Piaw after 8.2 miles of hiking. Good grief, that last stretch looks steep! 
Sunday, September 25, 2005
Friday, September 23, 2005
Patri provides more details on my 20% project
I'm so glad this 20% project was more than just me. I certainly don't have the ability to do the kind of analysis that he did, and I'm definitely happy to have someone show that the results are useful. Reminds of my TinyMUCK work, where I did a bunch of stuff for fun, but really didn't see the significance of it until much later.
I'm so glad this 20% project was more than just me. I certainly don't have the ability to do the kind of analysis that he did, and I'm definitely happy to have someone show that the results are useful. Reminds of my TinyMUCK work, where I did a bunch of stuff for fun, but really didn't see the significance of it until much later.
Thursday, September 22, 2005
Wednesday, September 21, 2005
Now I can talk about it
Every so often I'll talk to someone who knows I work at Google. Invariably, the question will come up if they're technically savvy, "Is it true that that everyone gets 1 day a week to work on whatever they like?" I answer, "Yes." "What did you do with your time?" Unfortunately, I don't usually say much. But now I can point to this, and say, "I wrote the trading engine." (Actually, I rewrote it a couple of times before getting it right)
Every so often I'll talk to someone who knows I work at Google. Invariably, the question will come up if they're technically savvy, "Is it true that that everyone gets 1 day a week to work on whatever they like?" I answer, "Yes." "What did you do with your time?" Unfortunately, I don't usually say much. But now I can point to this, and say, "I wrote the trading engine." (Actually, I rewrote it a couple of times before getting it right)
Monday, September 19, 2005
Saturday, September 17, 2005
Year's Best Science Fiction, 22nd Annual Collection
Ever since I let my subscription to Asimov's Science Fiction lapse, I've found the Year's Best Collections worth reading, if not buying. (I still check it out from the local library) This collection's best stories are:
Ever since I let my subscription to Asimov's Science Fiction lapse, I've found the Year's Best Collections worth reading, if not buying. (I still check it out from the local library) This collection's best stories are:
- "Shiva in Shadow", Nancy Kress
- "Mayflower II", Stephen Baxter
- "Inappropriate Behavior", Pat Murtphy
- "Start the Clock", Benjamin Rosenblaum
- "Skin Deep", Mary Rosenblum
- "Men Are Trouble", James Patrick Kelly
- "Investments", Walter Jon Williams
The Rhythm Section
A quick read in the "La Femme Nikita" vein, but not great enough to continue reading further books in the series. It is very readable, but then again, so are many other reads. One interesting note is that the author does mention terrorism and Osama Bin Laden in 1999, 2 years before the world trade center attacks.
A quick read in the "La Femme Nikita" vein, but not great enough to continue reading further books in the series. It is very readable, but then again, so are many other reads. One interesting note is that the author does mention terrorism and Osama Bin Laden in 1999, 2 years before the world trade center attacks.
This is why I'm taking so long to switch to digital. I took this picture in 2002, with Fuji Velvia on my 4 year old SLR. It was a picture with vertical orientation. I wanted a wallpaper for my 1900x1200 new monitor at work, so I cropped away 75% of the picture, rescaled the result by 50% (reducing the size of the result), and what's left looks pretty darn good.
The original image, as scanned by a CanoScan FS4000US was 4000x6000 pixels, or 24 megapixel. To provide a point of reference, Canon's top of the line digital SLR, the EOS-1Ds (full frame), provides 16 megapixel resolution, and costs well over $8000. Granted, scanning a slide loses you some clarify and resolution, so the numbers aren't directly comparable, but in many ways we still have a few more cycles of Moore's law before digital becomes the choice when highest quality is desired.
Friday, September 16, 2005
The Wright Exit Strategy
This is a great antidote to The Millionaire Next Door. If you recall, Millionaire Next Door is about how wealthy people got that way by clipping coupons and not spending money. The study was flawed with all sorts of the kind of errors described in Fooled by Randomness. However, even more distasteful to me was all these people with millions of dollars who spent their lives staying home, clipping coupons, and not actually doing anything with their money like travelling, enjoying hobbies, or doing anything for the greater society. In fact, most of them answered the question, "What is your favorite charity?" with the answer, "Myself."
OK, enough about the Millionaire Next Door. The Wright Exit Strategy reverses the question by asking you what your goals in life are. If you could have any calendar you want, and could fill it only with stuff you enjoyed doing, how would you fill it? From there, Wright gets into the details of how to hire the correct estate planning agent, how uncomplicated financial strategy actually is, and how to get over the barriers to being able to do what you truly want to do, whether it's the fear of selling your family business, or selling your highly appreciated company stock, or actually starting to give money away.
Note the the book does not at all describe how you should get that wealthy. Presumably, you do that with a combination of luck and business saavy. Naturally, most of the concerns he has (like dodging capital gains taxes or estate planning) really only apply to the ultra-rich (well above the $3 million you actually need to get a $100,000 a year income), but in any case, if you're the kind of person who's described by The Millionaire Next Door, you need to read this book so you can get a life and do what you really want to do.
There's a poignant story in this book about a successful condominium developer who had already made $20 million and was now having an aggravating time getting new real estate developed because everyone was getting on his case (environmentalists, etc, etc). After talking to him, Wright pointed out that this guy was really into it for the thrill of the hunt, but had never considered that he could get his thrills any other way, despite the ulcers and other bodily pain he was suffering from his job. Unfortunately, the guy died of a heart attack before Wright's advice could do any good. Read this book, Mr. Millionaire, and take notes!
(Though I'm fond of saying: Wealth is wasted on the wealthy!)
This is a great antidote to The Millionaire Next Door. If you recall, Millionaire Next Door is about how wealthy people got that way by clipping coupons and not spending money. The study was flawed with all sorts of the kind of errors described in Fooled by Randomness. However, even more distasteful to me was all these people with millions of dollars who spent their lives staying home, clipping coupons, and not actually doing anything with their money like travelling, enjoying hobbies, or doing anything for the greater society. In fact, most of them answered the question, "What is your favorite charity?" with the answer, "Myself."
OK, enough about the Millionaire Next Door. The Wright Exit Strategy reverses the question by asking you what your goals in life are. If you could have any calendar you want, and could fill it only with stuff you enjoyed doing, how would you fill it? From there, Wright gets into the details of how to hire the correct estate planning agent, how uncomplicated financial strategy actually is, and how to get over the barriers to being able to do what you truly want to do, whether it's the fear of selling your family business, or selling your highly appreciated company stock, or actually starting to give money away.
Note the the book does not at all describe how you should get that wealthy. Presumably, you do that with a combination of luck and business saavy. Naturally, most of the concerns he has (like dodging capital gains taxes or estate planning) really only apply to the ultra-rich (well above the $3 million you actually need to get a $100,000 a year income), but in any case, if you're the kind of person who's described by The Millionaire Next Door, you need to read this book so you can get a life and do what you really want to do.
There's a poignant story in this book about a successful condominium developer who had already made $20 million and was now having an aggravating time getting new real estate developed because everyone was getting on his case (environmentalists, etc, etc). After talking to him, Wright pointed out that this guy was really into it for the thrill of the hunt, but had never considered that he could get his thrills any other way, despite the ulcers and other bodily pain he was suffering from his job. Unfortunately, the guy died of a heart attack before Wright's advice could do any good. Read this book, Mr. Millionaire, and take notes!
(Though I'm fond of saying: Wealth is wasted on the wealthy!)
Castle Waiting
The best of the recent graphic novels I've read. It's a whimsical fairy tale, filled with references to your nursery rhyme stories, including the 3 little pigs, the goose that lay the golden egg, amongst others. Entertaining. Vol. 1 hasn't provided much by way of plot yet, but this volume has as much promise as the early issues of Bone.
The best of the recent graphic novels I've read. It's a whimsical fairy tale, filled with references to your nursery rhyme stories, including the 3 little pigs, the goose that lay the golden egg, amongst others. Entertaining. Vol. 1 hasn't provided much by way of plot yet, but this volume has as much promise as the early issues of Bone.
A Distant Soil
Colleen Doran started this comic when she was 13, and it shows. Now, Daniel Keys Moran started his novel series when he was 13 as well, but his characters are compelling, and his plots exciting. But Doran applied no form of filtering whatsoever to her work. The characters don't develop well, and the plot is barely comprehensible. Despite that, she won numerous awards for her work. Why? Because she was one of the leading wave of independent publishers, and probably the only woman in the field who has had any form of success.
Oh, and she draws really well. Her layouts are very pretty, and I enjoy looking at her pictures. Definitely worth my time to borrow the next two volumes from the library.
Colleen Doran started this comic when she was 13, and it shows. Now, Daniel Keys Moran started his novel series when he was 13 as well, but his characters are compelling, and his plots exciting. But Doran applied no form of filtering whatsoever to her work. The characters don't develop well, and the plot is barely comprehensible. Despite that, she won numerous awards for her work. Why? Because she was one of the leading wave of independent publishers, and probably the only woman in the field who has had any form of success.
Oh, and she draws really well. Her layouts are very pretty, and I enjoy looking at her pictures. Definitely worth my time to borrow the next two volumes from the library.
Batman: Child of Dreams
Kia Asamiya draws a Batman manga. It's not very good. Of course, he couldn't resist putting in a cute Japanese girl, but more importantly, the guy just can't draw a good Bruce Wayne. I don't normally look at guys, but isn't Bruce Wayne supposed to be a good looking guy?
