Over the past forty years of striving to make computers do what I want, I have gained a few hard-won truths. One is that we can be very poor critics of own ideas. We love those ideas; we poured our own blood, sweat and tears into them. Of course they must be right; of course the computer must have misunderstood what we intended to happen.
Month: April 2017
The Back Story 013 – The 2nd Amendment Doesn’t Grant the Right to Bear Arms (3m)
The Back Story 013 looks at the Second Amendment of the US Constitution and the right to bear arms.
Marine Le Pen and the Growing Scourge of Nationalism
While I certainly do not expect to see Marine Le Pen secure a victory in the upcoming French Presidential runoff election, even her ascendency to such a race represents yet another (once) surprising victory for the strain of nationalistic populism which has been sweeping the globe in recent years. From the Philippines to Great Britain to the United States to Turkey to France (and many other similar examples as well), we are witnessing the reversal of a trend at least 70 years in the making.
Science March III
Why wouldn’t economists march for science? Why do science supporters believe they must insist that economics is a pseudoscience to validate that the so-called hard sciences are precise or predictive. Neither of these are the objectives of science.
Unlucky vs. Evil
I don’t for a second believe the person who committed negligent homicide intended to cause harm. Yes he made bad choices, but so do we all. But cops make the conscious decision to do what they do; they intend to commit the acts they commit–acts of enforcement of counterfeit “laws”–in exchange for stolen money.
Learn from Prior Heroes
In every enduring mythological structure, the hero learns his path in response to his challenges. Black mirrors summon growth to new heights and a shift of identity. The impetus for action propels him to the next level of meaning. He feels most heroic when he can see the effects of his actions.
Proud of The Bad Guys?
It’s a terrible shame when someone chooses to throw their life away in service to a gang of nasty thugs. That shame is compounded by delusional friends and family who think this tragic turn of events is something to be proud of. It’s most certainly NOT.
Science March II
What good is science if it doesn’t take its place among the arts? Science has become an enemy to both the ignorant and those knowledgeable enough to know that it takes more than science? Art has its root meaning in making do.
Science March
A car goes with specific inputs. Economy goes with many more inputs, but less specific. It is no less a science than physics and chemistry. These sciences are interdependent.
The Back Story 012 – Cops Can Steal Your Stuff Legally (3m)
The Back Story 012 looks at the practice of civil asset forfeiture, and why its an egregious violation of both civil rights and property rights.