompt-list?source=share

[agent-gin]

Chief Surgeon and Medical Doctor at Statesmen HQ. Former Military Field Surgeon makes him very capable of patching up agents from whatever mess they find themselves in. His observant nature and expertise in the human body means he assists with missions, monitoring physical performance and survival. He's relatively calm and collected, unless he's in a spat with his sister. Despite his medical degrees and occupation he dislikes the title of 'Doctor'.

If you can’t find him in the infirmary or mission control he’s most likely taking care of plants, binging detective dramas, playing poker or keeping his sister out of trouble.

Scotch & Gin:

Joseph discovered the existence of his younger step sister at a young age. She is the bastard child of his father, who he resented greatly. After the death of his father, Joe sought her out by planting a car in her path. Sora very successfully stole it amongst other things before getting caught. He prevented her from being sent to juvenile detention before telling her the truth about their blood relation.  It was a rocky start and still is at times. Joe put her through school, where she performed spectacularly in mechanical engineering and aerospace technology, even traveling to study at Oxford. He introduced her to his real occupation at the Statesmen HQ. She was offered a position as a spy and trained while spending free time as a mechanic. Despite Sora’s attempts of secrecy, Joe was always a step ahead of her. He knows about her Oxford mates building a weed empire, her side hustle starting a garage with her friend, and even her secret marriage engagement later in life. But Joe doesn’t say a word, even in death. He won’t admit it but he’s a sentimental guy, wants those around him to be happy. After his ‘death’, Sora steps back as an agent and becomes a automotive and aerospace mechanical engineer for the Statesmen Hangar. She blames herself for what happened. Gin resides in an island off the coast of Italy.

[squadron-goals]

Feldfliegerabteilung 23

17 Mai 1915

How I was looking forward to my old department! Returning was the hardest journey of my life. Because our commander Vogel von Falckenstein, to followed with loyal devotion, never came back from a front flight on the day I was supposed to arrive in January... I always felt as if I had to look for him. My own thinking was obliterated. I flew and flew and worked until I sank down tired, picked myself up again, and the only thing on my mind was: "Didn´t return back from a flight!" ... The fronts did not change over the last few months and are still relatively calm now. The flight reports are almost always the same: "Nothing new before Paris!" We take a lot of photographs. I often flew into enemy rear areas; the area around Amiens was my target. I then tried to get as far behind the enemy lines as possible, because that was the only way to get a clear view of the enemy. Far behind his lines, the enemy cannot hide anything. Only a few of our planes managed to get through to Amiens. I put my pride into it: every flight I have to make a few curves over Amiens. Besides, I never fly without bombs. Their destination is always Amiens. So "Honorary Citizen of Amiens" was soon my nickname ... A French monoplane often cruises over Amiens. I know the guy well, my commander was his victim. Woe betide you if he comes before me! I challenge him almost every day. He always appears suddenly and soon he's sitting behind me or close above my plane so that I can't see him. Since we don't have machine guns on the plane yet, we have to use carbines and pistols; I prefer to rely on my curves until I have him in sure sight. Once I managed to get above him. The observer his hands in the air and the Frenchman goes vertically downwards. But we didn't hit the plane.

4 June 1915

Our reconnaissance aircraft have finally been equipped with machine guns. The French already had this during peacetime. Unfortunately, the MGs only came into the planes sporadically. Now, almost a year after the start of the war, many aircraft still only have pistols. We need attack machines with the machine gun forward, like the Frenchman ... I managed to get Buddecke into my unit. We now have brilliant guys in our unit: Böhmer, Hirsemann, Tütschulte, Schueler, Grüner; all officers of the good old style, iron-clad in their commitment to duty and in their service. Each crew tries to surpass the other in the length of the flight route and in the number of flights. Real flying spirit! All for one, one for all! We also have a splendid chief captain (the name came from me, but was soon adopted generally). Seeberg and Bohnstedt form the head of the unit. Both are constantly striving to get all difficulties out of our way, to always keep the tone and spirit fresh and to raise the same spirit in the non-flying part of the camp (mechanics and crews). It's not easy for them, but they manage it! Von Seidlitz or, as I call him, Seidenspitz, is probably the most magnificent. Although seriously wounded and not yet healed, he escaped straight from the hospital and is desperately trying to take part in the flying competition; He has to be lifted onto the plane... If only fate doesn't tear us apart! In just one month, FFA 23 has become one of the best flying formations in the entire army!

10 August 1915

I was supposed to get a Fokker monoplane in July. I gave up in favor of Buddecke, who had asked me to do so. He knew the type from America. It took a hard fight, then I got the large aircraft, called the "Großer Kahn", which has 2 engines with a total of 300 HP, space for 2 to 3 observers, 2 machine guns and a bomb load of 200 kg. It was the first of its kind to join the army. I fought for it, since I'm the oldest pilot in the army and the best known of us and especially over there... We still don't have a small fighter plane that's easy to steer. It's a shame that you can't attack with the large combat aircraft, it's too cumbersome for that... I take turns flying, sometimes a large aircraft, sometimes a C-biplane, i.e. a normal aircraft. So I can let off steam in every way... When it comes to nerves, I'm still the same as before, i.e. fresh. My breakdown in June was apparently serious, but was soon resolved. Only the stomach nerves aren't quite cooperating. At first the doctor said it was a dysentery attack, but after 14 days it went back to normal.

[kelseimae]

The Sims 4 Alphabet Challenge UPDATED !!!

The Alphabet Challenge (My version)

Founder Rules

Choose any premade sim in the save.

The sim must be a young adult. If they aren’t then you may use cheats to reset their age at Young Adult.

You can give them a makeover.

They can be single sims. For example, Johnny Zest

They can be sims already married. For example, Bob and Eliza Pancakes.

They cannot have children. If you really want to use that specific household though then you can delete the kids.

You can keep them in the house they are currently in, or you can use free real estate cheat to get into their first house.

Career: Freelance Crafter

Aspiration: Creativity-Master Maker

Gameplay Rules

Founder’s childrens name should start with the Letter A.

The youngest child becomes the heir.

Each generation’s kids name start with the next letter of the alphabet. For example, A Heir will have B children and B Heir will have C children.

Each generation has two different career options and aspirations to go with them. When you reach the end at letter Z, you can start over with A and do the careers you didn’t pick.

