Map and territory, again

That in the title was mentioned before, very early (Territory and map and Territory, map, truth). It was over three years ago, before dire things unfolded along several fronts.

So, we now have a skin issue to look at. From a distance, okay, since there is no close tie. Rather, our mode will be collecting examples to show how we have gone awry, along several fronts.

It seems to me that some type of realizability warp has happened in the minds of the educated. Of course, not all of the learned. I want to specifically address those of the quantitative bent (mathematical and computational) and to discuss the issues with any who want to understand how the best and brightest (not only by their greed) have led so many on perdition-laden paths.

One thing that we can do is try to establish where things went awry, using the timeline of mathematics as it unfolded in the twentieth century. That we saw computational prowess explode in so many ways during the last 20 years, or so, exacerbated the problems.

It was noted earlier that things would have to become more technical in focus in order to understand the problems. Berkeley is not the only motivation.

Remarks:

05/30/2013 -- This theme will play within the cosmology of business. Too, Zeno applies in the modern context.

05/25/2011 -- Lemons problem, dark pools, ... Oh, so much to look at!

04/19/2011 -- It was said that engineering has science behind it. What the hell is behind all of the gaming by the idiots in best-and-brightest clothing? That an insanity goes on daily is not seen (from whence, the blindness?); those in power (with their suits, suntans, ...) act with such grace. Somewhat vacuously, do you not think?

The prime characteristic: mutual admiration society! Almost like the 'royal' courts of old.

Modified: 05/30/2013

Mind over matter?

Is that not a big-T issue?

The Atlantic, last month, had an article on a recent Turing test. Until of late, this challenge seemed to favor the human. However, computation has really evolved. Note that the article mentions human computers. You see, it was not so long ago that scores of people did the hard work of solving problems that now take less time than a blink of the eye by computer.

Are we thereby smarter?

To boot, the main issues are still avoided, in the debate, due to many reasons We'll get to that, eventually. But, to be shown, mind precedes matter. Yep.

The real kick? The emerging prowess of things cyber (at least, the cloud, but more) will be the basis for the demonstration.

And, truth engineering will be at the core. How? Again, we'll get to that.

Remarks:

12/13/2012 -- Is it time to move beyond the Turing Test?

05/01/2012 -- We'll need to talk singularity in the context of Alan. The computer has as many holes as do we; however, we can cut out of the fog. 

03/28/2011 -- See on March madness.

03/24/2011 -- In part, rant: It's obvious that some have talents and some have insights (not mutually exclusive). The former can show us marvels like a golden touch. Is that what we're seeing with Warren Buffett? Or, is it the latter? Or a combination? Whatever it is, my argument is this: lasting business success (or any type of success) does not come about from solely playing luck - that is, the whole gaming-metaphoric jargon that business has descended to (yes, advisedly used) is very much degrading to human dignity (and, no apologies necessary to Las Vegas or other realms of legalized pocket takings). Nor does success come from unconscionable exploitation of others (which, by the way, we see with many types of globalization - the new colonialism). Now, what does that might mean? Well, all of mankind want to pull themselves out of the hole. Guess what? The best-and-brightest (yes, Harvard, to boot, probably in more cases than some would allow us to know) want to preserve their status of walking over others, of using the resources of others (after all, slavery, in many forms, is there, folks -- corporate serfdom, included), of being fed without due effort (yes, as in management, in many case), and a whole lot more. Don't worry, we'll continue to discuss this. Our ancestors did not come over here (the majority, I would venture) to carry forward the whole notion of aristocratic butts to kiss, etc. So, some have remarkable insights and talents. Some less so. Are the latter any less human? Do the former deserve to trample the rights of the latter? Of course, do the latter, by design, need to pilfer from the former? But, where to start in understanding the mess that we're in? Middle out, of course. Some type of national, even international, service is imperative to set the ground for each generation (cohort) to relate peaceably, fruitfully, et al, on this limited planet of ours. And, computation will be an enabling beast (that term used since we see many bad side-effects of the social media, plus a whole cohort of zombies seems to have emerged causing dire straits for themselves and those unlucky enough to be around them, and, like Made-off showed, the supposed wizards of the ether (e-m) can demonstrate an endless means in monkeying with the works (that are ours, collectively)). Does it need to be so? Well, we can try to back off from the gaming viewpoints (except where apropos), even if we do have to deal with uncertainty. We're not saying that we ought not express likelihood and such. Rather, the whole notion of multiple expansions (yes) could help temper those of the type who said a mere three years ago: oh, we have risk in check, never again a downside. Idiots that they were. The suffering continues, despite the chimera.