Not recommended.
Kia Asamiya draws a Batman manga. It's not very good. Of course, he couldn't resist putting in a cute Japanese girl, but more importantly, the guy just can't draw a good Bruce Wayne. I don't normally look at guys, but isn't Bruce Wayne supposed to be a good looking guy?
Not recommended.
Tuesday, September 13, 2005
Which D&D Character Are You?
I Am A: Lawful Good Halfling Bard
Alignment:
Lawful Good characters are the epitome of all that is just and good. They believe in order and governments that work for the benefit of all, and generally do not mind doing direct work to further their beliefs.
Race:
Halflings are short and fat, like minuature people. (Think 'Hobbits') They enjoy the easy life, but aren't averse to the idea of an adventure from time to time. They get along with all races, and are known for their senses of humor. Halflings also tend to be light of foot, and can move quietly when necessary.
Primary Class:
Bards are the entertainers. They sing, dance, and play instruments to make other people happy, and, frequently, make money. They also tend to dabble in magic a bit.
Secondary Class:
Monks are strange and generally not understood by the world at large. They live apart from people, and follow strict codes that restrain their behavior and lifestyle. They have an exceptionally calm outlook on life, and generally do not resort to violence unless absolutely necessary. Even when they do, their code of conduct forbids the use of all weapons - except their hands. As such, monks are extremely skilled at hand-to-hand combat, and no other style.
Deity:
Avoreen is the Lawful Good halfling god of war, defense, and vigilance. He is also known as the Defender and the Vigilant Guardian. Followers of Avoreen are devoted to the defense of the halfling race, and spend their days drilling and preparing other halflings for the defense of their homes, if necessary. Their preferred weapon is the short sword. Avoreen's symbol is a pair of crossed short swords.
Find out What D&D Character Are You?, courtesy of
NeppyMan (e-mail)
I Am A: Lawful Good Halfling Bard
Alignment:
Lawful Good characters are the epitome of all that is just and good. They believe in order and governments that work for the benefit of all, and generally do not mind doing direct work to further their beliefs.
Race:
Halflings are short and fat, like minuature people. (Think 'Hobbits') They enjoy the easy life, but aren't averse to the idea of an adventure from time to time. They get along with all races, and are known for their senses of humor. Halflings also tend to be light of foot, and can move quietly when necessary.
Primary Class:
Bards are the entertainers. They sing, dance, and play instruments to make other people happy, and, frequently, make money. They also tend to dabble in magic a bit.
Secondary Class:
Monks are strange and generally not understood by the world at large. They live apart from people, and follow strict codes that restrain their behavior and lifestyle. They have an exceptionally calm outlook on life, and generally do not resort to violence unless absolutely necessary. Even when they do, their code of conduct forbids the use of all weapons - except their hands. As such, monks are extremely skilled at hand-to-hand combat, and no other style.
Deity:
Avoreen is the Lawful Good halfling god of war, defense, and vigilance. He is also known as the Defender and the Vigilant Guardian. Followers of Avoreen are devoted to the defense of the halfling race, and spend their days drilling and preparing other halflings for the defense of their homes, if necessary. Their preferred weapon is the short sword. Avoreen's symbol is a pair of crossed short swords.
Find out What D&D Character Are You?, courtesy of
NeppyMan (e-mail)Monday, September 12, 2005
Constantine
OK, I guess I might as well do mini movie reviews too. The best thing about the advance of Computer Graphics is that comic-book movies are now visually stunning. The worst thing is that they can't make actors better. Keenau Reeves isn't a great actor to portray John Constantine (since Constantine in the comics looks exactly like Sting), on the other hand, I didn't feel like he ruined the entire movie.
It's a good watch, especially for someone getting over an sore throat and a bad cold. All that coughing Reeves does reminds you that you're likely to get well.
OK, I guess I might as well do mini movie reviews too. The best thing about the advance of Computer Graphics is that comic-book movies are now visually stunning. The worst thing is that they can't make actors better. Keenau Reeves isn't a great actor to portray John Constantine (since Constantine in the comics looks exactly like Sting), on the other hand, I didn't feel like he ruined the entire movie.
It's a good watch, especially for someone getting over an sore throat and a bad cold. All that coughing Reeves does reminds you that you're likely to get well.
Sunday, September 11, 2005
Hanging out with the Dream King: Interviews with Neil Gaiman and his collaborators
Halfway through this book I realized that I didn't really like Neil Gaiman that much as a writer. His Sandman series was excellent, and probably the most brilliant of his work, followed by a few good short novellas such as Stardust.
I found his stint on Miracleman after Alan Moore took over to be less than stellar, and he hasn't done any other comic books since.
But his novels? Good Omens left me cold, as did American Gods. Neverwhere was OK, but not ground breaking.
My conclusion is that Gaiman had a brilliant creative spurt in his career and Sandman, which spawned the Goth movement amongst other things, is definitely an outstanding achievement (though I still consider Gaiman's work a pale shadow of what Alan Moore is capable of --- and Moore is still creatively involved in comic books and shows no sign of his talent slacking off), but his novels sell only because he's made a name for himself in comics. Sure, he's better than a lot of the other dreck out there, but that doesn't say much, since Sturgeon's law applies in novels as easily as it does in Comics. The difference is that Gaiman is probably in the top 5% in comics while he's at most in the top 20% in novels.
The nature of the business, though is that novels are a lot more lucrative (and require less collaboration) than comics, so we're unlikely to see Gaiman work on any more comics, which is a pity.
Halfway through this book I realized that I didn't really like Neil Gaiman that much as a writer. His Sandman series was excellent, and probably the most brilliant of his work, followed by a few good short novellas such as Stardust.
I found his stint on Miracleman after Alan Moore took over to be less than stellar, and he hasn't done any other comic books since.
But his novels? Good Omens left me cold, as did American Gods. Neverwhere was OK, but not ground breaking.
My conclusion is that Gaiman had a brilliant creative spurt in his career and Sandman, which spawned the Goth movement amongst other things, is definitely an outstanding achievement (though I still consider Gaiman's work a pale shadow of what Alan Moore is capable of --- and Moore is still creatively involved in comic books and shows no sign of his talent slacking off), but his novels sell only because he's made a name for himself in comics. Sure, he's better than a lot of the other dreck out there, but that doesn't say much, since Sturgeon's law applies in novels as easily as it does in Comics. The difference is that Gaiman is probably in the top 5% in comics while he's at most in the top 20% in novels.
The nature of the business, though is that novels are a lot more lucrative (and require less collaboration) than comics, so we're unlikely to see Gaiman work on any more comics, which is a pity.
Astonishing X-Men: Gifted
Joss Wheldon writes the X-men. It's a decent start, but not a mind blowing entry the way Alan Moore was. Joss brings out the "high school" part of the X-men quite well, but makes a few elementary comic book mistakes (like having dialog spread over a page turn, a definite no-no) that I wouldn't expect from someone as smart as he is.
Will wait for the next installment to show up at the library before reading.
Joss Wheldon writes the X-men. It's a decent start, but not a mind blowing entry the way Alan Moore was. Joss brings out the "high school" part of the X-men quite well, but makes a few elementary comic book mistakes (like having dialog spread over a page turn, a definite no-no) that I wouldn't expect from someone as smart as he is.
Will wait for the next installment to show up at the library before reading.
Monday, September 05, 2005
Republicans are Evil Part II
Howard Dean, chairman of the DNC, sends an email:
Hurricane Katrina: How to Help: […] Many stayed behind and suffered devastating loss and injuries — nearly a hundred have died that we know of, and hundreds of thousands need our help. America is at its best when we realize that we are one community — that we’re all in this together. That means that each one of us has the responsibility to do what we can to help the relief effort. The Red Cross is a great place to start
We are still learning the full story of the devastation, but there is no time to wait. Please do something now.
Ken Mehlman, chairman of the RNC, sends an email:
When they return from their August recess, Senators will consider a key issue: elimination of the death tax.
Will you help bring tax relief to more hard-working Americans? Call Senator Voinovich today and ask them to eliminate the death tax.
Clearly George Bush and Paris Hilton are both hard-working Americans.
Howard Dean, chairman of the DNC, sends an email:
Hurricane Katrina: How to Help: […] Many stayed behind and suffered devastating loss and injuries — nearly a hundred have died that we know of, and hundreds of thousands need our help. America is at its best when we realize that we are one community — that we’re all in this together. That means that each one of us has the responsibility to do what we can to help the relief effort. The Red Cross is a great place to start
We are still learning the full story of the devastation, but there is no time to wait. Please do something now.
Ken Mehlman, chairman of the RNC, sends an email:
When they return from their August recess, Senators will consider a key issue: elimination of the death tax.
Will you help bring tax relief to more hard-working Americans? Call Senator Voinovich today and ask them to eliminate the death tax.
Clearly George Bush and Paris Hilton are both hard-working Americans.
Time up Old La Honda Road: 24:55
According to the Western Wheelers Ride Rating System, that's barely enough to qualify me as an "E" rider, but when I ride with the "Ds", I'm barely keeping up with the front group, which tells you the kind of grade deflation that's been happening in the Western Wheelers.
