I walk inside the Donald Bren Hall, just before three o’clock in the afternoon, for a seminar on Collective Intelligence. Thomas Malone, from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, is the guest speaker for this seminar.

He starts out by defining the word, “collective intelligence” as a group of people working together in an intelligent manner. Then, he discusses ways in which people can connect computers together in order to be able to act more intelligent than any person or group can. People need to be able to first measure, combine, map and harness collective intelligence.

Measuring collective intelligence requires using psychometrics in order to measure cognitive abilities. An example of such tests is Spearman’s tests of abilities, which tests academic and practical abilities. In such tests, people are grouped, and then they are given sample tasks, or group tasks to work on together, which include generating, choosing, executing and negotiating duties, in order to determine group intelligence. But they noticed that the individual intelligence was not significantly predicted on such tests as well as group intelligence was uncorrelated with individual intelligence. Moreover, there was a strong correlation in the group’s collective intelligence. Results concluded that the group did well at social perceptiveness, equality of distribution of taking turns and equal participation in the group, and a positive result with the proportion of more females in the group. The more female in a group, the more intelligent the group performed.

When choosing cognitive abilities, it is therefore better to have similar people in a group, but these people must have some variation in order to represent society in general. It can help predict real world performance better. Some ways to get such variation include changing group size, norms of interaction, computer support, to name a few, in order to improve and affect predictions as well as improve collective intelligence.

(There is also EQ, or emotional intelligence tests, which measures the emotional aspects).

Combining human and computer intelligence can produce better results than using one or the other. Prediction Markets is used, enabling people to buy and sell predictions about future events. It tends to be more accurate than other forecasting methods, although it involves similar statistics analysis that is used for testing the average probability of future outcomes. Gambling and experimental design of a situation to predict outcomes are some examples. Moreover, Risk-To-Reward Trade-off, or the Sharpe Ratio, measures the risk to reward trade-off of a situation. There is cost of errors and ROC in such analysis that need to be noted.

Mapping genomes requires asking detailed questions about what, who, why and how in order to get more accurate results. Before deciding on what necessary actions to be taken in order to successfully reach your desired goal, ask yourself the following questions and try to answer each with explicit answers. What is it that I want to do? Who will perform that function properly and successfully? Why am I interested in doing this? This answer has to do with monetary reasons, a love for that particular area or field, the glory of doing it, or all of the above. How will I actually perform such actions? The answer is either hierarchy or collaboration. Then, consider the types of organizational genes. The group first discusses whether there is a need for creating or deciding, before deciding whether to use crowd or hierarchy method to perform actions. Then, decisions are made whether to use independent or dependent methods in order to perform actions.

Harnessing collective intelligence enables solving global problems through world collaboration. Sites, such as Linux, Google and Wikipedia, have had people worldwide working on global climate change issues together as well as exposing political issues, in order to educate and improve situations for everyone as they save the planet from further destruction. This method of people worldwide coming together and working together to solve problems tends to attract and motivate participation among people of similar interests wanting to make a difference. Therefore, the Internet is therefore used for global collective intelligence, which enables people to make wise decision-making in order to improve current conditions or situations.

-Bluburt

Image by paparutzi via Flickr

                                                    Here Comes 2012

When New Years Eve comes around each year, we celebrate with parties and letting off fireworks. We raise up our glass and toast the future, forgetting all the grimness of the past year such as rising fuel prices, poor economy, and unemployment. We are full of hope that things can only get better.

The sad lady who desperately wants a child, fervently hopes that 2012 will be the year she gets pregnant.  What about the poor man who is suffering from cancer, and only has months to live.? Can 2012 bring a cure for him? Then there are the people who lose their homes and families in natural disasters. Let’s hope that 2012 will be the year they can try to rebuild their lives.

Spare a thought for the dogs and cats who were christmas presents, cuelly abandoned when it became obvious that they needed proper care and attention. In  fact any animal that is cruelly treated, let’s hope it will enjoy a proper life in 2012 with people who care about it.

My heart  goes out to the old and vulnerable, some of them are alone, even at Christmas, so I hope that 2012 will bring them friendship to enrich their lives. Last but certainly not least, those people who cause wars, who love to die for a cause, those who bear grudges, and are full of fuelled driven hate. May they find love, because if wars cease, world future will be secure. Or am I asking for too much.?

