Saturday, October 18, 2008
Monday, October 06, 2008
Sell All the Gold in Fort Knox?
$129,711,120,000 is the value of all the gold in Fort Knox. 129 Billion $. The Bailout could have bought 6.5x all the gold in Fort Knox.
Friday, October 03, 2008
810 Billion $ Quote
"The American Republic will endure until the day Congress discovers that it can bribe the public with the public's money." - Toq.
Confidence
I keep falling back into Macro News instead of focusing on the technology I know. Today is no different.
When a society only has "confidence" as a means to stabilize its financial markets, its an indicator of bad things to come. "Competence" is what we need. Not all investments cause losses. A competent financial Guru should easily be able to give me a guarantee of positive return. Any financial professional who has lost a single client money should be barred from working in the financial services industry ever again.
When a society only has "confidence" as a means to stabilize its financial markets, its an indicator of bad things to come. "Competence" is what we need. Not all investments cause losses. A competent financial Guru should easily be able to give me a guarantee of positive return. Any financial professional who has lost a single client money should be barred from working in the financial services industry ever again.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Correct Response to privacy
From:
http://www.wired.com/politics/security/commentary/securitymatters/2006/05/70886
"The most common retort against privacy advocates -- by those in favor of ID checks, cameras, databases, data mining and other wholesale surveillance measures -- is this line: "If you aren't doing anything wrong, what do you have to hide?"
Some clever answers: "If I'm not doing anything wrong, then you have no cause to watch me." "Because the government gets to define what's wrong, and they keep changing the definition." "Because you might do something wrong with my information." My problem with quips like these -- as right as they are -- is that they accept the premise that privacy is about hiding a wrong. It's not. Privacy is an inherent human right, and a requirement for maintaining the human condition with dignity and respect.
Two proverbs say it best: Quis custodiet custodes ipsos? ("Who watches the watchers?") and "Absolute power corrupts absolutely." "
http://www.wired.com/politics/security/commentary/securitymatters/2006/05/70886
"The most common retort against privacy advocates -- by those in favor of ID checks, cameras, databases, data mining and other wholesale surveillance measures -- is this line: "If you aren't doing anything wrong, what do you have to hide?"
Some clever answers: "If I'm not doing anything wrong, then you have no cause to watch me." "Because the government gets to define what's wrong, and they keep changing the definition." "Because you might do something wrong with my information." My problem with quips like these -- as right as they are -- is that they accept the premise that privacy is about hiding a wrong. It's not. Privacy is an inherent human right, and a requirement for maintaining the human condition with dignity and respect.
Two proverbs say it best: Quis custodiet custodes ipsos? ("Who watches the watchers?") and "Absolute power corrupts absolutely." "
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Universal Truths
Scavenged from: boreme.com
Universal truths
1) Triangular sandwiches taste better than square ones.
2) At the end of every party there is always a girl crying.
3) One of the most awkward things that can happen in a pub is when your pint-to-toilet cycle gets synchronised with a complete stranger.
4) You've never quite sure whether it's ok to eat green crisps.
5) Everyone who grew up in the 80's has entered the digits 55378008 into a calculator.
6) Reading when you're drunk is horrible.
7) Sharpening a pencil with a knife makes you feel really manly.
8) You're never quite sure whether it's against the law or not to have a fire in your back garden.
10) Nobody ever dares make cup-a-soup in a bowl.
11) You never know where to look when eating a banana.
12) Its impossible to describe the smell of a wet cat.
13) Prodding a fire with a stick makes you feel manly.
14) Rummaging in an overgrown garden will always turn up a bouncy ball.
15) You always feel a bit scared when stroking horses.
16) Everyone always remembers the day a dog ran into your school.
17) The most embarrassing thing you can do as schoolchild is to call your teacher mum or dad.
18) The smaller the monkey the more it looks like it would kill you at the
first given opportunity.
19) Some days you see lots of people on crutches.
20) Every bloke has at some stage while taking a pee flushed half way through and then raced against the flush.
21) Old women with mobile phones look wrong!
22) Its impossible to look cool whilst picking up a Frisbee.
