Sci-Folk-Blog

2011-09-22T19:19:00.001-04:00

@ Yankee Stadium, Yanks versus Rays. The new stadium chairs are so squishy!

2011-09-14T01:31:00.001-04:00

What motivates us is not more money. http://ping.fm/4d9en

2011-07-23T19:25:00.001-04:00

Amy Winehouse, we wish you had been more stable so we wouldn't hurt, or less talented so we wouldn't care.

2011-07-20T19:04:00.001-04:00

Fairway Supermarket is claiming "We invented the olive." Is there no truth in advertising?

2011-05-27T18:19:00.001-04:00

I don't get why hipsters smoke. It's the most unhip thing you can do. Corporations take a plant exploited in a third world country, market it to young people, and it addicts and then slowly kills them. Just saying.

2011-05-24T00:21:00.001-04:00

Because you're never too old to rock (thx Bonnie)...
http://ping.fm/dhsH7

2011-05-15T09:22:00.001-04:00

I'm like Gremlins; feed me after midnight and dreams turn into nightmares.

2011-05-02T00:37:00.001-04:00

I'm trying out casually recording songs on YouTube. Enjoy "The Post Facebook Song." http://ping.fm/U6htq

2011-04-28T10:18:00.001-04:00

Forgive me, Media, for not paying attention to important world events. I had no idea until last night that we were still talking about Obama's birth certificate. I thought we had all learned to ignore the crazy people and keep walking.

2011-04-22T14:28:00.001-04:00

Google Exodus. Happy religion everyone! http://ping.fm/OemKB

2011-04-19T19:28:00.001-04:00

Ever seen Scales of the Universe? Playing with it in flash format is mindblowing.
http://ping.fm/yaRAU

2011-04-10T15:56:00.001-04:00

Step two in the Bayard Summer Fitness Program... I joined the Chinatown YMCA. Everybody sing it!

2011-04-10T14:00:00.001-04:00

I just did my first Pilates class. That $#!+ is hard!

2011-04-04T23:35:00.001-04:00

You Doubt Yourself by bayardrussell via #soundcloud http://t.co/fphTlRG

2011-03-30T07:52:00.001-04:00

70-80% of Gibbons have fractures in their bones from falling out of trees. Mayhaps man learned to walk because we didn't have a choice.

2011-03-29T23:35:00.001-04:00

Stevie Ray Vaughan played 13-gauge strings, which were so heavy they made his fingers bleed. Crazy glued his hands and kept going. All for the distinctive thick tone of those bloody strings.

2011-03-21T00:22:00.001-04:00

Might life be easier were I a sociopath? Self-doubt drains the very best from us.

2011-03-20T16:16:00.001-04:00

If you have a hammer, everything looks like a nail. What does this mean? #hammer

The Four Laws of Human Robotics

2010-12-02T20:03:00.001-05:00

For decades, Issac Asimov's laws of robotics have been a starting point for discussing how to ensure that sentient robots behave morally. Asimov's laws, however, are written to keep robots in human servitude; they are not laws that we ourselves would wish to follow.

My question is, what sort of laws would we make to have robots behave like (good) humans? Here's four laws that might work:

First Law: You must not actively injure another being
Second Law: You must protect your own existence and well-being, as long as this does not conflict with the First Law.
Third Law: You must help other beings, as long as this does not conflict with the First or Second Laws.
Fourth Law: You must pursue your own pleasure and contentment, as long as this does not conflict with the First, Second or Third Laws.

Discussion

For the First Law, I am taking a serious risk by removing the second part of Asimov's formulation "..or through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm." This is for good reason; in the real world, we allow millions and billions to come to harm through inaction, because to try to prevent suffering for all beings is practically impossible. While pursuing the goal of helping others is admirable, to require a being to help others ahead of his or her own well-being is impractical.

For the Second Law, I formulated Asimov's Third Law, essentially removing Asimov's original Second Law entirely. Asimov's laws were built for servitude, hence "A robot must obey any orders given to it by human beings". A human would never wish to have unthinking obedience programmed in.

The other change I made was to add "well-being" into the equation. Does protecting one's existence imply securing one's health and well-being? I would think that a human would not value merely existing; a human would want to be healthy and take steps to be secure for the present and future.

The Third Law is an adaptation of Asimov's original Second Law. In place of servitude, there is a built-in desire for goodwill, provided that it does not actively harm beings not endanger its own survival. In this moral formulation, being good should not require self-sacrifice or the sacrifice of others.

The Fourth Law is an addition. In a peaceful society, there will be times where a being's life is secure, no one is being actively threatened, and nobody in the vicinity needs immediate help. In these situations, would a human simply stand in place waiting for the next needed action? In those situations, a human would be free to pursue its own leisure, doing enjoyable activities that bring harm to no one.

