This past weekend drag racer Scott Kalitta was killed in a violent racing accident. The crash marked the first time I can remember networks televising and re-televising an event in which someone died. The fire and explosion were spectacular enough to be the product of a big-budget hollywood movie, which leads me to believe they chose to air the footage in distaste for the sake of ratings. My wife is of the opinion that the networks' desicion reflects the YouTubing of the world. It was going to be available no matter what.
My wife took the news emotionally. She has met Scott Kalitta before while out at the races and has followed his career along with many other racers since she was a little girl. Still, I used to think it was very unusual to shed tears over a celebrity. Afterall, she didn't know him on a personal level and he didn't know her at all.
I've also known people to get choked up over the passing of bigger celebrities. When Princes Diana died, the few people I knew hailing from England where very saddened.
I said I used to not understand crying over a celebrity because I do understand now. I had my own experience when one of the hosts of a weekley audio podcast passed away. The Skeptics Guide to the Universe is a weekly round table dissucusion about science and skeptisim that lost Perry DeAngelis, who I still miss from the show today. When he died I felt the void and the loss in the other hosts voices. I didn't cry, but my mind wondered to that show and that loss for quite a time after. If Jack Nicholson died tomorrow I would miss never seeing another of his films, but I wouldn't feel any personal loss like I did with Perry.
I think the two major elements that contribute to an emotional response to a public figure is the figure dying before his or her time (which is of course sad no matter who it is) and a personal connection to the celebrity. The English had that with Diana. My wife had that with Kalitta. She is a fan of a sport that many people don't follow and feels a connection to the drag racing family she visits, if just through a TV, every weekend. I likewise feel the same with the Skeptical family of my weekly show.
Rest in piece Scott Kalitta, Princess Diana, and Perry DeAngelis; you will be missed, even by those you may have never met.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Monday, April 21, 2008
Living in a Material World...or a Digital World?
In the movie The Matrix, we explore the possibility that we are human batteries living in a simulation. This of course is an absurd fantasy. It is much more likely that we are not human at all.
Our own technology is quickly advancing to a point in which we can run a simulation so complex that it is virtually indistinguishable from reality. Take video games as a crude example. We have an expansive 3-D world inhabited by models, bots, and avatars exhibiting limited artificial intelligence. A human player may interact with this world or merely observe it.
According to Moore's Law, our computing power doubles every two years. This exponential growth opens up the idea that it wouldn't be long before the AI becomes human-like and the simulations perfectly realistic. There is some debate whether Moore's law will continue into the future as the idea of quantum computing is explored. However, even if our progress slows, it will still progress.
What's all this have to do with The Matrix? I'm saying that there is a possibility that we are living in it, but not as humans jacked into the machine, but as the machine itself. We could be the artificial intelligence in a digital world.
This wild theory can also be applied to some of the wild science we are experiencing—both on the very large and very small scale. Many scientists now believe that the universe is like a sheet of space-time shaped into a sphere or a donut. One of the implications of this is that a ship could fly through space in one direction and eventually end up where it started. This is how many simulated worlds work. If you move past the edge of the game map, you end up on the other side.
As far as the very small, we have quantum physics. Early findings seem to show that the activity of particles behave differently depending on whether or not the scientists observe them. It can even be said the they don't exist until observed. Remember the old saying "if a tree falls in the forest and no one is there to hear it, does it make a sound?" It's kind of like that. It is also like a game that only needs to call up the areas of the simulation that the human player is interacting with.
I'm not going to say I believe this is the case, but I do find it more likely than, say, aliens visiting. As we understand the universe, no ET could travel the distance to earth within any realistic lifespan. The need for faster-than-light travel, extremely long life spans, cryogenics, and extreme alien motivation; are all more unlikely than what we are already on track to accomplish. If our world is not a simulation, it is likely that we will one day create a simulation with AI that do not realize they are not "real." In fact, the both could be true, allowing for a simulation with a simulation.
My head just exploded.
Our own technology is quickly advancing to a point in which we can run a simulation so complex that it is virtually indistinguishable from reality. Take video games as a crude example. We have an expansive 3-D world inhabited by models, bots, and avatars exhibiting limited artificial intelligence. A human player may interact with this world or merely observe it.
According to Moore's Law, our computing power doubles every two years. This exponential growth opens up the idea that it wouldn't be long before the AI becomes human-like and the simulations perfectly realistic. There is some debate whether Moore's law will continue into the future as the idea of quantum computing is explored. However, even if our progress slows, it will still progress.
What's all this have to do with The Matrix? I'm saying that there is a possibility that we are living in it, but not as humans jacked into the machine, but as the machine itself. We could be the artificial intelligence in a digital world.
This wild theory can also be applied to some of the wild science we are experiencing—both on the very large and very small scale. Many scientists now believe that the universe is like a sheet of space-time shaped into a sphere or a donut. One of the implications of this is that a ship could fly through space in one direction and eventually end up where it started. This is how many simulated worlds work. If you move past the edge of the game map, you end up on the other side.
As far as the very small, we have quantum physics. Early findings seem to show that the activity of particles behave differently depending on whether or not the scientists observe them. It can even be said the they don't exist until observed. Remember the old saying "if a tree falls in the forest and no one is there to hear it, does it make a sound?" It's kind of like that. It is also like a game that only needs to call up the areas of the simulation that the human player is interacting with.
I'm not going to say I believe this is the case, but I do find it more likely than, say, aliens visiting. As we understand the universe, no ET could travel the distance to earth within any realistic lifespan. The need for faster-than-light travel, extremely long life spans, cryogenics, and extreme alien motivation; are all more unlikely than what we are already on track to accomplish. If our world is not a simulation, it is likely that we will one day create a simulation with AI that do not realize they are not "real." In fact, the both could be true, allowing for a simulation with a simulation.