I am very lucky to have the love of my family and friends, and have nothing to grumble about. So as we approach 2012, I want to spend a moment thinking of those who are not so fortunate for one reason or another.

God bless , and a Happy New Year to everyone, may all your dreams come true in 2012.

Despite these facts neither U.S nor other world powers show any willingness to stop Iran. This leaves Israel in a very difficult position because if it does not act now their country would face not only the possibility of direct attack from Iran, but most likely both Hamas and Hezbollah armed with nuclear weapons since Iran openly supports these terrorist organizations.

Therefore it is not a question if, but when Israel will bomb Iranian nuclear sites. It is a very difficult decision to make because everyone knows the consequences will impact the entire world. Iranian regime will definitely fulfill its promises of causing major disruption in oil exports to Europe and North America by cutting off its oil exports as well as mining Hormuz Strait, through which large portion of Middle East oil is transported to the rest of the world, thus causing a sharp rise in already high oil prices, which in turn would cause a global recession to morph into another great depression for years to come.

At the other hand, a nuclear Iran with the current regime in power would certainly mean the destruction of Israel and the eruption of devastating nuclear world war that would kill a vast part of global population and make large portions of our planet unliveable. Whatever Israel will or won’t do will impact the lives of us all.

A very well respected prophetic voice in Christian community, John Paul Jackson, in the video message that he made public in May of 2008 called “The Coming Perfect Storm,” predicted that Israel will indeed choose to prevent Iran from getting nuclear bomb by attacking its nuclear sites,  and that it will cause a spike in the oil prices. He also warned that Iran might be successful in detonating a dirty bomb in the United States and since many of the very specific predictions John Paul shared in that video already came true such as removal of Hosni Mubarak from power in Egypt, it is quite likely that he might also be right in his predictions regarding Israel and Iran.

You might also like to read:

Are The Iranian People And Israel Being Sacrificed For Oil?

Middle East Power Shifts And The Oil Shortage

By Scott Forest

Heaven and peace are not separate from our lives here on Earth.

Now – in this present moment – Heavenly peace can be found.  Life can be pleasant if you make it so.

When it starts to feel heavy, don’t forget to come up for air — Breathe!

Align and find your center – try to be at peace with yourself and your surroundings, however hectic it all may seem.

There is nothing wrong with simply existing without your troubled thoughts and worries.

Being.. Being still — like a tree in the wind.

We eventually have to move – our society and way of life does not progress if we remain only in a vacuum.

Try to move through the moments thinking in a way that is pleasant, while also being aware of your surroundings -

You may find that these pleasant feelings often rub off on other beings.

Practice compassion, loving, peace and peacemaking; giving without expecting a return.

The universe will not resist you so much if you treat the space around you with care -

as you would hope to be treated by others.

There is no need for spending all of your time stressing over what could have been, what is or what could be -

or even what the purpose is of something that you cannot see, much less control.

Life may feel overwhelming at times, but you can overcome!

You are strong! Don’t you know who you are?

Don’t forget about young Peter and Wendy — your smile, your inner child, your happy thought.

You don’t have to be alone! Find your loved ones – your lost boys and girls and keep them close to you.

You can also meet new ones along this path, for many seek peace and happiness.

You may not always be in Never Land, but you certainly don’t have to grow up.

Think positive, never give up hope – even if it seems hopeless at times.

Tick tock – don’t be afraid of the clock, the wicked may be there and it may get dark, but don’t fret.

Captain Hook may have forgotten how to fly, but you haven’t!

Breathe! Don’t you know you have wings?

Time heals all – you can always find your light if you start to feel lost.

Now Fly!

They Control our World, They Poison the air we breath, Contaminate the water we drink, and copyright the food we eat. We fight in their wars, Die for their causes, and sacrifice our freedoms to protect them. They’ve liquidated our savings, destroyed our middle class, and used our tax dollars to bailout their unending dept. We are slaves to their corporations, zombies to their airwaves, servants to their decadence’s.They’ve stolen our elections, assassinated our leaders, and abolished our basic rights as human beings. They own our property, shipped our jobs overseas, and shredded our unions. They’ve profited off disasters, destabilized our currencies, and raised our cost of living. They’ve monopolized our freedom, stripped away our education, and have almost extinguished our flame. WE ARE HIT…We are Bleeding…But we don’t Got time to bleed. We will bring the giant to its knees, and you will Witness our REVOLUTION!!! 
NOW GET OUT OF THE WAY! WE ARE THE 99%! AND WE WILL OCCUPY OUR CITIES!