For your reference, Lisa & I did this 2 years ago and came in at 31 minutes on the tandem, a solid "C" pace, but on hilly rides, the same thing happens --- we barely keep up with the group.
According to the Western Wheelers Ride Rating System, that's barely enough to qualify me as an "E" rider, but when I ride with the "Ds", I'm barely keeping up with the front group, which tells you the kind of grade deflation that's been happening in the Western Wheelers.
For your reference, Lisa & I did this 2 years ago and came in at 31 minutes on the tandem, a solid "C" pace, but on hilly rides, the same thing happens --- we barely keep up with the group.
Sunday, September 04, 2005
What a great trip
When the New York Times travel section does a story about biking, it's usually by folks who charter a tour, and have someone else carry their lugguage somewhere through Europe. Clearly, this is an exception and an amazing one. They carried their own lugguage, and were on a tandem. Their experience parallels the experience Lisa & I had in South Africa in 2001, though we did ours over less rugged terrain.
When the New York Times travel section does a story about biking, it's usually by folks who charter a tour, and have someone else carry their lugguage somewhere through Europe. Clearly, this is an exception and an amazing one. They carried their own lugguage, and were on a tandem. Their experience parallels the experience Lisa & I had in South Africa in 2001, though we did ours over less rugged terrain.
Saturday, September 03, 2005
Chain replacement
My chain is worn out already on my commute bike. It took one and a half hours to remove the cranks, clean the chainrings, take a part the rear deraileurs and clean the pulleys (extremely yucky --- does anyone know why hair gets into the pulleys?), the front deraileur (the least icky part of the job), and the cogs. And then I went and put my new wheel on it just so I could make sure that I'd built it right (I did). I'll put a couple of commutes on it and then go back to my old wheel.
Mavic MA-3 rims suck. After just 2 rainy seasons of riding the eyelets are already rusted causing the click-click-click sound. (I know it's the wheel because the new wheel does not make the sound) I'm tempted to replace the rim.
My chain is worn out already on my commute bike. It took one and a half hours to remove the cranks, clean the chainrings, take a part the rear deraileurs and clean the pulleys (extremely yucky --- does anyone know why hair gets into the pulleys?), the front deraileur (the least icky part of the job), and the cogs. And then I went and put my new wheel on it just so I could make sure that I'd built it right (I did). I'll put a couple of commutes on it and then go back to my old wheel.
Mavic MA-3 rims suck. After just 2 rainy seasons of riding the eyelets are already rusted causing the click-click-click sound. (I know it's the wheel because the new wheel does not make the sound) I'm tempted to replace the rim.
The difference between Liberals and Conservative
And I'll add my own bit: Liberals believe that a society as a whole should be judged by how it treats the worst-off (unluckiest, etc) in it. Conservatives believe that a societ as a whole should be judged by the best-off (luckiest, etc) in it. Liberals believe that estate taxes are a fair and equitable way of funding government, while conservatives believe that George Bush and Paris Hilton are deserving of their wealth because they clearly did a better job of choosing their parents than most people.
And I'll add my own bit: Liberals believe that a society as a whole should be judged by how it treats the worst-off (unluckiest, etc) in it. Conservatives believe that a societ as a whole should be judged by the best-off (luckiest, etc) in it. Liberals believe that estate taxes are a fair and equitable way of funding government, while conservatives believe that George Bush and Paris Hilton are deserving of their wealth because they clearly did a better job of choosing their parents than most people.
Monday, August 29, 2005
Paul Graham makes republican mistake #1
The problem with wealthy entrepreneurs who got lucky is that they attribute their success and wealth to their skill, intelligence and risk taking ability, while a lot of their wealth actually comes from luck. But because they can't admit that (since that would be an admission that they do not deserve their wealth), they have to come up with justifications as to why the universe made them a multi-millionaire.
The problem with Paul's thesis is that I can think of many many ways you can reduce inequality without reducing risk-taking behavior. Here's an example: supposed you provide universal healthcare. A large proportion of U.S. bankruptcies are driven by medical bills due to lack of health insurance. Suddenly, anyone who wanted to start a business can do so without losing their healthcare. I'd argue that more people would start businesses and take more risks than a national policy where your healthcare is tied to your job, effectively locking you to that job if you don't have a lot of money and have one or more pre-existing conditions.
There's an obvious place to tax people if you truly believe Paul's thesis (which I don't buy into --- I've seen too many folks luck into wealth to think that wealth is in any form "deserved" by most people who make that kind of money): inter-generational transfers. In other words, we should tax inheritances heavily and severely. But of course, the Republicans we see in congress are the ones most enthusiastic about eliminating the estate tax.
The problem with wealthy entrepreneurs who got lucky is that they attribute their success and wealth to their skill, intelligence and risk taking ability, while a lot of their wealth actually comes from luck. But because they can't admit that (since that would be an admission that they do not deserve their wealth), they have to come up with justifications as to why the universe made them a multi-millionaire.
The problem with Paul's thesis is that I can think of many many ways you can reduce inequality without reducing risk-taking behavior. Here's an example: supposed you provide universal healthcare. A large proportion of U.S. bankruptcies are driven by medical bills due to lack of health insurance. Suddenly, anyone who wanted to start a business can do so without losing their healthcare. I'd argue that more people would start businesses and take more risks than a national policy where your healthcare is tied to your job, effectively locking you to that job if you don't have a lot of money and have one or more pre-existing conditions.
There's an obvious place to tax people if you truly believe Paul's thesis (which I don't buy into --- I've seen too many folks luck into wealth to think that wealth is in any form "deserved" by most people who make that kind of money): inter-generational transfers. In other words, we should tax inheritances heavily and severely. But of course, the Republicans we see in congress are the ones most enthusiastic about eliminating the estate tax.
Sunday, August 28, 2005
Flight Vol 2
Not nearly as good as the first one, mostly because the large number of artists/writers contributing such disjoint visions brings into focus how the graphic strip art form needs many more pages to provide character and narrative. Nevertheless, there are a few good pieces: The Robot and the Sparrow, Jake Parker, Destiny Xpress Jen Wang, The Orange Grove, Kazu Kibuishi, Dust on the Shelves, Banniester, The Flying Bride, Giuseppe Ferrario.
Once again, I don't feel like I want to own this book, but I'm glad I did see read it once. If the really good artists here start producing their own books, it might be worth following up on them.
Not nearly as good as the first one, mostly because the large number of artists/writers contributing such disjoint visions brings into focus how the graphic strip art form needs many more pages to provide character and narrative. Nevertheless, there are a few good pieces: The Robot and the Sparrow, Jake Parker, Destiny Xpress Jen Wang, The Orange Grove, Kazu Kibuishi, Dust on the Shelves, Banniester, The Flying Bride, Giuseppe Ferrario.
Once again, I don't feel like I want to own this book, but I'm glad I did see read it once. If the really good artists here start producing their own books, it might be worth following up on them.
Saturday, August 27, 2005
A tough ride
Went on a Western Wheelers ride today. Everyone was scary fast! Sure, it's the end of the summer, so folks are as fit as they're going to be, but I'd just done a Tour of the Alps not that long ago, and it's scary how much fitter everyone else was. Of course, I could use the excuse that I planned my peak for that tour, but seriously, I'm a recreational rider. I don't peak.
I did meet someone I rode with 13 years ago, when I first started riding with the Western Wheelers, but before I dropped out. It was funny when I first said, "oh we rode together 10 years ago", she interrupted and said, "No, it's longer than that. It was 6 boyfriends ago." Thinking back upon it, I'd had 6 jobs (well, 2 at the same company) since then as well, so it's nice to know that some people switch boyfriends as often as I switch jobs.
Anyway, I'm now incredibly exhausted, despite having only ridden 72 miles with 7500' of climb. As they say, it's not the distance or the climb, it's the pace --- we did it all in 6 hours, and that's including stops!
Went on a Western Wheelers ride today. Everyone was scary fast! Sure, it's the end of the summer, so folks are as fit as they're going to be, but I'd just done a Tour of the Alps not that long ago, and it's scary how much fitter everyone else was. Of course, I could use the excuse that I planned my peak for that tour, but seriously, I'm a recreational rider. I don't peak.
I did meet someone I rode with 13 years ago, when I first started riding with the Western Wheelers, but before I dropped out. It was funny when I first said, "oh we rode together 10 years ago", she interrupted and said, "No, it's longer than that. It was 6 boyfriends ago." Thinking back upon it, I'd had 6 jobs (well, 2 at the same company) since then as well, so it's nice to know that some people switch boyfriends as often as I switch jobs.
Anyway, I'm now incredibly exhausted, despite having only ridden 72 miles with 7500' of climb. As they say, it's not the distance or the climb, it's the pace --- we did it all in 6 hours, and that's including stops!
Friday, August 26, 2005
Dealers of Lightning, Michael Hiltzik
Xerox's Palo Alto Research Center (PARC) invented the concepts that went into the modern computer that we use today. Mice, icon based bitmapped displays, WYSIWIG word processors, ethernet, file servers, object-oriented programming, and the laser printer. Yet Xerox did not make money from any of these inventions except the laser printer, and even then fumbled it by introducing it too late. This book is an indictment of Xerox's corporate culture, its short-sighted executives, and is the perfect illustration of my thesis that a technology company (or any company affected by technology) that is not mature must be run by engineers for it to be successful beyond the short term. Of course, that's not the only factor. Everything else also has to be done right (marketing, sales, etc), but if the key executives do not have the vision to pursue technological break-throughs and turn them into product, you might as well not bother funding an R&D lab.
