While this is not exactly new stuff, I still found it very relevant.
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Declining GOP
According to the CNN Political Ticker, even Texas is becoming a swing state. A formerly conservative stronghold, the change within Texas shows how the GOP has lost touch with reality and the mainstream political view. I believe that the GOP looks backwards to most Americans in these modern times. The entirety of the political spectrum has shifted slightly to the left, but the GOP has failed to adjust. Until it corrects this mistake, it will fail to return to its old grandeur and political domination.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Math and Music
I play the violin, viola, and piano and have always marveled at how similar music is to math. To me, time signatures are like fractions; notes are numbers. A musical phrase is an equation to be written into sound through the instrument. Scales are series; chords are complex operations.
The connection runs deeper. Starting from the middle C, every octave above and below increases or decreases the frequency by a factor of 2. An A below a middle C is 220hz. One above is 440hz. Two below is 110. Two above is 880. Although the other notes are not as exact, they too follow a similar pattern. What is interesting here is although the frequencies change by powers of two, we perceive them linearly.
Music and math are both (almost)-universal. Pleasant sound and numerical operations have no face, language, ethnicity, and race. But why? Have both been evolved into our development; are we hardwired to learn math and enjoy music? Perhaps they developed out of evolutionary benefit--pattern recognition would help, and that would lead into mathematics. Music was a form of creative expression and probably stemmed out of a more developed brain. It most likely served unify groups and create a common culture.
The connection runs deeper. Starting from the middle C, every octave above and below increases or decreases the frequency by a factor of 2. An A below a middle C is 220hz. One above is 440hz. Two below is 110. Two above is 880. Although the other notes are not as exact, they too follow a similar pattern. What is interesting here is although the frequencies change by powers of two, we perceive them linearly.
Music and math are both (almost)-universal. Pleasant sound and numerical operations have no face, language, ethnicity, and race. But why? Have both been evolved into our development; are we hardwired to learn math and enjoy music? Perhaps they developed out of evolutionary benefit--pattern recognition would help, and that would lead into mathematics. Music was a form of creative expression and probably stemmed out of a more developed brain. It most likely served unify groups and create a common culture.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Games I'm looking forward to
Sims 3: More customization, more commands, and more realism. In this upcoming Sims, you'll be able to roam the neighborhood and actually interact with other Sims off of your home property. Out on June 2.
Modern Warfare 2: Continuing off of the older Modern Warfare, this installment no longer has the Call of Duty title attached, indicating that it is most likely a separate series. From the screenshots, it looks like it will feature a snow landscape as well as undersea combat. Out on November 10.
Saboteur: This 1st/3rd person stealth combat rpg is set in Paris during WWII. You are part of the French resistance, using sabotage to disable Nazi capability. What makes this unique from other stealth games is how the people interact with you -- as you liberate sections of Paris from Nazi occupation, people will cheer you on and help you when you engage in fights. Out in probably early 2010.
Starcraft 2: The long-awaited sequel to the amazing original is close to a decade late. From gameplay footage, it seems almost functioning and just awaiting balancing. Out in probably mid 2009.
Bioshock 2, the Sea of Dreams: The sequel to the intense fps set in the underwater city of Rapture, this update is set roughly ten years after the first Bioshock. You play as a big daddy with the ability to wield plasmids. It will include a multiplayer mode the first Bioshock lacked. Out in probably late 2009.
Modern Warfare 2: Continuing off of the older Modern Warfare, this installment no longer has the Call of Duty title attached, indicating that it is most likely a separate series. From the screenshots, it looks like it will feature a snow landscape as well as undersea combat. Out on November 10.
Saboteur: This 1st/3rd person stealth combat rpg is set in Paris during WWII. You are part of the French resistance, using sabotage to disable Nazi capability. What makes this unique from other stealth games is how the people interact with you -- as you liberate sections of Paris from Nazi occupation, people will cheer you on and help you when you engage in fights. Out in probably early 2010.
Starcraft 2: The long-awaited sequel to the amazing original is close to a decade late. From gameplay footage, it seems almost functioning and just awaiting balancing. Out in probably mid 2009.
Bioshock 2, the Sea of Dreams: The sequel to the intense fps set in the underwater city of Rapture, this update is set roughly ten years after the first Bioshock. You play as a big daddy with the ability to wield plasmids. It will include a multiplayer mode the first Bioshock lacked. Out in probably late 2009.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
AP cramming break
I will be studying for AP tests for the next month, so I will not be posting in the meantime.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
The snowball effect
Technically, it's a positive feedback loop. Say A acts on B and likewise, B acts on A. So, if A goes up, B does, which in loops back, increasing A. The cycle keeps continuing until either A or B max out or an external force quells both.
This is the opposite of the negative feedback loop, where A goes up if B goes down and vice versa. Whereas negative loops are self-correcting and are stable, positive loops go out of control. This is important because small changes in this type of system has massive impacts as even small fluctuations are magnified.
This has many implications:
Snowball Earth:
If a natural disaster such as a volcanic eruption or a meteor impact released a large cloud of obscuring ash, it would block sunlight and lower the temperature of the Earth. Fluctuations in the Sun's energy output or changes in methane and carbon dioxide levels would also have had the same effect.
This is believed to have actually happened, roughly 750 million years ago.
Ice, normally contained at the poles, then advanced towards the equator. As more area froze over, it was changed from dark earth and water to white ice. Since white ice reflects heat better than dark earth and water, the more the ice advanced, the less heat the earth would get. This would make even more ice form, and the cycle continued. This eventually spiraled out of control until the entire earth was frozen in a snowball.
Explained by this BBC video, the second of the series Horizon:
Butterfly Effect: Commonly known as the chaos theory, whose most commonly-known example is how a butterfly flapping its wings above the Atlantic could, after a series of magnifying events, trigger a
Cascading Failure: This was the cause of the Great Lakes-Northeast American Blackout of 2003. Because of a power flow monitoring failure and a human operator problem, a generating plant was shut down. This increased the load put on other transforming stations, transmission lines, and plants. As more and more failed, even the best-maintained plants could not handle the load, resulting in the failure of the entire system and the blackout.
Public Panics: The Salem Witch trials, for example, were started by a small group of accusing girls. The accused, in order to save their own hides, accuse others. This spreads until nobody feels safe and is in a constant state of panic.
Disparity in Wealth: Once someone reaches a certain wealth threshold where all basic needs are fulfilled, he can begin investing. Once he begins investing and trading stocks, he can make even more money, depending on the profits. With this, he will invest even more and earn even more to continue the cycle. Now, roughly the top 10% of the world controls 85% of the world's wealth.
Traffic: A traffic jam sometimes begins not with a physical obstruction like a crash, but just because of normal driving behavior. If there is a moderate stream of cars on the road, then the act of one person suddenly swerving can trigger a shockwave that ripples backwards to the other drivers. The car immediately behind the swerver slows down to avoid hitting the swerver. In turn, the next car does the same, and so on.
Economic Fluctuation: Mass sellings such as the Black Tuesday one that was the precursor to the Great Depression are often triggered by chain-reaction selling. As prices drop, people see that they're losing money and sell to cut losses. This drops the price further, which causes others to sell. Paradoxically, this is a positive feedback loop although it works in a negative manner.
This is the opposite of the negative feedback loop, where A goes up if B goes down and vice versa. Whereas negative loops are self-correcting and are stable, positive loops go out of control. This is important because small changes in this type of system has massive impacts as even small fluctuations are magnified.
This has many implications:
Snowball Earth:
If a natural disaster such as a volcanic eruption or a meteor impact released a large cloud of obscuring ash, it would block sunlight and lower the temperature of the Earth. Fluctuations in the Sun's energy output or changes in methane and carbon dioxide levels would also have had the same effect.
This is believed to have actually happened, roughly 750 million years ago.
Ice, normally contained at the poles, then advanced towards the equator. As more area froze over, it was changed from dark earth and water to white ice. Since white ice reflects heat better than dark earth and water, the more the ice advanced, the less heat the earth would get. This would make even more ice form, and the cycle continued. This eventually spiraled out of control until the entire earth was frozen in a snowball.
Explained by this BBC video, the second of the series Horizon:
Butterfly Effect: Commonly known as the chaos theory, whose most commonly-known example is how a butterfly flapping its wings above the Atlantic could, after a series of magnifying events, trigger a
Cascading Failure: This was the cause of the Great Lakes-Northeast American Blackout of 2003. Because of a power flow monitoring failure and a human operator problem, a generating plant was shut down. This increased the load put on other transforming stations, transmission lines, and plants. As more and more failed, even the best-maintained plants could not handle the load, resulting in the failure of the entire system and the blackout.