23) Driving through a tunnel makes you feel excited.
24) You never ever run out of salt.
25) Old ladies can eat more than you think.
26) You can't respect a man who carries a dog.
27) There's no panic like the panic you momentarily feel when you've got your hand or head stuck in something.
28) No one knows the origins of their metal coat hangers.
29) Despite constant warning, you have never met anybody who has had their arm broken by a swan.
30) The most painful household incident is wearing socks and stepping on an upturned plug.
31) People who don't drive slam car doors too hard
32) You've turned into your dad the day you put aside a thin piece of wood
specifically to stir paint with.
33) Everyone had an uncle who tried to steal their nose.
34) Bricks are horrible to carry.
35) In every plate of chips there is a bad chip.
Universal truths
1) Triangular sandwiches taste better than square ones.
2) At the end of every party there is always a girl crying.
3) One of the most awkward things that can happen in a pub is when your pint-to-toilet cycle gets synchronised with a complete stranger.
4) You've never quite sure whether it's ok to eat green crisps.
5) Everyone who grew up in the 80's has entered the digits 55378008 into a calculator.
6) Reading when you're drunk is horrible.
7) Sharpening a pencil with a knife makes you feel really manly.
8) You're never quite sure whether it's against the law or not to have a fire in your back garden.
10) Nobody ever dares make cup-a-soup in a bowl.
11) You never know where to look when eating a banana.
12) Its impossible to describe the smell of a wet cat.
13) Prodding a fire with a stick makes you feel manly.
14) Rummaging in an overgrown garden will always turn up a bouncy ball.
15) You always feel a bit scared when stroking horses.
16) Everyone always remembers the day a dog ran into your school.
17) The most embarrassing thing you can do as schoolchild is to call your teacher mum or dad.
18) The smaller the monkey the more it looks like it would kill you at the
first given opportunity.
19) Some days you see lots of people on crutches.
20) Every bloke has at some stage while taking a pee flushed half way through and then raced against the flush.
21) Old women with mobile phones look wrong!
22) Its impossible to look cool whilst picking up a Frisbee.
23) Driving through a tunnel makes you feel excited.
24) You never ever run out of salt.
25) Old ladies can eat more than you think.
26) You can't respect a man who carries a dog.
27) There's no panic like the panic you momentarily feel when you've got your hand or head stuck in something.
28) No one knows the origins of their metal coat hangers.
29) Despite constant warning, you have never met anybody who has had their arm broken by a swan.
30) The most painful household incident is wearing socks and stepping on an upturned plug.
31) People who don't drive slam car doors too hard
32) You've turned into your dad the day you put aside a thin piece of wood
specifically to stir paint with.
33) Everyone had an uncle who tried to steal their nose.
34) Bricks are horrible to carry.
35) In every plate of chips there is a bad chip.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Copyright Stuff
The case of Atlantic V Anderson is a case where the Recording Industry charged a woman with copyright infringement and ended up paying $107,951 and admitting fault.
On copyright, I never advocate breaching copyright. I do feel that as a society we should be focusing on creating new works and not living off the proceeds of past works. Performers should make money by performing. Software writers should make money with enhancements to their software. No one should be be stifled because of worrying about infringing someone else's property rights.
There is no reason why this issue ever needed to reach the scale that it has. Penalizing litigious companies suing their own customers is an appropriate response to this activity.
On copyright, I never advocate breaching copyright. I do feel that as a society we should be focusing on creating new works and not living off the proceeds of past works. Performers should make money by performing. Software writers should make money with enhancements to their software. No one should be be stifled because of worrying about infringing someone else's property rights.
There is no reason why this issue ever needed to reach the scale that it has. Penalizing litigious companies suing their own customers is an appropriate response to this activity.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Solar Cell Developments
link
Comment with correct spelling:
There is a lot of research going on into improving not only the output of solar but into lowering the cost of manufacturing them. Nanotechnologies have in lab tests have shown certain avenues of current research may have the ability to increase performance of basically existing tech by as much as 25%, sure they are a ways to go before any kind of mass production can be done with this research but it's there. Increasing acceptance by the population as to the usefulness of the equipment will of course generate more investor dollars into this research, and frankly I'd much rather see this than more research into increasing payload output of bombs. Some areas still have much they could do to encourage the adoption of solar too. being able to sell energy to the grid rather than just offset the cost of what you bought for instance in California alone would be a boon to the industry.
