Mathematicians Push Back Against the NSA

First time accepted submitter Parseval (3632761) writes "The NSA and GCHQ need mathematicians in order to function — they are some of the biggest employers of mathematicians in the world. This New Scientist article by a mathematician describes some of the math behind mass surveillance, and calls on other mathematicians to refuse to cooperate with the NSA/GCHQ while they continue to surveil the entire population. From the article: 'Mathematicians seldom face ethical questions. We enjoy the feeling that what we do is separate from the everyday world. As the number theorist G. H. Hardy wrote in 1940: "I have never done anything 'useful'. No discovery of mine has made, or is likely to make, directly or indirectly, for good or ill, the least difference to the amenity of the world." That idea is now untenable. Mathematics clearly has practical applications that are highly relevant to the modern world, not least internet encryption.'"

Comments

Seasoning != Meat

[HockeyPuck]

I've tried dozens of different types of veggie-burgers or meatless burgers. And the problem is that no matter what type of spices/sauces you put in them, you just don't get the meat flavor. The oils and fats that are added to them don't sear/brown/caramelize etc..

With a piece of meat (beef/chicken/fish), I can cook it rare, medium or well done depending on the dish (tuna: sear only, hamburger: well done) or the consumer.

With meat substitutes it's "Cook it until warm/hot". The product itself doesn't change between temperatures. I'd say it's like making toast but atleast with bread a slightly toasted piece of bread tastes differently from one that is dark brown.