Public Panics: The Salem Witch trials, for example, were started by a small group of accusing girls. The accused, in order to save their own hides, accuse others. This spreads until nobody feels safe and is in a constant state of panic.
Disparity in Wealth: Once someone reaches a certain wealth threshold where all basic needs are fulfilled, he can begin investing. Once he begins investing and trading stocks, he can make even more money, depending on the profits. With this, he will invest even more and earn even more to continue the cycle. Now, roughly the top 10% of the world controls 85% of the world's wealth.
Traffic: A traffic jam sometimes begins not with a physical obstruction like a crash, but just because of normal driving behavior. If there is a moderate stream of cars on the road, then the act of one person suddenly swerving can trigger a shockwave that ripples backwards to the other drivers. The car immediately behind the swerver slows down to avoid hitting the swerver. In turn, the next car does the same, and so on.
Economic Fluctuation: Mass sellings such as the Black Tuesday one that was the precursor to the Great Depression are often triggered by chain-reaction selling. As prices drop, people see that they're losing money and sell to cut losses. This drops the price further, which causes others to sell. Paradoxically, this is a positive feedback loop although it works in a negative manner.
Monday, April 20, 2009
PirateBay loses
Fredrik Neij, Gottfrid Svartholm Warg, Peter Sunde and Carl Lundström, were each sentenced to one year in prison and ordered to pay $3.56 million in damages together.
The court said,
Some ISPs refuse to cooperate to shut down the Pirate Bay, saying that the ruling doesn't apply to them. Patrik Hiselius, a lawyer at Telia Sonera said:
Via The Local
The court said,
"By providing a website with ... well-developed search functions, easy uploading and storage possibilities, and with a tracker linked to the website, the accused have incited the crimes that the filesharers have committed"
Some ISPs refuse to cooperate to shut down the Pirate Bay, saying that the ruling doesn't apply to them. Patrik Hiselius, a lawyer at Telia Sonera said:
"In part, this is not a legally binding decision, but above all, this is a judgement against Pirate Bay and nothing that effects any service provider. We will not take any action [to block] the contents if we are not compelled to do so"
Via The Local
Thursday, April 16, 2009
New nucleotide
Back in my day, we just had adenine, cytosine, thymine, guanine, and uracil. Scientists have recently discovered a new base pair, 5-methylcytosine that replaces cytosine's place.
Its placement helps to regulate gene expression and expands the possibilities of manipulation by scientists. It works with methylation to determine which genes are expressed or muted.
Via EurekAlert.
Its placement helps to regulate gene expression and expands the possibilities of manipulation by scientists. It works with methylation to determine which genes are expressed or muted.
What this nucleotide does is not yet clear. Initial tests suggested that it may play a role in demethylating DNA, but Kriaucionis and Heintz believe it may have a positive role in regulating gene expression as well. The reason that this nucleotide had not been seen before, the researchers say, is because of the methodologies used in most epigenetic experiments. Typically, scientists use a procedure called bisulfite sequencing to identify the sites of DNA methylation. But this test cannot distinguish between 5-hydroxymethylcytosine and 5-methylcytosine, a shortcoming that has kept the newly discovered nucleotide hidden for years, the researchers say. Its discovery may force investigators to revisit earlier work. The Human Epigenome Project, for example, is in the process of mapping all of the sites of methylation using bisulfite sequencing. "If it turns out in the future that (5-hydroxymethylcytosine and 5-methylcytosine) have different stable biological meanings, which we believe very likely, then epigenome mapping experiments will have to be repeated with the help of new tools that would distinguish the two," says Kriaucionis.
Via EurekAlert.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Spheres of exclusivity
I've noticed is that academic groups tend to segregate. They form spheres of exclusivity where their idiomic expressions, vocabulary, and humor is directly tied to their study. Not only are these exclusionary against newbies who must learn the verbiage in order to feel a part of the group, but it puts off people who may have interest in the subject but are put off by the isolation of the people in the subject.
The best way to become a part of more spheres is to try more activities. Also, taking varied classes helps--this is easy for me to do, as a high school student. Reading more books helps, though it is hard to find good reads that introduce you to topics. The Internet is a good way to browse and pick up knowledge. I personally enjoy surfing Wikipedia surfing because the articles are linked to one another.
It is good to be part of more spheres. It benefits you by allowing you to connect to more people and have larger social networks to tap into. The best leaders and communicators understand their followers and audience and adapt their message, and by tailoring your language to the spheres, you can understand and connect to people better.
Some spheres I can recognize:
Running: PRs, splits, and paces are common phrases here. There is, unlike the other spheres below, less vocabulary to learn. However, there are certain practices, such as stretching, warming up, interval training, and on-off cycles that have to be learned.
Music: Music, with its Italian phrases, notation, and specific way it is read, is a daunting language to learn. What is interesting is that even within music, there are conflicting branches of modern music and classical music, each with their own focus, purpose, and mindset. Of all the spheres, the musical one is probably one of the largest-encompassing.
Robotics: This is techspeak. It takes time getting used to people telling you to "jig up the piece so I can Tig it" or to "broach the hub with the three sixteenth." In addition, it takes time to learn to operate the machinery.
Chemistry: Lots of notation. Stannous hydroxide, ferric oxide, 2-dimethyl propane, cuppric-tetraphenylporphine, etc. Chemistry also introduces an abstract mindset that many are not used to.
Physics: The subject of equations. Only to a person familiar with them do the variables make sense. Below, the equation for potential energy:
Biology: Anatomy is a pain to learn. Even though human anatomy is generally more accessible because people can correlate to their own body, a lot of the time the nomenclature does not make sense.
Math: Take this expression for the formal definition of a limit:
In English, it reads that "for each real ε > 0 there exists a real δ > 0 such that for all x with 0 < |x − c| < δ, we have |f(x) − L| < ε." Only in certain branches of math is this sort of complicated defining and variable manipulation common. However, in all the others there is an exactness--the answer has to be exactly on the spot or it is wrong-- that puts people off.
Programming: Not only does it consists mostly of mathematical operators, but the "sentence" structure is completely foreign. Also, to many, programming poses a completely new way of thinking that people are just not used to with its symbolic manipulation.
Literature: The vocabulary for analyzing literature isn't used widely. Words such as pastiche, deus ex machina, metonymy, enjambmen, aysndeton, and other literary devices. However, what makes literature different from the other spheres is that it appeals to the common person and that this vocabulary is not necessary for fully appreciating the prose.
The best way to become a part of more spheres is to try more activities. Also, taking varied classes helps--this is easy for me to do, as a high school student. Reading more books helps, though it is hard to find good reads that introduce you to topics. The Internet is a good way to browse and pick up knowledge. I personally enjoy surfing Wikipedia surfing because the articles are linked to one another.
It is good to be part of more spheres. It benefits you by allowing you to connect to more people and have larger social networks to tap into. The best leaders and communicators understand their followers and audience and adapt their message, and by tailoring your language to the spheres, you can understand and connect to people better.
Some spheres I can recognize:
Running: PRs, splits, and paces are common phrases here. There is, unlike the other spheres below, less vocabulary to learn. However, there are certain practices, such as stretching, warming up, interval training, and on-off cycles that have to be learned.
Music: Music, with its Italian phrases, notation, and specific way it is read, is a daunting language to learn. What is interesting is that even within music, there are conflicting branches of modern music and classical music, each with their own focus, purpose, and mindset. Of all the spheres, the musical one is probably one of the largest-encompassing.
Robotics: This is techspeak. It takes time getting used to people telling you to "jig up the piece so I can Tig it" or to "broach the hub with the three sixteenth." In addition, it takes time to learn to operate the machinery.
Chemistry: Lots of notation. Stannous hydroxide, ferric oxide, 2-dimethyl propane, cuppric-tetraphenylporphine, etc. Chemistry also introduces an abstract mindset that many are not used to.
Physics: The subject of equations. Only to a person familiar with them do the variables make sense. Below, the equation for potential energy:
Biology: Anatomy is a pain to learn. Even though human anatomy is generally more accessible because people can correlate to their own body, a lot of the time the nomenclature does not make sense.Math: Take this expression for the formal definition of a limit:
In English, it reads that "for each real ε > 0 there exists a real δ > 0 such that for all x with 0 < |x − c| < δ, we have |f(x) − L| < ε." Only in certain branches of math is this sort of complicated defining and variable manipulation common. However, in all the others there is an exactness--the answer has to be exactly on the spot or it is wrong-- that puts people off.Programming: Not only does it consists mostly of mathematical operators, but the "sentence" structure is completely foreign. Also, to many, programming poses a completely new way of thinking that people are just not used to with its symbolic manipulation.