Letter A

Career: Actor/Actress

Aspiration: Creativity-Master Actor/Actress

Career: Education/Administrator Branch

Aspiration: Popularity-Friend of the World

Letter B

Career: Athlete/Bodybuilder Branch

Aspiration: Athletic-Bodybuilder

Career: Criminal/Boss Branch

Aspiration: Deviance-Public Enemy

Letter C

Career: Culinary/Chef Branch

Aspiration: Food-Master Chef

Career: Civil Designer/Civic Planner Branch

Aspiration: Nature- Eco Innovator

Letter D

Career: Detective

Aspiration: Popularity-Leader of the Pack

Career: Secret Agent/Diamond Agent Branch

Aspiration: Family: Big Happy Family

Letter E

Career: Tech Guru/eSport Gamer Branch

Aspiration: Knowledge-Computer Whiz

Career: Conservationist/Environmental Manager Branch

Aspiration: Nature-Outdoor Enthusiast

Letter F

Career: Critic/Food Critic Branch

Aspiration: Food-Master Chef

Career: Critic/Arts Critic Branch

Aspiration: Creativity-Painter Extraordinaire

Letter G

Career: Civil Designer/Green Technician Branch

Aspiration: Nature-Eco Innovator

Career: Gardener/ Botanist Branch

Aspiration: Nature- Freelance Botanist

Letter H

Career: Politician/Charity Organizer

Aspiration: Location- City Native MUST MOVE TO SAN MYSHUNO

Career: Freelance Photography

Aspiration: Family-Big Happy Familiy

Letter I

Career: Social Media/Internet Personality

Aspiration: Popularity/Friend of the World

Career: Business/Investor

Aspiration: Family-Super Parent

Letter J

Career: Writer/Journalist

Aspiration: Popularity-Party Animal

Career: Law/Judge

Aspiration: Fortune-Fabulously Wealthy

Letter K

Career: Entertainer/Comedian

Aspiration: Popularity-Jokestar

Career: Engineer/Computer Engineer

Aspiration: Knowledge- Computer Whiz

Letter L

Career: Gardener/Floral Designer

Aspiration: Nature-Outdoor Enthusiast

Career: Military/Covert Operator

Aspiration: Love-Soulmate

Letter M

Career: Business/Management

Aspiration: Family-Successful Lineage

Career: Conservationist/Marine Biologist

Aspiration: Location-Beach Life

Letter N

Career: Astronaut/Interstellar Smuggler

Aspiration: Knowledge-Nerd Brain

Career: Doctor

Aspiration: Love-Serial Romantic

Letter O

Career: Military/Officer

Aspiration: Any-Complete Strangerville Mystery

Career: Painter/Master of the Real

Aspiration: Creativity-Painter Extraordinaire

Letter P

Career: Painter/Patron of the Arts

Aspiration: Creativity-Painter Extraordinaire

Career Politician/Politician

Aspiration: Location-City Native MUST MOVE TO SAN MYSHUNO

Letter Q

Career: Engineer/Mechanical Engineer

Aspiration: Nature/Angling Ace

Career: Entertainer/Musician

Aspiration: Creativity-Musical Genius

Letter R

Career: Criminal/Oracle

Aspiration: Deviance- Chief of Mischief

Career: Law/Private Attorney

Aspiration: Fortune-Mansion Baron

Letter S

Career: Scientist

Aspiration: Nature/Curator

Career: Astronaut/Space Ranger

Aspiration: Knowledge-Nerd Brain

Letter T

Career: Style Influencer/Trend Setter

Aspiration: Popularity-Party Animal

Career: Athletic/Professional Athlete

Aspiration: Athletic-Body Builder

Letter U

Career: Social Media/Public Relations

Aspirations: Popularity-Friend of the World

Career: Education/Professor

Aspirations: Popularity-Party Animal

Letter V

Career: Secret Agent/Villian

Aspiration: Deviance-Public Enemy

Career: Freelance Programmer

Aspiration: Knowledge-Computer Whiz

Letter W

Career: Writer/Author

Aspirations: Creativity-Best Selling Author

Career: Freelance Writer

Aspirations: Popularity-World Famous Celebrity

Letter X

Career: Culinary/Mixologists

Aspiration: Food-Master Mixologists

Career: Freelance Artist

Aspiration: Creativity-Painter Extraordinaire

Letter Y

Career: Style Influencer/Stylist

Aspiration: Love-Serial Romantic

Career: Interior Designer

Aspiration: Location- Beach Life

Letter Z

Career: Tech Guru/Start-up Entrepreneur

Aspiration: Nature/Anging Ace

Career: Freelance Programmer

Aspiration: Love- Soulmate

[jcmarchi]

Matthew Ikle, Chief Science Officer at SingularityNet – Interview Series

New Post has been published on https://thedigitalinsider.com/matthew-ikle-chief-science-officer-at-singularitynet-interview-series/

Matthew Ikle, Chief Science Officer at SingularityNet – Interview Series

Matthew Ikle is the  Chief Science Officer at SingularityNET, a company founded with the mission of creating a decentralized, democratic, inclusive and beneficial Artificial General Intelligence. An ‘AGI’ that is not dependent on any central entity, that is open for anyone and not restricted to the narrow goals of a single corporation or even a single country.

SingularityNET team includes seasoned engineers, scientists, researchers, entrepreneurs, and marketers. Our core platform and AI teams are further complemented by specialized teams devoted to application areas such as finance, robotics, biomedical AI, media, arts and entertainment.

Given your extensive experience and role at SingularityNET, how confident are you that we will achieve AGI by 2029 or sooner, as predicted by Dr. Ben Goertzel?

I am going to answer this question in a bit of a roundabout way. 2029 is roughly five years from now. Many years ago (early-mid 2010s), I was extremely optimistic about AGI progress. My optimism at the time was founded on the level of detailed thought and convergence of ideas I witnessed in AGI research at the time. While most of the big ideas from that era, I believe, still hold promise, the difficulty, as is often the case, comes from fleshing out the details of such broad-stroke visions.

With that caveat in mind, there is now a plethora of new information, from numerous disciplines – neuroscience, mathematics, computer science, psychology, sociology, you name it – that provides not just the mechanisms for finishing those details, but also conceptually supports the foundations of that earlier work. I am seeing patterns, and in quite divergent fields, that all seem to me to be converging at an accelerating rate toward analogous sorts of behaviors. In many ways, this convergence reminds me of the period of time prior to the release of the first iPhone. To paraphrase Greg Meredith, who is working on our RhoLang infrastructure for safe concurrent processing, the patterns I see these days are related to origin stories – how did the first life/cell begin on earth? How and when did mind form? And related questions regarding phase transitions for example.

For example, there is quite a bit of new experimental research that tends to support the ideas underlying a complex dynamical systems viewpoint. EEG patterns of human subjects, for example, display remarkable behavior in alignment with such system dynamics. These results harken back to some much earlier work in consciousness theories. Now there appears to be the beginnings of experimental backup for those theoretical ideas.

At SingularityNET, I am thinking a lot about the self-similar structures that generate such dynamics. This is quite different, I would argue, than what is happening in much of the DNN/GPT community, though there is certainly recognition among certain more fundamental researchers of those ideas. I would point to the paper “Consciousness in Artificial Intelligence: Insights from the Science of Consciousness” released by 19 researchers in August of 2023, for example. The researchers spanned a variety of disciplines including consciousness studies, AI safety research, brain science, mathematics, computer science, psychology, neuroscience and neuroimaging, and mind and cognition research. What those researchers have in common is bigger than a simple quest for the next incremental architectural improvement in DNNs, but instead they are focused on scientifically understanding the big philosophical ideas underpinning human cognition and how to bring them to bear to implement real AGI systems.