Xerox's top executives were for the most part salesmen of copy machines. From these leased behemoths the revenue stream was as tangible as the "click" of the meters counting of copies, for which the customer paid Xerox so many cents per page (and from which Xerox paid its salespersons their commissions). Noticing their eyes narrow, Ellenby could almost hear them thinking: "If there is no paper to be copies, where's the `click'?" In other words: "How will I get paid?"
Xerox's Palo Alto Research Center (PARC) invented the concepts that went into the modern computer that we use today. Mice, icon based bitmapped displays, WYSIWIG word processors, ethernet, file servers, object-oriented programming, and the laser printer. Yet Xerox did not make money from any of these inventions except the laser printer, and even then fumbled it by introducing it too late. This book is an indictment of Xerox's corporate culture, its short-sighted executives, and is the perfect illustration of my thesis that a technology company (or any company affected by technology) that is not mature must be run by engineers for it to be successful beyond the short term. Of course, that's not the only factor. Everything else also has to be done right (marketing, sales, etc), but if the key executives do not have the vision to pursue technological break-throughs and turn them into product, you might as well not bother funding an R&D lab.
Xerox's top executives were for the most part salesmen of copy machines. From these leased behemoths the revenue stream was as tangible as the "click" of the meters counting of copies, for which the customer paid Xerox so many cents per page (and from which Xerox paid its salespersons their commissions). Noticing their eyes narrow, Ellenby could almost hear them thinking: "If there is no paper to be copies, where's the `click'?" In other words: "How will I get paid?"
Wednesday, August 24, 2005
Google driving up the cost of Silicon Valley talent?
Google, Mr. Hoffman said, has caused "across the board a 25 to 50 percent salary inflation for engineers in Silicon Valley" - or at least those in a position to weigh competing offers. A sought-after computer programmer can now expect to make more than $150,000 a year.
I think most people have it wrong: software engineering talent has been too cheap for too long. Today, to entice someone to study software engineering, you would have to offer sufficient incentive to:
Given all those disadvantages, the question should be why there are smart, talented, hardworking folks in software engineering at all. Well, the answer is typically that there is a chance for a big pay-off, if you work for the right company! The rising incomes of top Silicon Valley engineers needs to reflect that when all is said and done, Google is the only software company I've worked for in the last 10 years that can be said to have been almost completely engineering driven. That means that a similar offer from Google would be preferred by the discerning, intelligent software engineer than an equivalent offer from anywhere else. The following quote from the same article highlights the similarities to Microsoft in the 1990s:
Bill Gates certainly sees similarities between Google and his own company. This spring, in an interview with Fortune, Mr. Gates, Microsoft's chairman, said that Google was "more like us than anyone else we have ever competed with."
I will note that Microsoft was also in many ways, managed by smart engineers more than its competitors (like Borland, Lotus, IBM, Apple, or Netscape). They had more technical people in the upper ranks than their competitors, and perhaps that is why they had an edge --- the deep understanding of technology is important when technology is the battleground. Companies that pick non-technical CEOs too early in their lifecycle risk stunting their future growth.
Google, Mr. Hoffman said, has caused "across the board a 25 to 50 percent salary inflation for engineers in Silicon Valley" - or at least those in a position to weigh competing offers. A sought-after computer programmer can now expect to make more than $150,000 a year.
I think most people have it wrong: software engineering talent has been too cheap for too long. Today, to entice someone to study software engineering, you would have to offer sufficient incentive to:
- overcome the fear that 4-6 years studying computer science would be rewarded by all the good jobs going to India
- medical school and law school all have potentially higher rewards, and are also more highly regarded professions (with also a more balanced male/female ratio)
- the fact that winner-takes-all is even more prevalent in computer science than anywhere else
- the average career of a Silicon Valley engineer is around 7 years, shorter than that of many pro atheletes!
Given all those disadvantages, the question should be why there are smart, talented, hardworking folks in software engineering at all. Well, the answer is typically that there is a chance for a big pay-off, if you work for the right company! The rising incomes of top Silicon Valley engineers needs to reflect that when all is said and done, Google is the only software company I've worked for in the last 10 years that can be said to have been almost completely engineering driven. That means that a similar offer from Google would be preferred by the discerning, intelligent software engineer than an equivalent offer from anywhere else. The following quote from the same article highlights the similarities to Microsoft in the 1990s:
Bill Gates certainly sees similarities between Google and his own company. This spring, in an interview with Fortune, Mr. Gates, Microsoft's chairman, said that Google was "more like us than anyone else we have ever competed with."
I will note that Microsoft was also in many ways, managed by smart engineers more than its competitors (like Borland, Lotus, IBM, Apple, or Netscape). They had more technical people in the upper ranks than their competitors, and perhaps that is why they had an edge --- the deep understanding of technology is important when technology is the battleground. Companies that pick non-technical CEOs too early in their lifecycle risk stunting their future growth.
Thoughts about the Canon 5D
With a full frame sensor and nearly 13 megapixel, this is the first digital SLR that I will consider dumping my film cameras for. Previous SLRs were either too expensive, have the nasty tiny sensor, not compatible with my EOS lenses, or were too heavy. (Or a combination of the above) At $3300, it's still expensive, but Moore's law will get it to about $2000 in 18 months, so that's probably the point at which the case for switching over to digital entirely becomes compelling.
The 24-105/4L, however, is almost certainly a must have. When the price drops a bit next year, I will definitely buy one and ditch my long loved 24-85.
With a full frame sensor and nearly 13 megapixel, this is the first digital SLR that I will consider dumping my film cameras for. Previous SLRs were either too expensive, have the nasty tiny sensor, not compatible with my EOS lenses, or were too heavy. (Or a combination of the above) At $3300, it's still expensive, but Moore's law will get it to about $2000 in 18 months, so that's probably the point at which the case for switching over to digital entirely becomes compelling.
The 24-105/4L, however, is almost certainly a must have. When the price drops a bit next year, I will definitely buy one and ditch my long loved 24-85.
Sunday, August 21, 2005
Saturday, August 20, 2005
Flight Vol 1
An anthology of short comic strips. The problem with a short comic strip is that it's very difficult to develop all but the simplest characters in a few pages, even with the help of illustrations. While a lot of the strips in this book are very good, many are just mediocre, or unsatisfying. I like it, but not enough to buy it.
I never paid attention to people like you, either, although I knew who a lot of you were. Your names were all over the halls...
An anthology of short comic strips. The problem with a short comic strip is that it's very difficult to develop all but the simplest characters in a few pages, even with the help of illustrations. While a lot of the strips in this book are very good, many are just mediocre, or unsatisfying. I like it, but not enough to buy it.
I never paid attention to people like you, either, although I knew who a lot of you were. Your names were all over the halls...
A Fire Upon The Deep, Vernor Vinge
I first read this book about 10 or so years ago when it won the Hugo award (and was unjustly denied a Nebula award). It is still just as good a read today as it was 10 years ago. The space opera is fun, the characters are fun, and the universe as postulated entertaining, even though it's every bit as far fetched as the E. E. Doc Smith universes. (At least the writing is much better)
Somewhere barriers slipped aside, the final failing of Old One's control, or a final gift. It did not matter which now, for whatever the ghost said, the truth was obvious to Pham Nuwen and he would not be denied:
Canberrra, Cindi, the centuries avoyaging with Qeng Ho, the final flight of the Wild Goose. It was all real.
I first read this book about 10 or so years ago when it won the Hugo award (and was unjustly denied a Nebula award). It is still just as good a read today as it was 10 years ago. The space opera is fun, the characters are fun, and the universe as postulated entertaining, even though it's every bit as far fetched as the E. E. Doc Smith universes. (At least the writing is much better)
Somewhere barriers slipped aside, the final failing of Old One's control, or a final gift. It did not matter which now, for whatever the ghost said, the truth was obvious to Pham Nuwen and he would not be denied:
Canberrra, Cindi, the centuries avoyaging with Qeng Ho, the final flight of the Wild Goose. It was all real.
Thursday, August 18, 2005
Planning the next trip
The next trip is likely to be an inn-to-inn walking trip in England's lake district. As usual, I'm starting out by planning this as a nice long walk, without any such distractions as museums or other cultural artifacts and let the folks who are coming along force me into visiting Wordsworth's birthplace or some such.
Suggestions, etc are welcome. And due to Lisa's school, the timing is forced: late May/early June. That makes planning and buying plane tickets easy.
The next trip is likely to be an inn-to-inn walking trip in England's lake district. As usual, I'm starting out by planning this as a nice long walk, without any such distractions as museums or other cultural artifacts and let the folks who are coming along force me into visiting Wordsworth's birthplace or some such.
Suggestions, etc are welcome. And due to Lisa's school, the timing is forced: late May/early June. That makes planning and buying plane tickets easy.
Monday, August 15, 2005
Sunday, August 14, 2005
Climate Crash: Abrupt Climate Change And What It Means For Our Future
A few years ago, I read an article about climate change: the concern was that climate change might not be a continuous process as most folks might believe (naively), but that it could flip-flop between cold and warm states for unknown, chaotically driven reasons. I was extremely skeptical that such theories would in fact pan out, given the recent history of climate change, but this book (which is more about the theory behind abrupt climate change and less about the implications) shows how the theory has become more than just speculation and is now the primary theory behind the history of Earth's climates.