Literature: The vocabulary for analyzing literature isn't used widely. Words such as pastiche, deus ex machina, metonymy, enjambmen, aysndeton, and other literary devices. However, what makes literature different from the other spheres is that it appeals to the common person and that this vocabulary is not necessary for fully appreciating the prose.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Ebert on Bill O'Reilly
On Robert Ebert's site there is an excellent article on Bill O'Reilly's decision to add the Chicago Sun-Times to the Hall of Shame. Good stuff:
Bill O'Reilly should be esteemed to have been insulted by such a renowned and excellent writer.
I understand you believe one of the Sun-Times misdemeanors was dropping your syndicated column. My editor informs me that "very few" readers complained about the disappearance of your column, adding, "many more complained about Nancy." I know I did. That was the famous Ernie Bushmiller comic strip in which Sluggo explained that "wow" was "mom" spelled upside-down.My favorite part:
That reminds me of the famous story about Squeaky the Chicago Mouse. It seems that Squeaky was floating on his back along the Chicago River one day. Approaching the Michigan Avenue lift bridge, he called out: Raise the bridge! I have an erection!
Bill O'Reilly should be esteemed to have been insulted by such a renowned and excellent writer.
Gay marriage legalized in Vermont
Vermont became the fourth state to legalize gay marriage but the first to do so with its legislature. Its Congress voted 23-5 (Senate) and 100-49(House of Reps) to override Governor Jim Douglas' veto of a bill that would have legalized it.
The other three states, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Iowa all legalized gay marriage through the courts, which is not as solid as a legislative legalization because it can be overturned easily.
Via burlingtonfreepress.
The other three states, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Iowa all legalized gay marriage through the courts, which is not as solid as a legislative legalization because it can be overturned easily.
Via burlingtonfreepress.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Radiohead testifying against RIAA
Radiohead, which gave away its record for free but requested a donation, is going to testify against
the record labels which it views unfairly targets the listener without consulting with the artist. Since Radiohead had no problem with money despite its distribution technique, it serves as an example that the music industry does not necessarily have to charge money to earn a profit. In doing so, Radiohead takes a stand to help wrestle power from the record labels to the artists.
Via torrentfreak.
the record labels which it views unfairly targets the listener without consulting with the artist. Since Radiohead had no problem with money despite its distribution technique, it serves as an example that the music industry does not necessarily have to charge money to earn a profit. In doing so, Radiohead takes a stand to help wrestle power from the record labels to the artists.
Via torrentfreak.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Happy April Fool's Day!
Some of the jokes I've seen:
Starcraft 2: The terratron, which is basically a transformer assembled from your base. From the video, it seems like a command center forms the head and bunkers are the foot pads.
Team fortress 2: The Jarate pee jar.
For some of the day, Youtube flipped the video and reversed the text.
Google CADIE, or Cognitive Autoheuristic Distributed-Intelligence Entity. It has its own blog that includes a video and
Gmail Autopilot, which would answer emails for you.
Google Chrome in 3D. It suggests you begin by printing out your 3-D glasses then enabling 3-D with a special option in Chrome.
Gizmodo cleansed itself of a "worm" that was messing up the site.
Amazon's cloud computing, or Floating Amazon Cloud Environment (FACE) that would consist of giant helium balloons.
Reddit for a while looked like Digg.
Fark looked like Facebook.
Sqeez Bacon. From the same site, interactive portal shirts.
Pizza Hut creating portrait pizzas.
Warner Brothers is acquiring the Pirate Bay.
Expedia is offering flights to Mars.
Obama ordered all Chevies and Dodges out of NASCAR.
The Guardian announced that it was moving completely to Twitter. The headline: "Twitter switch for Guardian, after 188 years of ink."
Al Gore announced a new line of Vegan food.
A yodeling game for the Xbox.
Yahoo! added an Ideological search where you can search for terms then clarify to search only within Republican or Democratic sources. This one probably isn't an April Fool's Joke, as it works well.
Starcraft 2: The terratron, which is basically a transformer assembled from your base. From the video, it seems like a command center forms the head and bunkers are the foot pads.
Team fortress 2: The Jarate pee jar.
For some of the day, Youtube flipped the video and reversed the text.
Google CADIE, or Cognitive Autoheuristic Distributed-Intelligence Entity. It has its own blog that includes a video and
Gmail Autopilot, which would answer emails for you.
Google Chrome in 3D. It suggests you begin by printing out your 3-D glasses then enabling 3-D with a special option in Chrome.
Gizmodo cleansed itself of a "worm" that was messing up the site.
Amazon's cloud computing, or Floating Amazon Cloud Environment (FACE) that would consist of giant helium balloons.
Reddit for a while looked like Digg.
Fark looked like Facebook.
Sqeez Bacon. From the same site, interactive portal shirts.
Pizza Hut creating portrait pizzas.Warner Brothers is acquiring the Pirate Bay.
Expedia is offering flights to Mars.
Obama ordered all Chevies and Dodges out of NASCAR.
The Guardian announced that it was moving completely to Twitter. The headline: "Twitter switch for Guardian, after 188 years of ink."
Al Gore announced a new line of Vegan food.
A yodeling game for the Xbox.
Yahoo! added an Ideological search where you can search for terms then clarify to search only within Republican or Democratic sources. This one probably isn't an April Fool's Joke, as it works well.
Running and aging
Does running accelerate or postpone aging?
There are obviously the health benefits associated with running consistently. The most direct result is lower body fat because it is all burned while running. Over time, running strengthens your cardiopulmonary system, increasing your blood vessels' flexibility because of the contraction they get during running. Your blood pressure decreases as the resistance the arterial walls have to the heart's pumping of blood decreases. Also, because they are worked while running, your muscles increase their efficiency in utilizing oxygen.
As your muscles, heart, and lungs are used more often, they begin to work at a higher rate even when you're resting. This raises your metabolism, allowing you to stay warmer and eat more since your body will digest the food quickly. However, one problem with a higher metabolism is that it increases the amount of free radicals. These increase aging by damaging cells and tissue. This is like a burning candle as the brighter it burns, the faster it goes out.
There are mental benefits from running. Impelling yourself to go out everyday for a run takes energy and compulsion. This keeps your drive to commit strong because it makes you exercise that every time you do not want to run but still do. Running is also anti-stress as the endorphins that are released to block the pain also relieve tension and anxiety.
Because running causes small injuries to muscle and tissue that are repaired even better than before, it strengthens them. Running wears down joints and connective tissue, especially in the ankles and knees. This could eventually spell the end of regular runs as the small wear and tears on your system add up.
Of course, according to time dilation, the faster you move, the slower time moves for you. So, if you spend your life moving faster, you will end up slightly younger than someone who was more sedentary :-)
Running takes time. In all, including stretching, transportation, acquiring music, getting proper clothing, it takes roughly an hour a day. Depending on the circumstances, this hour could be better put to use sleeping.
The positive aspects outweigh the negative ones here, so in summary, it is much better to run than to not. Even though a few consequences of running increase aging, altogether they help to make you younger and more energetic.
There are obviously the health benefits associated with running consistently. The most direct result is lower body fat because it is all burned while running. Over time, running strengthens your cardiopulmonary system, increasing your blood vessels' flexibility because of the contraction they get during running. Your blood pressure decreases as the resistance the arterial walls have to the heart's pumping of blood decreases. Also, because they are worked while running, your muscles increase their efficiency in utilizing oxygen.
As your muscles, heart, and lungs are used more often, they begin to work at a higher rate even when you're resting. This raises your metabolism, allowing you to stay warmer and eat more since your body will digest the food quickly. However, one problem with a higher metabolism is that it increases the amount of free radicals. These increase aging by damaging cells and tissue. This is like a burning candle as the brighter it burns, the faster it goes out.
There are mental benefits from running. Impelling yourself to go out everyday for a run takes energy and compulsion. This keeps your drive to commit strong because it makes you exercise that every time you do not want to run but still do. Running is also anti-stress as the endorphins that are released to block the pain also relieve tension and anxiety.
Because running causes small injuries to muscle and tissue that are repaired even better than before, it strengthens them. Running wears down joints and connective tissue, especially in the ankles and knees. This could eventually spell the end of regular runs as the small wear and tears on your system add up.
Of course, according to time dilation, the faster you move, the slower time moves for you. So, if you spend your life moving faster, you will end up slightly younger than someone who was more sedentary :-)
Running takes time. In all, including stretching, transportation, acquiring music, getting proper clothing, it takes roughly an hour a day. Depending on the circumstances, this hour could be better put to use sleeping.