the bottom line is this, wars are not meant to won, only maintained and sustained. Nothing in the world makes more profit in the world than a war. So every time one is declared the rich get richer while the common man must succumb to the results of them. 

this is completely unnecessary and wasteful! its time to end war and use all this money to better this world for our children and children’s children! to heal our mother earth from all the wounds we caused her! to educate, cloth and feed every human being! A BETTER WORLD IS POSSIBLE!!! 
“The old appeals to sexual, racial, and religious chauvinism—to rabid nationalist fervor, are beginning not to work. A new consciousness is developing which sees the earth as a single organism, and recognizes that an organism at war with itself IS DOOMED”
-Carl Sagan 

Politicians, industry leaders and businesses should take lessons from Horton the elephant. He is loyal and strong and sticks with the job until it is done. He stands for integrity and honesty, and does exactly what he says he will do, no matter what happens or how much easier it would be to change course. He also hears the tiniest voice, and not only listens, but answers. He protects the little people who have nobody else to look out for them.

We can all learn some patience, and how to be accepting of those around us. We should enjoy the many varieties that make up the world, people of all colours, races, traditions and belief. In the world of Dr. Suess, being different is encouraged, and in fact applauded. We would never try to be the king turtle, because we are all equal, and those who force themselves to the top, discover the view is not quite so grand.

The world would never give up, if we followed the wisdom in these children’s tales. We would never stop trying, always putting one foot in front of the other. We would keep going, and thinking and conquering problems. We would never dwell on the past or be bitter and sad, instead we would all have a duty to make our lives and the world we live in a better, safer and happier place for all.

If Dr. Suess ruled the world, even the biggest Grinch would be forgiven. He would be welcomed to our table to rejoice in the wonder of family and friends. We would understand that everyone can fall off the right path, and we would make it our mission to help them back up. We would not condemn or scorn, but instead heal and repair. Maybe all of our hearts are a little too small.

Yes, the wisdom and wonder that engages my children each night offers great words to live by. It helps me decide who I want my children to be, and ultimately, who I want to be. If we all learned to live by the words of Dr. Suess, the world itself would be a much better place.   

If you enjoyed this please click the like buttons.  Thanks!

More from Heather: 

Would You Defend The Little Guy?

Creative Minds and Depression Go Hand in Hand

What a Drama Queen! Borderline Personality Disorder

Every body loves peaceful living. So do many nations in the world. Peaceful co-existence is the need of the hour. But world peace is threatened every day because of something or other. Not a day passes without guns being fired in some quarter or other. In the remote past man had to fight for his survival. In the modern world man disturbs peace because of his selfish motives. The civilized history of mankind is replete with wars. There is not a single nation in the world that has not fought a war in the course of its history. History tells us of great wars which resulted in loss of human life on large scale. The two . world wars caused untold misery to the mankind. The memories of Hiroshima and Nagasaki are still fresh. Man has not come out of his belligerent mood.

In spite of this quarrelsome nature of man, wisdom prevailed now and then. Many efforts have been made to bring peace into the world. With this aim the League of Nations was started in Geneva after the First World War. But it could not prevent the Second World War. In the year 1940 Roosevelt, Churchill and Stalin realized the need for an international organization that would work for peace. The United Nations Organisation came into being. It was started with several noble aims. It had its successes and failures. India contributed her mite to world peace. India’s ‘Panchsheel’ became popular all over the world.

Today the world peace is again threatened. Advanced countries have piled up arms. They are adding fuel to the fire when two nations are at war. The U.S.A. is guilty of this more than any other country. When the Russia was intact there was a cold war over decades. The world was on tenter hooks all those years.The Vietnam war, Indo-Pak war, Iraq-Iran war and a score of others disturbed world peace. International terrorism is also a threat to world peace. Today there are weapons that can destroy the world several times over. Nuclear weapons, and chemical weapons can wipe out humanity in no time. It is the noble responsibility of every man to help maintain world peace. Political leadership should behave in such a way that world peace is not threatened. Leaders have no right to drive mankind to wars.