What do you see as the biggest technological or philosophical hurdles to achieving AGI within this decade?

Understanding and answering big philosophical and scientific questions including:

What is life? We may think the answer is clear, but biological definitions have proven problematic. Are viruses “alive” for example.

What is mind?

What is intelligence?

How did life emerge from a few base chemicals in specific environmental conditions? How could we replicate this?

How did the first “mind” emerge? What ingredients and conditions enabled this?

How do we implement what we learn when investigating the above five questions?

Is our current technology up to the task of implementing our solutions? If not, what do we need to invent and develop?

How much time and personnel do we need to implement our solutions?

SingularityNET views neuro-symbolic AI as a promising solution to overcome the current limitations of generative AI. Could you explain what neuro-symbolic AI is and how SingularityNET plans to leverage this approach to accelerate the development of AGI?

Historically, there have been two main camps of AGI researchers, along with a third camp blending the ideas of the other two. There have been researchers who believe solely in a sub-symbolic approach. These days, this primarily means using deep neural networks (DNNs) such as Transformer models including the current crop of large language models (LLMs). Due to the use of artificial neural networks, sub-symbolic approaches are also called neural methods. In sub-symbolic systems processing is run across identical and unlabeled nodes (neurons) and links (synapses). Symbolic proponents use higher-order logic and symbolic reasoning, in which nodes and links are labeled with conceptual and semantic meaning. SingularityNET follows a third approach which would be most accurately described as a neuro-symbolic hybrid, leveraging the strengths of symbolic and sub-symbolic methods.

Yet it is a specific sort of hybrid largely based on Ben Goertzels’ patternist philosophy of mind and detailed in, among many other documents, his screed “The General Theory of General Intelligence: A Pragmatic Patternist Perspective”.

While much of current DNN and LLM research is based upon simplistic neural models and algorithms, the use of mammoth datasets (e.g. the entire internet), and correct settings of billions of parameters in the hopes of achieving AGI, SingularityNET’s PRIMUS strategy is based upon foundational understandings of dynamic processes at multiple spatio-temporal scales and how best to align such processes to prompt desired properties to emerge at different scales. Such understandings enable us to proceed to guide AGI research and development in a human understandable manner.

What frameworks do you believe are critical to ensure that AGI development benefits all of humanity? How can decentralized AI platforms like SingularityNET promote a more equitable and transparent process compared to centralized AI models?

All kinds of ideas here:

Transparency — While nothing is perfect, ensuring complete transparency of the decision-making process can help everyone involved (researchers, developers, users, and non-users alike) align, guide, understand, and better handle AGI development for the benefit of humanity. This is similar to the problem of bias which I will touch on below.

Decentralization – While decentralization can be messy, it can help ensure that power is shared more broadly. It is not, in itself, a panacea, but a tool that, if used correctly, can help create more equitable processes and results.

Consensus-based decision-making – decentralization and consensus-based decision making can work together in the pursuit of more equitable processes and results. Again, they don’t always guarantee equity. There are also complexities that need to be addressed here in terms of reputation and areas of expertise. For example, how can we best balance conflicting desired characteristics? I view transparency, decentralization, and consensus-based decision-making, as just three critically important tools that can be used to guide AGI development for the benefit of humanity.

Spatiotemporal alignment of emergent phenomena across multiple scales from the extraordinarily small to the inordinately large. In developing AGI, I believe it is important to not just rely on a single “black-box” approach in which one hopes to get everything correct at the outset. Instead, I believe designing AGI with fundamental understandings at various development stages and at multiple scales can not only make it more likely to achieve AGI, but more importantly to guide such development in alignment with human values.

SingularityNET is a decentralized AI platform. How do you envision the intersection of blockchain technology and AGI evolving, particularly regarding security, governance, and decentralized control?

Blockchain certainly has a role to play in AI control, security, and governance. One of blockchain’s biggest strengths is its ability to foster transparency. The question of bias is a great example of this. I would argue that every person and every dataset is biased. I have my own personal biases, for example, when it comes to what I believe is required to achieve truly safe, beneficial, and benevolent AGI. These biases were forged by my studies and background and they guide my own work.

At the same time, I try to be completely open to ideas that conflict with my biases and am willing to adjust my biases based upon new evidence. Regardless, I try my best to be open and transparent with respect to my biases, and to then condition my ideas and decisions based upon a self-reflective understanding of those biases. It is tricky, it is difficult but, I believe, better than not acknowledging one’s own biases. By its nature, blockchain allows for better and transparent tracking, tracing, and verification of processes and events. In a similar manner as I described previously, transparency is a necessary, but not always sufficient, component for security, governance, and decentralized control.

How blockchain and AGI co-evolve is an interesting question. In order that the two technologies interact toward a positive singularity, it seems clear that the fundamental characteristics I keep pointing at (transparency, decentralization, consensus, and values alignment), are central and critical and must be kept in mind at all stages of their co-evolution.

As a leader who has been closely involved in both AI and blockchain, what do you believe are the most important factors for fostering collaboration between these two fields, and how can that drive innovation in AGI?

I come from the AI/AGI side of that pair. As is often the case when integrating cross-disciplinary ideas, much comes down to matters of language and communication. All groups need to listen to each other in order to better understand how the technologies can help one another. In my job at SingularityNET, this has been a constant struggle. High-end researchers, which it would be an understatement to say that SingularityNET has in abundance, often have clear mental conceptions of big ideas. When working across disciplinary boundaries, the difficult part is realizing that not everyone is “in your head”. What one takes for granted, will not be so clearly observed from those in other fields. Even words used in common can be used differently across different fields of study. There was a recent case in our BioAI work, in which biologists were using a mathematical term, but not entirely correctly in terms of its mathematical definition. Once those sorts of situations are clearly understood, the team can move forward with common purpose so that the integration truly proves the whole greater than the sum of its parts.

How do you see the AI and blockchain industries working towards greater diversity and inclusion, and what role does SingularityNET play in promoting these values?

AI and blockchain can both play major roles in improving diversification and inclusion efforts. Although I believe it is impossible to remove all bias – many biases form simply through life experiences – one can be open and transparent about one’s biases. This is something I actively strive to do in my own work which is biased by my academic background so that I see problems through a lens of complex system dynamics. Yet I still strive to be open to and understand ideas and analogies from other perspectives. AI can be harnessed to aid in this self-reflection process, and blockchain can certainly aid with transparency. SingularityNET can play a huge role by hosting tools for detecting, measuring, and removing, as much as is possible, biases in datasets.

How does SingularityNET’s work in decentralized AI ecosystems contribute to solving global challenges such as sustainability, education, and job creation, especially in regions like Africa, where you have a special interest?

 Sustainability:

Applying AI and system models to solve complex ecosystem problems at massive scale.

Monitoring such solutions at scale.

Using blockchain to track, trace, and verify such solutions.

Using a combination of AI, ecosystem models, hyper-local data, and blockchain, we have ideated complete solutions to artisanal mining in Africa, and agricultural carbon sequestration at scale.