The positive aspects outweigh the negative ones here, so in summary, it is much better to run than to not. Even though a few consequences of running increase aging, altogether they help to make you younger and more energetic.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Apologies
Sorry for not posting much this past week--Spring break relaxation and a trip to Santa Barbara have taken my time up.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Fox apologizes
Greg Gutfeld, on his show Red Eye with Greg Gutfeld mocked Canada's Chief of the Land Staff's suggestion that Canada may need a break from involvement in Afghanistan due to shortages. This prompted Canada to demand him to apologize, which he did:
Via globeandmail
It was not my intent to disrespect the brave men, women and families of the Canadian military, and for that I apologize.
Via globeandmail
Saturday, March 21, 2009
What makes a good teacher?
Two days ago, a friend and I got into a discussion over good teachers at our school that got me thinking. Although most are decent, there are some that are mediocre and a few that are excellent. From these, I have seen a few qualities I feel make an exemplary (public school) teacher:
Depth of knowledge: Obviously, a teacher has to know the subject well. Those that have gone over the material enough understand the intricacies and subtleties of the subject. They have seen enough to not need to check back on resources to clarify for themselves but are a walking encyclopedia for their subject. They have studied their subject so intensively that they can explain it with clarity and simplicity. At this point, a teacher is an expert in the subject and serves as a fallback for students' questions and problems.
Breadth of knowledge: There is a point where the teacher knows the material so well that he views the subject in its entirety: breadth of knowledge. Usually, when you study something, you break it into pieces do make a daunting task less so. In school, a teacher does this by splitting the material into units of related material. Although this can cover the material in depth, it severs the connections between units that otherwise would be kept if the subject were viewed as a whole. A good teacher understands not only a unit as a standalone but how it is connected to the overall spirit of the course. He can make connections between not only different units but also other subjects.
My chemistry teacher explained equilibrium and solubility with analogies based on non-chemistry subjects, connecting it with visible phenomena my class and I could easily understand.
Humility: A good teacher knows the limits of his knowledge. He understand that his students may have other interests at heart or priorities over the material he is teaching and that he is not the center of their world.
I have a teacher who is a doctorate in chemistry, and although she of all my teachers probably knows the most about the subject, she is the most humble. She's one of the few teachers I have had that actually says "I don't know" when a student asks a stumping question. She is willing to admit when she is wrong and correct her error.
Humility is not solely personality-dependent. Generally, the more a person knows about something, the more aware they are about their lack of knowledge. So humility not only indicates a better personality but it points to greater knowledge.
Reasonableness: A good teacher understands the limits of his students to challenge but not exceed their capabilities to not squeeze interest out of them.
My math teacher this year, although the smartest I have ever had, has turned me off from math because of the exactness she expected on tests. Nowhere else besides my math tests do single-digit errors drop my grade by over 5%.
Understanding: A good teacher understands how his students think and view the world so that he can tailor his lessons to them. He knows his students' workload and adapts accordingly because the best work is not done without the time constraints of other classes.
Consistency: A good teacher is consistent in grading and attitude. He should be depended upon when it comes to fairness and justice.
Depth of knowledge: Obviously, a teacher has to know the subject well. Those that have gone over the material enough understand the intricacies and subtleties of the subject. They have seen enough to not need to check back on resources to clarify for themselves but are a walking encyclopedia for their subject. They have studied their subject so intensively that they can explain it with clarity and simplicity. At this point, a teacher is an expert in the subject and serves as a fallback for students' questions and problems.
Breadth of knowledge: There is a point where the teacher knows the material so well that he views the subject in its entirety: breadth of knowledge. Usually, when you study something, you break it into pieces do make a daunting task less so. In school, a teacher does this by splitting the material into units of related material. Although this can cover the material in depth, it severs the connections between units that otherwise would be kept if the subject were viewed as a whole. A good teacher understands not only a unit as a standalone but how it is connected to the overall spirit of the course. He can make connections between not only different units but also other subjects.
My chemistry teacher explained equilibrium and solubility with analogies based on non-chemistry subjects, connecting it with visible phenomena my class and I could easily understand.
Humility: A good teacher knows the limits of his knowledge. He understand that his students may have other interests at heart or priorities over the material he is teaching and that he is not the center of their world.
I have a teacher who is a doctorate in chemistry, and although she of all my teachers probably knows the most about the subject, she is the most humble. She's one of the few teachers I have had that actually says "I don't know" when a student asks a stumping question. She is willing to admit when she is wrong and correct her error.
Humility is not solely personality-dependent. Generally, the more a person knows about something, the more aware they are about their lack of knowledge. So humility not only indicates a better personality but it points to greater knowledge.
Reasonableness: A good teacher understands the limits of his students to challenge but not exceed their capabilities to not squeeze interest out of them.
My math teacher this year, although the smartest I have ever had, has turned me off from math because of the exactness she expected on tests. Nowhere else besides my math tests do single-digit errors drop my grade by over 5%.
Understanding: A good teacher understands how his students think and view the world so that he can tailor his lessons to them. He knows his students' workload and adapts accordingly because the best work is not done without the time constraints of other classes.
Consistency: A good teacher is consistent in grading and attitude. He should be depended upon when it comes to fairness and justice.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Pope: Condoms don't help stop the spread of AIDS
As reported by a BBC piece, Pope Benedict XVI has said that
This is essentially a power struggle between church and science. Clearly, science triumphs in trully saving souls and lives. Religion, in this case represented by the Pope, is reluctant to let go of the masses that it has held in unquestioning loyalty for so long. Now, with the advent of more open usage of science against traditional dogma, religion is striking back, tieing science to social ills such as divorce, abortion, and prostitution which itself can not solve. It is pointing the finger at science instead of confronting its own deficiencies in solving these problems.
What's at stake here is not the lives of those currently of age. The children and those too young to understand the battle between modernism and traditionalism are going to be affected the most. As they are brainwashed by church and anti-science propoganda, they develop a mindset against using science to prevent disease and unwanted pregnancies. Instead of moving into the future, they return to the past. The past decades of HIV and other STD prevention and treatment will have gone to waste as the people forsake science for doctrine.
Instead of acting on behalf of the people, the Pope is acting for himself and his church only.
The traditional teaching of the church has proven to be the only failsafe way to prevent the spread of HIV/Aids.and that
It is of great concern that the fabric of African life, its very source of hope and stability, is threatened by divorce, abortion, prostitution, human trafficking and a contraception mentality.Here lies the most obvious difference between science and religion: the intoleration and unwillingness to change that traditionalists teach. In keeping populations healthy and in check, science has proven itself more than able with its extensive health care and birth control. Contraception too has proven itself in preventing unwanted children and stopping much STD transmission.
This is essentially a power struggle between church and science. Clearly, science triumphs in trully saving souls and lives. Religion, in this case represented by the Pope, is reluctant to let go of the masses that it has held in unquestioning loyalty for so long. Now, with the advent of more open usage of science against traditional dogma, religion is striking back, tieing science to social ills such as divorce, abortion, and prostitution which itself can not solve. It is pointing the finger at science instead of confronting its own deficiencies in solving these problems.
What's at stake here is not the lives of those currently of age. The children and those too young to understand the battle between modernism and traditionalism are going to be affected the most. As they are brainwashed by church and anti-science propoganda, they develop a mindset against using science to prevent disease and unwanted pregnancies. Instead of moving into the future, they return to the past. The past decades of HIV and other STD prevention and treatment will have gone to waste as the people forsake science for doctrine.
Instead of acting on behalf of the people, the Pope is acting for himself and his church only.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Self-esteem boosting?
Brought to my attention by a BBC article.
Now, one of the most strongly emphasized "skills" in a young child is self-esteem. A young student is supposed to believe and trust himself. Educators and parents are emphasizing this, telling young children that they are always right or at least in the right direction. Instead of scolding their children, parents are pampering them. All of this was done in the interest of a child's emotional security and mental confidence. However, the problem is that children are taking what they constantly hear to heart and truly believe themselves to be the center of the universe.
Before, a child actually had to own up to his mistakes. Now, he can just cower behind and let his parents do the brunt work. He can do low-quality, slow work and still be praised for it. Children feel entitled to things: praise, good grades, attention, and later in life, a job or promotion. The problem is, not everybody deserves these. Not every person is special and worthy of special acclaim.
Asking a child to change is too hard and would take away their self esteem, they say. A child needs to be confident in his own abilities to succeed in life, they claim. The problem is, the result of this is a generation of students who are told to be themselves, even when they produce bad work. They aren't compelled to change for the better, just continue in the incorrect way.
This form of teaching turns out bad students. It is the the opposite of strict traditionalist teaching methods and for that reason is too lenient. The best way is with moderate strictness.
Now, one of the most strongly emphasized "skills" in a young child is self-esteem. A young student is supposed to believe and trust himself. Educators and parents are emphasizing this, telling young children that they are always right or at least in the right direction. Instead of scolding their children, parents are pampering them. All of this was done in the interest of a child's emotional security and mental confidence. However, the problem is that children are taking what they constantly hear to heart and truly believe themselves to be the center of the universe.