03/15/2011-- As well, need to bring in Schervish's viewpoint. Paul brings in the 't issues' quite well.

03/13/2011 -- Let's put it this way. Everyone who is successful knows that they have powers behind their good fortune. That is, we can see those who are lucky. But, if that were the only factor, success would not persist. Now, what exactly are those 'powers' that are support gainful efforts. We'll look at those. And, we also have not changed from the position that 'wealth' is NOT the best of measures. That is, some of the successful (too many to name) are plagues upon the earth and it citizens. If we're going to deal with truth, we'll, by necessity, have to look at these issues, to boot.

Modified: 12/13/2012

Bernie has lessons for us

What are these? Well, there are several that Bernie wants us to know.

To recap, this post (By necessity, Ponzi) is dated 12/15/2008. We even proposed that Made-offbe used rather than the name of that guy from the olden times.

Remember those times, a couple of years ago? Even after the new day, things appeared to be dire. They still are, for most folks, despite the shining chimera.

We'll have to re-look at this since our monetary basis is a 'gab standard' that is weak. How can we make it real? Not an easy subject, folks. The motivation? Look at Minsky's (7oops7, Truth Engineering, FEDaerated) take on the matter.

As further refreshing of memory, here is 'Made-off' in the three blogs.

• 7oops7
• Truth Engineering
• FEDaerated

Bernie exploited our unstable computational ontology, meaning, of course, more than just the platforms, technology, and mathematics. He was able to 'pull the wool' for a very long time. And, he did this on very smart people.

Much to learn there.

Remarks:

04/19/2011 --

Modified: 04/19/2011

4th March

It's not quite that month yet, when we celebrate St Patty and spring, but it's rapidly approaching. Too, from a content viewpoint, it has been a month for interesting posts.

As before, we'll pick one post per the month per year.

• 2008 (4 posts) -- this month provided the most read of all posts (Leverage and truth, II). As we know, leverage is applying a tool. Too, though, it has become a type of 'aeration' that is troublesome. In the economic sense, it allows many to think that near zero (next bullet) is other than real; actually, it reinforces happy talk and fairy dusting. But, if this type of thing is couched with the magical aura, and impenetrability, of mathematics, who is to know?
• 2009 (4 posts) -- the post related to 'Near zero' has been superseded by another (at FEDaerated) yet it did start discussion of this important topic. In short, just as there is no perpetual motion machine, there is no magic formula for wealth, the economy, or any of the myriad situations in life that can be problematic. That statement, of course, by no means ought to be construed to imply any type of nihilism. Rather, our state of underdetermination can be managed, as any insightful adult knows. T-issues are necessary for handling this topic (in time).
• 2010 (1 post) -- though there is only one post, it deals with an important topic (Can of worms). The initial motivation was the continuing topic, yet the total scope is large and encompasses the whole of applied science, via technology.

Remarks:

02/26/2011 --

Modified: 02/26/2011

Another go

A topic from a year ago came forward again.

There was a report today concerning a study on the SUA problem that has been going on quietly since early last year. More news will be coming later when the report is technically analyzed.

As posts asked earlier, who knows and believe whom?

Remarks:

02/22/2011 -- One expert site says they wouldn't buy these cars for their kid. Some SUA incidents are collected on this list.

02/09/2011 -- Brief comment. They did look at code. Some slight theoretical chance of error was mentioned, to boot. Yet, as NASA knows, those 'slight' measurements assume a whole lot that is not as rational (think, Gaussian overlays, etc.) as some would expect.

Modified: 02/22/2011

4th January

Just as we looked at the December entries, across four years, and picked a few to spotlight, we can do that off and on this year. However, since we're still in January, we'll not have one for 2011.

We'll start with 2008 and come forward.

