Human Computation

There are several cases where humans excel computers at computation. This is harnessed in Luis von Ahn's work on Human computation.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8246463980976635143

If you want to see a demo, you can see here: http://images.google.com/imagelabeler/

I now see that some other implementation of the same thing, which is much more interesting and pragmatic:
http://bmaurer.blogspot.com/2007/05/recaptcha-new-way-to-fight-spam.html

Interesting indeed.

Save Trees - Creative Advertisement

A very creative advertisement that I saw at MG Road, Bangalore.
It tells that "No one ever attained enlightenment under a lamp post, Please plant trees. -WWF".

Letter Writing

From,
xxxxx,
xxxxx,
place - zipcode.

To,
The Inspector,
Some Police Station,
Place - ZipCode.

Respected Sir/Madam,
Sub: Request to find lost bicycle - lost on 3rd May 2007.

I bought a new bicycle from (The proof of the same is attached to the letter). I lost it on 3rd May 2007, morning. On 2nd May 2007, I locked my bicycle at the basement. It was last sighted by Mr.XXX at around 11 PM on 2nd May. On 3rd May morning, when I came to the basement to start my cycle, it was not there. The watchman has no clue of anyone having come to the building after 11 PM, nor he says he heard any sound of someone opening the gates. The details of my bicycle are below:

1. Detail 1
2. Detail 2
3. Detail 3

I kindly request you to find my bicycle. I m having a tough time commuting without it. I would be very grateful to you for the same.

Thanking you.
Yours Truly,
Varun.

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How was the letter writing exercise?
Sadly my "lost bicycle " letter writing skills seems to have some use now. :(