This is a presentation that I prepared for a “Tell my why it’s cool show” which is basically a show and tell for grown-ups in Chicago. Shout-out to Mary for organizing these great events!
Category: Business
One reason humans are so important in AI development
As it stands, AI is a powerful tool for pattern recognition and copying. This means that it has the ability to extend and amplify current patterns of human behavior indefinitely. Examples include hiring biases that systematically eliminate qualified female resumes, and copying artist styles to make new works of art that are not truly innovative….
How to make affordable housing super expensive
A long list in no particular order.
New wind turbines threaten to blow petroleum up.
About three years ago we started to see wind turbines get even more wind behind their sails. Here is the article. https://www.vox.com/energy-and-environment/2018/3/8/17084158/wind-turbine-power-energy-blades At the time the biggest, newest wind turbine blades that were not even out yet had a rotor diameter of 220 meters (~720 feet) and a total height of 260m (~850 feet). The…
The reason we need to reframe climate action goals NOW
Humans and human institutions are master procrastinators. We know this. Everyone knows this. It is a lot easier to continue doing whatever you are doing that it is do try something new. This fundamental human behavior is why our calls for climate action with ten year and twenty year plans have not been met for…
The most diverse country in the world is…
Part of answering this question hinges on the answers to a ton of other questions. It also may depend on a set of values that are subject to debate. So the first question is what new information is this analysis attempting to uncover. My goal in writing this is to explore which countries in the…
One Powerful Mandate to Improve Efficiency at No Cost
Context It should be no news that we are facing an urgent climate crisis. One of the main contributors to this crisis is our building stock. One of the easiest, most cost effective, and fastest changes we can make is in improving the energy and water efficiency of existing buildings. Renter occupied units make up…
Quantifying the Value of Individual Labor within an Organization.
One of the great issues of the day is the inequalities seen within the modern corporation whereby executives are rewarded very well financially while many laborers executing the day to day tasks that make the corporation possible are not even paid enough to make ends meet. Often the people doing the physical work required to…