Self-driving car and Trolly Car problem

Recently, I heard a topic about a popular problem in the context of self-driving cars. It was “Trolly Car problem” that became widely spread after Michael Sandel picked it up in his lecture.

Quora: What is Michael Sandel's answer to the Trolly Car problem?

To be honest, I felt shameful when heard this topic because I had not considered this matter so far. Indeed, I myself also have introduced the situation of this problem. You are a trolly car driver. You notice your trolly is going to hit five people stuck on the rail. You cannot stop the trolly, but can change its course. If you do so, the trolly will hit another person instead of five. What should you do?

In other words, is it acceptable to kill one person for saving other five’ life? It is the concept of this problem.

My past entry: Psychopath and a question of Michael Sandel

It has been revealed by some experiments that most people choose to take one person’s life instead of five. It is a concept of pragmatism. However, in the real situation, we will extremely hesitate to turn the steering wheel. Even if it causes a more disastrous result, nobody will blame him for not killing one person, I guess.

So, how does the self-driving car consider this situation?

At present, the algorithm of the car has not been so sophisticated to make an absolute answer. The car cannot prospect the exact outcome immediately. Additionally, turning a wheel rapidly brings a risk to both the driver and bystanders. The car will put on the brake even if is it not effective.

But in the future, the AI’s estimating ability will be far more precise than human. It is interesting whether the conclusion driven by the absolute intelligence is the same to ours.

In the experiment I referred above, psychopathic persons did not hesitate to make a cold-blooded decision. Being free from emotional conflict is advantageous to find the most beneficial solution to a complicated situation.

An excellent AI may be psychopathic.

Sequels in October 2015

October 19, 2015
Journey to Hokkaido

I visited also Toyako-lake. It was extremely beautiful. After that, I saw a Konpira crater. It was fascinating emerald-green. I felt my mind refreshed.

October 17, 2015
Suicidal bombers related to IS in Ankara

A local cell of ISIS is strongly suspected to have concerned about the suicidal bombing in Ankara, according to the prosecutor's office. But its statement is a little different from that of the government's.

StarTribune: Turkish prosecutors: Local cell, taking orders from IS in Syria, carried out Ankara attacks

It will take more time to reveal the whole figure of this case.


October 8, 2015
TPP was finally approved

In Japan, the approval of TPP is generally accepted by citizens. Some stakeholders such as farmers are worrying about the risk of strengthened competitors. Most citizens look indifferent to the news any more.

Sausages cause cancer, probably

World Health Organization (WHO) officially identified processed meat as a carcinogenic substance. It was listed to like the same risk level as tobacco and asbestos, according to WHO.

NBC NEWS: Ham, Sausages Cause Cancer; Red Meat Probably Does, Too, WHO Group Says

This statement is based on several studies, some of which are published in popular academic journals. Indeed, many researchers have believed the risk of processed meat to cause cancer. Nonetheless, it is surprising that meat was deemed as dangerous as tobacco, one of the most harmful substance we frequently see.

The Lancet Oncology: Carcinogenicity of consumption of red and processed meat

Furthermore, red meat is also probable to be carcinogenic, according to WHO. Pancreas and prostate seem to be vulnerable to the exposure to red meat.

The Guardian: Processed meats rank alongside smoking as cancer causes – WHO

The statement of WHO is seismic for both meat producing and consuming countries. Christian Schmidt, minister for food and agriculture of Germany, made a comment that sausages are beneficial in moderation, as well as the sunshine. On the other hand, some people claim that we should seek substitute to red meat in the future.

Reuters: Germany's answer to WHO study: Don't be scared of sausages

Traditional Japanese cuisine contained fishes instead of red meat. Following the westernization of daily diet, it is considered that the prevalence rate of colon cancer has been raised in Japan. Despite some factors may be confounding, I believe the hypothesis that red meat can cause cancer.

However, there are many other foods suspicious to be related to carcinogenic activity. We cannot avoid all risks, including those which have not been proven. After all, balanced meal is preferable for modifying the overall risk.

Therefore, I am not afraid of the statement of WHO. In my opinion, it is overestimating the risk of meat. I still love sausages.

New York introduces taxation for guns?

An attempt to prevent gun crimes has risen in the US. Nydia Velazquez, a congresswoman from New York, plans to introduce a bill titled “Reducing Gun Violence in our Neighborhoods Act” at the New York City Hall. It will demand the seller of guns to pay 100 USD tax.

The Daily Caller: New Bill Would Force Americans To Pay $100 Tax On Every Gun

This bill also requests gun owners to report any stolen weapons immediately.

It is not for the first time to introduce taxation for firearms in the US. Cook County, Illinois has also accepted a similar scheme. Unfortunately, the effect of burdening gun sellers on suppress gun violence has not been proven.

Forbes: Bill Introduced In Congress To Tax Gun Sales, Require Stolen Guns To Be Reported

In Seattle City Council, the gun has been taxed since early this year. The income from taxation is used to gun violence research and prevention programs. Gun-rights associations, such as National Rifle Association, National Shooting Sports Foundation, and the Second Amendment Foundation, have sued the city, claiming the illegality of this legislation.

I think gun crimes has continuously been a shame of the US. Very recently, a terrible shooting case occurred in a college.

My past entry: Oregon shooting: gun control, mental illness, and anonymity

Some people insist that equipping a gun can protect yourself from being victimized. I hardly believe this statement. Far more many guns are used for an evil purpose than those to save your life.