Before, a child actually had to own up to his mistakes. Now, he can just cower behind and let his parents do the brunt work. He can do low-quality, slow work and still be praised for it. Children feel entitled to things: praise, good grades, attention, and later in life, a job or promotion. The problem is, not everybody deserves these. Not every person is special and worthy of special acclaim.
Asking a child to change is too hard and would take away their self esteem, they say. A child needs to be confident in his own abilities to succeed in life, they claim. The problem is, the result of this is a generation of students who are told to be themselves, even when they produce bad work. They aren't compelled to change for the better, just continue in the incorrect way.
This form of teaching turns out bad students. It is the the opposite of strict traditionalist teaching methods and for that reason is too lenient. The best way is with moderate strictness.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Suicide bombing photo
An amazing photo of the instant of a suicide bomber detonating during a Sri Lankan religious holiday.
It wasn't pure luck--it taken from a videotape of the event.
Via Sydney Morning Herald.
It wasn't pure luck--it taken from a videotape of the event.
Via Sydney Morning Herald.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Engine technology
The opposed piston opposed cylinder engine is a new piston cylinder design. It is purported to have a 90% scavenging efficiency, which describes how well it cycles fresh and depleted air. Because there is a split stroke, the engine runs at twice normal speed.
This isn't new stuff, but still looks cool.
Via Engineering TV.
This isn't new stuff, but still looks cool.
Via Engineering TV.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Green light for stem cell research?
Obama is expected to announce tomorrow a reversal on Bush's ban on embryonic stem cell research. Instead of the Bush plan that restricted federal funding to existing lines, his plan will allow scientists who work with new lines to apply for government money.
Thank you Obama for realizing the necessity for more science and better medicine. In my view, there is no ethical dilemma. Either use unfertilized balls of cells to heal otherwise incurable diseases or throw the embryonic cells away. The religious right who purport a violation of ethics should look into their own hypocrisy when it comes to denying relief to the sick.
Via Newsday.
Thank you Obama for realizing the necessity for more science and better medicine. In my view, there is no ethical dilemma. Either use unfertilized balls of cells to heal otherwise incurable diseases or throw the embryonic cells away. The religious right who purport a violation of ethics should look into their own hypocrisy when it comes to denying relief to the sick.
Via Newsday.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Spring forward
Clocks forward one hour at 2AM.
Interestingly, Hawaii and Arizona don't use DST. Indiana was like this too before 2006. Parts of Canada and Australia most of southeast Asia doesn't use DST either
Interestingly, Hawaii and Arizona don't use DST. Indiana was like this too before 2006. Parts of Canada and Australia most of southeast Asia doesn't use DST either
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Thanks for lying, Ann
Ann Coulter claimed on her blog that:
Cornell University itself lists the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences as part of the Cornell University and, thus the college is still in the Ivy League. As is common, there are several colleges within the greater university, which in this case all falls under the Cornell title. She should know this but intentionally misleads to prove her point.
Which is what? I don't get what defaming Olbermann does to improve her status. His school from over 30 years ago does not matter now. If he did go to a "lesser" school, that should not change how he is looked upon because how a person acts now not his school defines him. That she is willing to pull out this piece of history shows her conceitedness. She, also Cornell grad, wants to elevate herself above him, a "lesser Cornelian." Her ad hominem attacks do not prove she is better than Olbermann is--they show she is willing to throw scum and sink lower.
She is bending the truth and lying to suit her devices. She is a hypocrite, attempting to tout her morals and righteousness when instead she blatantly trample on her own values.
Shame on you, Ann. Shame on you.
Except Keith didn't go to the Ivy League Cornell; he went to the Old MacDonald Cornell.But wait...? Keith Olbermann did go to Cornell. It says he went to the "real" Cornell on his IMDB bio and he is mentioned in the Cornell University newspaper indicating that his peers considered him a Cornell student. Contrary to what she is trying to imply, Olbermann was actually a brilliant student--he graduated from Cornell at 20.
The real Cornell, the School of Arts and Sciences (average SAT: 1,325; acceptance rate: 1 in 6 applicants), is the only Ivy League school at Cornell and the only one that grants a Bachelor of Arts degree.
Keith went to an affiliated state college at Cornell, the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (average SAT: about that of pulling guards at the University of South Carolina; acceptance rate: 1 of every 1 applicants).
Olbermann's incessant lying about having an "Ivy League education" when he went to the non-Ivy League ag school at Cornell would be like a graduate of the Yale locksmithing school boasting about being a "Yale man."
Cornell University itself lists the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences as part of the Cornell University and, thus the college is still in the Ivy League. As is common, there are several colleges within the greater university, which in this case all falls under the Cornell title. She should know this but intentionally misleads to prove her point.
Which is what? I don't get what defaming Olbermann does to improve her status. His school from over 30 years ago does not matter now. If he did go to a "lesser" school, that should not change how he is looked upon because how a person acts now not his school defines him. That she is willing to pull out this piece of history shows her conceitedness. She, also Cornell grad, wants to elevate herself above him, a "lesser Cornelian." Her ad hominem attacks do not prove she is better than Olbermann is--they show she is willing to throw scum and sink lower.
She is bending the truth and lying to suit her devices. She is a hypocrite, attempting to tout her morals and righteousness when instead she blatantly trample on her own values.
Shame on you, Ann. Shame on you.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Printer Easter egg
The HP Scanjet 5P can play Beethoven's "Ode to Joy" when the right buttons are pressed:
Sunday, March 1, 2009
College application triangle
The bottom level is the core and absolutely necessary for an application. These need to be solid before moving on to the next tier of application necessities. The second level allows a student to stand out and express individuality. The top demonstrates excellence and stands out the most.
The bottom left includes all the Collegeboard/ACT testing. These show preparedness for the test, but not much else. The problem with these is that once you are in the range, you look exactly the same to an admissions officer as any other applicant in this area.
SAT I: 2200-2400
SAT II: 720-800 for most, although there are some where nothing but an 800 cuts it
ACT: 30-36
AP: 4-5 gives credits for most schools
The middle section, school, includes grades and the like. Your transcript basically consists of this. It is unreliable in a college's eyes because the difficulty of the courses offered in a school vary by region and within a school teachers vary. However, it still needs to be solid to look good in a college's eyes.
The essay, recommendations, and possible interview give the college insight into how you act and express yourself. In the essay, you get to express your voice and experiences from your point of view. The recommendations give the college a look at who you are from other people's perspectives. The interview allows you to just be yourself.
The activities you do show your passions to the school. Leadership is better than participation; being a member of 5 clubs < style="font-style: italic;">Sports: Not just the common interscholastic sports, but uncommon sports such as archery, sailing, and rowing
Speaking: Speech and Debate, Junior Statesmen of America, Slam Poetry, Model UN
Writing: School newspaper, yearbook, and literary publications
Internships/jobs: The harder the position is to get, the better
Summer experiences: Stuff like AMIGOS and other volunteer abroad opportunities cost money but are fun
Volunteering: I personally despise volunteer clubs (because many people at my school join them just for the mindless community service), but they serve the purpose of appearing dedicated to helping society
Music: Either in a school or community symphony/orchestra/band/ensemble or privately. For a symphony, generally all wind instruments except the flute and clarinet as well as violas and double bass are in demand.
Awards show excellence and dedication. These are what make a student stand out above the rest as these awards are very difficult to attain and hard to attain a lot of.
Science: There are the Science, Bio, Chem, and Physics Olympiads as well as others
Math: There are many math and computing contests
English: There are numerous essay and poetry-writing contests
History: The National Geographic Bee as well as other historical competitions
Music: There are many music competitions available, more so for the piano than any other instrument
Collegeboard: There are AP-based awards, the PSAT National Merit Scholarship, and a few others
Language: There are many English and foreign language competitions
The bottom left includes all the Collegeboard/ACT testing. These show preparedness for the test, but not much else. The problem with these is that once you are in the range, you look exactly the same to an admissions officer as any other applicant in this area.
SAT I: 2200-2400
SAT II: 720-800 for most, although there are some where nothing but an 800 cuts it
ACT: 30-36
AP: 4-5 gives credits for most schools
The middle section, school, includes grades and the like. Your transcript basically consists of this. It is unreliable in a college's eyes because the difficulty of the courses offered in a school vary by region and within a school teachers vary. However, it still needs to be solid to look good in a college's eyes.
The essay, recommendations, and possible interview give the college insight into how you act and express yourself. In the essay, you get to express your voice and experiences from your point of view. The recommendations give the college a look at who you are from other people's perspectives. The interview allows you to just be yourself.