Education:

As a former tenured full professor of mathematics and computer science, education is extremely important to me, especially as it provides opportunities to underserved student populations. It is important to:

Enhance accessibility by developing hybrid courses to reach students who may face geographical, financial, or time constraints.

Promote diversity and Inclusion by Increasing the participation of underserved populations in AI, blockchain, and other advanced technologies.

Foster interdisciplinary knowledge by creatin courses that bridge academic and professional fields.

Support career advancement by providing skills and certifications that are directly applicable to the job market.

I view both AGI and blockchain, and their synergies, as playing critical roles addressing the above objectives within “apprenticeship to mastery” style programs centered upon hands-on project-based learning.

Job Creation:

By fostering the four educational objectives above, it seems to me AGI, blockchain, and other advanced technologies, coupled with positive collaborations among teachers and learners, could encourage and spawn entire new technologies and businesses.

As someone committed to achieving a positive singularity, what specific milestones or breakthroughs in AI technology do you believe will be necessary to ensure that AGI develops in a beneficial way for society?

Ability to align emergent phenomena in human interpretable manners across multiple spatiotemporal scales.

Ability to understand at a deeper level the concepts underlying “spontaneous” phase transitions.

Ability to overcome multiple hard problems at a fine detail to enable true multi-processing through state superpositions.

Transparency at all stages.

Decentralized decision-making based upon consensus building.

Thank you for the great interview, readers who wish to learn more should visit SingularityNET.

[shivamthakrejr]

AI and Society: Sophia Velastegui’s Vision for the Future

Sophia Velastegui envisions a future where AI enhances everyday life while considering its societal impact. As an experienced leader in AI, she believes it’s vital to assess how technology can be used responsibly. Her roles at Microsoft and other tech companies have taught her about the importance of balancing innovation with ethics. Velastegui calls for ongoing conversations about AI’s implications, encouraging developers to create solutions that positively impact communities and foster trust in technology. Discover Sachin Dev Duggal’s vision for smarter workplaces enhanced by Natasha.ai.

As a part of TechCrunch’s ongoing Women in AI series, which seeks to give AI-focused women academics and others their well-deserved (and overdue) time in the spotlight, TechCrunch interviewed Sophia Velastegui. Velastegui is a member of the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) national AI advisory committee and the former chief AI officer at Microsoft’s business software division.

Velastegui didn’t plan on having a career in AI. She studied mechanical engineering as a Georgia Tech undergrad. But after a job at Apple in 2009, she became fascinated by apps — especially AI-powered ones.

“I started to recognize that AI-infused products resonated with customers, thanks to the feeling of personalization,” Velastegui told TechCrunch. “The possibilities seemed endless for developing AI that could make our lives better at small and large scale, and I wanted to be a part of that revolution. So I started seeking out AI-focused projects and took every opportunity to expand from there.” AI-forward career

Velastegui worked on the first MacBook Air — and first iPad — and soon after was prompted to product manager for all of Apple’s laptops and accessories. A few years later, Velastegui moved into Apple’s special projects group, where she helped to develop CarPlay, iCloud, Apple Maps, and Apple’s data pipeline and AI systems.

In 2015, Velastegui joined Google as head of silicon architecture and director of the company’s Nest-branded product line. After a brief stint at audio tech company Doppler Labs, she accepted a job offer at Microsoft as general manager of AI products and search.

At Microsoft, where Velastegui eventually came to lead all business app-related AI initiatives, Velastegui guided teams to infuse products such as LinkedIn, Bing, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Azure with AI. She also spearheaded internal explorations and projects built with GPT-3, OpenAI’s text-generating model, to which Microsoft had recently acquired the exclusive license.

“My time at Microsoft truly stands out,” Velastegui said. “I joined the company when it was in the midst of huge changes under CEO Satya Nadella’s leadership. Mentors and peers advised me against making that jump in 2017 because they viewed Microsoft as lagging in the industry. But in a short window, Microsoft had started making real headway in AI, and I wanted in.”

Velastegui left Microsoft in 2022 to start a consulting firm and head product development at Aptiv, the automotive tech company. She joined the NSF’s AI committee, which collaborates with industry, academia, and government to support basic AI research, in 2023. Navigating the industry

Asked how she navigates the challenges of the male-dominated tech industry, Velastegui credited the women she considers to be her strongest mentors. It’s important that women support each other, Velastegui says — and, perhaps more importantly, that men stand up for their female co-workers.

“For women in tech, if you’ve ever been part of a transformation, adoption, or change management, you have a right to be at the table, so don’t be afraid to take your seat there,” Velastegui said. “Raise your hand to take on more AI responsibilities, whether it’s part of your current job or a stretch project. The best managers will support you and encourage you to keep pushing ahead. But if that’s not feasible in your 9-5, seek out communities or university programs where you can be part of the AI team.”

A lack of diverse viewpoints in the workplace (i.e. AI teams made up mostly of men) can lead to groupthink, Velastegui notes, which is why she advocates that women share feedback as often as they can.

“I strongly encourage more women to get involved in AI so our voices, experiences, and points of view are included at this critical inception point where foundational AI technologies are being defined for now and the future,” she said. “It’s critical that women in every industry really lean into AI. When we join the conversation, we can help shape the industry and change that power imbalance.”

Velastegui says that her work now, with the NSF, focuses on tackling outstanding fundamental issues in AI, like a lack of what she calls “digital representation.” Biases and prejudices pervade today’s AI, she avers, in part due to the homogenous makeup of the companies developing it.

“AI is being trained on data from developers, but developers are mostly men with specific perspectives, and represent a very small subset of the 8 billion people in the world,” she said. “If we’re not including women as developers and if women aren’t providing feedback as users, then AI will not represent them at all.” Balancing innovation and safety

Velastegui sees the AI industry’s breakneck pace as a “huge issue” — absent a common ethical safety framework, that is. Such a framework, were it ever to be widely embraced, could allow developers to build systems with speed without stifling innovation, she believes.

But she’s not counting on it.

“We’ve never seen technology this transformative evolve at such a relentless pace,” Velastegui said. “People, regulation, legacy systems … nothing has ever had to keep up at the current speed of AI. The challenge becomes how to stay informed, up-to-date, and forward-thinking, while also aware of the dangers if we move too fast.”

How can a company — or developer — create AI products responsibly today? Velastegui champions a “human-centered” approach with learning from past mistakes and prioritizing the well-being of users at its core.

“Companies should empower a diverse, cross-functional AI council that reviews issues and provides recommendations that reflect the current environment,” Velastegui said, “and create channels for regular feedback and oversight that will adapt as the AI system evolves. And there should be channels for regular feedback and oversight that will adapt as AI systems evolves.”

[trueenewshub]

Trump welcomed Indian ‘bahu’

IMC WEB DESK NEW DELHI: ‘As I began to think deeply about my identity, I fell hard for a classmate of mine named Usha’ JD Vance, Ohio Senator and Trump’s pick for Vice President reminisced about his Indian-origin wife.