My past entry: Gun debate continue in college

The US is stacked in the Nash equilibrium regarding the use of guns, in my opinion. Regulating guns will benefit outlaws because they dare not obey the order. Taxation is a better option. Thus, the police will be able to expropriate unauthorized arms for suspicious tax evasion. Circulation of guns in the region will be more clarified.

My past entry: Gun control and Nash equilibrium

However, raising the cost of possessing a gun may be weak for preventing gun violence. There is no panacea to this issue, I am afraid.

*Sequel

A theft case using touchless transaction

A man got stolen money on a train, but nothing was stolen physically. Actually, his bank card was illegally skimmed using touchless transaction.

International Business Times: Virtual pickpockets steal money from contactless bank cards by bumping into victims claims Londoner

This incident occurred in London. Since the victim was a manager of a magazine publisher, the case was soon published in detail.

Some modern bank cards adopt contactless payment system for the minor transaction. With this card, you need not input the PIN code when the amount of payment is less than 30 GBP. Similar systems are available also in Japan. The thief abused this characteristic. He or she might close the transaction device to the bank card to read its information through the wallet.

This kind of crimes had not been reported so far, but it seems quite similar to the cases of fabricated passports. The way of skimming is not difficult, perhaps. However, you can steal only 30 GBP for an act. It seems not cost-effective for a crime. It may be a reason such cases are rarely reported.

You can protect your card easily using a sheet of foil covering the card. Passport cases against skimming are widely available. To begin with, you should be more cautious not to get stolen your wallet directly than get the data hacked.

I am not anxious to this type of theft at this time. Even if I, unfortunately, encounter an incident, the card companies will compensate for the loss. Convenience always coincides to the risk.

Baby Hitler and regrettable history

Recently, New York Times Magazine raised a bold question to the readers. “Could you kill a baby Hitler?”

It is well known that Hitler is one of the most terrible tyrants in the world. He killed thousands of people based on his twisted ideology. His ambition brought Germany and Europe itself into the tragic WWII.

So, do you kill him if you could return to the past when Hitler was a baby? This assumption is, of course, ridiculous but also is worth to consider at the time DeLorean has come in the Back to the Future.

The Telegraph: Back to the Future Day: is the DeLorean as bad as we think?

The result of the vote is interesting. Forty-two percent of the voters said that they could kill Hitler to prevent the subsequent Holocaust. Thirty percent rejected to kill him.

New York Times Magazine: Could you kill a baby Hitler?

Jewish Telegraph Agency: NY Times Magazine asks readers: ‘Could you kill a baby Hitler?’

It is not sure how many voters thought the concept of killing a baby seriously. This result suggests that Hitler is still subjected to the hatred of many people.

I do not remember a Japanese, like Hitler, so much hated by everyone. Shinzo Abe, the Prime Minister of Japan, is sometimes criticized for his aggressive behavior. Some people compare him to Hitler. But this comparison is nonsense. Even if Abe is a nationalist, I do not think he is going to the war for realizing his ideal.

In Japan, there are three historic points of regret. First is the WWII. Nowadays, most Japanese recognizes that participating in the WWII was wrong for Japan. The second is Aum Shinrikyo. It was a cult group originated from ancient Buddhism whose boss was Shoko Asahara. Asahara committed mass murder with spreading toxic gas in the subway station, killing many people. This case has been the biggest terrorism in modern Japan. Not a few people including scholars were brainwashed, to obey Asahara’s order. Asahara was sentenced to capital punishment, but has not been executed yet. Some supporters are appealing for the reconsideration of the court decision. And the third may be Fukushima Daiichi atomic power plant crippled by the earthquake and tsunami disaster in 2011. This accident emerged due to some sequential human errors. If concerning people had been a little more cautious, this atomic power plant would have been safe. The accident influenced seriously on Japanese atomic power policy.

History has some crucial points. But we cannot go back, nor can forecast the future. My answer is I cannot kill baby Hitler because his future had not been determined at his birth.

Oslo will partially be free from cars

Oslo is going to set a car-free region in it. It means that any cars will be banned from the center of the capital. It will be carried out by 2019, according to local politicians.

Reuters: Oslo aims to make city center car-free within four years

Some rural areas in Europe, such as Zermatt has regulated the usage of cars for protecting the nature. But it will be for the first time that car-banning is introduced in the capital city.

It is unclear whether electric vehicles are also banned. In terms of environmental issue, e-cars are accepted. But they will also be a cause of traffic accident.

It is afraid that citizens who Commute by car will be negatively affected if the regulation is carried out. Nowadays, a quarter of Norwegian commute either on foot or by bicycle. And 83 percent of residents in the issued area are estimated to have good access to public transportation. Also, the government has committed to invest in public transportation. The plan seems not so ambitious than it is looked.

The Atlantic: The Car-Free City

Air pollution caused by vehicles would still be a significant problem even if Volkswagen did not violate the regulation. Also in Japan, diesel cars not to meet the standard are prohibited from entering Tokyo.

My past entry: Volkswagen emission scandal

However, it is unclear how are each restriction practical to save the earth. If some areas in Oslo become free from car emission, the wind brings polluted air from other regions. After all, global commitment is necessary to keep the whole environment stable. It is sure that Politicians in Oslo are aware of this fact, and are expecting other cities to follow Oslo.

Ecology is an imperfect science. Nobody can predict the future. We should keep an eye on both our surrounding and the global trend.