The activities you do show your passions to the school. Leadership is better than participation; being a member of 5 clubs < style="font-style: italic;">Sports: Not just the common interscholastic sports, but uncommon sports such as archery, sailing, and rowing
Speaking: Speech and Debate, Junior Statesmen of America, Slam Poetry, Model UN
Writing: School newspaper, yearbook, and literary publications
Internships/jobs: The harder the position is to get, the better
Summer experiences: Stuff like AMIGOS and other volunteer abroad opportunities cost money but are fun
Volunteering: I personally despise volunteer clubs (because many people at my school join them just for the mindless community service), but they serve the purpose of appearing dedicated to helping society
Music: Either in a school or community symphony/orchestra/band/ensemble or privately. For a symphony, generally all wind instruments except the flute and clarinet as well as violas and double bass are in demand.
Awards show excellence and dedication. These are what make a student stand out above the rest as these awards are very difficult to attain and hard to attain a lot of.
Science: There are the Science, Bio, Chem, and Physics Olympiads as well as others
Math: There are many math and computing contests
English: There are numerous essay and poetry-writing contests
History: The National Geographic Bee as well as other historical competitions
Music: There are many music competitions available, more so for the piano than any other instrument
Collegeboard: There are AP-based awards, the PSAT National Merit Scholarship, and a few others
Language: There are many English and foreign language competitions
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Yay for increased science funding
Obama is pushing a 2010 budget that, among other things will increase for the NIH, Department of Energy, NASA, and EPA. The EPA will get a 35% boost, the National Science Foundation will get a 8.5% boost, NASA will get a $700 million boost, and the Department of Energy will get a $2.4 billion boost.
Other places where money is focused is in climate research and in green industry.
There also will be a 12.8% education budget increase from 2009.
I applaud Obama for his action and in his realization that investment in education and science will pay off in the future with increased technological, medical, and and general innovation.
Via Wired.
Other places where money is focused is in climate research and in green industry.
There also will be a 12.8% education budget increase from 2009.
I applaud Obama for his action and in his realization that investment in education and science will pay off in the future with increased technological, medical, and and general innovation.
Via Wired.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
TF2 scout update
Steam released an update for the scout in Tf2 the other day. It is half-off, or $9.99 until Friday.
The new update includes:
The Sandman, a stun baseball. It stuns in a fast-paced FPS like Tf2 don't work. It can be used to stun uber pairs, which in my opinion detracts from the medic's role which already is tough and under appreciated. Now, sentry farming is even more effective and
It does make the game more team-dependent because the rest of the team has to cover for the stunned player until he recovers.
With this, it is impossible to double jump, which is good because it would allow for baseball sniping from double-jumped-to places.
The ball can either be picked up after it bounces or it will recharge after a few seconds.
Now, I believe it is possible to perma-stun a person if he is hit repeatedly with these. Steam will hopefully patch this soon.
A knockback gun, the Force-a-Nature that fires two shots quickly, reloads quickly, and does slightly less damage per shot. Because the knockback is so large, it will propel you opposite in the direction you are facing if you fire. This can be used in conjunction with the existing double jump to add a third jump or with the Sandman to attain a double jump.
In many of the original alpine-set arena maps, there are places where you can knock away enemies to get an environmental kill.
A scout powerup, the Bonk Atomic Punch that is effectively a mini-uber and a speed boost. It lasts for 6 seconds followed by a 6 second slow.
Three new maps, all community made. There are Arena_watchtower, a beautiful Alpine themed one, Cp_Junction set indoors and full of cramped spaces, and Cp_Egypt.
A quicker spy backstab: Now, with the recent cloak pickup change, the spy is a very potent killer. The hit registers instantly, though after the kill there is a quick blade flick animation to stall to prevent fast chain stabs. However, it requires you to get closer to the enemy for the stab to register, making leaping, flick, or sidestabs harder. This would separate the new spies from the "elite" even more than now. Now, the engineer is sorely in need of teammate's help because it is so easy to stab-n-sap.
Disguising: Now, the spy can choose which weapons to wield and can change them while disguised. I feel this is unnecessary after the faster backstab because the spy doesn't need any additional boost and it adds clutter to the disguise menu.
A new game type: If you look carefully in the background, there appear to be a red and a blue cart side by side. It looks like a sort of race game wherein the objective is to push the team cart to the finish while stalling the enemy's cart.
Images via Tf2wiki.
The new update includes:
The Sandman, a stun baseball. It stuns in a fast-paced FPS like Tf2 don't work. It can be used to stun uber pairs, which in my opinion detracts from the medic's role which already is tough and under appreciated. Now, sentry farming is even more effective and
It does make the game more team-dependent because the rest of the team has to cover for the stunned player until he recovers.
With this, it is impossible to double jump, which is good because it would allow for baseball sniping from double-jumped-to places.
The ball can either be picked up after it bounces or it will recharge after a few seconds.
Now, I believe it is possible to perma-stun a person if he is hit repeatedly with these. Steam will hopefully patch this soon.
A knockback gun, the Force-a-Nature that fires two shots quickly, reloads quickly, and does slightly less damage per shot. Because the knockback is so large, it will propel you opposite in the direction you are facing if you fire. This can be used in conjunction with the existing double jump to add a third jump or with the Sandman to attain a double jump.
In many of the original alpine-set arena maps, there are places where you can knock away enemies to get an environmental kill.
A scout powerup, the Bonk Atomic Punch that is effectively a mini-uber and a speed boost. It lasts for 6 seconds followed by a 6 second slow.Three new maps, all community made. There are Arena_watchtower, a beautiful Alpine themed one, Cp_Junction set indoors and full of cramped spaces, and Cp_Egypt.
A quicker spy backstab: Now, with the recent cloak pickup change, the spy is a very potent killer. The hit registers instantly, though after the kill there is a quick blade flick animation to stall to prevent fast chain stabs. However, it requires you to get closer to the enemy for the stab to register, making leaping, flick, or sidestabs harder. This would separate the new spies from the "elite" even more than now. Now, the engineer is sorely in need of teammate's help because it is so easy to stab-n-sap.
Disguising: Now, the spy can choose which weapons to wield and can change them while disguised. I feel this is unnecessary after the faster backstab because the spy doesn't need any additional boost and it adds clutter to the disguise menu.
A new game type: If you look carefully in the background, there appear to be a red and a blue cart side by side. It looks like a sort of race game wherein the objective is to push the team cart to the finish while stalling the enemy's cart.
Images via Tf2wiki.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Time for decriminalization?
Marijuana is only minimally bad for health: it is nonaddictive, has roughly the same amount of carcinogens as tobacco, leaves few lasting effects on brain function, and even has medicinal value. That it is used recreationally, only occasionally and in small doses makes it even safer. THC itself is a less potent drug than many other legal ones such as caffeine or alcohol, and as such it is nearly impossible to overdose on marijuana.
Marijuana has many medicinal uses, such as reducing nausea, helping people with glaucoma, and reducing muscle spasticity. Although it is possible to get THC in a pill form, it is less effective than just smoking marijuana. California has legalized medicinal marijuana, but its use is still done in secrecy because federal agents can still seize the marijuana.
By creating a blanket ban on seemingly arbitrarily-defined (see pic below) "bad" drugs, the War on Drugs alienates recreational users of marijuana who hurt nobody with their use and do little to keep drug bosses in power. By making marijuana use illegal, the War on Drugs creates an underground market for it that increases prices and fosters other illegal activities, as was the case during the Prohibition of the early 1900's. If marijuana use was legalized, the drug dealers would be replaced by legal shops that could distribute cheaper and safer fare. Since marijuana can be easily grown in the US, legalization would produce a new crop to farm akin to tobacco or tea. While now, some of the money spent funnels away to Mexico or Canada, from where it is smuggled into the States. If production were legalized, it would produce a new sector in agriculture that could provide jobs and income and keep money within the US.
In the Netherlands, marijuana is legalized and freely available to those of age. Unlike here in the US where drug use is shrouded in secrecy and rarely discussed, there is a culture of transparency and openness. More frank and realistic discussion of this over the complete ban posed by the War on Drugs would help to instill societal norms that would probably work to self-regulate marijuana usage. By this I mean that if marijuana use becomes typical, there is no hype associated with taking it; it would be just as uneventful drug-wise as drinking coffee.
As indicated by the election of a president who has admitted to his fondness for the drug and favors decriminalization and by the proposal of legalization to legalize marijuana in New Jersey, attitudes towards marijuana use are changing. Although there still a stigma associated to smoking marijuana, there is less of one than before. Part of this stems from increased knowledge about marijuana's potency. Now, although children are educated to not take drugs, peer-to-peer contact spreads information widely available on the Internet that marijuana is actually not as dangerous as it is made out to be and that it is not very addictive. Each successive generation becomes more friendly towards the cause of decriminalization and legalization.
