The manga industry is changing

(Summary) Manga is very popular worldwide for tense story and colorful characters. ‘Attack on Titan’ is the biggest hit in the last 10 years and coming to an end. Publishers are looking for a new series that could finally balance Japan’s $12 billion-a-year book industry. The manga industry can earn high revenue beyond print by licensing manga for video games, visual interactive novels, or merchandise like clothing and accessories. (My Signal ) Manga has been essential for Japanese culture and even industries. It has also been trigger for people oversea to learn Japanese language. I have been loving Manga since my childhood but felt ashamed to confess I’m a Manga lover. However nowadays I don’t hesitate to say I love Manga because there is absolutely someone who says “Me too”. While Manga is recognized as unnecessary existence not only in Japan but also all over the world, Competition in Manga industry is tough. I predict some new systems to protect authors which contribute to getting benefits from digital media.

Tech giants face antitrust hearing

(Summary)

The CEO of Facebook, Google, and Amazon were summoned before the House Judiciary Antitrust Subcommittee on on July 29 due to their dominance of online search engines and the aggressive business models. They have been accused that their activities violated the antitrust law.

 

(My Thoughts)

There may be no one who doesn't think the giant platformers should be more controlled by laws or regulations in order to make their businesses transparent and fair because they have been conquering the market.
As a consumer, I definitely feel their necessities and convenience through frequent using. But when I read or hear their greedy behaviors like nipping buds of startups, I'm always disappointed with their vulgarities. Their benefits seem to be for only theirselves.
I'm not sure how these big platform companies will change or be forced to change by authorities, but I really hope they will provide not only convenience but also contribution to society.

Neuralink: The brain-computer interface

(Summary)

Elon Musk announced his neurotechnology company succeeded in making a interface between human brain and computer. Its main purpose is that it allows paralyzed patients to control computers and phones to communicate by implant the device in the brain. Moreover it enables patients to stream music and use telepathy. This project's detail will be unveiled on August 28. 

(My Signal)

Brain machine interface has been developed due to its potential to make humans abilities widen. Elon Musk's Neuralink might have peculiar merits which have never invented like streaming music and using telepathy. These functions will make disabilities' quarity of life improved in the future. If I got involved with accident and lost function of moving body, I might want to implant Neuralink. I want to know how safe it is, how long it can be used and how much people need to pay for the surgery and device. 

Fruit battery

(Summary)

Lithium ion batteries have contributed to today's technology but aren't eco-friendly because they need huge amount of water for being made and finally turn to e-waste. Researchers at University of Sydney have invented a supercapacitor from durians or jackfruits. Other scientists have also succeed in finding alternative green sources of power like hogweed or artificial diamonds.

 

(My Signal)

I hope these eco-friendly sources of power will play important roles of power source. In the future we will need various kinds of green power sources and to combine them.

 

The idea things unworthy or harmful turn into something necessary attracts people. Durian battery and hogweed super-capacitor are just like that.

 

In order that they will be able to be used as a part of power source, whether the process they turn to available sorce of power is efficient and whether people can create a positive economic effect are essential. In addition, their safeness is also necessary.

 

I hope we will solve them and many sources of allergy like hogweed and cedar will transform into worth full energy.

$26-million robot dolphins for marine zoo

(Summary)

Edge Innovations, a company in New Zealand, has developed robotic dolphins which are indistinguishable from real-life ones. A special animatronic effect creator contributes to this project. Their animatronics are expected to make it possible that aquariums which have lost revenue can survive. The company has offer from about 30 aquariums and they plan to make other kinds of animatronics for places except aquariums.

 

(My Signal)

I envision that animatronics can be a part of new entertainment but it might be difficult that they can totally substitute for real animals. People observe not only what sea animals are but also their relationships or characters through interaction between keepers or among animals. From ethical point of view, it might be better that people can experience sea life without the animals being in captivity. But I’m doubtful if communication with robots can substitute for education of the interaction with real animals.

Bike thief, beware; ‘uncuttable’ lock will soon be here!

(Summary)

Scientists at Durham University invented uncuttable material called Proteus, being inspired by nature objects like the shell of abalone and grapefruit peel. Proteus is light but enough strong to prevent from being destroyed owing to its structure based on their ones. It is expected to be used not only for crime prevention of bike thief but also for various ways to use. 

(My Signal)

Nature seems to have solutions to our problems and humanity has developed them as biomimetic like Proteus. Biomimetic has already been used in many fields. 


https://www.google.co.jp/amp/s/www.sciencefocus.com/future-technology/biomimetic-design-10-examples-of-nature-inspiring-technology/amp/


These costs might not be so high and have large potential for altanatives for harmful material like plastic. I envision this thechnology will be used effectively for sustainable society. 

 

 

Google can now translate ancient Egyptian language

(Summary)

Google has launch a new software called Fabricius, the first digital tool to understand hieroglyphs. It provides an interactive learning platform for your understanding the ancient symbols and translating your words into the hieroglyph format, using machine learning. 
Moreover the desktop version can support experts' research, allow treachers using Google Classroom to access many tools to teach the subject, and contribute to your understanding ancient Egyptian history
However some experts say that the software can not replace highly trained experts in reading ancient inscriptions yet.

(My Signal)

I predict that machine learning will acceralate innovation of EdTech and educational system will change in the future. 

Many parents might have had such experience as online educational programs supported their hometeaching during school closure due to COVID-19. There were tons of free fun educational programs for kids from kindergartener to high school students which private companies provided all over the world and education-obsessed parents exchanged information on social media. Those parents who could succeeded in using online educational tools may have doubt for existence of school.


On the other hand, this situation generated a big gap among kids. Some kids were addicted to video games or watching Youtube and spent long time for them.
 
It's necessary sary for commonly using EdTech to infrastructure the IT environment by support from government in order that every kids can get opportunities to learn from EdTech.

 

I hope educational system will turn more flexible and kids will be able to learn more actively. If kids can have more options for education like homeschooling or combining homeschooling and education at school in addition of going to school, EdTech will make the best of its pros and contribute to happier lives.