Author: brandonmartin

Produced by Brandon Martin.

The Martin Chronicles

Volume 1, Issue 1

Thursday, May 5th, 2015

Amtrak Derailment

Navy Develops air-launched missile for F/A-18

This story is quite interesting because they state that technology could have been used to prevent this situation. Traveling at about 106 mph this Amtrak train derailed and could have been saved by using what they call ‘Positive Train Control’. This control consists of methods using GPS signals and satellites to help direct the train into safe routes, avoiding collisions, and other disasters that may come to be. I think that the system they are trying to implement may make the case worse but unless they perfect this project I will have to say it will make things a lot worse. Although as stated with the video they anticipate that this project will prevent at least 2% train crashes and derailments. I believe that this type of technology would actually raise the odds because of technological malfunctions and loss of signals and such, and to rely on a system such as this is something that isn’t very smart for the benefit of the society.
http://www.cnn.com/2015/05/13/us/philadelphia-amtrak-crash-positive-train-control/index.html

As we progress in technology so does the tools we use in war. As demonstrated in this article the U.S. Navy has started to create a new missile in which fighters can identify and take care of targets from long distances away. In good hopes there is a lot of money being put into this research for this missile because the NAVY believes it will benefit them in the future with air combat. I think that this is a very cool and genius idea to peruse and I think it can both benefit and negatively affect society. Sure it can help the NAVY in taking it’s offenders down easier but technology isn’t always perfect and it can most definitely malfunction. I just think that what they are using today is just a good for today but in the future they are going to have to upgrade no matter what the case may be.
http://www.foxnews.com/tech/2015/05/18/navy-develops-autonomous-air-launched-missile-for-fa-18/

Singapore’s Postal Service Reinvents for Digital Age

FBI Flight Hacker

Singapore is what you might say as a couple steps behind everybody. It is evident that they are using old methods for their postal system but not as of late. It is also hard for these companies to be compatible with each other because they might not have the most recent digital software available and what not. I think that it is an awesome idea that these companies are preparing for the future digital age. With new technology coming out everyday it is important for these companies to be up to date with their competitors. It can also affect us all negatively because technology I feel is corrupting mankind even though it is one of the world’s greatest research aspects. We have a way of taking it for granted and it makes some of us feel like we cannot live without it. Although it helps us go through life with less ‘bumps in the road’ which is a nice touch.
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/19/business/international/singpost-reinvents-for-digital-age-of-ecommerce.html?ref=technology

This article covers a man who openly claimed to the FBI that he had hacked into the airplane’s operating control and was controlling the plane right from where he was. This man goes by Mr. Roberts and he has been caught dealing with his sort of work about 15-20 times. He has an interest in improving airplane security and tries to make companies realize what they need to improve on their airplanes. I think that this believe it or not has more of a positive affect than a negative affect. With this companies can realize what they need to improve or change on their airplanes to maximize security and determine the best terms of travel in terms of technology. On the negative side of the spectrum is that people can end up hacking into these planes’ systems and screwing up flight planes with intentions of maybe crashing them.
http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-32780513