Legalization and regulation would provide a taxable and regulated commodity that could be used to pull in money for government. According to Assemblyman Tom Ammiano of California, a tax of $50 per ounce could bring in around $1 billion. Legalization too would make medicinal marijuana more available to those who actually need it. This moral dilemma alone should be enough to warrant legalization: Why deny peace and comfort to those who are suffering just to keep a scientifically-proven generally safe drug out of the hands of people?
Marijuana has many medicinal uses, such as reducing nausea, helping people with glaucoma, and reducing muscle spasticity. Although it is possible to get THC in a pill form, it is less effective than just smoking marijuana. California has legalized medicinal marijuana, but its use is still done in secrecy because federal agents can still seize the marijuana.
By creating a blanket ban on seemingly arbitrarily-defined (see pic below) "bad" drugs, the War on Drugs alienates recreational users of marijuana who hurt nobody with their use and do little to keep drug bosses in power. By making marijuana use illegal, the War on Drugs creates an underground market for it that increases prices and fosters other illegal activities, as was the case during the Prohibition of the early 1900's. If marijuana use was legalized, the drug dealers would be replaced by legal shops that could distribute cheaper and safer fare. Since marijuana can be easily grown in the US, legalization would produce a new crop to farm akin to tobacco or tea. While now, some of the money spent funnels away to Mexico or Canada, from where it is smuggled into the States. If production were legalized, it would produce a new sector in agriculture that could provide jobs and income and keep money within the US.
In the Netherlands, marijuana is legalized and freely available to those of age. Unlike here in the US where drug use is shrouded in secrecy and rarely discussed, there is a culture of transparency and openness. More frank and realistic discussion of this over the complete ban posed by the War on Drugs would help to instill societal norms that would probably work to self-regulate marijuana usage. By this I mean that if marijuana use becomes typical, there is no hype associated with taking it; it would be just as uneventful drug-wise as drinking coffee.As indicated by the election of a president who has admitted to his fondness for the drug and favors decriminalization and by the proposal of legalization to legalize marijuana in New Jersey, attitudes towards marijuana use are changing. Although there still a stigma associated to smoking marijuana, there is less of one than before. Part of this stems from increased knowledge about marijuana's potency. Now, although children are educated to not take drugs, peer-to-peer contact spreads information widely available on the Internet that marijuana is actually not as dangerous as it is made out to be and that it is not very addictive. Each successive generation becomes more friendly towards the cause of decriminalization and legalization.
Legalization and regulation would provide a taxable and regulated commodity that could be used to pull in money for government. According to Assemblyman Tom Ammiano of California, a tax of $50 per ounce could bring in around $1 billion. Legalization too would make medicinal marijuana more available to those who actually need it. This moral dilemma alone should be enough to warrant legalization: Why deny peace and comfort to those who are suffering just to keep a scientifically-proven generally safe drug out of the hands of people?
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Walking cube
A cube walking along a desert landscape synchronized with Ghost Love Score by Nightwish:
http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/7564/c068de69cb7475120c8387eoq1.swf
Pure awesomeness, hilarity, and win.
http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/7564/c068de69cb7475120c8387eoq1.swf
Pure awesomeness, hilarity, and win.
Game pricing
In a recent article from Edge.com, Valve's video game pricing system was looked into as an experimenting ground to test the maximization of games sold versus price. At first it seems like a simple two-variable maximization: the lower the cost, the more units sold. However there are many other factors involved that will require more testing.
This is subject to diminishing returns, of course. Valve cut L4D's cost by half and got a 3000% increase. If the price was cut by 1/4, there wouldn't be a 6000% increase but more like a 4000% or 5000% increase.
It is impossible to completely eliminate piracy. People will either "try out" a game or be too stingy to part with their money. Lowering the price of a game will reduce piracy, but can never eliminate it until the game is free.
When people see that something is on sale, they are more likely to buy because of the urgency the sale presents. If the game was always cheap, then the actual increase in sales would be lower than the one-weekend 3000% increase Valve saw.
My view is that in the long term, lowered game pricing could possibly work. As games become more specialized and cater towards specific gaming populations, the number of total games will increase. Because there would be so many games, each one would take a smaller percentage of the total gaming population. In addition, the the cost to produce the big-ticket games increases as players expect higher quality. So, the price to program games would go up while percentage of the total that buys would drop.
Of course, it's not this simple. People can own more than one game and play more than one actively. As the plugged-in culture matures and more people become accustomed to spending time on the Internet and playing games, Also, the gaming population is increasing, so although each game may have a smaller percentage of the total, the number buyers would increase. In the end, it is possible for game producers to make money by reducing the price of games.
This is subject to diminishing returns, of course. Valve cut L4D's cost by half and got a 3000% increase. If the price was cut by 1/4, there wouldn't be a 6000% increase but more like a 4000% or 5000% increase.
It is impossible to completely eliminate piracy. People will either "try out" a game or be too stingy to part with their money. Lowering the price of a game will reduce piracy, but can never eliminate it until the game is free.
When people see that something is on sale, they are more likely to buy because of the urgency the sale presents. If the game was always cheap, then the actual increase in sales would be lower than the one-weekend 3000% increase Valve saw.
My view is that in the long term, lowered game pricing could possibly work. As games become more specialized and cater towards specific gaming populations, the number of total games will increase. Because there would be so many games, each one would take a smaller percentage of the total gaming population. In addition, the the cost to produce the big-ticket games increases as players expect higher quality. So, the price to program games would go up while percentage of the total that buys would drop.
Of course, it's not this simple. People can own more than one game and play more than one actively. As the plugged-in culture matures and more people become accustomed to spending time on the Internet and playing games, Also, the gaming population is increasing, so although each game may have a smaller percentage of the total, the number buyers would increase. In the end, it is possible for game producers to make money by reducing the price of games.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Take APUSH
This post is aimed towards the sophomores at my school who have to decide between APUSH (advanced placement U.S. history) and normal history.
Although it says 5 hours of homework per week in the course catalog, APUSH really doesn't give that much. In reality, it probably only takes 5 hours of note taking to finish the homework for an entire 2-3 week-long unit. And, that's only if you take moderately good notes. Your notes are up to you--Mr. J mostly checks that you have done them, not exactly what you have written. To him, the notes are for you to learn the material. However, the better the notes you take, the better you do on your tests, pretty much guaranteed.
The multiple choice tests are the hardest I've ever taken. Nowhere else do I ever find questions where I can eliminate none of the options. The plain recall questions pale in comparison to the historical analysis ones. For example, putting disconjoined events in chronological order when the American Pageant, our textbook, throws information in some convoluted thematical progression is tough. Pairing people up with their ideas and matching quotes to people are other tough questions. There are answer choices that have a date intentionally different so as to make that choice invalid. Getting a 75ish% on this section equals a 5 on the AP test, so the actual AP test should be simple.
Essays are actually your friend on the AP test. Two in 70 or one every 35 minutes is not too bad (remember that the SAT asks for one in 25 minutes). As long as you can flow your ideas well and logically tie everything back to the thesis, you will do well. The third essay, a 60-minute section with a mandatory 15-minute reading period, is basically an essay with a cheat booklet that you can pull information from. Getting around a B+ on an APUSH class essay correlates with a 5 on the actual AP test.
Do not be put off by the application and summer work--those are supposed to scare you off and do not realistically show the actual workload.
The benefits of taking APUSH far exceed the hardships. From this class, I developed skimming and notetaking skills that will help in upper-level courses. I've learned to look at everything thematically. Your views of the world will be completely changed once you take the class. You'll not only gain insight into why the world works the way it does, but you learn about cyclic trends that are still recurring. Liberalism to conservatism, expansion to decline, boom to bust all are occuring today and are even more relevant as they cycle faster and faster as technological innovation in communication and transportation speed our world up. By looking at the way groups have behaved in the past, you'll see how and why people act and think the way they do today. To me, APUSH was a life-changing course.
Although it says 5 hours of homework per week in the course catalog, APUSH really doesn't give that much. In reality, it probably only takes 5 hours of note taking to finish the homework for an entire 2-3 week-long unit. And, that's only if you take moderately good notes. Your notes are up to you--Mr. J mostly checks that you have done them, not exactly what you have written. To him, the notes are for you to learn the material. However, the better the notes you take, the better you do on your tests, pretty much guaranteed.