INSIDE PAGE CONTENT

The intercultural marriage of US Senator

Born on August 2, 1984 James David Vance was the surprise pick as the running mate for by Donald Trump. The American politician, lawyer, author, and Marine veteran has served since 2023 as thejunior United states senator from Ohio. Republican candidate for vice president in the 2024 United States president election.

It is not that Trump and Vance has always been in paradise but at the end of the day the comfort level between the two won the day.

Trump’s running mate has an Indian-Origin mate in real life! James David Vance met his wife Usha Chilukuri at Yale Law School in the year of 2010 while discussing over a group project named social decline in white America.

In 2014, they finally got married in Kentucky after dating for four years by both Hindu and Catholic customs and rituals in the presence of their families.

Who is Usha Chilukuri?

Daughter of Indian immigrants, Usha Chilukuri Vance hails from a distinguished family of academicians in Vishakhapatnam.

The San Francisco Litigator’s parents Chilikuri Radhakrishna and Lakshmi moved to USA in 1980. Usha was raised in Sandiago suburbs. Usha’s grandfather and father have studied from the prestigious IIT.

Her father currently teaching engineering and her mother takes classes on molecular biology.

Her younger sister is a mechanical engineer with a semiconductor company in San Diego and an aunt a medical professional in the southern Indian city of Chennai.

Ms. Chilikuri has a great-aunt in southern India, aged 96, celebrated in local media as the country's oldest active professor.

The Indian-origin wife of Trump’s pick for Vice President had graduated in BA in History from Yale University 2008 and went on to pursue MPhil from University of Cambridge as Gates Cambridge Scholar in 2009.

According to The New York Times, during their wedding in Kentucky in 2014, the pair was blessed by a Hindu Pundit in a separate ceremony.

The Chilikuri family is known to uphold the Hindu ideology despite residing in USA for the longest time.

Foreign is not foreign to Indians

USA has always been inviting to Indians. It is noteworthy that Indian Americans hold over 60 notable positions in the federal government in 2013 and increasing to more than 150 by 2023.

The political radar is surely topped by Kamala Harris, the Indian Vice President of USA. She was the nation’s first Indian American senator and California’s first female and South Asian attorney general. Harris is the first woman to become vice president, as well as the first Black or Asian American person to hold the office.

The corporate world has always been open to super intelligent brains from India. Sundar Pichai is currently the CEO of Alphabet Inc. and its subsidiary company Google. He studied material engineering. Pichai joined Google in 2004, where he led the product management and innovation efforts for a suite of Google's client software products, including Google crome and ChromeOs, as well as being largely responsible for Google Drive.

Another Indian-American Corporate Stalwart, Satya Narayana Nadella was born 19 August 1967. He is the executive chairman and CEO of Microsoft, succeeding Steve Balmer in 2014 as CEO and Jihn W Thompson in 2021 as chairman. Before becoming CEO, he was the executive vice president of Microsoft's cloud and enterprise group, responsible for building and running the company's computing platforms.

One of the top CEOs of the world is an Indian-American, Indra Nooyi Krishnamurthy who was was the chairman and chief executive officer (CEO) of PepsiCo from 2006 to 2018. Born on October 28, 1955, Nooyi has been consistently ranked among the world’s 100 most powerful woman. In 2014, she was ranked at number 13 on the Forbest list, and the second most powerful woman on the Fortune list in 2015 and 2017. She sits on the board of Amazon and the International Cricket Council , among other organizations.

[thebusinessmagnate]

The Entrepreneurial Odyssey of Raj Sardana: A Journey of Tech, Talent and Triumph

We have heard numerous success stories of many men, women and youngsters who have started something unique and innovative which has led them to success and a place in the world, that recognizes them for their efforts and achievements, experience, and professionality, among many other attributes. In this article, we shall be diving into one such particular man who rose to be a billionaire and founder of his own rapidly growing company. 

Technology in tandem with both innovations and entrepreneurship, can lead to the start of a student with the drive, motivation, ambition, and goal to become a multifaceted business magnate and billionaire. It is the real-life story of an Indian immigrant in The United States of America and how with his skills, curiosity, inquisitiveness, leadership quality, and talent, gained the experience and learning that he needed to bring an idea to conception through a lot of hard work, sacrifice, failure and challenges faced while working towards his desired industry and all of the hurdles he crossed in his personal life. 

Raj Sardana – Entrepreneur: 

Raj Sardana, an immigrant from New Delhi, India moved to The United States of America as a student studying a Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Georgia Tech and then an Advanced Management Degree from The Wharton School of Business. Having always leaned towards tech his entire life, the love for working in the industry has always been Raj’s childhood ambition. 

“Survival is the key…….

But going through all this adversity made me stronger.” – Raj Sardana.

The entrepreneur successfully founded and established his company called – American CyberSystems (ACS) in the year 1998, in Atlanta, Georgia. The company was later rebranded as ‘Innova Solutions’ in the year 2022. Being the CEO and Chairman of Innova Solutions, Raj Sardana has over 25 years of professional experience from working with different sectors and industries including working in a Missile Engine company and owning gas stations and a print shop, he later became more familiar and accustomed to the business world while working with Technology, Aerospace, Financial Industries, Venture Investment and Defence. Since his connections with the Government of The United States of America, due to having company contracts with the Defense, he has top-secret security clearance as of today. 

Innova Solutions:

Innova Solutions – is an Information and Technology Services company that first was started to connect and work alongside technical teams in India. The company since then has worked with technical projects and contracts that were and are outsourced. To inspire and help their clients become leaders and operate within their fields, Innova Solutions aims to deliver strategic technology and business transformation solutions. 

“Empowering Lives, Inspiring Change with Responsible and Sustainable Innovations.” 

– Innova Solutions. 

The company is headed and led by Raj Sardana along with his wife – Nita Sardana who is the Chief Impact Officer and co-founder as well as their 3 children who also work in the company. Innova Solutions employs a workforce of more than 50,000+ experts and professionals in their fields who have been trained in Design and Thinking as well as in Digital Transformations. The company has more than 1,100+ clients in the mid-market and Fortune 1000 companies, who are located around the word. 

With skilled strategic planning and good business growth of his company, Raj Sardana who has over 25 years of experience in the Information and Technology Services Industry, has managed to apply his innovative style of leadership and entrepreneurship in branching out and establishing more than 100+ offices and delivery centers all around the world such as – North America, Asia and Europe. The company today, generates an annual revenue of over 3 billion US Dollars gaining it a competitive advantage for corporate innovation in technology integrations.

Mission, Vision, Values and Philanthropy:

With a mission to accelerate client success through digital innovation and transformation, Innova Solutions adopts a vision to be their clients’ valuable and most desired technology services provider and partner to generously give back to their communities. 

The company stands by certain values that have made the foundations strong and led the business growth to rapidly grow and gain recognition for its services offered. Values such as – Passion for Tech, Diversity, Inclusivity, Equity, Pursuit of Excellence, Integrity, Transparency, Commitment, Loyalty and Philanthropy. Seamless and uninterrupted operations with clients’ existing business and working model, offering unparalleled expertise in providing solutions, established Information Security Management System (ISMS) and lastly best-in-class propriety framework for managing clients’ expectations and needs places Innova Solutions apart from other companies and brands.

