Within the middle of December
Within the bus I ride
Within the city the bus travels
Clouds litter the sky
Clouds from which rain falls
Clouds are the screen for a spectacular light show
Blame goes to the humans
Blame gets a new scape-goat
Blame the anything but us
Nature is sick
Nature is crying
Nature is bellowing in thunderous tantrums
Weather is evolving
Weather is changing
Weather does not care about us
Crop yields get worse
Crops obey nature and weather
Crop's planters are killing them
Why do we ask?
Why do we not adapt?
Why doesn't the environment obey the 12 months?
No thing to do
No thing can be done without time
No time to allocate
We are in trouble
We depend on nature
We do not dictate nature
Monday, December 18, 2006
Mathematical Delusions
It's early in the morning, the moon is still up, and I lie awake in bed dreaming of infinite compression and actually believe that it is possible. Which it isn't (if you need 4 bits to represent something, you need 4 bits -- and when compressing, you can't assume that something is useless). So... why, every so often, even though I'm aware that it is impossible, I have the urge to study the math, try to find a way to get infinite compression?
Why is this interesting? I'm wondering why I'm interested in attacking a problem that is impossible. Why must I keep on going and try to find a solution? To always try it again, and again, always hopeful that a positive result emerges.
Anyhow, what is the idea behind this infinite compression? It's simple -- re-think of the data as being stored in a highly inneficient manner, and then restore it as efficiently as possible. That is, take a binary number, view it in it's decimal equivalent, and then recompress the decimal value by decomposing it in tenths, etc. One decomposition might be superiour (which is not the case).
Wonderful delusions!
Why is this interesting? I'm wondering why I'm interested in attacking a problem that is impossible. Why must I keep on going and try to find a solution? To always try it again, and again, always hopeful that a positive result emerges.
Anyhow, what is the idea behind this infinite compression? It's simple -- re-think of the data as being stored in a highly inneficient manner, and then restore it as efficiently as possible. That is, take a binary number, view it in it's decimal equivalent, and then recompress the decimal value by decomposing it in tenths, etc. One decomposition might be superiour (which is not the case).
Wonderful delusions!
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Simple Simulations
It's finally time for me to hand in one of my final projects. And what might have I done this time? Some strange thing mocking airport security. As I write this, I'm thinking of more ways to actually make fun of airport security; but let's say for now it is quite advanced.
At it's heart, it's a simple game of "build the ideal maze". The computer passes in about 64 little smiley faces, and each has to be able to get through your maze as quickly as possible, or they just give up. But if they give up, they still need to navigate themselves out of the maze. The greatest challenge is probably building a maze that can accomodate the 3 different targets that a smiley can go for (exit = boarding the plane, exit = give up, other smiley to arrest it).
Then, there's the fun fact that it's all done in Flash. This project gave me a good idea of what can and cannot be done in Flash -- and for the record, this is an example of what can be, but shouldn't be, done in Flash. Reason? It's too slow. My poor laptop is having trouble running it -- placing down a tile in the maze just pauses the simulation while it recomputes the optimal paths and other things that it needs. I found myself caching as much as possible, creating huge arrays and never destroying them just to prevent calculating things twice -- if this were in C, I wouldn't need to do that... Also, those weights are adding more calculations to the breadth-first-search... hmm, need to find better algorithms.
The interesting thing about the simulation is that at times it bogs down (too many smileys in one location, each stuck for some reason or another) ends up naturally fixing itself up; if it is given time. It forms clear dips in the output statistics graph. But how can they get stuck if there is only 1 path? Well, checkpoints are the way to win the game; they stop your character, and if it stops for too long, it has to wait for an officer to unblock it. That means the others wait, get unhappy, and give up on boarding the plane (hence, you need multiple interrogation stations, and a clear path for the police to pass, and it's probably best giving a path for those that gave up so they don't get in the way)... I'm probably having more fun playing with it now, then anything else. So, back to having fun!!!
Weeeeeee!!!!
At it's heart, it's a simple game of "build the ideal maze". The computer passes in about 64 little smiley faces, and each has to be able to get through your maze as quickly as possible, or they just give up. But if they give up, they still need to navigate themselves out of the maze. The greatest challenge is probably building a maze that can accomodate the 3 different targets that a smiley can go for (exit = boarding the plane, exit = give up, other smiley to arrest it).
