當高科技的販賣機聰明到可以『看』出你的年紀來決定要不要買給你香煙或啤酒，你的心理作何感想呢？這是日本研發出來的新型販賣機，透過臉部辨識系統，來判斷購買者的實際年齡，過濾掉未成年的消費者。高達90% 辨識年齡的準確率，讓這個成熟的技術可以實際運用於日常生活裡。主持人打趣的推測，販賣機裡的香煙可能要賣到一包93元才能平衡這高成本的技術成本。
當越來越多比我們更聰明能幹的機器替我們作原本該做的工作，你會忌妒嗎?或甚至你應該開始擔心不久未來的可能的變化。當然，有人還是會提出像是『電腦是不可能會思考的，她也不可能取代人腦創意思考的靈活多變。』這樣的觀點。但是，越來越聰明的電腦和機械結合的應用產品，已經大大便利改善了我們的生活卻是不爭的事實。看來，科技帶給我們越多的便利，卻反而帶給我更多煩惱。
另一則是關於油價上漲有趣新聞，在美國某些地區的老舊加油錶，因為無法顯示超過兩位數字的油價，也沒錢汰換昂貴的新型油錶，就靈機應變的顯示實際的『一半』，結帳時再乘上倍數。台灣的油錶好像都是電子液晶顯示，應該就不會有這樣的困擾吧。
The Ramble: Old Pumps Can’t Register High Gas Prices
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=90394281
Linkfest: LeBron James’ Mama Takes His Side
http://www.npr.org/blogs/bryantpark/2008/05/linkfest_lebron_james_mama_tak.html
The panic from the machine reading your face
The oil prices is skyrocketing. Whether you like it or not, we should prepare for the downsides of high-priced pressures. The solution the old pumps made to solve “number-listing” problem is to present the half the real price, and that’s very smart and practical way to deal with situation like that.
The dream is getting clear and real. It is approaching
What could it b when a machine meets a computer? What comes in your mind when you think of these artificial things? Combining both together, they are getting more and more intelligent and popular. The new vender machine that can read ages from scanning your face is another good example. Although we know the smart machine was programmed by engineers and is in the condition under the control, it seems to me that “they” may someday become a self-thinking thing. Am I too panic to face the fact of the world approaching quickly toward me? Maybe or may not. It is not that I refuse to welcome the better life with the helps of machines, I just concern how we should carry those convenience without being a heavy burden on the back.
for more information:
the Bryant park project
http://www.npr.org/blogs/bryantpark/links_from_the_show/ 
