Sell your ranches while you can!

[pointrider]

Today is the first day of Singularity Summit 2010. In case you don't know about it or even the predicted event, the Singularity, I will get back to you soon with more info. For now, here is a link if you would like to take a look at the program and the speakers (be sure and scroll all the way down the page). The Summit is being held at the Hyatt Regency in San Francisco.

Also, here are some key words in this subject that I am about to introduce to those of you who are not familiar with "the Singularity:" Genetics, Robotics, Nanotechnology, Information Technology (computers and programs), Artificial Intelligence, Medical Science, Food Science (for the necessary knowledge about nutrient requirements and nutrient chemical composition) and Exponential Growth.

http://www.singularitysummit.com/program

ps - I'll be glad to get a PM or email from you to discuss things if you so desire.

[pointrider]

I won't go into how I became interested in the Singularity and the fields of study that are expected to come together (convergence) to make it possible. I will just say that up until about 6 months ago I was calling myself a traditional agriculturist and believing that "agriculture" would continue forever down its path of change in order to meet the needs of a hungry world.

I wasn't born into agriculture like many of you, but my family got involved when I was 10 years old, and I spent all my working years in traditional agriculture. I have 2 ag degrees from Texas A&M University, and I am now able to look back at what was a rewarding and interesting career to me. At the same time I have always been one to enjoy learning about computers, etc., and thinking about the future.

The term, "Singularity," has been around quite a while. In AstroPhysics, for example, and now even in video games. It refers, basically, to a major event that changes the world or a part of our universe. If you looked at the Singularity Summit website, perhaps you noticed that Dr. Ray Kurzweil was the prime time speaker today and was featured along with two other people in the rotating header of the website.

Dr. Kurzweil is the man who is credited with making the most predictions about the impending Singularity including a prediction of when it will occur. This particular Singularity, according to Dr. Kurzweil, is when the computers in the world will be one billion times more powerful than all human brains combined. I don't know (yet) why one billion was chosen as the magic number, but it was. Supposedly it has to do with things like smart machines being able to design even smarter machines on their own, and people having the option of becoming 2.0 humans who will have much longer lifespans.

Dr. Kurzweil has predicted that the world will reach that point in the year, 2045, which is only 35 years from now. At that point he has predicted that a convergence of genetics, robotics, nanotechnology, information technology, artificial intelligence, medical science and food science will have occurred, and our world will be profoundly changed forever. Another key part in this is exponential growth, especially in the industries I just mentioned which they believe are exponential growth industries.

My research so far tells me that very few of the people working in these industries are what you would call "animal rights folks." Some of them are concerned about animal suffering here and there, but I do not believe that is what is pushing them. They are just scientists who are working on their projects. They don't have malice in their minds and thoughts. They are just working under the assumption that what will be, will be, and nothing is really going to halt progress and the human spirit of adventure and exploration.

Soon I need to tell you what Dr. Kurzweil believes is the future of nutrition. For now I will just say that he is an MIT graduate, he is an inventor and is in the U.S. National Inventors Hall of Fame, he has been awarded 19 honorary doctorates (latest count) and he has been awarded medals by 3 different U.S. presidents (latest count). He heads his own technology company, and has consulted with numerous organizations.

I believe we need to give some serious thought to his comments and predictions, and I hope some of you will join me in exploring this some more through your personal messages and emails.

The nanotechnology industry alone is expecting to hire an additional 2 million people in the next 5 years. The day may come when you will want to talk to your children and grandchildren about what fields of study they may want to pursue instead of traditional agriculture. There will be major opportunities for some, and only a downhill slide for others.

[Big Muddy rancher]

That's pretty deep stuff fora simple rancher.

Do you think they will build a computer that can fix fence in a bottom of a coulee?

Thanks for posting the site. What i read was pretty interesting and i want to go back and read some more.

Are you at the conference?