Then, there's the fun fact that it's all done in Flash. This project gave me a good idea of what can and cannot be done in Flash -- and for the record, this is an example of what can be, but shouldn't be, done in Flash. Reason? It's too slow. My poor laptop is having trouble running it -- placing down a tile in the maze just pauses the simulation while it recomputes the optimal paths and other things that it needs. I found myself caching as much as possible, creating huge arrays and never destroying them just to prevent calculating things twice -- if this were in C, I wouldn't need to do that... Also, those weights are adding more calculations to the breadth-first-search... hmm, need to find better algorithms.
The interesting thing about the simulation is that at times it bogs down (too many smileys in one location, each stuck for some reason or another) ends up naturally fixing itself up; if it is given time. It forms clear dips in the output statistics graph. But how can they get stuck if there is only 1 path? Well, checkpoints are the way to win the game; they stop your character, and if it stops for too long, it has to wait for an officer to unblock it. That means the others wait, get unhappy, and give up on boarding the plane (hence, you need multiple interrogation stations, and a clear path for the police to pass, and it's probably best giving a path for those that gave up so they don't get in the way)... I'm probably having more fun playing with it now, then anything else. So, back to having fun!!!
Weeeeeee!!!!
Sunday, December 10, 2006
Global Warming
After watching a few shows (namely listening to Opera, which my mother was intently watching, while I was tweaking some documents in a continually crashing InDesign), they were talking about global warming. Apart that I'll probably get Al Gore's DVD, I still have a few questions in my mind.
No, not that I'm saying there is no such thing as global warming.
No, it's that I'm questioning whether we can actually combat it given the way our world is set up. Is even buying those energy reduction bulbs now going to really do such a drastic change (and they're much brighter too... I felt blinded the first time my parents put some at home).
Well, the simple fact that I'm keeping in my mind is that most of the stuff I consume is made in China. (And I quote "Designed by Apple in California, Assembled in China"). I wouldn't have a problem with that; only that Asia is a 12 hour non-stop plane trip, and practically everything I put my hands on is assembled in China (or has some part of it assembled in China). So, here's my question: how much additional greenhouse gases are actually being put out by us to actually import these cheap commodities? Would it be better if we took a (read massive -- people this side of the coast want better salaries) price increase and started manufacturing products near those that consume them? And since Quebec is powered by hydro (clean power at the expense of destroying, aka flooding, the environment...) -- this might be better than buying electricity-friendly electronics (for my case specifically).
Can we start buying local? I doubt it. Take for example Asterix/Obelix stuffed toys. I believe those were the last ones I saw being manufactured somewhere outside of China -- and they were insanely expensive. It could also be that the authors believe in making a ton of money -- like Youppi merchandise is made in China and probably sold at a markup of 200% (I've seem better-built stuffed toys for a fraction of the cost - like my Mario stuffed toy, sitting right beside the monitor).
The other thing that I'm wondering about is the reality of the usefulness of public transit. In Montreal, we're crammed like sardines inside of a box. There's no question, that thing is cutting down on greenhouse gases. But here, past the South Shore, where buses are coaches, and the fares quite expensive; I really do wonder if it's that useful. For example, I normally always get a window seat. This is because the bus is never more than half full. When I go to Montreal in the afternoon, we are normally 2 or 3 passengers; with the air conditioning set to maximum (opposed to the city folk that have to swelter in the heat during the summer, we get spoiled rotten on our public transit).
So, what are you supposed to get out of this as a reader? I don't know. I'm just letting you know that I'm curious is seeing some more numbers so that I can correlate them. I'm wondering if world finances would be better equalized if the factories where located in the province itself (are we a nation now? nations, provinces, and territories, oh-my!). Would people actually be willing/able to pay more?
No, not that I'm saying there is no such thing as global warming.
No, it's that I'm questioning whether we can actually combat it given the way our world is set up. Is even buying those energy reduction bulbs now going to really do such a drastic change (and they're much brighter too... I felt blinded the first time my parents put some at home).
Well, the simple fact that I'm keeping in my mind is that most of the stuff I consume is made in China. (And I quote "Designed by Apple in California, Assembled in China"). I wouldn't have a problem with that; only that Asia is a 12 hour non-stop plane trip, and practically everything I put my hands on is assembled in China (or has some part of it assembled in China). So, here's my question: how much additional greenhouse gases are actually being put out by us to actually import these cheap commodities? Would it be better if we took a (read massive -- people this side of the coast want better salaries) price increase and started manufacturing products near those that consume them? And since Quebec is powered by hydro (clean power at the expense of destroying, aka flooding, the environment...) -- this might be better than buying electricity-friendly electronics (for my case specifically).
