2011年6月17日
The Future (Feedback)
Thanks for all your comments. I think the scariest thing about technology is that the speed at which it is changing keeps increasing. I watched a presentation about this on TED a few months ago. The presenter was explaining that the speed of technological development increases exponentially as new technology is used to develop even newer technology. In other words, it doesn't increase in a series like "1, 2, 3, 4" but in a series like "1, 2, 4, 16."
I read another story on the Internet yesterday about a group of scientists who are developing new techniques of genetic engineering. Actually, I think that is the area that will make the most difference to our lives in the future. I don't think we can even imagine the things that are going to be possible twenty years from now.
I'm doing two presentations this weekend, so I don't have as much time as usual to do the feedback, but here are some points that might be interesting for you.
I didn't know that there was a word of "futurologist."
(I have never heard the word "futurologist.")
I used to like watching an American animation titled "宇宙家族ロビンソン"
("Called" is more natural than "titled.")
Your story reminds me of an animation called “Ghost in the shell,
(Nice sentence.)
As for the fabrics, I'd like to have a pillow case that smelled of peppermint when I woke up, and then changed to smell of lavender when I went to sleep.
(Very nice sentence.)
I write my opinion after a long time.
(This is my first comment for a long time.)
By the way, ancient people left stone monument or wood strip that are unbreakable and readable. We can know their lives from these things. We will left CDs or HDDs to the future. How do people in the future know about us?
(A very interesting point! I hadn't thought of that.)
On a unrelated subject, I read an article that says it was officially approved that Snoopy's birthday is August 10 few weeks ago.
(On an unrelated subject, I read an article that said Snoopy's birthday was officially recognized as August 10 a few weeks ago.)
How can I picture what our life would be in 20 years?
(How can I picture what our life will/might be like in 20 years?)
Books might be almost obsolete.
(Nice sentence.)
I don’t know it’s true or not, I ever read an article that said Bill Gates’s house is full of high technologies beyond people’s imagination and many of facilities in his house are remotely controllable.
(I don't know if it's true or not, but I once read an article that said Bill Gate's house is full of technology that is beyond most people's imagination, and that many of the facilities in his house can be controlled remotely.)
I was back from Sendai yesterday.
(I got back from Sendai yesterday.)
We could go anywhere as through a special door whenever you want.
(We will be able to go anywhere we want through a special door.)
Robots will play an important role more than they do now.
(Robots will play an even more important role than they do now.)
I also think electric gadgets and devices will become smaller and thinner.
(Nice sentence.)
You know, there are some people who know how to push someone’s buttons, and one of my staff is one of those people.
(Nice sentence, but your correction makes it better.)
I've heard that all things that a human can think is possible.
(I've heard that anything humans can imagine is possible.)
I know it will change but I can't guess how it will change.
(Nice sentence.)
I’m a lazy person, so the remote controller that Susan mentioned to help us with any housework made me look forward to the future; Noriko’s “everywhere door” also sounds great, I can’t wait to get one!
(Very nice.)
If this problem be solved,we don't care about the capacity of the hard-disk.
(If this problem can be solved, we won't care about the capacity of hard-disks anymore.)
It will be beyond our understanding I suppose.
(I don't know about you, but the things we have today are already a long way beyond my understanding!)
Let me add one thing,I hate to tell you but,"everywhere door " was not my original ...
(Let me add one thing. I'm afraid I have to admit that the "everywhere door" was not my idea.)
Yes I know "Doraemon", he is famous in the world, you know.
(Yes, I've heard of "Doraemon." He is famous all over the world, you know.)
You'd live with robots as members of your family, not just help us.
(We might be living with robots who are members of our family, not just helpers.)
That's it for today. Have a great weekend, and I'll see you again on Monday.
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Comments
Hi, David,
Thank you very much for your feedback.
It seems that you are very busy and even so you gave us nice feedback as usual. I really appreciate it! I'm sure that you' re going to be fine at the presentations:)
As you said, me as well, these technologies are beyond my comprehension already! But still I can barely understand what they are planing to do with these computers, I mean your explanation was quite concise and easy to understand. What I meant to say was that it won't be explained in words that I'll make sense of what it'll be.
Hope everything's going well this weekends!
momo
- momo
- 2011年6月17日 23:49
Hi David,
Thanks for your time and feedback. It is always very helpful for me! It's very kind of you to give us feedback especially when you are busy. I hope your presentations go well.( I know they go well!#
> Robots will play an important role more than they do now.