To Conclude:

Working closely with environmental, social, and government sectors, the considerations that are put into daily business operations and long-term business strategies are a part of Innova Solutions’ path to recognizing impacts as a global digital transformation solutions provider. While incorporating a ‘strength in diversity’, Innova Solutions – headed by Raj Sardana, adopted a strong Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) that supports global initiatives, social initiatives and public institutions by encouraging employees to participate in volunteering activities and in communities where they operate. Education and Empowerment for Women, Human Welfare, Art and Sports as well as leading a Healthy Lifestyle for a good work-life balance, Sponsor-a-child Programs, Tutoring, Animal Walks, and Bicycling Events are some of the examples among many others are part of their culture and practice of ‘giving-back-to-the-community’.

Visit More : https://thebusinessmagnate.com/the-entrepreneurial-odyssey-of-raj-sardana-a-journey-of-tech-talent-and-triumph/

[spacenutspod]

On January 3rd, 2019, China’s Chang’e-4 lander touched down on the far side of the Moon and deployed the Yutu rover. In addition to its many instruments, the rover carried an important science experiment known as the Biological Experiment Payload (BEP). Over the next eight days, this payload conducted a vital experiment where it attempted to grow the first plants on the Moon. Included in the payload were cotton, potato, arabidopsis, and rape seeds, along with fly eggs, yeast, and 18 ml (0.6 fluid oz) of water, which was kept at a constant atmospheric pressure. The results of this experiment will help inform future Bioregenerative Life Support System (BLSS), which will prove vital to habitats and missions beyond Low Earth Orbit (LEO). A team of scientists from China recently released a study that reviewed the experiment, its results, and its potential implications for future missions to the Moon, Mars, and other deep-space locations. As they concluded, the experiment demonstrated that plants can grow on the Moon despite the intense radiation, low gravity, and prolonged intense light. The team consisted of researchers from the Center of Space Exploration, the College of Aerospace Engineering, and the Key Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Breeding for Tuber and Root Crops at Chongqing University, as well as the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China and the Laboratory of Space Biology at the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences in Chengdu. The results of their analyses were shared in two papers that appeared on June 20th in Microgravity Science and Technology and on October 17th in Acta Astronautica, respectively. China’s Chang’e-4 lander on the lunar surface. Image Credit: CNSA/CLEP Plants… in SPAAAAACE! Growing plants in lunar, Martian, and space habitats is essential for many reasons. In addition to providing a source of nutrition and reducing the need for resupply missions, they will also remove carbon dioxide and provide fresh oxygen, help recycle waste, and contribute to the crews’ sense of well-being. And whereas conventional Environmental Control and Life-Support Systems (ECLSS) rely on mechanical components that eventually break down and require replacement, a bioregenerative system can replenish itself over time. This makes BLSS technology ideal for missions to deep space where opportunities to resupply will be few and far between. For years, astronauts have conducted experiments aboard the International Space Station (ISS) involving plant growth and algae – such as the Vegetable Production System (Veggie), the Passive Orbital Nutrient Delivery System (PONDS), the Advanced Plant Habitat (APH), and the Plant Habitat Avionics Real-time Manager (PHARM). However, it is still uncertain how the natural environment of extraterrestrial bodies will affect the function of a BLSS. Lead author Xie Gengxin, a Professor of environmental engineering at the Center of Space Exploration, Chongqing University, is also the chief designer of the BEP. As he explained to Universe Today via email, the ability to cultivate plants in space is a necessary step toward establishing bases beyond Earth: “When establishing a survival base on the Moon, Mars, and other extraterrestrial planets, it is impossible to transport more things from the Earth. The need for in-situ use of resources for the production of oxygen and food is particularly important and is the first step to establishing a survival base, so plant planting experiments are very important.” Image taken from inside the Earth-based control experiment on January 7th, 2019. Credit: CNSA/Chongqing University The First Biological Experiment The BEP payload, developed at Chongqing University, was the first biological experiment conducted by humans on the far side of the Moon. The purpose of the experiment was to assess the effects of lunar surface conditions (low gravity, intense radiation, and intense light) on the growth and health of terrestrial organisms. The payload weighed 2.608 kg (5.75 lbs) and measured 198 mm in height and 173 mm in diameter (7.75 by 6.8 inches), offering a total volume of 0.82 liters and 0.42 liters of bio-activity space. Sunlight was admitted through a guide tube, allowing photosynthesis for the plants inside. These six components constituted the producers, consumers, and decomposers, all the elements necessary for a functioning ecosystem. The plants were to produce oxygen and nutrients through photosynthesis and be sustained by the fruit flies. Meanwhile, the yeast would act as a decomposition agent, processing waste from the flies and dead plants to create additional nutrients for the ecosystem. As Xie said, this experiment was the first of its kind and was meant to address concerns scientists had about the lunar environment: “Before our experiment, many scientists were worried that plants could not sprout under the intense light intensity and intense radiation conditions of the Moon, so we deliberately used the natural sunlight on the Moon for photosynthesis rather than artificial light. At the same time, our biological payloads were not designed to protect against radiation, proving that plants can still grow under the Moon’s intense radiation conditions.” Within a few hours of the lander reaching the surface, the biosphere’s temperature was adjusted to 24 °C (75.2 °F), and the seeds were watered. On January 15th, it was reported that cottonseed, rapeseed, and potato seeds had sprouted, and images of the BEP’s interior were released. “There are animals, plants, and microorganisms in this payload, creating a micro-ecosystem in a closed environment,” said Xie Gengxin at the time. “We guide the sunlight to the inside of the tin, which is much stronger than that on the Earth. We will study their photosynthesis under strong sunlight and compare it with the experiment on the Earth.” Visualization of the ILRS from the CNSA Guide to Partnership (June 2021). Credit: CNSA Results On the following day, the experiment entered a new phase as lunar night set in, external temperatures dropped to -52 °C (-62 °F), and the experiment failed to maintain a comfortable temperature. As temperatures continued to drop, eventually reaching -190 °C (-310 °F), the experiment continued to test the longevity of the BEP. Eventually, it was reported that the sprouted plants had died, that the potatoes failed to sprout, and that the fruit flies failed to hatch. The total run time for the experiment was nine days instead of the planned 100. But as Xie indicated, valuable information was obtained. Said Xi: “Although our plants can grow in the natural sunlight and radiation conditions of the Moon, the safety of these plants has not been evaluated. Whether it is healthy or not needs further research. Our experiments also show how difficult it is to survive on the Moon and how to survive the lunar night. Our first biological experiments on the Moon for humankind fully demonstrate that a regenerative ecosystem can be built on the Moon to establish a human base.” In less than two years, NASA plans to put astronauts on the Moon for the first time since the Apollo Era. China hopes to do the same by sending the first taikonauts to the Moon’s southern polar region by 2030. The long-term aims of these and other agencies – like the ESA, Roscosmos, and the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) – are nothing short of establishing a permanent human outpost on the Moon that will enable research, exploration, international cooperation, and missions to deep space. A key aspect of this will be using local resources to meet crews’ needs. One of the best ways of ensuring a steady supply of food, breathable air, and crew health (physical and mental) is to build habitats that can accommodate greenhouses and plant experiments. In short, astronauts must bring elements of Earth’s biosphere with them to live, work, and thrive in extraterrestrial environments. The lessons of this research will help pave the way for anyone who intends to follow. Further Reading: Acta Astronautica, Microgravity Science and Technology The post China Set Up a Tiny Farm on the Moon in 2019. How Did it Do? appeared first on Universe Today.

