Reflections on science, technology, and computing — leavened by personal experience


N.B. This essay is about three interrelated topics: (a) the art and soul of human writing, (b) the ethics of intellectual delegation via AI, and (c) the mechanistic reality of intelligence. Many years ago, I sat in a university cabinet meeting as we debated some forgotten, but seemingly momentous issue. At some point during the…

My wallet was empty, and the cabinets held just two cans of corn. Payday was at least a week away, and I had some important culinary decisions to make.

We must mobilize all our country’s assets – government (at all levels), industry, academia, and non-profits – to address our growing challenges and the clear and manifest opportunities for discovery-fueled innovation.

Every child is born a scientist, filled with curiosity. Each deserves a pre-paid ticket to future of their dreams.

It’s time for the U.S. to “double down” – expand investment in basic research, both people and reserach infrastructure – nationwide – and unleash American innovation.