[pointrider]

No, Big Muddy rancher, I am not at the conference, but I wish I was. I'll bet it is real interesting. There will be some information about it soon in some blogs. I am in California right now, but in "SoCal" as the locals like to call it. Here is what Dr. Ray Kurzweil says about the future of nutrition. Are you sitting down? Ha!

"We have the ability to redesign the world in our minds and to put these ideas into action. ---- The Singularity will unfold through these three overlapping revolutions: G, N, AND R. ---- Many approaches are being developed for micro- and nanoscale machines to go into the body and bloodstream. Ultimately we will be able to determine the precise nutrients (including all the hundreds of phytochemicals) necessary for the optimal health of each individual. These will be freely and inexpensively available, so we won't need to bother with extracting nutrients from food at all. Nutrients will be introduced directly into the bloodstream by special metabolic nanobots, while sensors in our bloodstream and body, using wireless communication, will provide dynamic information on the nutrients needed at each point in time. This technology should be reasonably mature by the late 2020s." (Ray Kurzweil)

He specifically mentions "G, N and R" (genetics, nanotechnology and robotics), but he also assumes and implies that exponential growth will also continue to occur in information technology (computers and programs) which is used in G, N, R and the other converging fields of study. As we speak, nanobots are successfully being tested to deliver cancer drugs directly to cancer cells, killing the cancer cells. And there are variations in approaches using nanobots. Recently, protein was delivered directly to human cells by punching a small hole in the cell membrane and allowing the protein to enter unharmed. The way the body normally works, protein molecules travel in the blood to cells that need it, and then basically enters through osmosis and processes like that. As the protein tries to enter, it is attacked by protease enzymes that destroy some of the protein. The nanobot procedure has allowed all of the protein to enter, and the small hole is quickly repaired by the cell. It's really amazing stuff that these people are discovering and accomplishing. The question is, what does it mean for us?

In my next post I will talk some more about nanotechnology and some things pertaining to nutrition that have been known for a long time.

"The empires of the future will be the empires of the mind." (Winston Churchill)

[pointrider]

Most folks would say that protein is the number one nutrient in beef. We know that it is also a good source of B vitamins (especially vitamin B12), iron, zinc, CLA (conjugated linoleic acid, a fatty acid) and stearic acid. But what is protein?

A certain protein is basically a combination of certain amino acids. The human body looks at the amino acids, not at protein. To keep it simple, there are two kinds of amino acids: nonessential and essential. If you are not familiar with this, don't be fooled. "Nonessential" is the term that was given to amino acids that are synthesized (manufactured) by the body of a mammal. In other words, it is not essential that those amino acids be supplied to the body as long as the building blocks are available, because the body will make them.

"Essential" amino acids must be provided in the diet. In other words, it is essential that these amino acids be provided. Here is a link to a web page that contains lists of nonessential and essential amino acids and a lot of other stuff if you would like to take a look.

http://rpi.edu/dept/bcbp/molbiochem/BiochSci/sbello/new_page_2.htm

Why am I talking about protein and amino acids? Because it is the number one benefit of beef (besides the sizzle and flavor of a great steak). Is beef the only source of protein? Of course not. But it's the source you provide.

Where are the amino acids going to come from in the future? If you do a Google search on "protein synthesis" and "amino acid synthesis" you will find out that there are many companies out there now that offer synthesis services for various projects. The molecular formulas of amino acids are well known, and the chemical composition (elements) is, also.

Do you know the major elements in the air you breathe? 78% Nitrogen, 21% Oxygen (rounded off) and a tiny bit of some others including carbon dioxide. How about protein (if we put them all together)? Hydrogen, Carbon, Nitrogen, Oxygen, Sulfur and a little bit of Selenium and Iron. Fat is even simpler. Carbon, Hydrogen and Oxygen.

Why is this important to know? Because the rapidly growing field of nanotechnology turns everything around and builds from the bottom up, sometimes one atom at a time. Like carbon, hydrogen and oxygen.