Of course, my pessimism about the human race says that we won't do anything about it until it's too late.
Down in the core below 2750 meters, in ice that the Europeans were confident represented the period of Eemian warmth about 120,000 years ago, oxygen isotope data showed two especially large and sudden plunges towards ice age cold. In one episode, average temperatures apparently plunged 25 degrees F for about 70 years. The only period of relative stability during the Eemian came during the last 2,000 years of its warmest stage.
"The unexpected finding that the remainder of the Eemian period was interrupted by a series of oscillations, apparently reflecting reversals to a `mid-glacial' climate, is extremely difficult to explain," the Euroepans wrote. "Perhaps the most pressing question is why similar oscillations do not persist today, as the Eemian period is often considered an analogue for a world slightly warmer than today's." Given the history of the last 150,000 years, they wrote, the past 8000 years "has been strangely stable."
A few years ago, I read an article about climate change: the concern was that climate change might not be a continuous process as most folks might believe (naively), but that it could flip-flop between cold and warm states for unknown, chaotically driven reasons. I was extremely skeptical that such theories would in fact pan out, given the recent history of climate change, but this book (which is more about the theory behind abrupt climate change and less about the implications) shows how the theory has become more than just speculation and is now the primary theory behind the history of Earth's climates.
Of course, my pessimism about the human race says that we won't do anything about it until it's too late.
Down in the core below 2750 meters, in ice that the Europeans were confident represented the period of Eemian warmth about 120,000 years ago, oxygen isotope data showed two especially large and sudden plunges towards ice age cold. In one episode, average temperatures apparently plunged 25 degrees F for about 70 years. The only period of relative stability during the Eemian came during the last 2,000 years of its warmest stage.
"The unexpected finding that the remainder of the Eemian period was interrupted by a series of oscillations, apparently reflecting reversals to a `mid-glacial' climate, is extremely difficult to explain," the Euroepans wrote. "Perhaps the most pressing question is why similar oscillations do not persist today, as the Eemian period is often considered an analogue for a world slightly warmer than today's." Given the history of the last 150,000 years, they wrote, the past 8000 years "has been strangely stable."
Tuesday, August 09, 2005
Fooled by Randomness, by Nassim Nicholas Taleb
This is probably the best financial book I've read all year. (Which doesn't say much, I admit) It's not for anyone who hasn't read any of the classics (like Malkiel's Random Walk Down Wall Street), but it's very much worth reading since even for those of us who have a decent mathematical background, interpreting the results of the mathematics in real world terms is a rare and useful skill, and Taleb has a good knack for explaining how to do it.
I have no large desires to sacrifice much of my personal habits, intellectual pleasures, and personal standards in order to become a billionaire like Warren Buffett, and I certainly do not see the point of becoming one if I were to adopt Spartan (even miserly) habits and live in my starter house... Becoming rich is not directly a moral achievement, but that is now where the severe flaw in the book lies.
Note: the book in question is The Millionaire Next Door.
This is probably the best financial book I've read all year. (Which doesn't say much, I admit) It's not for anyone who hasn't read any of the classics (like Malkiel's Random Walk Down Wall Street), but it's very much worth reading since even for those of us who have a decent mathematical background, interpreting the results of the mathematics in real world terms is a rare and useful skill, and Taleb has a good knack for explaining how to do it.
I have no large desires to sacrifice much of my personal habits, intellectual pleasures, and personal standards in order to become a billionaire like Warren Buffett, and I certainly do not see the point of becoming one if I were to adopt Spartan (even miserly) habits and live in my starter house... Becoming rich is not directly a moral achievement, but that is now where the severe flaw in the book lies.
Note: the book in question is The Millionaire Next Door.
Why I am a die-hard Canon loyalist
After Lisa broke the camera on a sailing trip, I thought that was the end of it. My brother gave me the customer service # for Canon, and I called them. They gave me an address to send the camera to, I printed out the receipt (from Amazon.com), and sent the camera, box and all to them, expecting a hefty repair bill at the end.
I got the camera back yesterday. The lens unit had been replaced, the camera had been cleaned (though the scratches from my tour of the alps are still in evident, so it was clearly not a new camera), and the camera had been restored to working condition.
The charge: $0. They considered this a warranty repair.
After Lisa broke the camera on a sailing trip, I thought that was the end of it. My brother gave me the customer service # for Canon, and I called them. They gave me an address to send the camera to, I printed out the receipt (from Amazon.com), and sent the camera, box and all to them, expecting a hefty repair bill at the end.
I got the camera back yesterday. The lens unit had been replaced, the camera had been cleaned (though the scratches from my tour of the alps are still in evident, so it was clearly not a new camera), and the camera had been restored to working condition.
The charge: $0. They considered this a warranty repair.
Wednesday, August 03, 2005
A fabulous Joss Wheldon interview
You own a “Speed” poster on which your writing credit remains.
You own a “Speed” poster on which your writing credit remains.
I do.
Was it a misprint? Was a teaser poster issued before the Writers Guild arbitrated that credit away?
It was “the” poster. And they put it out and then the arbitration happened kind of late. And so they pulled it and changed it.
So there are maybe a lot of those floating around out there somewhere?
I don’t know if they were actually up or if this was just the final mock-up. I just know that I have a copy of it. The arbitration was a great sticking point with me. I’ve always just disagreed with the WGA’s policy that says you can write every line of dialogue for a movie – and they literally say this – and not deserve credit on it. Because I think that makes no sense of any kind. Writers get very protective of themselves. They’re worried that some producer will want to add a line so he can put his name on it. But what they can do is throw writers at it forever without putting their names on it because of this rule. So I actually don’t think it works for writers. It certainly didn’t work for me.
Graham Yost [who received the sole screenplay credit for “Speed”] has always been very polite to me and very sweet but he did say to me, “You would have done the same thing.” And all I could say to him at the time was, “Well, I guess we don’t know if that’s true.” Because I’d never been in his situation. Then more than a year later John Lasseter called me and said, “I want to give all the animators who worked on the story credit on ‘Toy Story.’” And I said, “Sure.” And there are entire episodes of “Buffy” that I have written every word of that my name is not on. Which is gratifying to me because it means I finally have an answer to that. Which is, “No, I wouldn’t.”
Tuesday, August 02, 2005
S&S couplers considered useless
My issue with the couplers are that they're expensive and take forever to use. My first tandem had couplers and disassembly took 2 hours (with two of us on it), and assembly took an hour. And this was after we'd gotten good at it! And of course, take pictures when you first get the bike or you'll never be able to pack it away in the boxes ever again!
Anyway, after I'd had enough of this, we finally sold the bike, and bought an uncoupled tandem. We took it to Europe, and this time, wrapped pipe insulation around the tubes and took it with us on the plane unboxed. They bent the deraileur hanger, which cost me 5 Euros and 15 minutes to fix at a local bike shop. On the way back I removed the deraileur and had no damage to the bike. Packing time: 5 minutes. Unpacking time: 5 minutes. (Removing and putting pedals back on) All through Europe the trains took our tandem and us, no problems. All the
hotels also found a place to keep our bike.
When we flew to Colorado last year for a tour, we had to box up the bike. On the way there, we got a Santana cardboard box (cost: $45), and took it with us on the plane ($80). Packing time: 20 minutes. On the way back, we rode to the Denver International Airport, bought 2
United Airlines boxes ($20), packed the bike there and then (20 minutes), and brought it back to San Jose International. The airline scratched the front saddle and gave us a $20 United airlines coupon for a minor scratch, we reassembled the bike (10 minutes), and rode
home. In Colorado we just kept our bikes in the hotel room with us.
Both my experiences travelling with the uncoupled tandem were superior to travelling with the coupled tandem in a hard case. We spent less time packing, and more time enjoying the biking. (but note: we don't have a carbon fiber bike --- those might be more fragile, in which case you might have no choice but to go S&S)
Finally, this year, I went to Europe again on my single. One of my friends brought a single bike with ritchey breakaway coupler. It took him more than an hour to assemble the bike! And more than 1.5 hours to take it apart at the airport. For myself, I would not pay the extra cost in either time or money, just to save the 15 Swiss Francs (30 for a tandem) it costs to take a bike on the train.
One of the couples in the club I'm in has both an S&S Santana and an uncoupled Calfee. They're signed up for 2 Erickson tours this September, and guess which bike they're bringing? The uncoupled Calfee. Even though they're retired and have lots of time, it's still less fun assembling and disassembling bikes than riding them, and they'd rather risk damaging their $10,000 bike.
I ran into a cyclist last year who said he surveyed every tandem couple he met while riding because he was shopping for a tandem. He said that whenever he asked about couplers for couples that had them, the usual response was "We thought they'd be a good idea, but we've
never used them." For those couples, maybe the cost of the couplers meant they didn't have any left over to take a vacation, but still.
There are a few good applications for couplers:
[Update: there have been recent reports that even coupled S&S tandems are no longer escaping airline domestic charges. In addition, real world experiences have vindicated this article over and over again, as described in a later blog entry]
My issue with the couplers are that they're expensive and take forever to use. My first tandem had couplers and disassembly took 2 hours (with two of us on it), and assembly took an hour. And this was after we'd gotten good at it! And of course, take pictures when you first get the bike or you'll never be able to pack it away in the boxes ever again!
