Honda's "Living with Robots"

Looks like Honda is laying the foundation for a line of home help aide robots it hopes to start selling in the U.S. about 10 or 20 years from now... It wants Americans to believe robots can be their friends. There would be little need for this kind of "documentary" (er, propaganda) in Japan because many people generally have positive impressions of robots. I'm generalizing like crazy here, but robots in Japanese popular culture are more often friendly and good, not scary and violent like the U.S.

My pet theory is that massive U.S. research, development and investment in robots that can find and kill people helps make Americans distrust and fear robots. In contrast, Japanese companies are building robots to do things like feed and carry the elderly. It's no wonder Americans are afraid of robots and Japanese see them as cute.

Thoughts, anyone?

Tarantino explains what "Top Gun" was really about

Sorry if you all have seen this before. I suspect this clip has already made quite a few rounds online - but I just found it yesterday while researching a "Top Gun" scene. (Lest you think I've suddenly morphed into a cheesy Hollywood film specialist, allow me to explain: A real-life fighter pilot who has a cameo in this move is about to become the top U.S. commander in the Pacific. I'm writing about him.) Anyhow, enjoy:

Super soldier

I apologize if I've said this before... in Japan, companies are developing robotic suits like this so people can more easily lift the elderly and perform other peaceful tasks. But in America, there always seems to be a militaristic purpose behind projects like this. (Of course, Japan doesn't need to invest much in its military because the U.S. still provides for its defense.... but let's set that aside for now...) Anyway, check this out:

Rex Jameson bikes and swims regularly, and plays
tennis and skis when time allows. But the 5-foot-11, 180-pound software engineer is lucky if he presses 200 pounds — that is, until he steps into an "exoskeleton" of aluminum and electronics that multiplies his strength and endurance as many as 20 times. ... "Everybody likes the idea of being a superhero, and this is all about expanding the capabilities of a human," said Stephen Jacobsen, chief designer of the Sarcos suit.