The universe isn't infinite in size, but there's no "edge" of the universe. The most common analogy is that the universe is like the surface of an inflating balloon, just extend the 2D surface to three dimensions. So if you were able to go infinitely fast, and you started off in any direction, you'd eventually end up back where you started, the same way if you got on a plane (with a giant-ass fuel tank) and flew off in a straight line in any direction, you'd end up back where you started.
The pendulum regarding self-organized criticality is beginning to swing back in the other direction: many researchers now believe it's being over-applied, and the "power law" distributions that people see for natural phenomenon that are "evidence" of S.O.C. have been shown to not actually obey power laws (it's really easy to make these kinds of mistakes when you make your graphs on log-log scales). Sorry if that was a bit dense, but the long and short of it is that not everything that is being touted as an example of self-organized criticality likely is. For instance, the Bak–Tang–Wiesenfeld sandpile (Bak being the one from TFA)? Turns out it's a HORRIBLE model for how real sandpiles behave.
A lot of the above really needs citations, but I'm too tired and lazy, sorry. To "back this up," let me just say that I have a Ph.D in physics, specializing in nonlinear dynamics, and the above comes from a graduate-level course I took from a professor who knows her shit.
I kind of doubt how useful genome sequencing will be for basic diagnostic medicine. I'm reminded of a scene in House where they're complaining about having to run a full body scan, because any time you scan anyone, you always find a dozen things "wrong" that require following up on, almost all of which are benign.
Just saw a talk about the Narcotweet project. The interesting part about Narcotweet is that it's documenting the emergence of a new kind of "journalism:" the "tweet curator" who aggregates local social media reporting. These people are routinely followed by bigger news media (CNN en Espanol) yet maintain extremely strong ties to the people witnessing these things first-hand. The power of this entire project is that it's a way of getting information from places where the conventional news sources have decided it's too risky / too expensive to send *actual* reporters.
YMMV, but for me I think this would fall in the same category as hotel room black lights or reviewing your restaurant's last health inspection: for the most part, it's just better not to know.
For practical purposes (like night vision), sure, definitely useful. But for everyday "recreational" use, you really don't want to see people's blood vessels, etc. Given the choice, I'd much rather see UV.
Australia had sued Japan at the U.N.’s highest court for resolving disputes between nations
Hold the phone--you mean there are ways to solve disputes between nations that *don't* involve firing artillery, invasion or threatening sanctions? Has anyone told North Korea, South Korea, Russia, Ukraine or the United States?
A South Korean study found the figure to be 1 in 38. It's likely not *that* high, but I wouldn't be at all surprised if the true number is much closer to that figure than our 1 in 68.
Slashdot Mirror
The universe isn't infinite in size, but there's no "edge" of the universe. The most common analogy is that the universe is like the surface of an inflating balloon, just extend the 2D surface to three dimensions. So if you were able to go infinitely fast, and you started off in any direction, you'd eventually end up back where you started, the same way if you got on a plane (with a giant-ass fuel tank) and flew off in a straight line in any direction, you'd end up back where you started.
...what are the ten radical isotopes?
Bulky for a cell phone, but perhaps not so much for a laptop?
The pendulum regarding self-organized criticality is beginning to swing back in the other direction: many researchers now believe it's being over-applied, and the "power law" distributions that people see for natural phenomenon that are "evidence" of S.O.C. have been shown to not actually obey power laws (it's really easy to make these kinds of mistakes when you make your graphs on log-log scales). Sorry if that was a bit dense, but the long and short of it is that not everything that is being touted as an example of self-organized criticality likely is. For instance, the Bak–Tang–Wiesenfeld sandpile (Bak being the one from TFA)? Turns out it's a HORRIBLE model for how real sandpiles behave.
A lot of the above really needs citations, but I'm too tired and lazy, sorry. To "back this up," let me just say that I have a Ph.D in physics, specializing in nonlinear dynamics, and the above comes from a graduate-level course I took from a professor who knows her shit.
The most accurate single-compartment model for how a single neuron operates is based on circuit theory and was formulated by two British biophysicists in the 1950s.
I kind of doubt how useful genome sequencing will be for basic diagnostic medicine. I'm reminded of a scene in House where they're complaining about having to run a full body scan, because any time you scan anyone, you always find a dozen things "wrong" that require following up on, almost all of which are benign.
As a separate issue, considering the fact that the medical profession still can't decide whether fat is good for you or not, I have very low confidence in most assessment that X gene is linked to X condition.
Just saw a talk about the Narcotweet project. The interesting part about Narcotweet is that it's documenting the emergence of a new kind of "journalism:" the "tweet curator" who aggregates local social media reporting. These people are routinely followed by bigger news media (CNN en Espanol) yet maintain extremely strong ties to the people witnessing these things first-hand. The power of this entire project is that it's a way of getting information from places where the conventional news sources have decided it's too risky / too expensive to send *actual* reporters.
Just remember to compile with --nobigotry enabled.
Microsoft evidently relies on Linux servers a decent amount. A Microsoft dev is also apparently a top contributor to the Linux kernel.
In related news, Microsoft will be using Gmail for their company email, and Apple will be replacing their workstations with Linux boxes.
Tbh, I'm as surprised as you are. I was aiming for some "Funnys" but expected some "Flamebaits."
I really find this to be apropos.
YMMV, but for me I think this would fall in the same category as hotel room black lights or reviewing your restaurant's last health inspection: for the most part, it's just better not to know.
But for everyday "recreational" use
For practical purposes (like night vision), sure, definitely useful. But for everyday "recreational" use, you really don't want to see people's blood vessels, etc. Given the choice, I'd much rather see UV.
Really, I'm just shocked every time I read about the UN doing *anything* productive. In truth, the UN probably does a lot of good throughout the world. For instance, I applaud them for keeping their election observers on the ground in Afghanistan, whereas two other groups are withdrawing theirs after the Kabul hotel bombing (the withdrawal of foreign observers is quite clearly one of the Taliban's goals).
Australia had sued Japan at the U.N.’s highest court for resolving disputes between nations
Hold the phone--you mean there are ways to solve disputes between nations that *don't* involve firing artillery, invasion or threatening sanctions? Has anyone told North Korea, South Korea, Russia, Ukraine or the United States?
A South Korean study found the figure to be 1 in 38. It's likely not *that* high, but I wouldn't be at all surprised if the true number is much closer to that figure than our 1 in 68.
yep. as the person two replies above you pointed out two hours ago.
Yep. Noticed that after I posted. As the replier above you pointed out, Replicant is the best option in this context.
For now. How long did it take Google to begin forcing G+ integration onto Youtube?
Well they "bought out" (that is, "hired") the lead Btrfs developers, so how do you count that?
If Facebook likes something, it must be evil.
Erm, there are still a few proprietary device drivers, it would appear. Still, that's a lot closer to the ideal than stock Android.
If they were really concerned about spying, shouldn't they go with a Nexus that runs Cyanogenmod?
FTFY. Cyanogenmod, IIRC, has no proprietary or closed-source components.