Anyway, after I'd had enough of this, we finally sold the bike, and bought an uncoupled tandem. We took it to Europe, and this time, wrapped pipe insulation around the tubes and took it with us on the plane unboxed. They bent the deraileur hanger, which cost me 5 Euros and 15 minutes to fix at a local bike shop. On the way back I removed the deraileur and had no damage to the bike. Packing time: 5 minutes. Unpacking time: 5 minutes. (Removing and putting pedals back on) All through Europe the trains took our tandem and us, no problems. All the
hotels also found a place to keep our bike.
When we flew to Colorado last year for a tour, we had to box up the bike. On the way there, we got a Santana cardboard box (cost: $45), and took it with us on the plane ($80). Packing time: 20 minutes. On the way back, we rode to the Denver International Airport, bought 2
United Airlines boxes ($20), packed the bike there and then (20 minutes), and brought it back to San Jose International. The airline scratched the front saddle and gave us a $20 United airlines coupon for a minor scratch, we reassembled the bike (10 minutes), and rode
home. In Colorado we just kept our bikes in the hotel room with us.
Both my experiences travelling with the uncoupled tandem were superior to travelling with the coupled tandem in a hard case. We spent less time packing, and more time enjoying the biking. (but note: we don't have a carbon fiber bike --- those might be more fragile, in which case you might have no choice but to go S&S)
Finally, this year, I went to Europe again on my single. One of my friends brought a single bike with ritchey breakaway coupler. It took him more than an hour to assemble the bike! And more than 1.5 hours to take it apart at the airport. For myself, I would not pay the extra cost in either time or money, just to save the 15 Swiss Francs (30 for a tandem) it costs to take a bike on the train.
One of the couples in the club I'm in has both an S&S Santana and an uncoupled Calfee. They're signed up for 2 Erickson tours this September, and guess which bike they're bringing? The uncoupled Calfee. Even though they're retired and have lots of time, it's still less fun assembling and disassembling bikes than riding them, and they'd rather risk damaging their $10,000 bike.
I ran into a cyclist last year who said he surveyed every tandem couple he met while riding because he was shopping for a tandem. He said that whenever he asked about couplers for couples that had them, the usual response was "We thought they'd be a good idea, but we've
never used them." For those couples, maybe the cost of the couplers meant they didn't have any left over to take a vacation, but still.
There are a few good applications for couplers:
- Private plane owners. You're not going to fit a full sized tandem on a propellor plane, no matter what. (When travelling, every time I could have taken a prop plane I could also have taken a ferry, so it's not an issue that comes up unless you're a private pilot)
- Cruises. This was what S&S was designed for --- so you can bring your bike into your stateroom disassembled, get off the cruise boat, and assemble your bike and ride around town. A folding bike is probably cheaper for this task than adding S&S couplers to your Calfee.
- Frequent domestic flights. At $80 a pop, if you take 13 domestic flights, you've made back the cost of the couplers. ($2000 after you throw in the suit cases) Of course, after you've done the assembly once or twice, you might discover (as some folks I know did), that you'd rather *drive* to your domestic destination than go through the assembly/disassembly process again.
- You can't bear the thought of a $10,000 bike being protected by a $20 cardboard box, even though in my experience the $20 cardboard box in 10 years of travelling has never failed me.
[Update: there have been recent reports that even coupled S&S tandems are no longer escaping airline domestic charges. In addition, real world experiences have vindicated this article over and over again, as described in a later blog entry]
Saturday, July 30, 2005
Blink, by Malcom Gladwell
An interesting book about how split-second decisions get made, how we are trained to use them, and how certain conditions (such as autism) might be due to the loss of ability to make those gut-level decisions. In the end, however, Gladwell does not succeed in tying all the threads of his explorations together, so the book feels quite disjointed.
When interviewing, in particular, it's important to not yield to the impulse to make a hiring decision based on first impressions --- those can be particularly misleading, so in interviewing, the scientific admonition to do your best to prove your intuition wrong is to be best followed.
How long, for example, did it take you, when you were in college, to decide how good a teacher your professor was? A class? Two classes? A semester? The psychologist Nalini Ambady once gave students three ten-second videotapes of a teacher --- with the sound turned off --- and found they had no dificulty at all coming up with a rating of the teacher's effectiveness. Then Ambady cut the clips back to five seconds, and the ratings were the same. They were remarkably consistent even when she showed the students just two seconds of videotape. Then Ambady compared those snap judgements of teacher effectiveness with evaluations of those same professors made by their students after a full semester of classes, and she found that they were also essentially the same
An interesting book about how split-second decisions get made, how we are trained to use them, and how certain conditions (such as autism) might be due to the loss of ability to make those gut-level decisions. In the end, however, Gladwell does not succeed in tying all the threads of his explorations together, so the book feels quite disjointed.
When interviewing, in particular, it's important to not yield to the impulse to make a hiring decision based on first impressions --- those can be particularly misleading, so in interviewing, the scientific admonition to do your best to prove your intuition wrong is to be best followed.
How long, for example, did it take you, when you were in college, to decide how good a teacher your professor was? A class? Two classes? A semester? The psychologist Nalini Ambady once gave students three ten-second videotapes of a teacher --- with the sound turned off --- and found they had no dificulty at all coming up with a rating of the teacher's effectiveness. Then Ambady cut the clips back to five seconds, and the ratings were the same. They were remarkably consistent even when she showed the students just two seconds of videotape. Then Ambady compared those snap judgements of teacher effectiveness with evaluations of those same professors made by their students after a full semester of classes, and she found that they were also essentially the same
Friday, July 29, 2005
More thoughts on the American trade off
While musing about yesterday's topic, I realize that most of my truly life long friends (like Scarlet), are the ones who:
It also partly explains why Europeans feel that Americans treat their relationships as superficial. If you haven't really experienced things together as friends, you're not really great friends, no matter how much you pretend like you are when you see each other.
While musing about yesterday's topic, I realize that most of my truly life long friends (like Scarlet), are the ones who:
- Write back when you send them e-mail
- I've taken vacations with
It also partly explains why Europeans feel that Americans treat their relationships as superficial. If you haven't really experienced things together as friends, you're not really great friends, no matter how much you pretend like you are when you see each other.
Thursday, July 28, 2005
Krugman points out the American trade-off
The typical American argues that it's better to have to work more than to have more vacation. The typical American doesn't even use all the vacation to which he is entitled, preferring to cash out those vacation days at the end of his tenure with the company. To what extent is this productive behavior, and to what extent is this leading the "life of quiet desperation" that Thoreau alludes to? Do Americans really value their families so much less that they would rather be in the office than spend time with their family?
After my recent trip in Europe, I had a few Google employees say to me that they wish they could have done something similar. To which, I said, "Why don't you?" The answer was invariably that they didn't have enough vacation. One of these employees was fully vested, so he was a multi-millionaire and could take unpaid leave if he wanted to. Others had other commitments with friends that meant that they would only spend a week or so in Europe, which I've explained is a very bad idea.
Google is one of the more generous employers when it comes to vacation time, but if even Google employees feel this way about vacations, what does that say about how less fortunate employees feel?
...according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, productivity in France - G.D.P. per hour worked - is actually a bit higher than in the United States.
It's true that France's G.D.P. per person is well below that of the United States. But that's because French workers spend more time with their families.
Because French schools are good across the country, the French family doesn't have to worry as much about getting its children into a good school district. Nor does the French family, with guaranteed access to excellent health care, have to worry about losing health insurance or being driven into bankruptcy by medical bills...
Perhaps even more important, however, the members of that French family are compensated for their lower income with much more time together. Fully employed French workers average about seven weeks of paid vacation a year. In America, that figure is less than four.
So which society has made the better choice?
The typical American argues that it's better to have to work more than to have more vacation. The typical American doesn't even use all the vacation to which he is entitled, preferring to cash out those vacation days at the end of his tenure with the company. To what extent is this productive behavior, and to what extent is this leading the "life of quiet desperation" that Thoreau alludes to? Do Americans really value their families so much less that they would rather be in the office than spend time with their family?
After my recent trip in Europe, I had a few Google employees say to me that they wish they could have done something similar. To which, I said, "Why don't you?" The answer was invariably that they didn't have enough vacation. One of these employees was fully vested, so he was a multi-millionaire and could take unpaid leave if he wanted to. Others had other commitments with friends that meant that they would only spend a week or so in Europe, which I've explained is a very bad idea.
Google is one of the more generous employers when it comes to vacation time, but if even Google employees feel this way about vacations, what does that say about how less fortunate employees feel?
...according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, productivity in France - G.D.P. per hour worked - is actually a bit higher than in the United States.
It's true that France's G.D.P. per person is well below that of the United States. But that's because French workers spend more time with their families.
Because French schools are good across the country, the French family doesn't have to worry as much about getting its children into a good school district. Nor does the French family, with guaranteed access to excellent health care, have to worry about losing health insurance or being driven into bankruptcy by medical bills...
Perhaps even more important, however, the members of that French family are compensated for their lower income with much more time together. Fully employed French workers average about seven weeks of paid vacation a year. In America, that figure is less than four.
So which society has made the better choice?
Wednesday, July 27, 2005
One of Friedman's better columns
But we did get the government we deserve. We voted the Republicans into the Congress, Senate, and White House. Who do we blame but ourselves?
