Just Keep Learning

I've gotten through the first two units in my Udacity AI class.  Unit 1 was on localization using Histogram filters; and unit 2 was on tracking using Kalman filters.  It's an amazing class to me in much the same way that the Stanford AI class was.  It just cuts through all the BS and presents the core ideas, not dumbing them down, rather approaching the material using intuition first; and leaving mathematical formalism for later (another class perhaps), after the core ideas are absorbed.  I think I'll blog more about those methods in the future; but I wanted to go in a different direction today.

I thought I would take this opportunity to acknowledge two teachers who have contributed in no small part to my recent renaissance of learning.  I've always been a lifelong learner; but I would say I was getting a little down about not being able to keep up with the areas I'm interested in.  A great teacher can be such an inspiration in your life; but they also back it up by giving you the knowledge and tools to act on your dreams and ambitions.

So, click on my friends; and let me know about your favorite teachers.

The Uncanny Valley

The first authorized translation of this article is now available here, along with an interview with Masahiro Mori here.  It's fascinating how some ideas don't catch on for many years, then take off when the time is right.

The Uncanny Valley

The Hackers, The Dreamers, and Me

The always informative and entertaining Scott Hanselman put out the call for stories on how we got started in computers and programming.  Well, I've never tried writing mine down, so I thought I'd try capturing some of the magic of my youth.  Click past the break if you'd like to join me on a stroll down memory lane.