Can we start buying local? I doubt it. Take for example Asterix/Obelix stuffed toys. I believe those were the last ones I saw being manufactured somewhere outside of China -- and they were insanely expensive. It could also be that the authors believe in making a ton of money -- like Youppi merchandise is made in China and probably sold at a markup of 200% (I've seem better-built stuffed toys for a fraction of the cost - like my Mario stuffed toy, sitting right beside the monitor).
The other thing that I'm wondering about is the reality of the usefulness of public transit. In Montreal, we're crammed like sardines inside of a box. There's no question, that thing is cutting down on greenhouse gases. But here, past the South Shore, where buses are coaches, and the fares quite expensive; I really do wonder if it's that useful. For example, I normally always get a window seat. This is because the bus is never more than half full. When I go to Montreal in the afternoon, we are normally 2 or 3 passengers; with the air conditioning set to maximum (opposed to the city folk that have to swelter in the heat during the summer, we get spoiled rotten on our public transit).
So, what are you supposed to get out of this as a reader? I don't know. I'm just letting you know that I'm curious is seeing some more numbers so that I can correlate them. I'm wondering if world finances would be better equalized if the factories where located in the province itself (are we a nation now? nations, provinces, and territories, oh-my!). Would people actually be willing/able to pay more?
Thursday, December 7, 2006
Purchasing with Morals
Yesterday I went to buy a small stuffed toy as a gift. Now, the toy was a sports team mascot. I looked at the back "made in China" was inscribed. Then the price "$19.00"; and this is not an enourmous toy. Toys of this size normally go for $10.00 when new, and $5.00 when on sale. The handy-work was ok, but the materials seemed worn out on some. Also, some noses were quite crooked... I picked the best one; knowing that the receiver would be happy.
Well, now, where did the additional $10.00 come from? My best hope is that it went to the factory workers; but what if it was just some insane overhead in licensing. If it weren't for Christmas, I'd get one easily in a yard sale next year for $1.00.
Anyhow; this comes up to something on Digg (and slashdot) -- immoral companies. Now, they referred to music which I don't buy since I have no clue how a music CD can cost as much as a new DVD. One provides audio, the other typically includes expensive computer animation, audio, voice acting, etc. Crappy DVD? Not really, I don't find "The Matrix" to be crappy.
But that's going off topic... the real question is how do you punish a company that has a life-time monopoly on media that you like. But it has to be punished since it's unethical in its behaviour. I know Universal has the worlds worst customer support having dealt with them myself; but still consume from them since some people can't see beyond the product to the corporation. If there is a monopoly on something intellectual such as a plot, a character, then how do you punish a company that abuses such a monopoly?
I don't want to go screaming boycott, or blatant name calling; just want to know what the solution to this is. I have more to say, but that's for later. To further muddle up the issue with good companies living in fear. I'm viewing the problem in terms of "Organizational Behaviour" (a class I took in College) -- that is, that organizations have a personality, are moral, have habits. When hiring, they bring in people that identify to the core personality and morals. Anyhow, later, until I write too much.
Well, now, where did the additional $10.00 come from? My best hope is that it went to the factory workers; but what if it was just some insane overhead in licensing. If it weren't for Christmas, I'd get one easily in a yard sale next year for $1.00.
Anyhow; this comes up to something on Digg (and slashdot) -- immoral companies. Now, they referred to music which I don't buy since I have no clue how a music CD can cost as much as a new DVD. One provides audio, the other typically includes expensive computer animation, audio, voice acting, etc. Crappy DVD? Not really, I don't find "The Matrix" to be crappy.
But that's going off topic... the real question is how do you punish a company that has a life-time monopoly on media that you like. But it has to be punished since it's unethical in its behaviour. I know Universal has the worlds worst customer support having dealt with them myself; but still consume from them since some people can't see beyond the product to the corporation. If there is a monopoly on something intellectual such as a plot, a character, then how do you punish a company that abuses such a monopoly?
I don't want to go screaming boycott, or blatant name calling; just want to know what the solution to this is. I have more to say, but that's for later. To further muddle up the issue with good companies living in fear. I'm viewing the problem in terms of "Organizational Behaviour" (a class I took in College) -- that is, that organizations have a personality, are moral, have habits. When hiring, they bring in people that identify to the core personality and morals. Anyhow, later, until I write too much.