• 2008 (4 posts) -- Transparency and truth -- Posturing seems to be the political way, yet these folks' doings affect everyone. Too bad that we cannot engineer it more. Trouble is, that would be worse than financial engineering (next bullet) in many cases. What are we to do? Well, no matter the effort, we cannot observe 100% of anything. Even CSPAN is only capturing some small portion of the reality and the beingness behind what is going on in DC. Now, at the same time, we need accounting. Like this, do you know where your feet are? Or, what is on your head? Somehow, finance, and money, issues seem to take on this separate existence. It's funny money, folks (see gab standard, et al). Truth, fiction, and finance -- Did we not see a two-year effort to find culprits boil down to a 6-4 political vote? 'Nuf said. (related material: wikipedia, naked capitalism, NY Times)
• 2009 (5 posts) -- Hype cycle -- Of course, today there are two games about which we've heard a lot of chatter. We expect fans to rah rah. In anything in life, attitude plays a large part. Yet, if we're to apply a scientific method, can we really prognosticate prior to realization and still be true to the process? Think about that. It's one reason that business cannot (I repeat this for those who are enamored of six sigma, and the like) be run scientifically. However, it can have some large percentage conduct that is science-like. Ever heard of management science, et al?
• 2010 (1 posts) -- Lordly prince trap -- There are many ways to cut the 'entitlement' pie. Too, hubris can probably be found more in business than in government work, that is, if the political aspect is removed from the latter.

Remarks:

02/26/2011 -- Added links to the months' archives. Another go.

02/08/2011 -- A topic of a year ago: there was a report today concerning a study on the SUA problem that has been going on quietly. More news will be coming later when the report is technically analyzed.

01/27/2011 -- The chimera shines.

01/24/2011 -- Here are a couple of related items.

• Turn the clock, and score, back by destroying the evidence.
• Chaos engineering is the ultimate Quant dream, in terms of conquering complexity (SOS and application -- we'll look at this closely).

Modified: 02/26/2011

4th December

We've been at it enough to have four last posts for a year. It might be interesting to look at these with some commentary, starting with the one for 2007.

• 2007 (5 posts) -- Extrapolation, calibration, truth -- Originally, this attempted to look at an ongoing technical problem. Those who tout operational definition are heading the right way. Too, see the 2010 last post below. Until the issues of undecidability and its consequences are understood, those who game will continue to wreck the lives of the innocent.
• 2008 (5 posts) -- Last post for 2008 -- This was written before the 'new day' and when much ink was being spilled about the bad guys. Then, for two years, they used our money to make money and to pay themselves bonuses. That is, those who could. A whole bunch of bankers are now facing doomsday (1000s?). We'll see more on this in 2011.
• 2009 (2 posts) -- Dead peasant -- Still find it hard to believe 1) that bankers are this gross and 2) that the insurance industry has to allow this type of obvious ethical malfeasance. The bank's initial payout was the policy payoff value minus the premium. Now, people, in what universe is this type of thing seen as a good business deal? Oh, by the way, is this how bankers are to make their living? Remember, folks, that we can run all this highly glorious stuff with a few smart people who know about simple living and who understand that entanglement means that everyone needs (actually, deserves) to not be entrapped forever in the debt being accumulated for us by the fat cats' actions.
• 2010 (2 posts) -- Software issues -- Needless to say, the uses of computing have accelerated far beyond what was seen just a few years ago. Who foresaw that 'apps' would become so embedded within the language? However, the problems remain in their eternal state which, then, implies that we can 'app'ly solutions, albeit they approximate only what would be ideal. That, folks, is our lot: to deal, within our limitations, what is essentially unbounded.

---

Well, the issues remain the same. Recognition of bad thinking increases, though, with time. And, we're some type of higher-order, evolved, creature?

Remarks:

12/29/2012 --  Summary - 2012.

02/26/2011 -- Added links to the months' archives. Another go.

02/08/2011 -- A topic of a year ago: there was a report today concerning a study on the SUA problem that has been going on quietly. More news will be coming later when the report is technically analyzed.

01/27/2011 -- The chimera shines.

01/23/2011 -- Added number of posts by the month for the year. Also, we have a 4th January, to boot.

Modified: 12/29/2012