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). 

Summary, 2014

This is our fourth year for a summary: 2011, 2012, 2013. In earlier years, there were more posts: 2007 (33), 2008 (46), 2009 (43). This year we only had 23 posts.

Part of that decrease might be due to the early focus of the blog to which we'll have to return. Perhaps, by 2010, the realization of the Fed's largess continuing, and increasing (QE infinity), sank in and caused depression. Not. Rather, it has taken time to get to the current situation which is just loaded with examples of the need for truth engineering.

However. let's look at this year's numbers for Past 30 days and for All time.

Past 30 days                          All time     

We will get back to basic concerns next year: for one, computation's shaky underpinnings.

Remarks:   Modified: 12/30/2018

12/30/2018 -- Forward links:  2014, 2015, 2016, 2018.

Threats, real and imagined

There are lots of potential threats that are inherent in our beasties which we have spawned willy-nilly without due consideration of ramifications (beyond, many times, the ability to such money from the pockets of the hapless to that of the fat cats).

Speaking of which (fat cats), it was nice to see a recent WSJ article ("Artificial Intelligence Isn't a Threat -- Yet" Gary Marcus) use "sandboxed" (influences limited in scope) in relation to the absence of "predict or control" within the context of computation (in a sense, we are already out of control). What we have, in essence, is test by trial (as in, luckless users trying to cope - even to the extent of automotive systems streaming out under very lax supervision?).

The issues raised in the article are central to truth engineering's core focus.

Now, about sandbox, it carries too toward those realms of high finance that have been so problematic (and, we will see another downturn - of worse consequences).

Remarks:  Modified: 12/31/2014

12/22/2014 -- 

Pages

Added pages to allow a coherent view (hopefully) that is above the temporal (usual) and beyond the categorical (as now utilized).

See Tabs below the Header.

Remarks:  Modified: 12/18/2014

12/18/2014 -- Re-did due to missing title.

Maxwellian-ism

IEEE Spectrum, Dec 1, 2014, had an overview of the work of James Clerk Maxwell and of those who brought his equations to practice. The title says a lot: The Long Road to Maxwell's Equations. Not only is there a timeline, but the story describes steps along the way and identifies the contributors (Maxwellians).

It was 150 years ago that Maxwell presented his thoughts to the Royal Society of London. Maxwell is revered as providing the means to understand electromagnetism such that we could have operational success, to wit, the Internet (allowing bloggers such as myself) and more. But, Maxwell made other contributions that will be important to our themes (kinetics and control). Too, though, his work allows us to follow the trends of science and technology, in the past century and one-half and in an overall sense, so as to set up for further discussion and work.

James Clerk Maxwell deserves his place(s) on the great wall of contributors to human progress. Too, he stands as an example of thought preceding experience, perhaps, even, the most prominent one that we can think of.

 Imagine, his work was on l50 years ago; from this work there have great strides. And, do most even think of Maxwell as they encounter, and use, modern technology (IEEE members do)? Definitely, he is an unrecognized guy (so many ways to characterize this).

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Links for the paper (A Dynamical Theory of the Electromagnetic Field):

• Maxwell's original paper (1865) -- archive.org, Royal Society publishing 
• Wikipedia's overview plus Heaviside's equations 
• ...

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The article said this: Today, of course, we’re willing to accept physical theories, such as quantum mechanics, that defy our everyday physical intuition, so long as they are mathematically rigorous and have great predictive power.

Within the context of what we need to do, that little statement is quite meaningful and representative of a much needed focus that has to be brought forth. Firstly, many now do not have counter-intuitive reactions when thinking of Maxwell-related phenomena. You see, human common sense grows along with the general knowledge base through time (memes, for one). This particular trait of humans will bear more study.

To boot, there are many things going on with consciousness that are very much poorly understood. Can it be ever be other than that? Yes, an area of our focus.

Aside: given Turing's work (We needn't fear the machines), one might say there is a lot that we do (or can) not know (old time minds knew this, such as Newton, ...); somehow, though, hubris leads those of the modern mind to think that we have tamed the unknown.