#Robots will play an even more important role than they do now.)----When I wrote this, I don't know why, but phrase"more important" didn't come to mind. "even more important" , I see.
As for the development of computer things, I'm afraid I have to admit that it's difficult for me to keep up with new technology. If I worry about this too much, it would be stressful, so I won't care much about it.
By the way, for letting us know about Goggle search. I've never heard of this. It sounds interesting, but very scary! I'm curious to know how different the results of my friend(or someone) are from mine.
As for the genetic engineering, there are good aspects and bad aspects. I'm worried about the potential danger of genetic engineering in agriculture.
Have a lovely weekend,everyone!
Anne
- Anne
- 2011年6月18日 06:27
Hi David,
Thank you for the valuable feedback.
And I didn't know that Google results will be diffenrently depending on each person.
Good luck with the presentations!
Hi Ken and Tsuneko,
I watched two programs of “世界ふれあい街歩き”.
It is a really nice program. It makes me feel like as if I'm walking in that scene right now and also makes me want to catch a flight and go there at any moment!
Hi everyone,
I want to read some English novels. Do you have any recommendations, authors or works? Hopefully, level isn't so high. My favorite themes are love, travel, cultures and etc... which would move me.
Have a lovely weekend!
Fumie
- Fumie
- 2011年6月18日 07:09
Hi David, and everyone,
Thank you so much for your feedback, David.
I couldn’t join this time but I enjoyed reading everyone’s interesting comments!!
For some reasons, I had to spend time without computer for a couple of days. After I came back home I found the topic this time, and I was surprised because of the topic was about technology!
I had an inconvenient time without my laptop!
Well, I am going to go on a short (second) vacation from Sunday.
Before that, I am going to visit the Holocaust museum in Washington D.C. I've studied the Holocaust at college so I have been thinking of visiting there rather than staying home during this summer.
Hi, Noriko,
Do you want to have an "everywhere-door"?
That’s fantastic! But you know, before getting the door, I hope one needs to get a special license : )
Otherwise, stalkers could go everywhere!
If I have one, I want to visit my parents in Japan.
Hi, Fumie,
I also watched the program “世界ふれあい街歩き”!
I was curious that some members were talking about it here. I watched a story about England. I’ve never been there but I wanted to jump into the world!
It was spectacular! Thanks for reminding me☆
Everyone, enjoy your weekend!
Hi David,
I've heard about "Google can target."
People are tracking people's information because they want money! Now, I tried googling "Japanese snacks."
I think the ads can come up on my face book page on the right side!
Good luck on your presentations!
Animal Farm
- Animal Farm
- 2011年6月18日 13:33
Hi David,
Thank you for the correcition while in your busy time.
Hope you would organised enough for your presentations.
"I'm afraid I have to admit..."
Actually I hesitated to use sentences between "I hate to tell you" and " I 'm afraid..."
Does "I hate to tell you" include more nagative mind?
If so,I might have given Ling a nagative feeling ;d
I would like to know the suitable situation to each sentenses.
Hi Animal Farm.
Special license for "everywhere door" sounds nice :)
How about this idea?
When we go through this door,we definetly have to accompany with a Doraemon.
As you know,Doraemon is only one being.
So people who have value for accompany with him should be selected by headquoters of Doraemon,then could get "doraemon" the copy robot as for the license.
なんかわけわかんないですね（苦笑）
By the way,you live in the States,don't you?
Have you graduated from college in the US?
Did you study about holocaust there?
In fact, I'm really interested in the histories of holocaust,especially against jewish in WW2.
I read about these a lot and terrified a lot.
Why they were killed just for the reason they were jewish...
Please let me know how was the musiam after you get back from Washingtom D.C. if you don't mind.
Have a safety travel!
Have a lovely weekend,everyone!
noriko
- noriko
- 2011年6月18日 15:23
Hi David,
Thank you for your correction.
I appreciate it.
Hi ling,
>>Haven’t we ever talked before? If so, I’m sorry.
Oh! I'm sorry, I forgot but, anyway, Thank you for your comment.
Bye for now.
- Kazu
- 2011年6月18日 22:03
Hi David,
How were your presentations? I hope everything went well!
