Notes on the Simulated Binary Crossover Operator

The Simulated Binary Crossover (SBX) is a well known variation operator for genetic real-valued optimization. It's surprising that I never came to implement this before, since I've been working with GAs for three years.

This is a remarkably elegant operator which was specifically designed to preserve the properties of the one-point crossover used for binary-coded GA optimization:

1) The average of the generated values is approximately the same of the original values before crossover; and

2) The probability of a spread factor value of betha = 1 is higher than for other spread factor values, what yeilds a stationary crossover operator.

That's such a great thing that I'm finally merging it into my NSGA2 implementation for numerical optimization benchmark. To find out more, go through the following slides:

Simulated Binary Crossover

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A conversation about "Post-scarcity Economy"

*Join this conversation in Google Buzz: http://bit.ly/9nI34V
*Read the full @EOTomorrow report: http://edgeoftomorrow.wordpress.com/reports/eot-report-2/


I've never envisioned nanoassembly being used in large scale to produce goods for all of us. That's such an exciting possibility!

But then, when it comes to AI surpassing human-level intelligence to the point of self-assembling everything we need and solving the majority of humanity grand challenges, what will be the purpose of our continued existence?

In the philosophical aspect, if we want to survive as a species, I think we have to figure out a way of addresing this question, otherwise, how are we supposed to live in a society in which we have everything we need?

Understanding social dynamics is like classifying all intricate patterns emerging from peer-to-peer interactions, but since the energy that drives such interactions is deeply related to each individual level of dissatisfaction, we urge to figure out new energy sources to input into the system.

In this regard, I totally agree with Stoddard when he says that we can take the step of "start using the resources of space". It's like saying: "hey, we don't have to keep living in this boring planet". I think this will not only mitigate the risks of human-extinction by catastrophical events, but will allow for keeping us interested in our own existence on this universe. 


Not to mention the possibility of merging us into the new technology so that the "Homo sapiens" species as we know it would be a far remembrance. This would make us integrated enough with machines to not having to worry about our old-fashioned pre-transhumanist needs of satisfaction.

Man, what a great topic to think about.


Carlos


Find out more in http://edgeoftomorrow.wordpress.com/reports/eot-report-2/

EOT Report #2: The Post-scarcity Economy: What is it & how do we get there? – An interview with Jason Stoddard

04/18/2010 · Leave a Comment

Edge of Tomorrow Report - 4.18.2010
an interview with Jason Stoddard
by Wade Inganamort (@swadeshine)

Jason Stoddard is a writer, blogger, and self-proclaimed “evil marketer”. He is a Writers of The Future contest winner and has two books, “Winning Mars” and “Eternal Franchise” due for publication this year – as well as the story “Overheard” in “Shine: An Anthology of Optimistic SF“.

Click here for the interview and commentary.

The Girl Effect

What if there was an unexpected solution to poverty, AIDS, hunger, war?
Would you even know it if you saw it?

Learn more by watching this video by http://girleffect.org :





Description of the project taken from their Youtube profile:

The Girl Effect: The powerful social and economic change brought about when girls have the opportunity to participate in their society.

WHY GIRLS?

Because when adolescent girls in the developing world have a chance, they can be the most powerful force of change for themselves, their families, communities and nations.

But while those 600 million girls are the most likely agents of change, they are invisible to their societies and the world.

So what can you do about that? Get yourself seen, whether you're a girl or just believe in girls. Tell us when your voice is posted, and we'll add it here.

If you're ready to learn and do more, head over to girleffect.org.

Singularity University na CBN

Ouça o comentário de Ethevaldo Sirqueira sobre a Singularity University na Rádio CBN na última terça, 6 de Abril.

Ele comenta sobre o envolvimento do Google no sentido de apoiar o projeto da instituição, lista os professores "celebridades" que ministram aulas na SU e fala sobre a visão e algumas previsões de Ray Kurzweil, presidente da SU e autor de diversos livros sobre a Singularidade tecnológica.

Ethevaldo afirma ainda que marcou uma entrevista com Kurzweil em Las Vegas durante uma conferência no qual o mesmo participará.

Estarei atento aos próximos programas para postar o que for posteriormente publicado sobre a SU, assim como a entrevista com Ray Kurzweil.

O comentário pode ser ouvido diretamente no site da CBN através do link http://bit.ly/cxr8Rt

Carlos.

Acceptance to Singularity University GSP 2010

Yesterday I heard from SU (http://singularityu.org/) that I've been accepted for the next Graduate Studies Program 2010. This turns out to be one of the best things that could have happened to me. I really need to be challenged at this point of my life. I'm at the constant need of significantly contributing to society and this seems to be the perfect opportunity.

Now I shall wait until monday to contact many people in order to raise funds for my participation in the program. I'm confident that I'll get through it. Although I don't know many wealthy companies which could be willing to support me in this goal, I know the path to convince a few among those I know. Basically, I'll offer them my expertise and commitment on engaging them in a few valuable projects that may come out from my participation in GSP'10.

Whatever is the outcome of this, there still gonna be great chances of being awarded a full scholarship from SU and its partners. 

One thing is for certain --- I'll not give up until I get there, in the place that I've dreaming about since a long time with the people who, soon or later, will make the difference in this world by improving the living condition of thousands if not millions or billions of people around the world. I don't only want to be there when this happen, but to be part of it and to see the magic being spread over the ones who need it the most.

More on this exciting news by tomorrow evening.

Cheers,

Carlos.