Mathematical universe? So what?

The discussion on this Wiki page (Mathematical Universe Hypothesis) is very much apropos to what we need to discuss and to do. Tegmark's book precipitated the discussion.

We mentioned him earlier: Truth Engineering, anew (consciousness as a state of matter).

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We have brought up the quasi-empirical concerns, often, over the years. There looks to be a new framework with which to address these, one more time (recurrent theme).

Some issues:

• See Wolfram for a a good list of undecidable states. 
• Wikipedia has a list, too, by type. 
• It might help, too, to consider unsolved problems (while noting those that are not considered to be solved).
• ...

Slogan: At the core, issues abound that are overlooked for several reasons. Say, with HFT and other manipulations of market events: hubris and money override the proper concerns (too, the taxpayers pick up the tab when the diapers get too dirty and the crap spills out on the populace); say, automated systems that trod over human rights (oh so many, where to start?); say, big daddy data which trample the human soul through improper categorization (optimization via "their" models) that is based upon information that was collected without consent; ...

Remarks:   Modified: 09/10/2015

02/03/2015 -- We're talking more than limits beyond those things that tend to the center. Our trouble is that we try to force things into a mold based upon data (even big data is not large enough to support some decisions that have imposed hardship (yes) on people -- as in, for one, willy-nilly bastardization of the mathematical via the loosey-goosey web/cloud (oh yes, plenty are filling their pockets) - we can only hope that things improve going forward - yes, some type of maturity, folks, say Zuck, you and Sheryl, too). ... So, we are going back to the basics (normed rings being one) and will cover the bases but only touching here and there. Sloughing is not necessary and can be counterproductive.

... Ah, the woman Dr says of another Dr (M.D., what else?): confirmation bias. Sure. A solution looking for a question. Is that not the web/cloud?

09/10/2015 -- Our mathematical universe (my varieties)

As a driven leaf ...

For now, in the context of normative mathematics, let's look at some thinking from the 1930s, albeit that the story is from earlier times.

Today, I finally got around to reading a stack of WSJ book reviews. In one early January 2015 issue of the paper, the book, Milton Steinberg's As a Driven Leaf, was the topic. While reading the review, two things stood out that got my interest. Here they are:

• “It is not in our power,” a dictum of the Jewish sages runs, “to explain either the happiness of the wicked nor the suffering of the righteous.” (Ah, so much to say here but will not. The discussion would look at juxtapositions, especially those related to the next bullet.) 
• “Their success, I am convinced, followed from the fact that they started from the foundations. We, on the contrary, have always tried to bolster a pre-established case.”  (This quote is from the main character in the novel. He, a Jewish scholar, become apostate. Why is this of interest? Well, we can look around to see how all of the various belief systems handle their apostatic brothers and sisters - we do not have to go far to find violent (criminal) reactions. ... In any case, this does apply to truth and its engineering.) 

Aside: This review came around the year start; The Economist, too, has remarkable articles in their year end edition. Transitions, like those related to the calendar, do give pause to the thoughtful.

So, now that I have run across this book and see its usefulness, I went to look for the other opinions. And, found out that there are plenty. So, bear with me, as here is another list (just a sampling):

• The Jewish Week (12/16/2014) --  announcement of a reading (so, topic is relevant). 
• Susan Dworkin -- listener guide (same site, thoughts on Bess Myerson). 
• Watershed On-line -- review. 
• MyJewishLearning -- a little about Milton and more. 
• ...
• Finally, about the author. 

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Now, before proceeding, we'll pause (How long? Remember our comment about time). Let us just say that it is nice to see either/or being prominent (about which we'll weigh in). As in, too, being concerned about subjects other than whose pocket book is fuller (ah, saw, today, some gigantic arse, jetting around (to Davos - whatever), yet telling the lowly people to not live above their means - as in, do as I say, not ...).