And if you were president, and you had just seen more suicide bombs in London, wouldn't you say to your aides: "We have got to reduce our dependence on Middle East oil. We have to do it for our national security. We have to do it because only if we bring down the price of crude will these countries be forced to reform. And we should want to do it because it is clear that green energy solutions are the wave of the future, and the more quickly we impose a stringent green agenda on ourselves, the more our companies will lead innovation in these technologies."
But we did get the government we deserve. We voted the Republicans into the Congress, Senate, and White House. Who do we blame but ourselves?
And if you were president, and you had just seen more suicide bombs in London, wouldn't you say to your aides: "We have got to reduce our dependence on Middle East oil. We have to do it for our national security. We have to do it because only if we bring down the price of crude will these countries be forced to reform. And we should want to do it because it is clear that green energy solutions are the wave of the future, and the more quickly we impose a stringent green agenda on ourselves, the more our companies will lead innovation in these technologies."
Shimano's new generator hub is dreamy
How do I describe it. It's got that smooth, slightly pulsing feel at low speed, but what I'm really impressed by is how quiet it is when rolling with the lights on. I've used generator lights before, but mostly bottle generators, and they all make this little whine when spinning up. I had no idea how much of an impact that had on me psychologically! Even though resistance is higher when the light is turned on, with the generator hub I don't feel like it's slowing me down at all! (It costs about 1kph or so at most)
I have a nite rider light that's brighter at 6w, but the Shimano generator with the Lumotec light is more than bright enough, and doesn't burn out a $45 battery every year. So at $90, after 2 years it pays for itself (if I was willing to live with a 32h hub, I could have paid $60, but I had 36h rims sitting around and didn't want to stock more rims). There's also something nice about never having to plug it in, never having to charge it, and being able to just always leave it on the bike.
How do I describe it. It's got that smooth, slightly pulsing feel at low speed, but what I'm really impressed by is how quiet it is when rolling with the lights on. I've used generator lights before, but mostly bottle generators, and they all make this little whine when spinning up. I had no idea how much of an impact that had on me psychologically! Even though resistance is higher when the light is turned on, with the generator hub I don't feel like it's slowing me down at all! (It costs about 1kph or so at most)
I have a nite rider light that's brighter at 6w, but the Shimano generator with the Lumotec light is more than bright enough, and doesn't burn out a $45 battery every year. So at $90, after 2 years it pays for itself (if I was willing to live with a 32h hub, I could have paid $60, but I had 36h rims sitting around and didn't want to stock more rims). There's also something nice about never having to plug it in, never having to charge it, and being able to just always leave it on the bike.
Monday, July 25, 2005
Mammoth, by John Varley
Another book about time travel and pre-determination, yet despite what seems to be an upcoming obvious ending, has a twist to it that I did not predict, yet in hindsight should have seen coming. Very well done. Light entertainment --- don't expect deep thoughts to come out of it.
Howard Christian was not physically suited to being the only thing he had ever really wanted to be: a superhero. He knew it was childish and so he had never told anyone of his ambition, not even when he actually was a child. What he really wanted to do was swing through the conrete canyons of New York on fibers of mutated spider silk, or grow steel claws like his faborite X-Man mutant, Woverine.
The only thing that had ever been super abouat him, however, had been his brain. During one of the periods he had been in school he had been given an IQ test and the teachers had been soimpressed with the result they had sent hijm to another testing agency for a more accurate one. He scored 185. The man giving the test told Howard it was the highest score he had ever seen on that test. For years he had treasured that number 185, and had almost convinced himself it was the highest score ever... but eventually he learned of higher scores, of students who aced SAT tests on which he had managed only a 1540. So even in that he was not the best, not a true mutant, not superhero material.
But what was the Green Lantern without his ring, or Batman without his gadgets? Just guys in spandex suits, that's what. When he finally convinced himself of that he set about playing to his strengths instead of bemoaning his weaknesses. He began building his own Fortress of Solitude, his Bat Cave in the sky.
Another book about time travel and pre-determination, yet despite what seems to be an upcoming obvious ending, has a twist to it that I did not predict, yet in hindsight should have seen coming. Very well done. Light entertainment --- don't expect deep thoughts to come out of it.
Howard Christian was not physically suited to being the only thing he had ever really wanted to be: a superhero. He knew it was childish and so he had never told anyone of his ambition, not even when he actually was a child. What he really wanted to do was swing through the conrete canyons of New York on fibers of mutated spider silk, or grow steel claws like his faborite X-Man mutant, Woverine.
The only thing that had ever been super abouat him, however, had been his brain. During one of the periods he had been in school he had been given an IQ test and the teachers had been soimpressed with the result they had sent hijm to another testing agency for a more accurate one. He scored 185. The man giving the test told Howard it was the highest score he had ever seen on that test. For years he had treasured that number 185, and had almost convinced himself it was the highest score ever... but eventually he learned of higher scores, of students who aced SAT tests on which he had managed only a 1540. So even in that he was not the best, not a true mutant, not superhero material.
But what was the Green Lantern without his ring, or Batman without his gadgets? Just guys in spandex suits, that's what. When he finally convinced himself of that he set about playing to his strengths instead of bemoaning his weaknesses. He began building his own Fortress of Solitude, his Bat Cave in the sky.
The difference between you and Joe Sixpack is the same difference between you and Lance Armstrong
When Mike and I climbed Alp D'Huez, we discovered how big the difference was between us and Lance Armstrong was. We climbed the hill in 89 minutes, while he did it in 39 the year before. (Of course, I have the excuse that I'm a few years older than he was when he did it, but age itself doesn't account for more than a minute or two, if that --- the fact that my touring bike weighs more probably accounts for another minute or two as well)
This article confirms it. My peak is probably around Lance's bottom. He will probably never get fat and overweight, and I would never ever make even Cat 3 as a bike racer. I remember when a friend of mine bought a bike in March and was winning races by June --- it was amazing. Fortunately, the benefits of exercise cuts across genetic boundaries.
Mr. Armstrong's numbers may not be much different from other elite racers, but he has the average cyclist beat by a mile. A good recreational rider could generate about 4 watts per kilogram, which would translate to a speed of about 20 miles an hour on a flat road. Mr. Armstrong, Dr. Coyle said, would be traveling at 34 miles an hour.
"The average recreational cyclist could not get up to 34 miles an hour and if you launched them at 34 miles an hour, let them latch onto a car, say, and then let them go and said, 'O.K., keep it,' they could not hold that speed for more than 5 or 10 seconds," Dr. Coyle said.
Mr. Armstrong's VO2 max is 85 milliliters of oxygen per kilogram of body weight per minute. An average untrained person has a VO2 max of 45 and with training can get it to 60.
"Lance would be 60 if he was a couch potato and never trained," Dr. Coyle said. "For the average person, their ceiling is Lance's basement."
When Mike and I climbed Alp D'Huez, we discovered how big the difference was between us and Lance Armstrong was. We climbed the hill in 89 minutes, while he did it in 39 the year before. (Of course, I have the excuse that I'm a few years older than he was when he did it, but age itself doesn't account for more than a minute or two, if that --- the fact that my touring bike weighs more probably accounts for another minute or two as well)
This article confirms it. My peak is probably around Lance's bottom. He will probably never get fat and overweight, and I would never ever make even Cat 3 as a bike racer. I remember when a friend of mine bought a bike in March and was winning races by June --- it was amazing. Fortunately, the benefits of exercise cuts across genetic boundaries.
Mr. Armstrong's numbers may not be much different from other elite racers, but he has the average cyclist beat by a mile. A good recreational rider could generate about 4 watts per kilogram, which would translate to a speed of about 20 miles an hour on a flat road. Mr. Armstrong, Dr. Coyle said, would be traveling at 34 miles an hour.
"The average recreational cyclist could not get up to 34 miles an hour and if you launched them at 34 miles an hour, let them latch onto a car, say, and then let them go and said, 'O.K., keep it,' they could not hold that speed for more than 5 or 10 seconds," Dr. Coyle said.
Mr. Armstrong's VO2 max is 85 milliliters of oxygen per kilogram of body weight per minute. An average untrained person has a VO2 max of 45 and with training can get it to 60.
"Lance would be 60 if he was a couch potato and never trained," Dr. Coyle said. "For the average person, their ceiling is Lance's basement."
Sunday, July 24, 2005
Gut the South
Yea, verily, I say, gut the south. May they lose their industrial jobs due to poor education and lack of healthcare. May they lose their call center jobs to India due to outsourcing and lack of protection for workers. Unto their 7th generation, may they lose their health to global warming and air pollution. For their sins in electing George W. Bush, for their idiocy in supporting the Republicans, may they and their kin suffer for the next hundred years the way the slaves they once held suffered.
What made Toyota so sensitive to labor quality issues? Maybe we should discount remarks from the president of the Toronto-based Automotive Parts Manufacturers' Association, who claimed that the educational level in the Southern United States was so low that trainers for Japanese plants in Alabama had to use "pictorials" to teach some illiterate workers how to use high-tech equipment.
But there are other reports, some coming from state officials, that confirm his basic point: Japanese auto companies opening plants in the Southern U.S. have been unfavorably surprised by the work force's poor level of training.