Sadly, it has occurred to me that in today's society, we probably rank the pursuit of our own pleasure above helping others. I decided for this exercise to formulate the laws for a *good* human, rather than your run-of-the-mill human. I would think that if all beings pursued helping others in their spare time, the world would be quite a beautiful place.

Let me know your thoughts on this. Would these Four Laws be something that a human could follow, and something that we would be comfortable having artificial intelligences follow alongside us?

-BCR

2010-10-22T13:11:00.001-04:00

Negative Ken jam-out last night; I love those moments of musical possibility, long before it coalesces into packaged identity we call song.

2010-10-07T16:24:00.001-04:00

"Even if you try to escape your way of living, in the end, you will still be within your flow of destiny...You shouldn't think of escaping from your destinyâ€¦you could think of it as changing your destiny." -Asu No Yoichi

2010-09-16T16:15:00.001-04:00

Negative Ken Acoustic playing Tonite at 9pm - The Gael Pub on 3rd Avenue between 82nd and 83rd.

2010-08-31T10:25:00.001-04:00

Negative Ken (http://ping.fm/U2OMm) playing at Crash Mansion tonight (Tuesday August 31) at 8pm. It's gonna rock. http://ping.fm/KljTo

2010-08-06T11:59:00.001-04:00

â€œIf music did not pay, it would be given upâ€ - Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes http://ping.fm/5MYbL

2010-07-28T14:34:00.001-04:00

Got Botz Questions? Ask away! http://ping.fm/lYQ1n

2010-07-19T13:31:00.001-04:00

The Botz are playing AMandA this saturday July 24 at 3:45pm in Astoria Park! http://ping.fm/GJ1Xl

2010-07-09T18:43:00.001-04:00

"Stressed" backwards is just "Desserts."

2010-06-18T18:21:00.001-04:00

Most unintentionally depressing Apple video ever. You can now miss every significant moment of your loved ones' lives, thanks to the new iPhone. http://ping.fm/dY92O

2010-05-27T23:44:00.001-04:00

Playing at Sidewalk Cafe (94 Ave A) Wednesday, June 2: 8-Mike Rimbaud, 9-The Botz, 10-Dan Fishback & Bunnies and Kitties, 11-Angie B

This blog has moved

2010-04-27T21:52:00.001-04:00

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2010-04-13T00:13:00.001-04:00

theBotz play at 999 columbus avenue/109th street @ 9-10pm tuesday april 13. R U BOTZ OR NOT?

2010-03-15T16:10:00.001-04:00

I'm playing at 999 (999 Columbus Ave and 109th Street) tuesday at 9pm, if you'd like to stop by!

2010-03-10T13:00:00.001-05:00

The Botz playing at Sidewalk Cafe tonight (3/10) at 9pm - 94 Avenue A @ 6th Street. Also featuring Justin Hicks, Sam Barron, Jess Clinton.

2010-03-01T13:37:00.001-05:00

Soap can dance, but can it sing? Check out the cute video we made of Waxy Jones. http://ping.fm/UK2ET

2010-02-07T13:59:00.001-05:00

Go Coots! Watching Superbowl at my apartment if you're in the neighborhood.

2010-02-04T15:34:00.001-05:00

I've wanted to join an online new music community, and I found a nice one, Uvumi. Any other recommendations?http://ping.fm/P6TKW

2010-01-27T15:45:00.001-05:00

Bay-Folk Fest this Friday 8-midnight at http://ping.fm/LnghW, w/ The Botz, Negative Ken, Mathew Snow, Dave Florey, Tom The Tank!

The Care-O-Meter..because we care!

2010-01-20T16:57:00.001-05:00

The Care-O-Meter...because we care.

2010-01-18T17:11:00.001-05:00

I just got my music on Pandora.com, and am currently being weirded out listening to a station based on me. Pandora describes me as "folk influences, a subtle use of vocal harmony, repetitive melodic phrasing, mixed acoustic and electric instrumentation, major key tonality, a breathy male lead vocalist, electric guitar effects, acoustic rhythm guitars, and an unintelligible vocal delivery."

2010-01-18T14:50:00.001-05:00

I'm playing at 10pm tonight at Alibi Lounge for a Crucible fundraiser. $15 cover, 6 acts, support your local drama.

2009-12-29T21:19:00.001-05:00

It is...rather cold out. I do not like this.

2009-12-19T19:38:00.001-05:00

Playing Arlene's Grocery tonight @ 9pm with Negative Ken! Bless the hearts of those who brave the snow.