Comment with correct spelling:
There is a lot of research going on into improving not only the output of solar but into lowering the cost of manufacturing them. Nanotechnologies have in lab tests have shown certain avenues of current research may have the ability to increase performance of basically existing tech by as much as 25%, sure they are a ways to go before any kind of mass production can be done with this research but it's there. Increasing acceptance by the population as to the usefulness of the equipment will of course generate more investor dollars into this research, and frankly I'd much rather see this than more research into increasing payload output of bombs. Some areas still have much they could do to encourage the adoption of solar too. being able to sell energy to the grid rather than just offset the cost of what you bought for instance in California alone would be a boon to the industry.
Saturday, July 12, 2008
National Debt
I strongly believe that those people in office who spent the money should pay out of their own pocket to reduce it back to the level before they messed it up. If you voted for this President, Here's how:
Make your check payable to the Bureau of the Public Debt, and in the memo section, notate that it is a Gift to reduce the Debt Held by the Public. Mail your check to:
Attn Dept G
Bureau Of the Public Debt
P. O. Box 2188
Parkersburg, WV 26106-2188
How do you make a contribution to reduce the debt?
Make your check payable to the Bureau of the Public Debt, and in the memo section, notate that it is a Gift to reduce the Debt Held by the Public. Mail your check to:
Attn Dept G
Bureau Of the Public Debt
P. O. Box 2188
Parkersburg, WV 26106-2188
Friday, June 13, 2008
Uncommon Common Sense Promotions
What is the basis for promotions and pay evaluations?
An intelligent person should be able to figure that out either via instinct or through careful thought and planning. However, I was surprised by my written list of things answering the question: What have you done outside your role to help the company as a whole? to demonstrate the core values of the company? Its not something I'd stop and think about voluntarily but is advice I'd offer to a younger me. Luckily, my instinct for taking on as much as I possibly can lends itself well toward the appearance (with evidence) that I am proactive within my company.
Examples include:
1) Volunteer Work
2) Increased Ownership of Company
3) Training
4) Recruiting
5) Acting as a subject matter expert
6) Participating in communities of practice
I think a wise thing to do would be to sit down each week and do this evaluation along side the evaluation for: How have I made my Boss's job easier this week?
An intelligent person should be able to figure that out either via instinct or through careful thought and planning. However, I was surprised by my written list of things answering the question: What have you done outside your role to help the company as a whole? to demonstrate the core values of the company? Its not something I'd stop and think about voluntarily but is advice I'd offer to a younger me. Luckily, my instinct for taking on as much as I possibly can lends itself well toward the appearance (with evidence) that I am proactive within my company.
Examples include:
1) Volunteer Work
2) Increased Ownership of Company
3) Training
4) Recruiting
5) Acting as a subject matter expert
6) Participating in communities of practice
I think a wise thing to do would be to sit down each week and do this evaluation along side the evaluation for: How have I made my Boss's job easier this week?
Programmer Insecurity
On reddit this morning there was a blog post on programmer insecurity.
It was an insightful one sided piece attacking the programmer with the common myth of emotional and social ineptitude. My rebuttal is from a programmer's perspective. I could have left comments that disappeared into the void in both locations but I felt that it was a weighty enough subject to merit discussion.
You'd never expect a musician, painter, or dancer to stop and present every note from the moment they started learning a piece, every brush stroke since they started a piece, or every dance session they worked. Its time consuming, interrupts the flow of creative thought, and opens unfinished thoughts/work to public criticism. The last aspect with code is that people will start using it immediately if you're followed in any way.
