Topic courtesy of Addison Millard

http://www.planetaryresources.com/mission/

This company, Planetary Resources, believes that "harnessing valuable minerals from a practically infinite source will  provide stability on Earth, increase humanity’s prosperity, and help  establish and maintain human presence in space."  Explore their website to read more.  After reading, tell us what you think.  Is asteroid mining feasible?  Will you see this happen in your lifetime?  Are there other companies like Planetary Resources working on this concept?

Question courtesy of Nick Gaiski
What technological advances do you most look forward to/predict/anticipate will be available in the next year or two?

Here is an article about software that has been designed to grade essays and short answer questions. http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/05/science/new-test-for-computers-grading-essays-at-college-level.html

Here are a few questions that come to mind.  Please address at least three of the questions in your response.

• How would you feel about a computer grading your essays?
• Do you think a computer would grade you fairly? Would you be more or less likely to trust a computer’s grade than one from a teacher?
• Do you think a computer could give you effective feedback on how to improve your essay?
• Do you care whether your teacher reads your essays? Do you try harder because you want to impress your teacher?
• How would you feel about getting a grade instantaneously after you submitted your essay? Would the chance to get immediate feedback make up for any shortcomings a computer-generated grade might have?