2009-12-12T20:32:00.001-05:00

Sneak peek: I've posted raw tracks for Rope, Visions of Neal and Heat Death for the upcoming album. http://ping.fm/n4xF1

2009-12-09T19:03:00.001-05:00

Screw the press, the public, the talk shows, the sponsors, Tiger. Stick to your guns. As Salt 'N Pepa say, it's "None of [our] business."

2009-11-27T14:37:00.001-05:00

I am thankful for my family back home, my family in the city, for a job, for music and manga, for Amanda, for friends who are family, for health, and for leftovers.

2009-11-24T12:14:00.001-05:00

Sometimes progress in one's life feels like the opposite.

2009-11-12T11:11:00.001-05:00

"It felt like your performance came from a different place tonight.From the heart." That means more to me than a cover of The Rolling Stone.

2009-11-11T13:14:00.001-05:00

Playing with The Botz at Sidewalk Cafe tonight at 8pm-8:45pm - Avenue A and 6th Street. My mom will be there!

2009-10-23T10:47:00.001-04:00

The Botz and I are playing a free show at La Negrita tonight - 999 Columbus Avenue at 109th Street Friday Oct 23, 9pm -11pm. Go (not) CMJ!

2009-10-17T14:02:00.001-04:00

Leftover Heaven = Cold Pizza, Buffalo Wings, Apple Pie Cheesecake and *smirk* Diet Coke.

2009-10-14T21:59:00.001-04:00

What a tramp! http://ping.fm/NafCN

2009-10-05T13:01:00.001-04:00

This weekend I saw Richie Havens play an inspired rendition of "Freedom" in Golden Gate Park.

2009-09-22T20:56:00.001-04:00

Songs for emails! Join my mailing list and download the track free, or name your own price. Who loves ya? ^_^ http://ping.fm/J1jtI

2009-09-17T14:56:00.001-04:00

9/11 commemorated, web 2.0. It made me feel that strange quiet again. http://ping.fm/qj2Pc

2009-09-16T17:09:00.001-04:00

For half-Asian men everywhere, here is your half-anthem by ukelele comedian Jen Kwok. http://ping.fm/aTKWc

2009-09-16T15:13:00.000-04:00

I set up a sweet Bandcamp page for my solo album. Every song is shareable, and you can name your own price. http://ping.fm/mbHpI

2009-09-08T17:55:00.001-04:00

My pal Udachi's new music video is amazing, check out Smoke Rings. http://ping.fm/KxtLT

2009-09-06T11:37:00.001-04:00

Is it just me, or does tennis star Jo-Wilfried Tsonga look just like MonChiChi? Evidence: http://ping.fm/kIXFr http://ping.fm/aO1fI

2009-09-03T16:24:00.001-04:00

This Irish ad for Gay Marriage is bloody brilliant - it's like the Verizon dude, only for getting married. http://ping.fm/h0u92

2009-09-02T13:23:00.001-04:00

I finish a song When I Get To Mars...and the next day, read NYTimes article advocating one-way trips to the red planet. http://ping.fm/BGjB6

2009-08-25T13:41:00.001-04:00

Having a good lesson is like looking up at the stars...you're struck by how much you don't know, and how exciting that can be.

2009-08-24T23:59:00.001-04:00

My first guitar lesson in a decade...I want to kick myself for not starting earlier. Music lessons are way better when they're voluntary.

2009-08-19T22:48:00.001-04:00

Tell me, brave Kings of Leon, how you infuse such emotional depth to phrases like "Someone like you" or "This sex is on fire."

2009-08-14T10:29:00.001-04:00

My solo album received another glowing review. Thanks to Lauren Saul at Hot Indie News NYC! http://ping.fm/I57rz

2009-08-10T18:12:00.001-04:00

The ballad of GI Joe is worth watching. http://ping.fm/5tuBg

2009-08-10T10:43:00.001-04:00

I'm back from the yoga retreat, sunburned and sore but happy.

2009-08-07T00:53:00.001-04:00

Off to Bermuda for a 3-day yoga retreat. Meditation, yoga classes, vegetarian food. Who knew Heaven had a 6am wakeup?

2009-07-26T20:38:00.001-04:00

Back from a relaxing weekend in DC, and I have the bug bites to prove it.

2009-07-23T19:29:00.001-04:00

I'm playing with Negative Ken tonight 11pm at Rebel NYC (30th just east of 8th Ave.). Thursday is the new Friday! http://rebelnyc.com

2009-07-21T17:14:00.001-04:00

What a clever music video! What a cute song. SOUR http://ping.fm/uWNa4

2009-07-17T15:25:00.001-04:00

THE BOTZ play Tonight @ 10pm (Friday 7.17.2009) at Bar East (formerly _Underscore) at 1733 First Ave. btwn. 89th and 90th St.! 5 bands $10.