Remarks:   Modified: 01/23/2015

01/23/2015 -- I would be remiss without adding a very much related topic. You see, this book came out of one of several threads that we can see on the planet. That is, the culture of the 12 (or so) tribes whose remnants are still with us today as a small collection of threads. At the same time, we can pinpoint other threads. For one, there is a collection of those who this year celebrate the 800th of the first Magna Charta (MC) sealing; that is, these folks are descendants of the players on that scene, whether of John, himself, or of the Barons or of others who were there. Then, we can pick many other threads. For instance, several come from the Orient. Then, we have the other continents. BTW, there is no attempt at doing an enumeration. The MC event was several 100 years after the setting of the "as a driven leaf" tale. In any case, if we only went back half of that time between then and the MC, everyone here would have trillions of ancestors (reduced by intermarriage, of course - whatever the case, it's a very large number). That is, throughout the whole of the time span, there were generation after generation of ancestors without a gap.

Normative mathematics

To be defined. After reading of the constructive approach (at Wikipedia - much better now than a few years ago - see also, Scientific method), it's time to do this work.

Last time, we mentioned normative economics as this is one of the areas of application. Too, we looked at this at Fedaerated.

The excluded middle will play a part. Too, quasi-empiricism will be central.

Remarks:   Modified: 01/23/2015

01/23/2015 -- Truth deals with theorems, in part. That is, a theorem is a rigorous type of demonstration; demonstrations can be of many varieties and of various levels of rigorousness. That something is of rigor may, but not by necessity, make it to repeatable and acceptable. The former means that anyone, anywhere can do the demonstration (the possible need for provisional restraints is acknowledged). This repeatability is part of the public face of a demonstration which removes it from (sets it above) the subjective (no denigration intended). Science, as we have seen, has found success with this aspect of mathematics.

Acceptableness comes from convention and by agreement (all arguments otherwise will be noted). Quasi-empirical efforts in mathematics allow us to look at the issues.

No less a talent than Gauss, though, said this: through systematic palpable experimentation. When? On being asked about how he came up with his theorems.

What does this mean? Lots, especially, to us. We like the use of palpable. For one, from this, we see support for our peripatetic leanings (to be discussed).

About normative economics

And, normative computing (all that such entails).

Before we get to that, The Atlantic had an article about the U.S. military this past month that is worth a read and that you can get to from this accompanying article by Joseph Epstein: How I Learned to Love the draft. Joseph was in Fort Leonard Wood in 1958. I was there, as a 17 year old, in 1960 and found it nice to read his story.

Especially this with regard to his sergeant's directive to the recruits: “It behooves all Christians among you,” I recall his bellowing out on our first night of training, “to get your sorry asses to church services on Sunday. As for those of you of the Hebrew persuasion, it is mandatory for each and every one of you young troopers to get his swinging dick to Friday-night services. Am I clear?”

What I learned early from the Army experience was to keep things neat and clean. In fact, I recall to this date the sergeant saying: Alright, I only want to see a**holes and elbows. God, if only we had that "norm" in a society that litters willy-nilly even to the extent of [people] discarding trash by dropping it where they are without regard to others or the ramification.

For those who might wonder, the command was for us to "police" up an area, as in pick up any debris that was not of a natural source (even those if they were unsightly). In those days, smoking was a norm, but the rule was to field strip the butt (which would be almost the whole cigarette if the smoke was interrupted). However, even tearing down the residue still left visible remains.

A**holes and elbows! I think that every time I see someone drop litter, even if by accident (which can be anticipated with proper review of potentials -- as in, if the person really cared about the risk of leaving something -- what about not wanting to be seen as a litterer?).

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All of that? Yes, the normative focus will be one thing. See the Fedaerated post.

Remarks:   Modified: 03/22/2015

01/15/2015 -- At last, a series that will establish the basis and extensions, as required. We are going to go back to something simple and come forward to the modern, complicated economy. Why? My long chain of ancestors (inherited via Prof. Lucio Arteaga) is one motivation.