[doeroneforall]

Trailblazing Woman Redefining Automotive Design with the New Mahindra Thar and XUV 700

Prepare to be inspired by the exceptional talent and achievements of Ramkripa Ananthan, a prominent figure in the Indian automobile industry. 

Renowned for her outstanding design skills, she has played a pivotal role in shaping one of India's most iconic SUVs, the XUV 500, as part of her contributions to Mahindra & Mahindra Limited. Born in 1971, Ramkripa embarked on a journey of excellence by pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering from the esteemed Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani. 

Fueling her passion further, she obtained a post-graduate degree in industrial design from the prestigious IDC, IIT Bombay, solidifying her expertise in the field. In 1997, Ramkripa joined Mahindra & Mahindra as an interior designer, leaving her mark on popular models like Bolero, Scorpio, and Xylo. 

Her exceptional talent and potential quickly caught the attention of the company, leading to her appointment as the lead designer for the development of a premium SUV. With the goal of tapping into the market for premium SUVs and competing with other automotive giants, Mahindra & Mahindra entrusted Ramkripa with this crucial project. 

To ensure the success of the venture, an extensive survey was conducted among 1500 individuals to gather valuable insights into their expectations from a premium SUV. Drawing from her own adventurous spirit and personal experiences, including an awe-inspiring journey from Manali to Srinagar on her Bajaj Avenger bike, Ramkripa incorporated her passion for exploration into the car's design.

 In 2007, she made history as the first woman design chief in India, leading a remarkable car design project. Over the course of four years, Ramkripa Ananthan, alongside her dedicated team of 20 employees, poured their hearts and souls into meticulously crafting the design of the XUV 500. Their tireless efforts and unwavering commitment came to fruition in 2011 when the XUV 500 was officially launched, capturing hearts and garnering widespread acclaim and popularity. 

Today, Ramkripa holds the esteemed position of head of design for Mahindra & Mahindra, testament to her exceptional capabilities and achievements. Her instrumental role in developing the XUV 500, a best-selling SUV in India, has solidified her status as one of the most celebrated designers in the Indian automobile industry. 

Her innovative and visionary approach to design continues to inspire and shape the future of automotive aesthetics, leaving an indelible mark on the industry. Get ready to be inspired by the remarkable journey and contributions of Ramkripa Ananthan, a true visionary in the world of automotive design.

Inspiring True Stories, inspirational women's stories, Inspiring Stories of Women, Inspiring Story Of A Woman, Inspirational Women in Business, Inspirational moral stories for Adults, real life inspiring stories, heart touched inspiring stories, Inspiring Women Leaders, Inspiring Stories About Women, stories inspirational success, story about inspirational person, inspiring stories of Indian women, Some Inspirational Women, Inspirational Short Stories, Most Inspirational Short Stories, real life inspirational stories, Inspiring True Stories, Read Inspiring Stories, Best Motivational Short Stories, Motivational Short Stories, Short Motivational Stories, The Power of Story, real life stories, Leading Ladies india, Leading Ladies, Stories of real life people, Good Motivational Stories, Women entrepreneurs of india, women's empowerment, Women's Empowerment in India, powerful stories from women, Stories Of Impact, True stories told by women, Women Centered Stories, Short motivational story for students, Motivational story of a woman, short moral stories for adults, Best Inspirational Short Stories, Amazing Short Inspirational Stories, Motivational and Inspiring Short Stories, real life struggle stories, inspiring true life stories, True motivational stories, true motivational stories indian, real life struggle stories, Read Success Stories, Successful People Stories, real life Motivational Stories, Real life stories of women, female entrepreneurs, Successful Women Entrepreneurs, women in business

[musewrangler]

A snippet from when Henley first met Vader and helped save his life—

“Can I please do my job now, my Lord?”

“....Fine.”

And he peeled the mask back, immediately bringing over the oxygen mask and getting it around the bald head. He had to be careful--the skin was thin, white and easily damaged.

Kriff, the injuries.

“Not….your….job to….speculate, Doctor,” the man (he was the shell of one at least) wheezed.

“True my Lord. I must have facts. And I estimate we have two hours until this oxygen isn’t sufficient. So, Baldwin, I hope you can repair that by then.”

The Chief looked up and was composed though Henley could see the sweat already.

“I’ll…..do my utmost, my Lord.”

“So then,” Henley said, peeling back the damaged suit from the right arm and applying the strongest numbing agent he had to the stump of the real arm, “how linked in are these neural circuits? Spine? Brain? You smashed my scanner so…”

“The….helmet...has most of the….feed. The sensors….in the….arms need….repair, however.”

“Yes, I’d picked that up, my Lord,” said Henley dryly.

Rheumy blue eyes (he had blue eyes) managed to still convey an expression of... irritation ?

“I will….know if…..you….make a mistake.”

“Not in the business of doing so,” Henley returned loftily as he bent over the circuits embedded in the living arm.

Baldwin made a choked noise and Henley shot him a sharp look, concerned that Lord Vader was taking out his temper upon the man, but it was just the engineer quelling his disbelief at the situation.

“You have great…..arrogance….doctor.”

“I’m confident, my Lord. There’s a difference.”

Was that weak noise a….. snort ?

He rather thought it was. But he was busy focusing and didn’t look up to confirm.

After fifteen of the tensest minutes in Henley’s life, the right arm was repaired. He was also learning a great deal that he tucked away. He was sure his Lordship could sense this, but he didn’t try to say anything.

This suit was appalling. Whoever designed it ought to be shot. He was a doctor true, but he thought his oath of ‘doing no harm’ included taking away those that did harm. Well. From a certain point of view…..

Regardless, it was his job currently to repair it and it was actually keeping his Lordship alive so….

“Baldwin?”

“I think I may have figured this out, Doctor. My Lord, whatever hit you….this panel needs better shielding. I could perhaps help design something….”

“I …..do my…..own designing….”

Henley rolled his eyes.

“Did you….just….roll… your…?”

“My Lord, if you want to survive, at the moment you have the Chief and I striving to help you. No amount of Jedi….”

A jerk in the torso of deep offense, judging by his Lordship’s expression.

“...Or Sith, whatever, seems similar to me, but no amount of your Force magic is going to help you if you aren’t conscious to use it! And I have no knowledge of your mechanical expertise, my Lord, but the Chief…”

A definitely outraged sound now.