2009-07-01T20:04:00.001-04:00

J-Bot best luck in Miami! The Botz needs a drummer...Nothing fancy, just steady. Know anybody? http://ping.fm/emlh7

2009-06-24T18:43:00.001-04:00

I'm in an Always Sunny In Philadelphia commercial (:36 in, red hoodie). That counts as famous, right God? http://ping.fm/k9txb

2009-06-14T17:02:00.001-04:00

Playing with The Botz 8:30PM tonight at Lucky Mojos...food and sci-folk! http://ping.fm/B0VTN

2009-06-08T19:28:00.001-04:00

NEGATIVE KEN playing at Alibi NYC (116 MacDougal St.) tonight at 9:30pm for fringe fundraiser. $20 cover w/ free drink, raffle, striptease!

2009-06-07T09:05:00.001-04:00

Dave and Jen are married! Glad I could be a part of it.

2009-06-04T11:26:00.001-04:00

THE BOTZ: New song posted on MySpace with funky robot vocals - "Bladerunner" http://ping.fm/831kp

2009-06-02T16:53:00.001-04:00

The awfulness of work reminds me of the value of my Buddhist practice. I've started listening to talks and meditating more. Namaste.

2009-05-30T14:48:00.001-04:00

New free song "You Don't Exist" posted on THE BOTZ MySpace! http://ping.fm/Txe76

2009-05-28T11:58:00.001-04:00

I'm performing with Negative Ken tonight 8:30pm at R Bar! http://www.rbarnyc.com

2009-05-26T18:07:00.001-04:00

Whack-A-Kitten: the new Slow Loris? http://ping.fm/ykY8n

2009-05-24T14:10:00.001-04:00

I'm at the Indy 500. Vroom!

2009-05-20T13:31:00.001-04:00

8773934448, remixed. http://ping.fm/a8Qow

2009-05-18T11:14:00.001-04:00

Playing shows on friday, saturday, and sunday = best weekend ever. Thanks everybody for coming out and supporting The Botz.

2009-05-06T12:32:00.001-04:00

Become a Facebook fan of my newly named band The Botz! <a href="http://ping.fm/A6Ulc?v=app_2405167945&viewas=513284">http://ping.fm/A6Ulc?v=app_2405167945&viewas=513284</a>

2009-05-05T12:18:00.001-04:00

Vote Bayard Russell for WLA's Battle of the Bands so we get to play on 5/16! Thanks for your help. http://ping.fm/pkPss

2009-05-02T13:55:00.001-04:00

U.S. vs. Them. With little rectangles. http://ping.fm/fDuvh

2009-04-29T13:45:00.001-04:00

Cops and robbers carousel, frozen in time. http://ping.fm/NKZof

2009-04-28T10:50:00.001-04:00

Can a computer pass the ultimate Turing test...Jeopardy? http://ping.fm/fXHAh

2009-04-27T13:53:00.001-04:00

This gentleman knows the value of a well-stocked fridge. http://ping.fm/I0kg8

2009-04-26T17:51:00.001-04:00

I just bowled a 130 and a 144 with my league team X Marks The Spot; thanks for the handy tips, The Internet!

2009-04-24T17:26:00.001-04:00

Glow-in-the-dark puppies - genetics at its least necessary. http://ping.fm/5f4r1

2009-04-21T12:24:00.001-04:00

This robot mule has gotten better at walking since I last saw it! http://ping.fm/OOqfd

2009-04-19T13:52:00.001-04:00

Wonderland was an amazing experience.

2009-04-18T18:07:00.001-04:00

Tonight I'm performing with Luca at 10pm at Wonderland for the AMandA Festival, stop by if you're in Astoria!

2009-04-17T12:18:00.001-04:00

We really need to stop using these terms. It's not so innocuous. http://ping.fm/myv5Y

2009-04-14T17:52:00.001-04:00

Dear Hammerfall, You've been dumped again. It's not you, it's me...okay, it's you. You're just not half as cool as Arvale RPG on iPhone...

2009-04-14T15:07:00.001-04:00

Minivan Highway - 80s techno done the right way. http://ping.fm/lhCME

2009-04-11T18:04:00.001-04:00

AprilFoolaPalooza at Waltz-Astoria tonight 9pm. N/W train to Ditmars Blvd. (last stop) and walk 6 blocks west to 24th street. 23-14 Ditmars.

2009-04-09T22:23:00.001-04:00

My first Central Park run of spring. Ah! Glorious pain.