Jaron Lanier’s critique of the web’s infatuation with the hive mind raises many interesting points, and while I can’t say I agree wholeheartedly with him, I do think his approach is spot on: digital collectivism should be evaluated on its merits, just like any other physical or social institution. Be sure to read the critiques of the critique too.

Computers have been used as a tool in performing experiments. Now there’s an open source application designed to help scientists use computers to analyze and compare experimental results.

We’re still (regrettably) far from full-on neural implants, but that’s not to say that people aren’t working towards the cyberpunk gadgets I’ve wanted for years. Boffins at NTT DoCoMo in Japan have built a ‘wearable headphone gaze tracker’ that can record the events of your day and what you spent the most attention on. As is always the case for early adopters, the first prototypes are more than a little cumbersome and clunky…

Semiconductor manufacturers are continuing their quest to make their circuits at smaller and smaller resolutions; late next year should see the first 45-nanometer architectures being made. But constantly shrinking the devices adds a number of challenges to the manufacturing process, which will have to be overcome to stay ahead and stay profitable in a fiercly competitive field.

Another week, another ‘killer app’ for carbon nanotubes. This time, it is suggested that those little cylinders could be used to make the desalination of sea-water more efficient, lowering the cost of clean drinking water to some of the dryest parts of the world. Who knows what will come of this idea, though – maybe we should take it with a pinch of salt?