[QCon 2019] Learning From Machines

Speaker: Ashi Krishnan @rakshesha

For other QCon blog posts, see QCon live blog table of contents

http://lfm.ashi.io

Note: this is not as good as my usual blog posts as far as capturing information. See the impressions section at the bottom for why.

General

  • Neural network
  • Gradient system
  • Eyes see using layers
  • Each neuron has a receptive field
  • Inception – one pass from beginning to end
  • Neural networks – reinforce
  • Movement affects brain
  • Neural networks can recognize when something is off about the input
  • Recognition can have same problems as optical illusions

Dreams

  • Algorithm can generate fake human photos
  • Trained with two classes – real and fake
  • Generator being fed noise

Latency

  • Efference – signal to brain
  • Predict how body’s state will change
  • Signals have latency (10ms)
  • Use prediction for smooth moments and to anticipate touch
  • This is why cerebellum damage makes jerky movements

My impressions

I’m really sensitive to visual distraction. Which meant I had trouble paying attention to the beginning concepts with all the flashing and zooming images. I also felt a little dizzy with the sustained zooming and had to close my eyes at a few points. (It’s not easy to trigger even mild motion sickness on a screen that size) There was a disclaimer up front.. But it definitely impacted my learning anything. During the calm parts, even the lower right changed from her twitter handle to website periodically (on the same slide). This meant I was continually drawn to that over the material. This became a negative feedback loop because I didn’t hear/retain key definitions up front and had to google. Which meant I missed more. It wasn’t just the beginning. The movement throughout made me struggle. I know the movement was reinforcing key points. It didn’t for me. The parts that I was able to follow were good so I feel like I missed out.

Live blogging from QCon 2019

It’s my first time live blogging since we upgraded the blog software. Fingers crossed I can keep up!

Before I get to the blog, I became a Java Champion on Tuesday morning. Wes announced it right before I announced my track. It was awesome!

Stats and Impressions

  • 145 speakers
  • Over 1000 attendee
  • 25 minute breaks for hallway track
  • Love the badges emphasizing first names

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

bye world maker faire from FIRST

Norm and I organized the FIRST robotics presence at Maker Faire for the past 9 years. Given that Make Magazine has gone out of business, last year was the last one.

I think some of the Mini Maker Faire events will live on. The NY and San Mateo ones were quite a production to put on. NY hadn’t even opened the call for Makers yet so it makes sense for the event not to happen.

As a way of saying goodbye, I’m posting some of memories from the event.

Maker Faire was held rain or shine. We learned that it can in fact be too hot for a robot. Luckily teams innovated with a sunhat.

The first year our “rain plan” was “it better not rain.” Luckily, we got more sophisticated by the year it was really rainy and windy overnight.

Little kids loved the robots and we won a ribbon almost every year. Two years ago, Norm had the great idea to have each team there on Sunday take a picture with the ribbon.

A shout out to every participating team over the years. As we grew from a small space to a big attraction, we couldn’t have done it without you. Thank you for influencing lots of people and spreading the reach of FIRST. I’m proud to say that I helped *make* a *space* for FIRST robotics exhibitors.