There's some bitter irony here for Alabama's governor. Just two years ago voters overwhelmingly rejected his plea for an increase in the state's rock-bottom taxes on the affluent, so that he could afford to improve the state's low-quality education system. Opponents of the tax hike convinced voters that it would cost the state jobs.
But education is only one reason Toyota chose Ontario. Canada's other big selling point is its national health insurance system, which saves auto manufacturers large sums in benefit payments compared with their costs in the United States.
Yea, verily, I say, gut the south. May they lose their industrial jobs due to poor education and lack of healthcare. May they lose their call center jobs to India due to outsourcing and lack of protection for workers. Unto their 7th generation, may they lose their health to global warming and air pollution. For their sins in electing George W. Bush, for their idiocy in supporting the Republicans, may they and their kin suffer for the next hundred years the way the slaves they once held suffered.
What made Toyota so sensitive to labor quality issues? Maybe we should discount remarks from the president of the Toronto-based Automotive Parts Manufacturers' Association, who claimed that the educational level in the Southern United States was so low that trainers for Japanese plants in Alabama had to use "pictorials" to teach some illiterate workers how to use high-tech equipment.
But there are other reports, some coming from state officials, that confirm his basic point: Japanese auto companies opening plants in the Southern U.S. have been unfavorably surprised by the work force's poor level of training.
There's some bitter irony here for Alabama's governor. Just two years ago voters overwhelmingly rejected his plea for an increase in the state's rock-bottom taxes on the affluent, so that he could afford to improve the state's low-quality education system. Opponents of the tax hike convinced voters that it would cost the state jobs.
But education is only one reason Toyota chose Ontario. Canada's other big selling point is its national health insurance system, which saves auto manufacturers large sums in benefit payments compared with their costs in the United States.
Saturday, July 23, 2005
I was right, I was absolutely right!
During our tour of the Alps, Mike & I had a discussion about why French women are so thin. I theorized that it's the smoking that depresses the appetite and make them so skinny. Lo and behold, today's New York Times has an article about precisely this pheonomenon:
Experts blame factors ranging from urban sprawl to junk-food-laden diets for the increase in the number of Americans who are obese - defined as having a body mass index of over 30.
But smoking, or the decline of smoking, may also play a role. Nicotine is a stimulant, which means that smokers burn calories faster. And it's an appetite suppressant, which means that smokers eat less. Consider "French Women Don't Get Fat," the best selling book. Some critics said that the real reason chic Parisian women stayed trim while gorging themselves on croissants was that they smoked more than their American counterparts.
Indeed, conventional wisdom, soundly rooted in the personal experience of millions of former smokers and in several studies, has long held that short-term weight gain is the price to be paid for quitting smoking. But economists are increasingly applying their tools to measure the way monetary incentives, or disincentives, affect all sorts of human behavior - and hence the ability of government policy to alter it. And they've been wondering whether high cigarette taxes, which are intended to encourage people to quit smoking, may have the unintended effect of redirecting them from one form of unhealthy behavior to another....
...Over all, they found that "each 10 percent increase in the real price of cigarettes produces a 2 percent increase in the number of obese people, other things being equal."
During our tour of the Alps, Mike & I had a discussion about why French women are so thin. I theorized that it's the smoking that depresses the appetite and make them so skinny. Lo and behold, today's New York Times has an article about precisely this pheonomenon:
Experts blame factors ranging from urban sprawl to junk-food-laden diets for the increase in the number of Americans who are obese - defined as having a body mass index of over 30.
But smoking, or the decline of smoking, may also play a role. Nicotine is a stimulant, which means that smokers burn calories faster. And it's an appetite suppressant, which means that smokers eat less. Consider "French Women Don't Get Fat," the best selling book. Some critics said that the real reason chic Parisian women stayed trim while gorging themselves on croissants was that they smoked more than their American counterparts.
Indeed, conventional wisdom, soundly rooted in the personal experience of millions of former smokers and in several studies, has long held that short-term weight gain is the price to be paid for quitting smoking. But economists are increasingly applying their tools to measure the way monetary incentives, or disincentives, affect all sorts of human behavior - and hence the ability of government policy to alter it. And they've been wondering whether high cigarette taxes, which are intended to encourage people to quit smoking, may have the unintended effect of redirecting them from one form of unhealthy behavior to another....
...Over all, they found that "each 10 percent increase in the real price of cigarettes produces a 2 percent increase in the number of obese people, other things being equal."
Friday, July 22, 2005
I'll stop complaining about how expensive bikes are
I took my car in for a 75,000 mile service today. It needed new spark plugs, a new distributor cap, new plug wires, new transaxle fluid, new transaxle fluid filter, an oil change, an oil change filter. Worse, the intake manifold had to be removed to get at the spark plugs, so that cost me extra in labor. I was not happy at the $800 charge at the end, but what can I do? New cars cost a lot more.
The $200 I'm paying for a new Phil Wood rear hub (which will last well over 25 years) now seems really cheap by comparison. The Fuji Team SL doesn't seem too expensive, either.
And gas? Pah! They need to double the price of gas.
I took my car in for a 75,000 mile service today. It needed new spark plugs, a new distributor cap, new plug wires, new transaxle fluid, new transaxle fluid filter, an oil change, an oil change filter. Worse, the intake manifold had to be removed to get at the spark plugs, so that cost me extra in labor. I was not happy at the $800 charge at the end, but what can I do? New cars cost a lot more.
The $200 I'm paying for a new Phil Wood rear hub (which will last well over 25 years) now seems really cheap by comparison. The Fuji Team SL doesn't seem too expensive, either.
And gas? Pah! They need to double the price of gas.
A disaster in the making
With those credits to his name, there's no way V for Vendetta's going to be a decent movie. Sigh.
With those credits to his name, there's no way V for Vendetta's going to be a decent movie. Sigh.
Thursday, July 21, 2005
Why I will never be an electrician
I bought a Shimano generator hub, built a wheel around it (Torrelli Master rims, Wheelsmith DB15 spokes, 36 holes). I then bought Lumotec light from John Bayley, cut off the spade connectors, and wired them to the lights. Or rather, I first connected them to the wrong lights! They were wired to the secondary instead of the primary. OK, no problem, I wired them to the primary. The lights worked great on the truing stand, but failed to light when I attached them to the bike. Later investigation showed that if I touched the dynashoe attachment to the truing stand, the light would fail as well, indicating an insulation problem. (Or so I thought)
Well, I tried every insulation trick I could think of: I tried electrical tape, I tried paint, I tried electrical tape and paint. Nothing worked. Actually, paint worked for all of 3 seconds, and then when I tightened down the bolt, it stopped working again. I gave up, and posted onto the Rivendell mailing list that I was selling this because I just couldn't solve the insulation problems.
Alex Wetmore asked me if I had tried swapping the wires. I tried it and indeed, that was the problem all along. That was it! So now I'm happy... All I need to do is to tape up the exposed wires and I'm set!
I bought a Shimano generator hub, built a wheel around it (Torrelli Master rims, Wheelsmith DB15 spokes, 36 holes). I then bought Lumotec light from John Bayley, cut off the spade connectors, and wired them to the lights. Or rather, I first connected them to the wrong lights! They were wired to the secondary instead of the primary. OK, no problem, I wired them to the primary. The lights worked great on the truing stand, but failed to light when I attached them to the bike. Later investigation showed that if I touched the dynashoe attachment to the truing stand, the light would fail as well, indicating an insulation problem. (Or so I thought)
Well, I tried every insulation trick I could think of: I tried electrical tape, I tried paint, I tried electrical tape and paint. Nothing worked. Actually, paint worked for all of 3 seconds, and then when I tightened down the bolt, it stopped working again. I gave up, and posted onto the Rivendell mailing list that I was selling this because I just couldn't solve the insulation problems.
Alex Wetmore asked me if I had tried swapping the wires. I tried it and indeed, that was the problem all along. That was it! So now I'm happy... All I need to do is to tape up the exposed wires and I'm set!
Wednesday, July 20, 2005
Bottom bracket creak?
For the last few rides, there as been an extremely annoying creak coming from the bottom bracket of my Fuji Team SL. Try as I might, I couldn't figure out where it was coming from. In frustration, I took it to the bike doctor to see if he could diagnose the problem. Well, he traced it to the quick release on the rear wheel, of all things! So he gave me an old quick release and so far, the problem seems to have completely gone away. Amazing, just amazing.
For the last few rides, there as been an extremely annoying creak coming from the bottom bracket of my Fuji Team SL. Try as I might, I couldn't figure out where it was coming from. In frustration, I took it to the bike doctor to see if he could diagnose the problem. Well, he traced it to the quick release on the rear wheel, of all things! So he gave me an old quick release and so far, the problem seems to have completely gone away. Amazing, just amazing.
Tuesday, July 19, 2005
No more SD500
It got smashed on the sailing trip, so now I am once again a film man! To be honest, it's a relief not to have a digital camera. One feels obliged to carry that darn thing around all the time, since it costs nothing to shoot. A film camera forces more deliberation, and that's always better if you want better pictures, as opposed to just more pictures.
It got smashed on the sailing trip, so now I am once again a film man! To be honest, it's a relief not to have a digital camera. One feels obliged to carry that darn thing around all the time, since it costs nothing to shoot. A film camera forces more deliberation, and that's always better if you want better pictures, as opposed to just more pictures.
Monday, July 18, 2005
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