For centuries man basically spent his time inventing new and better ways of doing things without giving much thought to size and efficiency. The same can be said of computers which were huge, had no power by today's standards and very little storage capacity.

Then we entered the age of miniaturization. A smart phone today has more power and storage capacity that many of the first IBM mainframes. But even this has not satisfied those who look for a better way. Now we are switching from miniaturization to building things from the ground up as in atoms and nanoparticles. The age of nanotechnology.

The nanometer is the basic unit of measure in the nanotechnology industry. A nanometer is one-billionth of a meter which is a little more than a yard. Most nano projects work on nanotubes, nanobots and other things that are 1-100 nanometers in size. It is common for people in the nanotechnology industry to deal with individual carbon, hydrogen and oxygen atoms. They are learning to build many things from the atom up.

Will it be easy for them to build amino acids when they decide to put more priority on that project? To me there is no question they will be able to do it. The word on the street is that a lot of large food companies are quietly investing in nanotechnology research. Have you heard anything about this? Should we try to learn more? Is anybody out there who would like to work on this with me? It's cutting edge stuff, folks. More later.

[Mike]

Soylent Green?

The Rockefeller Foundation is predicting and awarding philanthropic financial aid towards:

Biometric id's, scanners that detect "antisocial intent", and synthetic meat.



http://www.rockefellerfoundation.org/uploads/files/bba493f7-cc97-4da3-add6-3deb007cc719.pdf

[mrj]

THis all sounds interesting.....and frightening. I don't have time this week to read any of it.......grandson getting married, company coming, and me with bad knees makes preparations way too slow.

Sure will be reading it next week during 'recover' from all the fun!

Sounds similar to what was being predicted by some waaaayyyy back when I was a senior in highschool and we discussed "the future" in many classes.

Strongest memory from that was that we would not be eating food, but some formula sucked out of a tube. Maybe the source was an ancestor or college proffessor teaching these people, since I graduated in 1958!

mrj

[pointrider]

Wow, mrj! I graduated from high school in 1958, also. How 'bout that! Of course, that means we are both senior citizens in today's world. Would you want to live to be 200-300 in Ray Kurzweil's world? He says it will be possible.

Back in DEC 2009 did you hear about the "lab pork?" Here is a piece I wrote about it for a blog a few months ago. The thing is, as cutting edge and futuristic as this sounds, even "lab pork" is an effort in futility in Ray Kurzweil's world. Ray and all the other "singularitarians" say that all necessary nutrients will be nanomanufactured from the atom up.

"Lab pork"

"Scientists have created artificially engineered food in meat form for the first time. Dutch researchers have created what was described as 'soggy pork,' and are investigating ways to improve the muscle tissue in the hope that people will one day want to eat it."

Mark Post, professor of physiology at Eindhoven University, reported on this amazing event. He said the 'soggy, lab pork' is a lot like wasted muscle tissue which no one has been willing to taste yet. However, he said they will work to find ways of improving it by 'training and stretching' it. He also said - and to me this is the most important part of his report - "we will get there."

This project is amazing in several ways. Not only the technological part of it, but the fact that it is co-sponsored by the Dutch government. Holland exports a lot of canned ham and other pork products. Sounds to me like - since pork is so important to the Dutch economy - the Dutch government wants to make certain it is in tune with any and all cutting edge science related to pork.

The government's main partner in this project is a company called Stegeman which is a sausage and deli products producing Dutch subsidiary of Sara Lee. Stegeman says that if meat going into sausage is processed, ground and soaked, then they don't necessarily need 'true meat,' and 'improved lab pork' could be a good alternative to meat from a slaughtered pig.

The technology in the process of making 'lab pork' involves such things as extracting cells from the muscle of a live pig, making a broth (growing medium) from the blood of animal fetuses, and controlling the environment so the cells will multiply and create muscle tissue. We will try to learn more about these processes and report to you.

How close are meat products containing 'lab pork' to being on supermarket shelves? Mark Post says, "within five years." This will continue to be a big story.

