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IBM Using Complex Math To Manage Natural Disasters
coondoggie brings us a NetworkWorld story about IBM's efforts to use complex algorithms to manage responses to natural disasters. Researchers are making use of recent increases in processor speed and algorithm efficiency to develop a scalable, flexible model capable of handling the complicated planning involved in reacting to a crisis. Quoting:
"'We are creating a set of intellectual properties and software assets that can be employed to gauge and improve levels of preparedness to tackle unforeseen natural disasters,' says Dr. Gyana Parija. 'Most real-world problems involve uncertainty, and this has been the inspiration for us to tackle challenges in natural disaster management.' In the case of flooding, for example, the stochastic programming model would use various flood scenarios, resource supply capabilities at different dispatch locations, and fixed and variable costs associated with deployment of various flood-management resources to manage various risk measures. By assigning probabilities to the factors driving outcomes, the model outlines how limited resources can meet tomorrow's unknown demands or liabilities. In this way, the risks and rewards of various tradeoffs can be explored, IBM said."
sqrt(-1) = natural disaster!
Yeah! Who do they think they are ? If their so smart, why aren't they rich ?
Complex math? Aren't real numbers good enough for the job?
"They redundantly repeated themselves over and over again incessantly without end ad infinitum" -- ibid.
if(contribution_of_lobbiests_impacted > 100000000)
do_something();
else
ignore_poor_people();
Engineering is the art of compromise.
Clearly complex math needs to be computed on an iMac.
Prime numbers are exactly what Alan Greenspan says they are -S. Minsky
i'd parse your post but i'm still stuck on your sig.
to almost alliterate a little.
I was told there would be no math...
In the case of a natural disaster please check with your lawyer before responding.
You may be infringing on a patent...
Natural Disaster + Presidential Photo-Ops = Great PR!
From TFA: "to tackle unforeseen natural disasters"
But then it goes on to talk about mostly foreseeable natural disasters. If you live on a flood plain or a low-lying coastal area subject to hurricanes, you're going to get flooded. In an earthquake zone you're going to get earthquakes. Lot of vegetation in an area that has dry spells, fires. And so on.
Legitimately unforeseen natural disasters would be things like a comet impact, volcanoes erupting in downtown LA, or perhaps alien invasion. Oh wait, that last would be an unnatural disaster, wouldn't it? But come to think of it, the ones I just mentioned have all been foreseen too.
I guess I just don't foresee a need for this software. Maybe they should work on software for foreseeable disasters.
-- Alastair
He's getting rather old, but he's a good mouse.
May the Maths Be with you!