Wednesday, December 6, 2006
$1 for friends.
This is an interesting concept. Selling "friendship" (well, online friendship on MySpace). This is nothing new, but is a clever idea. And it isn't the most evil option.
Buying friends used to be an impricit thing. People would buy friends through offering of gifts. Once the funding would drop, only the true friends would remain. This is probably the most evil; people who pretend to be friends to leech -- especially if they are doing so consciously.
As long as the person is fully aware that they are paying for their "friend" -- I'm all for it. If this leads to actual friends, then I'm happy for the person. This is probably a great thing that has happened since it paves the way for people who befriend for wealth to advertise as such.
And, that's the end of my mindless rant.
Buying friends used to be an impricit thing. People would buy friends through offering of gifts. Once the funding would drop, only the true friends would remain. This is probably the most evil; people who pretend to be friends to leech -- especially if they are doing so consciously.
As long as the person is fully aware that they are paying for their "friend" -- I'm all for it. If this leads to actual friends, then I'm happy for the person. This is probably a great thing that has happened since it paves the way for people who befriend for wealth to advertise as such.
And, that's the end of my mindless rant.
Monday, December 4, 2006
InDesign woes
Don't get me wrong, this is a good piece of software. It just crashes too often. And it's a completely legal copy! If it were pirated, I'd understand -- I'd even say it was the ideal product for what I'm currently doing. But; since I paid for it, and the software can't run for more than 2 hours without crashing, I'll complain. The most annoying part of it all is that it's trying to use the mail application to send bug reports; and I'm using gmail for mail....
I just find this pathetic; a final build of a product that can't withstand my torture -- usually when I export to PDF or compile an excel file into an indesign file...
Thank goodness I'm only using it for a school assignment, and got it at super happy student discount -- or else I would have been really (read really) angry. Actually, I'm quite frustrated, maybe a bit angry since I paid for some continually crashing piece of software.
UPDATE: It just crashed when I did a file->new->Document!!! I love InDesign!!!!
I just find this pathetic; a final build of a product that can't withstand my torture -- usually when I export to PDF or compile an excel file into an indesign file...
Thank goodness I'm only using it for a school assignment, and got it at super happy student discount -- or else I would have been really (read really) angry. Actually, I'm quite frustrated, maybe a bit angry since I paid for some continually crashing piece of software.
UPDATE: It just crashed when I did a file->new->Document!!! I love InDesign!!!!
Friday, December 1, 2006
Burnt out Student Season
It's that wonderful time of year again. The time when, as a student, you kick yourself to do homework, just to realize that you'd rather enjoy the weekend. The time when we take joy in exams, for the classes will finish two weeks afterwards due to the various assigned projects. It's a time to be grateful of the maligned bureaucracy that is a University...
In other news, I've taken up playing "The New Super Mario Bros." again. It sort of makes me wonder; should the idea of saving be removed? It took me no more than a month to complete the game while finding every possible item, however if I wouldn't be able to save then I'd always be starting from the beginning. Sort of like SMB3; where in the end I had memorized off by heart every level of the first four worlds. The reason for not including save games is that as a player I might finish a level by fluke, and not by talent -- and same goes for the coins. Especially since there is no actual way to have a game-over (I'm currently at 60 lives, and that's without doing any simple 1-up trick, except for making giant mario run over the end-flag, since it's so much fun).
Lastly; how often does it happen that a scroll-bar starts moving only when you consciously think about it moving? Happened to me a few days ago, very odd feeling indeed, especially since it felt as though the world had stopped except for my thought processes.
In other news, I've taken up playing "The New Super Mario Bros." again. It sort of makes me wonder; should the idea of saving be removed? It took me no more than a month to complete the game while finding every possible item, however if I wouldn't be able to save then I'd always be starting from the beginning. Sort of like SMB3; where in the end I had memorized off by heart every level of the first four worlds. The reason for not including save games is that as a player I might finish a level by fluke, and not by talent -- and same goes for the coins. Especially since there is no actual way to have a game-over (I'm currently at 60 lives, and that's without doing any simple 1-up trick, except for making giant mario run over the end-flag, since it's so much fun).
Lastly; how often does it happen that a scroll-bar starts moving only when you consciously think about it moving? Happened to me a few days ago, very odd feeling indeed, especially since it felt as though the world had stopped except for my thought processes.
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