Oh yes, the report also says, "The advent of meat grown in a laboratory could reduce the billions of tonnes of greenhouse gases emitted each year by farm animals and help meet the growth in meat consumption, which the United Nations predicts will double by 2050." Regardless of whether or not the U.N. prediction about meat consumption is accurate, there are people out there who are now saying that meat will need to be 'lab meat' for many different reasons. Animal agriculture, as we know it today, has a very large target on its back. And don't forget, Ray Kurzweil says these 'lab meat people' don't really get it, because 'food' will be produced from inexpensive ingredients by robots or other high-tech means. Stay tuned, folks!

Source: Meat International
Posted: 01 DEC 2009

[Ben H]

I'm interested in staying up to speed on Nanotechnology, back in Iraq I read Michael Crichton's book "Prey," it's a must read for anyone interested in nanotech. I'm not sure if nanotechnology would replace the need for grass an animals to make a product like grassfed beef, or if it would more likely be used to make it more efficient. Grass that grows to it's maximum yield every year, cattle that don't get sick, and no need to build a fence.

I also work in the Biotech field making antibodies, we are the top down approach, trying to purify proteins. I have always thought it would be far more efficient to build them from the bottom up.

When I started reading about Dr. Kurzweil I got thinking I'd heard of them. When you mentioned "exponential growth" I remembered, he was on Glenn Beck a while back. One thing he mentioned was how we tend to think of things in a linear growth model, technology is exponential. Solar power will be like this, it will continue to get more efficient and cheaper to make. It really has the ability to revolutionize the way we use energy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1o5yB2oLyo

[pointrider]

Hey Ben! Great post! I'll be in touch.

Our outside cat's name is Sam. He is an interesting story. Now, here is another interesting story about another Sam - this one being a guy from India.

Sam Santhosh, CEO of the California-based Calsoft, says entrepreneurs need to be science -savvy in future. He has formulated a subject called Science, Technology & Business (STB) for B-Schools. (business schools)

He swears by science and technology and is a die-hard optimist. For life has taught this businessman, age 48, many lessons, that bad days need not necessarily mean doom and good days must be backed by futuristic thinking. That is why the MD and CEO of the California based Calsoft group plans for a future where science and business can jointly erase the ills that plague society.

The very premise on which Sam functions is this: There is no business in future without science and technology playing handmaidens to it. So steeped in this belief is Sam that he has formulated a syllabus for a subject to be taught in B-Schools: It's called Science, Technology & Business (STB) - for the next generation of entrepreneurs. “Yahoo and Google belong to the last decade. I feel this course can kindle interest in would-be entrepreneurs to build science based businesses.” Sam believes developments in genetics, robotics, nanotechnology and neuromedicine will offer solutions to most of the problems facing us today, and pave the way for entrepreneurs to do well in these spheres. This subject has already been included in the syllabus of the MBA course at DC School of Management at Vagamon. “I plan to take some of the classes on their campus and the rest by video conference from the US. The regular staff needs to be trained in the subject so that they continue with the course in the future if it is well accepted by the students,” Sam says. The course concentrates on the major developments in science and technology today and also addresses issues like how to solve the challenges facing humanity, the great business opportunities in the next 10 years, basic necessities of an ecosystem to develop entrepreneurship and how to handle the legal and ethical issues created by these developments.

Initial experiences

And how is Sam Santhosh (Sreedharan Nair Santhosh), a boy from Viyyur, who finished his engineering (mechanical) in Thrissur engineering college (where his father taught) qualified for all these things, you may wonder.

Sam went to IIM Kolkata where he studied Management Information Systems as a subject. Later his experiences at a tile factory that his father's family ran in Pathanapuram were anything but happy. “There were 120 workers and five unions. There were strikes and work stopped with debts mounting. Politicians or the bureaucracy were of no help. I took a loan and started an IT outlet in Kochi. It was one of the first ones in Kerala, in 1987. I got many projects. That's when I saw an ad in The Hindu, about an exhibition in Las Vegas in 1991. Well, I took a loan and went for it, met up people and it resulted in an order from an oil company called Chemoil Corporation.”