If you would, such hubris has thrown out intuition; yet, we need trained intuition to become a factor in resolving hard problems. How to show this?

As the statement says, we like those things that are rigorous and have predictive power. Nowadays, that rigor is, to a large extent, accomplished via computational devices that are, broadly, out of control. In fact, some exalt in that lack of control (singularity arguments).

Otherwise, the "rigor" can be found (reigns) in realms of abstract'd regions that can border on nonsense (their terms); there has been a counter effort by some (see quasi-empiricism). One issue: how is (can be) predictive power related to self-fulfilling prophecy?

You see, interposed twixt ourselves and reality, many times and increasingly so, are our own devices that were (have been) couched in metrical notions and developed to allow our perception. Unfortunately, we are far removed from direct observation; so, we walk a fine line of circularity.

So, that brings in the "ism" part of the subject line. So much to discuss there.

Remarks:  Modified: 12/05/2014

12/05/2014 --

State of affairs

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

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One might say that the post offers some remarks about "What I learned from Hitchens" or even about what the recent look at Hawking's life might be telling us. But, not. The former will be revealed at some future point (perhaps, nearer than not). The latter would deal with quasi-empiricism's role as one of many viewpoints that are important; yet, these get little more than a distracted look.

Distracted? Well, one phrase is of note: head in the apps. Yes, lose one "p" and convert the other to "s" and you will get the drift.

This post does do this: announce a change of venue (mental, spiritual, mathematical, computational shift, so to speak). Now, what is all of that? Did evolution happen overnight?

Let's just say that a new school has been formed. Compared to those, say the illustrious one of 1636, that are behemoth'ic now, this school is not much more than an idea that has increased in importance, the energy source necessary for its fruition, and credentials affording the facilitation.

Say what? Unlike Hawking with his current interest in being the one mind that we are to listen to, the new school is non-elite, open to all of humanity that might catch its drift, and very much grounded (at the same time, oriented toward inspiring the best that people can grasp).

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For starters, a rant is necessary to begin a description of the current state of affairs. Thank God that the filth encapsulated in TV ads has ceased, for the moment (they will be back and more negative -- think "black holes" as Hawking might see if it was presented correctly). These two were written firstly in the FB milieu but then cut over to this post which will be pushed back as a link.

1: FB user: I have a question about Facebook. There are two choices for reading your Timeline, "most recent" (which I tend to think of as chronologically reading the comments) and "Top Stories" (which I assumed were the most popular). After being suspicious about these choices, and switching back and forth all week, this is today's timeline: Most recent - top 5 comments were Sept. 10, 20 hours, 5 minutes, Nov. 1, 48 minutes. Top Stories - 12 minutes, 15 minutes, 50 minutes, 1 hour, 1 hour. OK, what is going on here? 

Response: No mystery. Behind the scene are youngsters of little ethical/moral education or leaning (speaking from decades of experience - at one point, opening email would have not been considered to be okay - do we expect the post man to open and read our snail mail?). Under the current scheme, there is not even a way to ask for an accounting (use at your own risk). Is there someone somewhere thinking of a robust, trustworthy platform. Of course, perhaps, given the current environment, even asking such a question might be considered laughable. Sad, sorry, state of affairs.  

How did we get to where adults trying to communicate in a mature manner are subjected to psychological (however couched, it still stinks) testing, with our information being used for unknown ends, all the while getting further entrapped with each little bit transmitted?


Whence such thoughts? In 1215, King John was forced to seal/sign the Magna Charta. Internet/cloud users have as much right, many rights, as did those Lords of old (their concerns did not include serfs - of which class, internet/apps users, today, are, most likely, the modern variant).