The multiple choice tests are the hardest I've ever taken. Nowhere else do I ever find questions where I can eliminate none of the options. The plain recall questions pale in comparison to the historical analysis ones. For example, putting disconjoined events in chronological order when the American Pageant, our textbook, throws information in some convoluted thematical progression is tough. Pairing people up with their ideas and matching quotes to people are other tough questions. There are answer choices that have a date intentionally different so as to make that choice invalid. Getting a 75ish% on this section equals a 5 on the AP test, so the actual AP test should be simple.
Essays are actually your friend on the AP test. Two in 70 or one every 35 minutes is not too bad (remember that the SAT asks for one in 25 minutes). As long as you can flow your ideas well and logically tie everything back to the thesis, you will do well. The third essay, a 60-minute section with a mandatory 15-minute reading period, is basically an essay with a cheat booklet that you can pull information from. Getting around a B+ on an APUSH class essay correlates with a 5 on the actual AP test.
Do not be put off by the application and summer work--those are supposed to scare you off and do not realistically show the actual workload.
The benefits of taking APUSH far exceed the hardships. From this class, I developed skimming and notetaking skills that will help in upper-level courses. I've learned to look at everything thematically. Your views of the world will be completely changed once you take the class. You'll not only gain insight into why the world works the way it does, but you learn about cyclic trends that are still recurring. Liberalism to conservatism, expansion to decline, boom to bust all are occuring today and are even more relevant as they cycle faster and faster as technological innovation in communication and transportation speed our world up. By looking at the way groups have behaved in the past, you'll see how and why people act and think the way they do today. To me, APUSH was a life-changing course.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Why study language arts?
Language arts is the study of expression. Having knowledge in history, math, and science is one thing, but being able to explain it is another. Now, because of the growth in knowledge, there is increasing specialization. Because of this, there needs to be more people proficient in explanation to bridge the knowledge gap between specialties. Using the right words in the right place is the core of language arts; this, when applied to oratory or literature, is a powerful tool that has been used to sway entire populations.
One of language art's strengths is the ability to paint a picture of a situation. Literature does a good job of this, creating an alternate reality that a reader can visualize. This is essential especially in history, when it is impossible to truly understand the world at a certain time period without being immersed in it. Fitzgerald's Great Gatsby teaches me about the Roaring 20s as much as my APUSH textbook does. As well as being enjoyable, literature can introduce topics in a well-flowed manner that typical readers can comprehend and internalize.
The Internet culture is full of people who are busy, checking blogs during their lunch break or multitasking, posting, surfing, and listening to music at the same time. The language we use indicates our rushed, terse way of life. While it is readable to us, it is a foreign language to those still in the pre-Internet age. This divergence between liberal Internet users and conservative traditionalists will be one of the greatest divisions in our modern society. And all along the way, the differences between the language we use will illustrate the parting.
Even fiction novels have significance. An author does not live in a vacuum-- his writing reflects the views and attitudes at the time it was written. His novel's popularity indicates how controversial its themes are or how well the people connect with it at the time. Its topics show what is on people's minds at the time. Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin, although it was fictional, reflected the anti-slavery mindset of Northerners in the Antebellum. It served to unify them and eventually swayed the nation to confront slavery. Even fiction writing, used as a didactic vehicle to convey greater ideas, can be used to sway readers' opinions.
By studying language arts, you study expression of meaning and explanation. This subject defines the border between book and street smarts; the three others, science, math and history are useful only when they can be communicated effectively to others. By studying writing and applying the themes, ideas, and concepts to oratory and your own prose, you can develop this skill and look better in the eyes of others.
One of language art's strengths is the ability to paint a picture of a situation. Literature does a good job of this, creating an alternate reality that a reader can visualize. This is essential especially in history, when it is impossible to truly understand the world at a certain time period without being immersed in it. Fitzgerald's Great Gatsby teaches me about the Roaring 20s as much as my APUSH textbook does. As well as being enjoyable, literature can introduce topics in a well-flowed manner that typical readers can comprehend and internalize.
The Internet culture is full of people who are busy, checking blogs during their lunch break or multitasking, posting, surfing, and listening to music at the same time. The language we use indicates our rushed, terse way of life. While it is readable to us, it is a foreign language to those still in the pre-Internet age. This divergence between liberal Internet users and conservative traditionalists will be one of the greatest divisions in our modern society. And all along the way, the differences between the language we use will illustrate the parting.
Even fiction novels have significance. An author does not live in a vacuum-- his writing reflects the views and attitudes at the time it was written. His novel's popularity indicates how controversial its themes are or how well the people connect with it at the time. Its topics show what is on people's minds at the time. Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin, although it was fictional, reflected the anti-slavery mindset of Northerners in the Antebellum. It served to unify them and eventually swayed the nation to confront slavery. Even fiction writing, used as a didactic vehicle to convey greater ideas, can be used to sway readers' opinions.
By studying language arts, you study expression of meaning and explanation. This subject defines the border between book and street smarts; the three others, science, math and history are useful only when they can be communicated effectively to others. By studying writing and applying the themes, ideas, and concepts to oratory and your own prose, you can develop this skill and look better in the eyes of others.
Partial victory for the Pirate Bay
The prosecution, lead by Håkan Roswall, has decided to drop the charge of aiding the copying of the material. Everything connected to reproduction was removed from the claim. However, it will still continue with the reproduction of torrent files and making available copywritten works.
The problem was that Håkan Roswall couldn't explain the bittorrent technology adequately and show an actual link to the Pirate Bay.
Via Torrentfreak.
The problem was that Håkan Roswall couldn't explain the bittorrent technology adequately and show an actual link to the Pirate Bay.
Via Torrentfreak.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Facebook clarification
The Facebook response to the allegations by saying that even when the information is kept after closing your account, it will be covered under the privacy settings you had in place when your account was working:
Edit (2/19/08): Facebook has removed the new terms of service, indicating that it is very willing to respond to user feedback.
We are not claiming and have never claimed ownership of material that users upload. The new Terms were clarified to be more consistent with the behavior of the site. That is, if you send a message to another user (or post to their wall, etc...), that content might not be removed by Facebook if you delete your account (but can be deleted by your friend). Furthermore, it is important to note that this license is made subject to the user's privacy settings. So any limitations that a user puts on display of the relevant content (e.g. To specific friends) are respected by Facebook. Also, the license only allows us to use the info "in connection with the Facebook Service or the promotion thereof." Users generally expect and understand this behavior as it has been a common practice for web services since the advent of webmail. For example, if you send a message to a friend on a webmail service, that service will not delete that message from your friend's inbox if you delete your accountFrom Consumerist.
Edit (2/19/08): Facebook has removed the new terms of service, indicating that it is very willing to respond to user feedback.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Bad Facebook
Not only was Facebook stolen by Zuckerberg from his former classmates, but it can now hold on to your information after you quit and if you're still in, it may sell your information. 
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Escape from City 17
Although it was a little short and they were lacking a Gordon look-alike, it was definitely worth watching.
Vaccines do not cause autism
Just on Friday the 13th, a special court severed the link between autism and vaccinations (Read here). Finally! A triumph of real science over pseudoscience and reason over speculation.
What pisses me off about those attacks are that they target one of the greatest medical defense networks in place today. With an entire population vaccinated, there is no place for a disease to take root and begin spreading, so it is essentially denied from the population. However, once even a few people are left out of this vaccination net, there is place for the disease to begin to infect people. These then can spread it on to others who, although they may have been vaccinated, may have diminished immunity several years after taking the vaccine.
What we're seeing now is a resurgence in diseases that were once virtually eradicated: whopping cough, measles, and others that are easily prevented.
By continuing to tout the autism-vaccination "link," parents who feel that they are protecting their children are in fact doing the opposite, hurting their children, themselves, and society.
They are attacking the vaccination system are hypocrites as they are damaging a system that has benefited them passively.
What pisses me off about those attacks are that they target one of the greatest medical defense networks in place today. With an entire population vaccinated, there is no place for a disease to take root and begin spreading, so it is essentially denied from the population. However, once even a few people are left out of this vaccination net, there is place for the disease to begin to infect people. These then can spread it on to others who, although they may have been vaccinated, may have diminished immunity several years after taking the vaccine.
What we're seeing now is a resurgence in diseases that were once virtually eradicated: whopping cough, measles, and others that are easily prevented.
By continuing to tout the autism-vaccination "link," parents who feel that they are protecting their children are in fact doing the opposite, hurting their children, themselves, and society.
They are attacking the vaccination system are hypocrites as they are damaging a system that has benefited them passively.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Welcome
Welcome to my blog and thanks for visiting.
My aim is to post at minimum on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, usually later in the day once I get home and on the computer.
While most posts will simply be links and a few sentences, I hope to include well thought-out analysis and commentary at least once a week.
My aim is to post at minimum on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, usually later in the day once I get home and on the computer.
While most posts will simply be links and a few sentences, I hope to include well thought-out analysis and commentary at least once a week.