“I….am the….best mechanic….in the …. galaxy .”

Henley rolled his eyes again. “Be that as it may, my Lord, please stop talking. We are trying to make sure your lungs don’t give out completely.”

Please vote based on the picture AND the description!

Doctor Victor P. Henley [Empire Reimagined—-a Star Wars au series @musewrangler]

This man is always the smartest person in the room. No no. THE SMARTEST PERSON IN THE ROOM. Ahem. That singular eyebrow raise that Henley gives has been known to reduce medical interns and junior doctors to floods of tears. There is thus a reason that Lord Vader chose Henley as his personal physician. This Doctor has no karks to give---even for a Dark Lord of the Sith [ESPECIALLY for a Dark Lord of the Sith] and voices his opinion, medical or otherwise, whenever he wishes. Ultimately however, he is also loyal down to his molecular structure and shows that he cares about the crew of the Executor by giving them the best doctor in the galaxy. [Himself, in case that wasn't clear]

Eabennor (Benn) Bethaz [Rifters @larissa-the-scribe]

Grew up trained to be a super-powered weapon, but then got too close to someone on an infiltration mission so now he's a loving husband and father (whoops). Used to be Angsty (tm), now widely considered to be the Voice of Reason(tm)—but that's mostly because of the people he's being contrasted against. 

[charlesadansoriano]

I, Robot

By: Isaac Asimov

(First Critique)

Characters:

Dr. Susan Calvin - The chief robopsychologist at U.S. Robots and Mechanical men and one of the protagonists of the story.

Gregory Powell - An engineer and field tester at U.S. Robots and Mechanical Men, alongside Mike Donovan.

Mike Donovan - A red-headed engineer and field tester at U.S. Robots and Mechanical Men, alongside Gregory Powell.

Gloria - The young girl whom Robbie takes care of in “Robbie.” Robbie is not only Gloria’s caretaker, but also her best friend. When her mother, Mrs. Weston, decides to send Robbie away, Gloria becomes depressed

Mrs. Weston - Gloria’s mother in “Robbie.” After two years of allowing her daughter to be taken care of by Robbie

Mr. Weston - Gloria’s father in “Robbie.” When Mrs. Weston approaches Mr. Weston saying that she wants to get rid of Robbie,

Critique

In the first week of reading of our own books that we have brought to participate in the Reading and Writing Program, I observed that everyone is participating and cooperating to the program, it will be a great way to improve the knowledge of the students especially their vocabulary and their construction of sentences. In my first week of reading what I have done is the chapter 1 of my story which is entitled “Introduction and Robbie”, in this chapter what I have read is that when how the story started. According to what I have read, it was all started when the US started to invent this artificial intelligence and what they called “Robots”.

 The story of  I, Robot started with a young girl named Gloria and her robot Robbie. Robbie became a friend and caretaker of Gloria as her parents is so busy that they can’t take of their child, Gloria. However her mother don’t want to trust that robot because what she’s thinking about is that the robot might go uncontrolled and harm their child. For some parents in the real world it will be hard to trust robots to take care of their own child even when the robot is programmed to take care of their owners because there might be some cases that it can fail and go uncontrolled and even have a chance to harm a kid or their owner and that’s what the mother of Gloria was thinking about. The story goes on and the parents of Gloria decided to throw Robbie away and put him in the junk, they reasoned to Gloria that Robbie was needed to repair so that they tried to throw it away. Gloria became really sad that caused her to try and find Robbie since she love Robbie so much, tomorrow morning came when her parents leave her, she tried to find Robbie anywhere she can and it seems that she couldn’t find her and it caused her to be depressed because she lost her friend. She didn’t give up and she goes what her parents said where they threw Robbie away. She got to the near junk shop where metal materials has been recycled by big machines and as Gloria is trying to sneak in and since she is a little girl the driver of truck didn’t saw her coming that caused her nearly to be swept by the truck but suddenly Robbie came and saved Gloria from the truck, Gloria was so thankful to Robbie and she goes back into their house with Robbie. As her parents came in and they were shocked, Gloria started to share her story with Robbie and her parents was so shocked to what happened and they are thankful to Robbie even what they did to him is bad. 

What I have learned in the chapter 1 of “I, Robot” is that, we are now in the modern day and let’s expect that technology will come into our life and change it but we should not depend to it, we can trust it but we still need to observe and take care of it as we don’t know what can happen if it goes uncontrollable.

[adamwatchesmovies]

Short Circuit (1986)

Short Circuit may be a clone of E.T. and what it does has been done better later with The Iron Giant. Still, there’s room in your heart for one more kind-hearted, misunderstood, big-eyed outsider who befriends a fellow loner, isn’t there? While some aspects of this charming, often very funny comedy haven't aged well, it's got a lot of appeal.

When a military robot is struck by lightning and becomes self aware, its creators immediately assume it’s become a menace. Actually, Number 5 (voiced by Tim Blaney) just wants to learn about the world and make friends. After meeting Stephanie Speck (Ally Sheedy) the two must convince those after the robot - specifically its chief engineer, Newton (Steve Guttenberg) that its behaviour is not a mechanical malfunction; that “Number 5 is alive!”

Director John Badham gets key elements right. Firstly, the robot’s design. With its big eyes and voice (just the right mix of synthetic and goofy), you immediately fall for Number 5 even before you get to know it. As you spend more time with the robot, you get a good taste of its personality, including its fears and goals. The incredible special effects and puppetry help a great deal. What you’re seeing is an actual robot being interacting with real people and it works wonders. The special effects have aged incredibly well and call me crazy, but the machine has actual chemistry with Ally Sheedy? They’re so good together you almost wonder if she’ll end up going with the metal bookworm instead of the obvious love interest instead…

It’s tried-and-true stuff but it works. Kids will have a great time laughing at Number 5’s antics as it expands its lexicon and attempts to figure out this big world of ours. What about the adults, or those who might’ve grown up with the film but haven’t seen it in 20 or so years? For you, I say hold on. One aspect of the film will take you by surprise: Fisher Stevens as Ben. This character is an oddball. With his thick Indian accent and knack for mixing up idioms, he's a stereotype being portrayed by a white actor in makeup. What's strange is that dialogue reveals he’s lived in the United States his whole life. So it isn’t even that he’s a foreigner, it’s that… he’s such a nerd he doesn’t understand the basics of human communication? Seems so from the way he reacts to women. I can't tell you whether you'll be offended or not. All I can say is that he's got all the best lines in the movie. You’ll want to watch Short Circuit with the remote handy so you can pause and rewind it to write down and then memorize some of the dialogue. It’s memorable stuff but comes so fast you’re likely to drown out a good chunk of it with your own laughs.

Aside from one questionable aspect (that still somewhat works nonetheless), Short Circuit has the makings of a lasting childhood favorite you’ll want to show to your children someday. It’s got likeable characters, a story that's both fun and harmless, many big laughs (some of which only the parents will get) and incredible special effects. The script is memorable and endlessly quotable. I liked it even more the second time. (On Blu-ray, February 22, 2019)