2: All this media talk about the infrastructure being at risk through hackers? Gosh, guys, where was this attention when the genie was let loose (as in, a defense-developed system put out for general use with little thought given to security - everyone seemed to be so gaga about the web, which turned wild real fast)? Where were you when utilities (dumb bosses running after big pay for themselves) were stupidly putting critical systems on what is, essentially, a flimsy framework? Oh, then, what can we say about the m/billionaires who have raked in the dough from exploiting the system and those who get pulled into morass? ... Actually, media, look back and see if there were foresighted people who were castigated, at the time. Tell us about these "heroes." Perhaps, we could learn something of use (actually, the same thing goes for NSA).

The first was a reaction that has been expressed before. Like we see with the world, led by mathematcians/physicists (and many others), like Hawking, everything is fluid and situational. People, some, have grasped after the chimera (different connotation than used with the ca-pital-sino, but not that dissimilar) as if it has some value ("spiritual" and otherwise) that is of a lasting nature. How many find such? Well, many have found sufficient lure to completely forget the wondrous world offered them by the Creator (yes) or to suppress such reality beneath their abstract'd overlay that comes via the augmentation via ubiquitous computing and the uber (cloud). More will be said here. Now, too negative. Well, that is why this post denote a demarcation point (no more following those who fall into the valley of filth - ah, again, thank God, it's over - not, we now will watch new personality dynamics unfold (while Janet ponders unwinding, later than was needed). The truth in those comments is there, to be lifted.

Truth engineering. Perhaps, we'll rephrase the concept, but there will be additional effort put into describing (yes, not created, rather discovered - actually, it's either/or).

Now, the second. How did we get to this state of affairs? The general adoption of abstraction as more real than that which is extruded by mammals (and others) such that we can step in it. Think of this. One deep view of such matter may just have more to say to us than a whole lot of abstracted nonsense. Hyperbole? Perhaps from one view, but, we'll get to that (multi-verse implies multiple viewpoints - in an active sense (yes, psychology and physics) -- the kids actually get it - we drum it out of them).

Remarks:  Modified: 01/05/2015

11/14/2014 -- One very good example is a major hotel chain whose founding family sold out to private equity which let existing properties decay (through neglect) while focusing on new; then, the going public bit (can be characterized so many way) put 10s of billions in the pockets of the private equity people (and their cronies) who laughed on their way to the bank (which they own) while employees labor, in a Sisyphean manner, to keep customers (some of long time loyalty - stupid jerks that the clients are) happy so that they might return despite the deteriorating conditions. And, customer reviews, perhaps too strongly but perhaps not, all talk of the state of affairs not being up to the exalted name of the chain's founder.

01/05/2014 -- Renewal, see Context line.

Models and models

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

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The progression in the world of ideas somewhat has parallels which can be seen to be like those of the markets. Which means that there are downturns in thought, just like we see with the ca-pital-sino.

Ca-pital-sino? The roaring bulls, essentially.

So, thought downturns? Well, we see this several ways, all of which bear a look. One that is really prominent deals with data, as in big data, and all of the truths there. Well, that would not even be possible without computing.

So, computing is the next thing in line. How can it be problematic? You mean, "heads in the apps" living (and driving) is an adorable trait, to be emulated?

Too, computing plays heavily in the issues related to the ca-pital-sino. So, that theme will be central to a lot of discussion.

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Going forward, though, how is it that we have lost any grasp on truth? DC? Public stances and spin, essentially. Banking? Well, it is nowhere near the utility (as in piping, folk) look that it ought to have. Even with wheeling and dealing (which would be outside of the plumbing), we still need to have a robust system (without the systemic risks inherent in what has evolved with technology).

And, what is truth? Exactly. Can it be engineered? Ought it be? We'll have to get back to our fundamentals.

Remarks:  Modified: 01/05/2015

11/03/2014 -- So, we, here, need to get away from the monied view. You see, it very much is limiting (for many reasons). The proper thinking needs one's mind divorced from things economic. Now, our problem is that the Harvard-ites of the world (and the FBers) are very much tied into money. In terms of the latter, that is due to the current blindness of the web'd. In terms of the former, ah, "how did it happen?" I have to ask the folks in Cambridge. So much to discuss.

01/05/2014 -- Renewal, see Context line.