Thank you very much for the feedback, it's always so helpful! I was just aware that I'd forgotten a lot of basic expressions, thanks for reminding me.
Hi Fumie,
I didn't read any English novels recently, so I can't recommend anything to you, but if you are also interested in essays, you probably can check a series of books called "My Humorous Japan" and "My Humorous World" written by Brian W. Powle, which is very interesting and easy to read.
Hi Animal farmer,
You seem to have got a lot of vocations these days, lucky you! Have a great time in Washington D.C!
Hi Noriko,
Don't worry, you didn't give me any nagative feelings, actually I don't know what's the difference between "I'm afraid I have to admit..." and "I hate to tell you but..." either. Can anyone help us?
Hi Kazu,
Thank you too!
Hi everyone,have a nice weekend!
- Ling
- 2011年6月18日 23:12
Hi noriko and Ling,
About the difference between “I’m afraid” and “I hate to,” to my mind, I use “I’m afraid” when I inform someone to something bad news or something like that, or I am sorry about something. About “I hate to” is the same meaning of “I don’t want to.”
And I assume that you did not want to say(言いたくないけど) it’s not your idea, but you were sorry(残念ながら) it’s not your idea. It’s difficult to explain in English. Hope you understand what I was trying to say. And as I said, I am not sure though. So sorry, if I was wrong.
Bye for now,
amo
- amo
- 2011年6月19日 00:42
!!!???
Who got back from Sendai ? How was the city ?
I got back from Boston yesterday, though.
- Appoh
- 2011年6月19日 08:56
Hi Noriko,
I like your story about “through THE door with Doraemon” ! (笑)
I loved to watch Doraemon even after I had grown up. When he(she?) changed his voice, I was shocked a bit, but I understood nothing is the same forever.
Yes, I live in the U.S., and I am still studying ESL classes at college, so I am a bit far from graduation.
I studied the Holocaust in an ESL reading class.
It was traumatic to see people who have been treated as less than people, and those extraordinary things are still happening in some places.
Yes, I will tell you how the museum is after I come back!
Thank you, see you then!
Hi Fumie,
I’d like to recommend for you several great stories. They are historical books, but I think they involve love and culture. (もし既にご存知でしたら、すんまへん）。
1.The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne.
This novel was also made into a film.
2.The Hiding Place by (http://www.elizabethsherrill.com/sherrill_hiding_place.html) This is a true story.
Also, I bought some books from a publisher called Townsend Press.
Here’s the link to the website. http://www.townsendpress.com/catalog/tplibrary.aspx
I am not sure you can order these English books from Japan.
Each book is only $1, and these books were written for people who speak English as a second language. I think these books will be a bit easy for you.
This company edited the original books into simple English.
I bought five books. They were only $5 but the shipping fee was almost $8! (ステーキよりもビールの方が高いレストランみたいな...)
Anyway, these are books what I bought....
1.Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass.
2.Anne of Green Gables
3.The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
4.Pride and Prejudice
5.The Story of Blima: A Holocaust Survivor
I really love these stories!
I hope you can enjoy reading books ; )
P.S
I've gathered a lot of nice sentences from this blog and they are some of my favorite BOOKS :)
Hi Ling,
Thank you so much for your message!
Have a great Sunday☆謝謝☆
Animal Farm
- Animal Farm
- 2011年6月19日 10:54
Hi everyone,
Are you having a great weekend?
It's not raining but humid where I live,Nagoya.
訂正；
＞for letting us know about Goggle search→Thank you for letting us know about Goggle search
( I don't know why, but I deleted the first part. That doesn't make sense at all!)
Hi Fumie,
I'd like to recommend you several books.
I like reading books for kids, so I sometimes do. One of the reasons for that is easy to read through them. I also like reading books that were made into movies because it's easy to follow the contents.(The Reader, Never Let Me go..... I sometimes read first and then see the movie.)
Penguin readers.com offer a variety of books; different levels, different types of books ranging from historical story to movies. Actually I got 12 books last year and I enjoyed reading them.(Lucky me!)
OK, let me share some of the books I like with you:
1." B is for Beer" by Tom Robbins
---This book is for children, but anyway, there is a following words at the back of the page:
"A Children's Book About Beer? Yes, believe it or not-but 'B IS for Beer' is also a book for adults,......."