The dogma "Release Early, Release Often" doesn't mean commit code that doesn't compile. Sometimes, my branches don't compile and I know exactly why but my body just can't keep up with what my mind wants to create. Were I to follow the best practices and plan everything out, I'd lose a lot of the enjoyment and learning I get from playing with different ways of doing things. There may be a best way to do a certain method, but in my implementation I've coded a new way that could work better or could later be replaced to a call to the most efficient method meeting my criteria. Sometimes, its better to let things flow from the mind to the keyboard.
This post is an example of a free flow of thought. Writing is another system where we don't expect writers to show us every draft and keystroke. My post is not well structured or organized but it conveys what I want it to with the time I'm willing to commit to the act.
Hope all are well,
Dave
It was an insightful one sided piece attacking the programmer with the common myth of emotional and social ineptitude. My rebuttal is from a programmer's perspective. I could have left comments that disappeared into the void in both locations but I felt that it was a weighty enough subject to merit discussion.
You'd never expect a musician, painter, or dancer to stop and present every note from the moment they started learning a piece, every brush stroke since they started a piece, or every dance session they worked. Its time consuming, interrupts the flow of creative thought, and opens unfinished thoughts/work to public criticism. The last aspect with code is that people will start using it immediately if you're followed in any way.
The dogma "Release Early, Release Often" doesn't mean commit code that doesn't compile. Sometimes, my branches don't compile and I know exactly why but my body just can't keep up with what my mind wants to create. Were I to follow the best practices and plan everything out, I'd lose a lot of the enjoyment and learning I get from playing with different ways of doing things. There may be a best way to do a certain method, but in my implementation I've coded a new way that could work better or could later be replaced to a call to the most efficient method meeting my criteria. Sometimes, its better to let things flow from the mind to the keyboard.
This post is an example of a free flow of thought. Writing is another system where we don't expect writers to show us every draft and keystroke. My post is not well structured or organized but it conveys what I want it to with the time I'm willing to commit to the act.
Hope all are well,
Dave
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Defeating Demons Within
Tonight, I scored a victory against my demons. I was scheduled to volunteer for 2 hours and had driven to the hospital an hour early to begin my shift. I sat in the car and read a new book for some time while wrestling with the urge to drive off and be dishonest about my volunteer work that evening. I hadn't done this before, but as the time approached for me to start my shift my desire to drive off faded and I went in to volunteer.
Driving off would have caused drama. My demons do their best to cause drama. As I get older and wiser, I'm finally able to control these destructive decisions. I will be the person I want to be and there won't be any more unreasonable decisions.
Score one for me.
Driving off would have caused drama. My demons do their best to cause drama. As I get older and wiser, I'm finally able to control these destructive decisions. I will be the person I want to be and there won't be any more unreasonable decisions.
Score one for me.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
2008 Proposed Federal Budget
I was hoping when I started this blogging experiment to focus more on technology and less on the soft sciences and emotionally charged issues such as politics. However, it seems the things that I am most interested in are defining where I stand on a lot of macro issues. While this is probably an effect of listening to too much national media, I'm still going to jot down my points of view for you.
This link:
http://www.thebudgetgraph.com/site/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1
is a tool to examine the proposed federal budget for 2008. It outlines that 67% of our national spending (1055 Trillion $) is requested to go to national defense and security. In the society I want to live in, the military is funded at a maximum of 25% of the total national budget. Other services should make up the bulk of a balanced budget.
Were I in charge, I'd reduce federal spending on defense slowly until we reached the 25% level. The reduction would lead to a balanced budget and a surplus which could then be used to both reduce the tax burden of the poorest citizens and pay for social services such as schools, tax collection, welfare, prisons, legal system, social security, unemployment, and universal health care.
This link:
http://www.thebudgetgraph.com/site/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1
is a tool to examine the proposed federal budget for 2008. It outlines that 67% of our national spending (1055 Trillion $) is requested to go to national defense and security. In the society I want to live in, the military is funded at a maximum of 25% of the total national budget. Other services should make up the bulk of a balanced budget.
Were I in charge, I'd reduce federal spending on defense slowly until we reached the 25% level. The reduction would lead to a balanced budget and a surplus which could then be used to both reduce the tax burden of the poorest citizens and pay for social services such as schools, tax collection, welfare, prisons, legal system, social security, unemployment, and universal health care.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)