[Lex Computer & Tech Group/LCTG] Sad news

Fri Jul 11 11:14:26 PDT 2025

Peter and all

I agree whole-heartedly with Peter -- Barry was a great and active
participant in many of our programs

I particularly remember "sparring with him" on some of my stuff

However -- a gmail search also shows -- Barry just contributing to our
general discussions

Here's a sample of Barry's thoughts from about 30 months ago --  on a topic
which was broached to the group through a posting

On Thu, Jan 19, 2023 at 10:05 AM Larry Wittig <9423lew at gmail.com> wrote:
> Latest Boston Dynamics Upgraded Robot can throw objects
>
> https://techcrunch.com/2023/01/18/boston-dynamics-latest-atlas-video-demos-a-robot-that-run-jump-and-now-grab-and-throw-things/
> ===============================================
> On Thu, Jan 19, 2023 at 10:13 AM Carl Lazarus <carllazarus at comcast.net>
> wrote:
> The Red Sox could use another pitcher.
> ===============================================
> Jan 19, 2023, 10:15 AM Barry Kort <barry.kort at gmail.com>
> Next stop:  Robot Olympics and Amazon Fulfillment Centers...
> The Process of Enlightenment Works In Mysterious Plays.
> ===============================================
> Jan 19, 2023, 12:08 PM Ted Kochanski <tedpkphd at gmail.com>
> Barry,
> It time for Bob Kraft to take effective action -- I suggest a couple of
> Atlas robots should be drafted for the Patriots
> https://youtu.be/-e1_QhJ1EhQ
> These are skills wasted on Baseball
> Ted
> Attachments area
> Preview YouTube video Atlas Gets a Grip | Boston Dynamics
> ===============================================
> Jan 19, 2023, 10:17 PM Robert Primak <bobprimak at yahoo.com>
> So now our Amazon packages can be thrown and dropped just like at the post
> office!
> -- Bob Primak
> ===============================================
>
>
> Jan 20, 2023, 11:48 AM Ted Kochanski <tedpkphd at gmail.com>
> All,
> Got to keep your various robot suppliers and their various creations and
> various and sundry partners sorted out
> Amazon Robotics [the former Kiva] is a direct competitor with Boston
> Dynamics'…
> -- I'd doubt that Amazon would be buying from BD
> or from Locus Robotics [Locus Robotics designs and builds innovative,
> autonomous robots that work collaboratively alongside workers…
> or RightHand Robotics [a leader in providing robotic piece-picking
> solutions that improve performance and efficiency in e-commerce order
> fulfillment and intralogistics.
> Ted
> ===============================================

Ted

On Fri, Jul 11, 2025 at 11:43 AM Peter Albin via LCTG <lctg at lists.toku.us>
wrote:

> With sadness, Barry Kort has died. He will be missed for his active
> participation in the LCTG, probing questions, critical insights and his
> aurora background on Zoom.
>
> No further information is available at this time.
>
> Below is a short professional biography of Barry's accomplishments put
> together by Harry Forsdick.
>
> May Barry's memory be a blessing,
>
> Peter
>
> Barry Kort is an accomplished engineer, educator, and researcher with a
> diverse and influential background in technology, education, and affective
> computing.
>
>    -
>
>    *Education and Early Career:*
>    Barry Kort earned a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering with
>    high distinction from the University of Nebraska. He joined AT&T Bell
>    Laboratories in 1968, where he worked in the Network Planning Division.
>    Through Bell’s Graduate Study Program, he completed both his master’s and
>    Ph.D. in electrical engineering at Stanford University. In 1984, he
>    received Bell’s Distinguished Technical Staff Award for his sustained
>    contributions to network planning[1].
>    -
>
>    *Professional Roles:*
>    After the breakup of AT&T, Kort joined the Network Technology Group at
>    MITRE Corporation as a Lead Engineer, working on communications
>    infrastructure for the NASA Space Station. He also served as a consulting
>    scientist at Bolt, Beranek, and Newman (BBN) in Cambridge, MA, focusing on
>    network-mediated education and informal science education, including the
>    use of computer animations and virtual communities[1].
>    -
>
>    *Innovations in Education:*
>    Kort was a founding director of MicroMuse, the first Multi-User
>    Simulation Environment (MUSE) site dedicated entirely to educational
>    purposes. He was instrumental in pioneering the use of virtual environments
>    for education, particularly for K-12 students, and was involved in projects
>    that provided technology and educational resources to underserved
>    schools[1].
>    -
>
>    *Research in Affective Computing:*
>    Barry Kort is recognized for his research on the relationship between
>    emotions and learning. He has explored how emotions can signal gaps or
>    misconceptions in knowledge and how attention to emotional states can
>    improve educational outcomes. He was a research affiliate and later a
>    Visiting Scientist in the Affective Computing Group at the MIT Media Lab,
>    consulting on projects such as the Affective Learning Companion[1][4].
>    -
>
>    *Academic and Research Interests:*
>    Kort has published research in areas including creative analytical
>    practices, K-12 teacher professional development, and technology in
>    education[3]. He is noted for his deep knowledge of systems theory and
>    learning theory[2].
>
> In summary, Barry Kort’s background spans electrical engineering, network
> technology, educational innovation, and pioneering research in affective
> computing and learning sciences[1][2][3][4].
>
> Sources
> [1] Archive—Barry Kort - Hard News Cafe
> http://hardnews.ansci.usu.edu/archive/dec2001/1218_kort.html
> [2] Barry Kort - Bedford, Massachusetts, United States - LinkedIn
> https://www.linkedin.com/in/barry-kort-132884
> [3] Barry Kort - Independent Researcher - Academia.edu
> https://independent.academia.edu/KortBarry
> [4] Overview ‹ Barry Kort - MIT Media Lab
> https://www.media.mit.edu/people/bkort/overview/
> ===============================================
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