01/16/2015 -- Related to the theme would be normative mathematics, of course. What? Yes, with all due respect to the old gal (remember, Queen) and her court, things have gone awry precisely from decisions on the wrong side of this wall. Part of the problem deals with a misunderstanding of the necessity to not allow hubris to get in the way of a proper quasi-empirical approach.

01/17/2015 -- Will revisit the quant issue.

01/23/2015 -- So much fun. Now, bankers are wanting their own dark pool in order to separate themselves from the front runners (who? yes, HFT, what else?). Our next post on this will show how such dealings (block trades) pull value from the other holders of equity (or whatever else might be the focus of a market). In other words, we see, with this, the proverbial skimming the cream (leaving, over time, less fat for the rest) or the butchers thumb on the scale (I showed that type of thing to the FEDS and was told to, as an individual and an old guy who sees, sue the perpetrators).

03/22/2015 -- Jealous? No way, Jose. FED gives Wall Street what it wishes.

Wikipedia

Part of tru'eng is handling source, trust and a lot more. Of course, Wikipedia can feature in the discussion for many reasons. Quartz provided a look at most-read articles by day for 2014. Interesting. Expect some post related to this. One think might be to look at what motivated the reads.

But, for now, consider that some of the most-read articles had a series of consecutive days. And, some of these are technical. One long series was "Ethernet frame" which brings up several questions. Then, we see "Line integral convolution" getting attention for three days (say what?).

• See: The year in Wiki for the chart. 

Now, my thoughts about big data notwithstanding, I find this page to be an example of the types of reports that can mean something.

Remarks:   Modified: 01/09/2015

01/09/2015 -- Lots of possible subjects, related to the theme of this blog, abound.

Chimera?

In another context, related to the theme of tru'eng, we used "chimera" to describe some of the aspects of the markets that have so many ideological problems, such as the cause of bifurcations, etc.  This post, basically, is to demonstrate awareness (as in, the blogger not being a raving idiot as some of those talking heads seem to act like) that many (very?) make oodles in that context, albeit to the chagrin of the insightful (as in, lots of the gains are pocket picking, pure and simple).

What we need to show is that many more (the vast majority) make little to nothing from the reality of money. Remember, there are billions of persons on the planet. Those with accumulations greater than 6 figures (using current US bucks) is in the millions, and, even if these might be in the 100s of millions (which they are not), it is still a small percentage.

So, what to do? Well, finance, and its gaming, are only one piece of our bailiwick. And, we are interested due to misuse of mathematics and computation. Of course, it is our duty to show wherewith we speak. Want to follow? Stick around longer than a few minutes or even months.

The data (comes from a firm who shares it wherewithal who reported recently - seen on the web on 01/07/2015).

Company	Percent Increase	Since
Baidu (BIDU)	2,840	2006
Keurig Green Mountain (GMCR)	1,507	2009
Intuitive Surgical (ISRG)	1,072	2005
Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX)	1,025	2005
Chipotle Mexican Grill (CMG)	995	2007
Salesforce.com (CRM)	769	2009
Catamaran (CTRX)	858	2009
Tesla Motors (TSLA)	678	2011
Zillow (Z)	318	2012
BofI Holding (BOFI)	203	2012
Facebook (FB)	235	2012
Trex Company (TREX)	211	2012
Ambarella (AMBA)	188	2013
Stratasys (SSYS)	115	2012

Several things are obvious. Holding long can (not necessarily, that is the trick) make someone money. Warren, and others, showed that. Too, the longer, the higher the increase. The problem, though, is that one huge factor in the retrieval is price at sale. Selling can lower price, for one thing. Too, trying to time so as to get your "gains" is another (brains all the way back to Bohr and before have told us that).

But, there are several things to discuss here. Arguing that liquidity requires playing game with people trying to invest is way off the mark, ethically and a lot of other ways. Arguable? Not if one really cares about a sustainable economy.

