How neural architectures memorize and generalize — Much of the power of artificial intelligence comes from copying natural mechanics of the brain. Neural networks learn by reshaping connections between artificial neurons across multiple layers based on the outer layers of the brain, the cerebral cortex. These layers seem to be where much of our knowledge and…

The 600 Million Year Evolution of the Brain — When the ancient Egyptians mummified the bodies of their great pharaohs, all of the major organs were preserved, except for the brain. It was scooped out of the skull through the nose with hooks and thrown away because it was considered useless. In ancient Greece, the flow of different…

In the dry sandy heat of Peru, a dashing archaeologist uncovers an amazing discovery hidden deep under the dust of a long forgotten village. There lies the grave of an important figure, a strong leader that lived here long ago. The 9000-year-old human skeleton lays there surrounded by a vast…

Today was my birthday. Typically people worry about their days counting down, that new grey hair on their head, or maybe that dreaded party where they pretend to like their gifts. Maybe some will go into existential despair thinking about the state of their life. Or maybe they will have…

In the world of the videogame Overwatch there is a war raging between humans and omnics, robotic beings. People rally in the streets of London to protest against the omnics while a cunning sniper tries to assassinate one of their peaceful figures on their visit. A legion of Bastions face…

When was the last time you made a real choice? — I was born in Calgary, Alberta up in the great country of Canada. For those unaware, it’s the third or forth most known city outside of Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver. It’s a relatively clean city that runs on the oil and gas industry. It’s fairly quiet and tame. The most…

The more important part of The Sopranos ending — Dr Melfi has always stuck to her guns with Tony, believing she can understand him and help him change. She always kept her doors open to Tony despite his unsolicited advances and her potential danger. Even when she was told about that paper, she resisted. She didn’t want to believe…

What is the new $75k? — We’re all aware that these are tough times, especially for the post-Boomer generations. While it used to be possible for a single-income household by a White man with a high school diploma to be able to buy a single detached house, a mid-range car, and raise a family of four…

But why it’s so hard outside of it? — Remember how we used to make friends as kids? A little 5 or 6 year old would waddle over to another kid and say, “Will you be my friend?” and boom. They’re friends. And probably will be throughout elementary school at least. If we move up to junior high or…