Tuesday, February 25, 2014

25 February 2014

 Birthdays
Isabelle Fuhrman b. 1997 (The Hunger Games)
James and Oliver Phelps b. 1986 (Harry Potter)
Tara Wilson b. 1982 (Almost Human, Lost Girl, Smallville, V, Tin Man, Supernatural, The Butterfly Effect, Eastwick)
Anson Mount b. 1973 (Dollhouse, Lost, Smallville)
Sean Astin b. 1971 (The Strain, Cabin Fever: Patient Zero, Alphas, Lord of the Rings, Click, Jeremiah, Perversions of Science, Harrison Bergeron, Encino Man)
Tea Leoni b. 1966 (Jurassic Park III, The X-Files, Deep Impact)
Alexis Denisof b. 1966 (Grimm, H+, The Avengers, Dollhouse, Angel, Buffy, Highlander [TV])
Neil Jordan b. 1950 (director, The Company of Wolves, High Spirits, Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles)
Bernard Bresslaw b. 1934 died 11 June 1993 (Krull, Hawk the Slayer, Jabberwocky, Doctor Who, Blood of the Vampire)
Michael Fairman b. 1934 (Firefly, The X-Files, Quantum Leap, The Powers of Matthew Star, World War III)
Anthony Burgess b. 1917 died 22 November 1993 (Author, A Clockwork Orange)

Last year, I had Alexis Denisof in the Picture Slot because I'm a Whedonverse nerd. For iconic roles, I'd say the list is Denisov, Sean Astin and the Phelps Twins, pictured here. If I was going for an Oh That Guy actors, Michael Fairman would be a good choice. He was a Scientologist but quit in 2011 and I wish him all the best with that. All the women qualify on the Pretty Girl = Picture Slot criterion, though I can't say any of them have an iconic role in genre. The last good choice to my mind would be the author Anthony Burgess.

Many happy returns to all the living on the list, and to the dead, thanks for all the memories.



Predictor: Ray Kurzweil in his 1999 book The Age of Spiritual Machines

Prediction: By 2009, personal worn computers provide monitoring of body functions, automated identity and directions for navigation. Computer displays built into eyeglasses for augmented reality are used.

Reality: Kurzweil did see where the technology was going. "Fitbit Classic" was available in 2008 and clipped on to a belt or on the hip of trousers, but it's making the news more now largely because the truly "worn computer" causes rashes in many users. The augmented reality glasses sounds like Google Glass, which made its debut in 2013 and will be available for sale in 2014. I would say Kurzweil gets a hot for the first half of this prediction and a half hit for being about five years too early with the second half.

Looking one day ahead... INTO THE FUTURE!

T. Baron Russell gives us another glimpse into the 21st Century from his viewpoint in 1905.

Join us then... IN THE FUTURE!

3 comments:

  1. In other words, his predictions, when accurate, are off by at least 50%.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Early Fitbit was on time and was wearable. Google Glass still has to be proven.

      I admit to grading leniently today. There are more Kurzweil predictions coming where I'm not going to be Mr. Nice Guy.

      Delete
    2. Overall, I like the guys predicting from 100 years back. It's like Kurzweil is shooting darts from 3 feet, and still missing many of them, while they are shooting from 50 feet away and getting them within reasonable distance.

      Except for the pneumatic tubes, of course.

      I suspect crazy, manly facial hair has something to do with it.

      Delete

Traveler! Have you news... FROM THE FUTURE?