If you know me at all, you’re probably aware that I write about and research the humanitarian uses of drones for a living. One aspect of today’s drone technology I find particularly interesting is how aerial imagery can be used to make 3D modeling, even with inexpensive consumer technology. I’ve been wanting to try it […]
Category: Technology
Charlie Hebdo, Twitter, and The Battle of Who Could Care Most
“You don’t care about the Boko Haram attacks in Nigeria, but you do care about Charlie Hebdo,” some pissed-off Twitter user says. “All this anger over attacks in Paris, but none over children freezing to death in Syria!” another rages. It’s a familiar pattern, one that bubbles to the surface whenever a terrible event hits […]
Some Thoughts on TEDx Chiang Mai
I have somehow never attended a TEDx conference before. TEDx is the independent wing of the TED Conference, which was founded by Chris Anderson and other Silicon Valley illuminati types back in 1984, and have been gathering in repute and international popularity ever since. Owned by the nonprofit Sapling Foundation, the motto of TEDx is […]
In Which I Evaluate Some Humanitarian UAVs
As those who have interacted with me at any time in the recent past are aware, I’m really fond of UAVs, which some of you might know better as “drones.” I’m incredibly excited by the possibility of using flying robots with cameras on them in both journalism and in humanitarian aid. They will provide us […]
MakerFaire Day Two: Game of Drones, Flaming Octopi
I spent most of this day at MakerFaire hanging out at the Game of Drones encampment, but got the chance to wander around the main show area again. I left early in the morning, arriving from my place in Palo Alto around 8:15 AM, and quickly learned one useful MakerFaire trick: the Franklin Templeton Investments […]
MakerFaire – Day One
Today, I went to MakerFaire for the first time. A two day event organized by Make Magazine and located at the San Mateo Event Center, MakerFaire is rather like the country fair of your technological dreams. And far more fun than the state fair: this event features Arduino-powered robots, animatronic giant animals, flaming sculptures, and […]