Sam started a joint venture with Chemoil for offshore software development called California Software Co. Ltd (Calsoft) in 1992. From there, there was no looking back.

Being in the US with a name like Sreedharan Nair Santhosh was not easy. So to make it easier for people to call him, he became S (Sam) Santhosh! And now began his BIG yatra into the businessworld and Sam entered the field with proper ammo, in this case, knowledge. He did many short term courses from established universities to equip himself for the journey forward. His first one was a basic course in Biology which he upgraded with the latest subjects. “GNR, (genetics, nanotechnology and robotics, (including artificial intelligence) is the future. I did a course recently at Singularity University too,” he says.

Singularity University is on the NASA campus and was co-founded by Ray Kurzweil, a leading thinker and inventor who has been described often as the heir to Thomas Edison, for his original thinking and futuristic vision. The courses offered here are very advanced and are for world leaders and CEOs in a variety of subjects to ‘stimulate groundbreaking disruptive thinking and solutions aimed at solving the planets pressing challenges'.

Reading consumes Sam. “If you don't read you cannot lead,” says the man who tried his hand at moderating a TV show last year. It was all about reading. The management students would be told to read certain books and the questions would be based on that. It went up to 18 episodes.

Rationalist

One look into his car and you see that the backseat is teeming with books: Oliver Morton's ‘Eating the Sun', ‘Cutting for Stone' by Abraham Varghese and ‘Out of thin Air' by Peter D. Ward. His concern for the planet and love for science is evident.

To Sam, hard work and science overrule all things irrational. His cherubic smile does not betray the rationalist in him. The closest he can get to religion is perhaps, Buddhism, he feels, which is closest to Nature. There is no façade about the man, or the businessman's PR jargon where the listener's name crops up nineteen to the dozen in the conversation.

Almost two decades in the US and no American accent? I listened desperately for that give-away drawl, but failed to trace it. “No, I don't have one,” he says simply, and his mother tongue comes naturally to him. “I am also an Indian passport holder still,” he discloses. Living with his daughters Lakshmy, Devi and wife Jayashree in California, his Keralan roots are intact along with his global ties.

KOCHI, August 6, 2010
In the business of science

PREMA MANMADHAN

[pointrider]

I hope you read all of Sam's story. The best part was toward the end.

Here is a good example of exponential growth in nanotechnology. The program in Sri Lanka is not a large program by U.S. standards, but they realize what is happening and what is the future.

(article)

Creative thinkers for national development - Minister
by Dhaneshi YATAWARA
Scientists of the Sri Lanka Institute of Nanotechnology (SLINTEC) have filed five applications for United States patent, said Technology and Research Minister Professor Tissa Vitharana. "This is a great success in the Nanotechnology field in Sri Lanka achieved within nine months since the inception of the SLINTEC in August, 2009," he said.

For the last ten years less than two applications were made by Sri Lankan scientists for patents. "Sri Lankan scientists perform excellently when they are properly directed towards research contributing to industrial development along with standard laboratories, facilities and adequate financial support," he said.

Prof. Vitharana said it is important to improve the capabilities of scientists and form a group of creative thinkers to ensure the rapid development of the country.

"We won the war because those soldiers who fought against terrorism were treated well and they performed their duty with the best of their ability.

Today in the economic war scientists are the true warriors! Adequate facilities must be provided for them to conduct their research to enable them to reap the best results, similar to those of the SLINTEC," Prof. Vitharana said.Priority will be given to research that contributes to the development of the country. "We hope to introduce a new system where the scientists will be rewarded only if the country is benefited," the minister said.

[Big Muddy rancher]

It would be nice if they let us grow the food and they could satisfy the worlds energy need by developing affordable solar and "Grow "oil.