Remarks:   Modified: 01/15/2015

01/09/2015 -- Dow Jones: 33% of companies claim to have lost business to unethical competitors. Goes along with the chimera coming from charades (intentional and otherwise).

01/14/2015 -- Chimera and charade? One example.

01/15/2015 -- At last, a series that will establish the basis and extensions, as required. We are going to go back to some simple and come forward to the modern, complicated economy. Why? My long chain of ancestors (inherited via Prof. Lucio Arteaga) is one motivation.

Truth Engineering, anew

Context: See Tru'eng anew, focus going forward, mathematics.

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The website will be configured. Too, the definition awaits further discussion. However it is technically oriented as shown by the contents of some posts.

The posts being read today are shown in the graphic. This is not unusual.

Perhaps, it is time to bite the bullet and get back to the nitty gritty. People are looking for that (see the below Aside) as confusion abounds. Why? Where do we have any one working on technology (especially "cloud" oriented stuff) whose motivation is for the betterment of mankind as opposed to filling their pockets?

There will be one change in content, though. God will be mentioned from time to time in this context. Generally, it'll be something like "God only knows" or one of those older adages that said a lot (why? - the argument will start with either/or). Perhaps, even "Insha'Allah " will appear. We will see (know, though, that we will argue beyond this limit - Tegmark quoted).

Aside: The blogger grates at the claim by some that they cannot find technical workers (what I think that they mean is that they want some particular skill - which will become dated - that they want to exploit; too, any presence of "conscience" or looking properly at the larger picture is not needed (as in, suppress such since the powerful have shown that such is antithetical to progress - hah! oh, Lord, help us). There is a brief start of a bio at the bro-blog (FEDaerated, see Note at this page on the chimera).

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So, today, I re-looked at "Extrapolation, calibration, truth" (30 Dec 2007 - so, eight years ago; remember those times?). Right on. There have been many such posts, here at Tru'eng and at 7oops7, over the years. But, then, like the whole economy, the largess got me off-track (is not Janet backed into a corner?); we'll get back to things that matter.

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In the meantime, the world has changed quite a bit. A few links will be gathered here which will feature in future posts.

• The Good Judgment Project -  ARPA's support can mean several things. One aspect of "crowd" IQ does revolve around intuition in a collective sense. ... However, in any case, where was this thinking 20 years ago when the WWW was let loose wild and free with ramifications that we are only now being to experience the downside of (how many others detrimental events lurk?)?
• Last year, I played around with Codecademy. It was fun. I did eight of the mini-courses that were available then. I see that others are now there and look to be of interest. Here are some posts about the experience and later work. 
• We would be at fault if big data were not mentioned. So, expect this to be a recurrent theme. 
• ...  

The list is expected to grow as we organize.

Remarks:   Modified: 01/06/2015

01/06/2015 -- Working for other than money? Yes, many (very many can?) do this. ... BTW, this past month, I was in possession, for the first time, of a mobile device that was less than 10" in presentation ability. The endured for about three days. I intend to write about the experience. ... But, all of the attitude that is (has been) displayed by the techies is aerated. Of course, we need behavioral motivators of which hubris counts highly (must it?). So, we have a little more "smarts" in the client which goes against the grain of thinness (which never ought to have happened, anyway) that was a rage for awhile. ... I can see some benefit for a tablet and the smaller companion. It is interesting that MS' Surface is getting some attention by the road warriors. ... So, am I a believer in the Internet of Everything which is, in part, foretold by the mobile things (especially when they are full of sensors and such)? Well, have you looked around and seen all of the security (and other) issues that abound? ... Well, IoT ought to stop, pause, and see what might bolster the basis (by the way, I am available for consulting on such) so that we allow good things to come to fore for our progeny and their's and so on.

01/06/2015 --  Best and brightest: 3rd most read (7'oops7),  1st most read (Tru'eng), 7th most read (FEDaerated).