1st August, 2018.
Yes: it’s true.
I’ve just heard — courtesy of BBC Radio Four’s Today Programme — that software researchers have designed an Artificial Intelligence software that can write Shakespearean-style sonnets.
OK, it’s amazing what you can do with technology, it really is.
But that was … probably inevitable …
But had me raising an eyebrow.
It was, after all, only a few decades ago when William Gibson wrote Neuromancer: and, in a throw-away line from a character called Dixie, mentions the idea.
“But I ain’t likely to write you no poem, if you follow me. Your AI, it just might. But it ain’t no way human.”
Back then, computers writing poetry … ? Was a rather racey SF idea …
~≈§≈~
Making your own guns was racey …
Once.
But, some time back, a group called Defence Distributed released plans for a gun you can make with a 3-d printer.
And what they call a milling machine: to make various parts for the gun.
You can get that, here.
That’s frightening.
Only slightly less frightening than the fact the group re-released the design files for their 3d printed guns, last Friday.
Which got downloaded about 1000 times.
However?
A US court has blocked distribution of the plans.
I’m thankful.
I’m British: and the ease of access to guns in the US is always shocking.
Guns have, after all, only got one job: killing things.
But I’m ALSO thankful that — for the most part — the freedom to own a gun, and the ability to own a gun, is one that’s heavily restricted outside the US.
I’m glad the US courts have blocked this.
That helps keep them restricted.
I’m ALSO aware one thousand people have already downloaded the designs, and the instructions.
I’ve not been able to find those plans after a quick search on Hidden Wiki, using Tor.
But that doesn’t mean you can’t find them.
Personally?
That’s the frightening part.
Someone’s uploaded them …
~≈§≈~