2. "Excerpts from a Family Medical Dictation"
3. "The Gifts of the Body" by Rebbecca Brown
----My all time favorites. The style and the use of words are simple,but the content is touching.
4. "Skipping Christmas" by John Grisham
It was fun and I enjoyed reading it. Maki or Lily( sorry I don't remember..) recommended me.
5. "The Uncommon Reader" by Alan Bennett
I'm reading this book at the moment.
"The Queen stumbles upon a mobile library when she was walking her corgis one night." The story starts from here....
Actually, on this blog, David recommends(has recommended?) books now and then, and one of them is "Outliers." It's not a novel, but it was great. If you are interested in it , have a look at the entry on Feb.23,2009.
Anyway, books I listed above isn't so difficult to read. Hope it helps.
Hi noriko and members,
Your talks about "Dokodemo-door" is interesting.
I wish I could have that too! If I could, the first thing I have to do is tell the names that I don't want to meet to Doraemon. Oh,poor Doraemon! His life would become tougher because everyone would rush to him!
Hi amo,
Thanks for sharing the difference between"I hate to" and "I'm afraid."
Hi animal Firm,
Looking forward to hearing your story after visiting the Holocaust museum. Actually, when I visited Washington D.C last year, I didn't have time to visit and visited another museum instead. But my friend visited there, and listened the the survivors' experiences at the concentration camp.
Yesterday, I saw a show called" Tony Awards 2011" on TV, and it was fabulous!
Bye for now,
Anne
- Anne
- 2011年6月19日 14:13
Hi everyone,
This is my first comment from my lovely new iPad!
- David
- 2011年6月19日 22:55
Hi Amo
Thank you very much for your help, your explaination was very clear, I think I've got what you wanted to say. "I hate to say...but" is used when we have to tell someone some bad information, whereas "I'm afraid" is used when we need to tell someone a fact that we feel sorry about( in this case, Noriko wishes that "everywhere door" was her idea, but in fact it wasn't).
Hi animal farmer and Anne,
I can't believe you read so many English books! I hope I can pick some books from your lists some day :-)
Wow, David,you got an iPad finally, congratulations!Are you already in love with her?^^
- Ling
- 2011年6月19日 23:06
Hi David,
Wow! That's great! As Ling said, I bet you fell in love with her(!?).
- Anne
- 2011年6月19日 23:50
Hi Ling, Animal Farm and Anne,
Thank you so much for the information about great books and authors! I've never heard of most of books you mentioned. I checked all the books you had mentioned and all these look so tempting. So I put most of those books in my list of want-to read books.(読みたい本のリスト). I will read "My Humorous Japan" for starters. Thanks again! :)
Speaking of books, someone asked David about Vipassana. I'm reading a book called "eat pray love" by Elizabeth Gilbert. There are chapter in which she wrote about Vipassana treatment a little. This novel was also made into a movie starred in Julia Roberts.
Hi Animal Farm,
We went to The Korean Town in Osaka yesterday. We had a fabulous time there. (^^) The reason we went there was that we hadn't have a chance to have Korean barbecue and done enough shopping on our trip to Korea. This time I fullfilled my mission! Althogh I asked "カカジュセヨ？”several times but they didn't give me discount. :( We had lovely サムギョプサルfor dinner and I did tons of shopping. Mostly Korean food because they are healthy and I'm into them.
My idea is looking for places where I can experience some country's cultures and buy their products in Japan, like Korean Town, China Town and American Village (not so authentic, though). But I can't find places of another countries like UK Town et,.. Since everywhere-door isn't invented yet, I should find the way to feel like travel foreign countries economically.
BTW, Animal Farm, Are you 大阪人? Because you said すんまへん。
Have a wonderful vacation!
Hi David,
You got an IPad! You must be happy. :)
Looking forward to a new topic!
Fumie
- Fumie
- 2011年6月20日 07:14
What a fun pattern! It’s great to hear from you and see what you’ve sent up to. All of the projects look great! You make it so simple to this. Thanks
- abercrombie fitch
- 2011年11月16日 12:32
Hi David,
Much appreciated:) Even you didn’t have much time, you did some feedback. Thanks again.
I was going to ask some questions about related to “crowded train” yesterday, but something wrong with my PC, so I gave up. But I had a busy day today at work, so I have no energy to spare. I am off to bed. Anyway, hope your presentations will go well.
Hi everyone,
Have a fab weekend;)
amo