The Incredible Discoveries of Ian J. Spector

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The full Exploiting Chaos book is online for free now. Go read it, it’s awesome.

Boxie: MIT’s Undeniably Cute Cardboard Robot

“Enter Boxie, a robot created by Alexander Reben, a researcher at the MIT Media Lab. Designed specifically based on its level of adorableness, Boxie, with its wobbly head and endearing, childlike voice, was able to get humans to interact with it and answer random “man on the street” interview questions, proving how one can easily leverage humans to complete goals.

Boxie could be described as the cardboard version of Pixar’s Wall-E, and how could anyone resist seeing that little thing wander aimlessly down the hall saying, “I need help!” They couldn’t, as you can see in the videos of people picking Boxie up after they hear, “I’m really short! Can you put me on the table, or hold me so I can see you?” (Aw. Yes, Boxie. I can!)”

(via BostInno)

Talk about experimental … Double-Blind Violin Test: Can You Pick The Strad?

“In a double-blind test by professional violinists, most couldn’t determine — by sound alone — which violin was an original Stradivarius and which was a modern instrument.”

Hello?