Dr. Susanne Coates has a diverse background that spans software development, media and film production, artificial intelligence, electronics, nerve-to-computer Interfacing, sailing, electronic music, and neuroscience. Susanne is a Co-founder of Wyld Earth Films, LLC, a company she started with Emily Wathen to produce films which focus on women’s stories, the environment, and science communication. Susanne lives, works, and travels aboard her 12.8 metre (42′) sailing sloop, Sérénité.


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Latest posts

  • Building A Custom Optical Encoder For Rudder Position Sensing – Part 2

    Building A Custom Optical Encoder For Rudder Position Sensing – Part 2

    In Part 1, I introduced the problem of rudder position sensing for SCANS and explained why Gray code (and optical sensing) provides reliable absolute position encoding in the presence of mechanical imperfection and electrical noise. This second part examines the first part of the implementation: the translation of Gray code theory into manufacturable encoder disk.…

  • Building a Custom Optical Encoder for Rudder Position Sensing – Part 1

    Building a Custom Optical Encoder for Rudder Position Sensing – Part 1

    Part 1 of a multi-part series documenting the design and development of a 3D-printable optical encoder for sailboat rudder position sensing.

  • Artificial Intelligence and the Philosophical Zombie

    Artificial Intelligence and the Philosophical Zombie

    The emergence of large language models (LLMs) and other advanced machine learning systems has revived long standing philosophical debates concerning the nature of consciousness, agency, and subjective experience. One particularly salient concept is that of the philosophical zombie

  • The Spectrum of Consciousness

    The Spectrum of Consciousness

    This article explores the concept of consciousness as a spectrum encompassing various forms of life and potentially extending to artificial intelligence (AI). Consciousness is considered not as a unique human trait but as a continuum of cognitive complexity observable across all species.

  • Arch Project (Part 2)

    Arch Project (Part 2)

    In the second part of the arch project I complete the mounting of the arch and re-attach the lifelines to their location on the rear legs of the arch.

  • Decoding Deception: The psychology of Combating Misinformation

    Decoding Deception: The psychology of Combating Misinformation

    Modern society is grappling with the pervasive threat of misinformation spread, threatening detrimental effects on democracy and public health. Can misinformation actually be controlled? The stakes are high and when the truth is negotiable, we all pay the price.