My head just exploded.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
The Real Imaginary Justice League
I'm going to nerd out more than usual for a moment to address the age-old fanboy question "who would win?" Batman? Superman? Spiderman?
Every fight needs ground rules. My imaginary battle royal will be among DC comics main Justice League characters: Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, Martian Manhunter and the Flash. The characters motivation for fighting amongst friends is important, so I am giving one. Lets say that Braniac has altered their perception of each other so that they see each other as aggressive threats to the planet.
Fight!
Superman, Flash, Woman Woman and Martian Manhunter are all capable at moving—and more importantly thinking—many times faster than ordinary humans. Any one of them could take Green Lantern's ring away and knock out Batman in the first second of battle, and if they were serious about the fight, they would. Martian Manhunter would probably phase out and turn invisible to avoid a surprise attack. Flash is faster than the others, but not enough so to overcome. Superman can move fast enough to get close to him and use his heat vision to get him off his feet. By then Wonder Woman would have the jump on Superman, but it wouldn't matter. Martian Manhunter would telepathically shut down their minds ability to continue the battle.
This is a likely scenario, it could easily not turn out this way. However, I do stand by a couple things. First, Batman and Green Lantern would be the first to go. And either Superman or Martian Manhunter would be victorious, depending on whether or not Superman could use heat vision before being telepathically attacked.
The writers of comics want to keep things interesting, so when a story calls for having characters of vastly different power levels at odds, they find a way to write in a close fight. Batman can compete with Superman because of a kryptonite ring, or the element of surprise, or clever planning. Writers win the battles, and not the actual merit and abilities of fictional characters. Just feel confident that whichever character that is in the right will eventually overcome. After all, the good guy always wins.
Every fight needs ground rules. My imaginary battle royal will be among DC comics main Justice League characters: Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, Martian Manhunter and the Flash. The characters motivation for fighting amongst friends is important, so I am giving one. Lets say that Braniac has altered their perception of each other so that they see each other as aggressive threats to the planet.
Fight!
Superman, Flash, Woman Woman and Martian Manhunter are all capable at moving—and more importantly thinking—many times faster than ordinary humans. Any one of them could take Green Lantern's ring away and knock out Batman in the first second of battle, and if they were serious about the fight, they would. Martian Manhunter would probably phase out and turn invisible to avoid a surprise attack. Flash is faster than the others, but not enough so to overcome. Superman can move fast enough to get close to him and use his heat vision to get him off his feet. By then Wonder Woman would have the jump on Superman, but it wouldn't matter. Martian Manhunter would telepathically shut down their minds ability to continue the battle.
This is a likely scenario, it could easily not turn out this way. However, I do stand by a couple things. First, Batman and Green Lantern would be the first to go. And either Superman or Martian Manhunter would be victorious, depending on whether or not Superman could use heat vision before being telepathically attacked.
The writers of comics want to keep things interesting, so when a story calls for having characters of vastly different power levels at odds, they find a way to write in a close fight. Batman can compete with Superman because of a kryptonite ring, or the element of surprise, or clever planning. Writers win the battles, and not the actual merit and abilities of fictional characters. Just feel confident that whichever character that is in the right will eventually overcome. After all, the good guy always wins.
Saturday, March 22, 2008
My Top 75 Favorite Movies
The Godfather
Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back
The Godfather, Part II
Raiders of the Lost Ark
The Silence of the Lambs
Jaws
It's a Wonderful Life
Dead Poets Society
Lord of the Rings Trilogy
Unforgiven
Hook
Star Wars: Return of the Jedi
Batman
The Departed
Minority Report
Jurassic Park
The Fugitive
The Matrix
Star Wars: A New Hope
Fight Club
Seven
The Shawshank Redemption
Pulp Fiction
Ghostbusters
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
Full Metal Jacket
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
Batman Begins
Casino Royal
Airplane!
The Princess Bride
Signs
Terminator 2
Men in Black
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
The Bourne Ultimatum
Superman II
Groundhog Day
The Usual Suspects
Gangs of New York
Gladiator
Office Space
Goldfinger
The Sixth Sense
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
The Incredibles
Back to the Future
Princess Mononoke
As Good as it Gets
Casino
The Wizard of Oz
Batman Returns
Billy Madison
Battle Royal
Fantasia
Acnchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy
Blade Runner
Apocalypse Now
Tombstone
Planet of the Apes
The Wedding Singer
Who Framed Rodger Rabbit?
Collateral
Good Morning Vietnam
Blade Runner
Snatch
2001: A Space Odyssey
L.A. Confidential
Memento
Close Encounters of the Third Kind
Braveheart
The 40-Year-Old Virgin
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
From Dusk 'Til Dawn
Rear Window
Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back
The Godfather, Part II
Raiders of the Lost Ark
The Silence of the Lambs
Jaws
It's a Wonderful Life
Dead Poets Society
Lord of the Rings Trilogy
Unforgiven
Hook
Star Wars: Return of the Jedi
Batman
The Departed
Minority Report
Jurassic Park
The Fugitive
The Matrix
Star Wars: A New Hope
Fight Club
Seven
The Shawshank Redemption
Pulp Fiction
Ghostbusters
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
Full Metal Jacket
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
Batman Begins
Casino Royal
Airplane!
The Princess Bride
Signs
Terminator 2
Men in Black
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
The Bourne Ultimatum
Superman II
Groundhog Day
The Usual Suspects
Gangs of New York
Gladiator
Office Space
Goldfinger
The Sixth Sense
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
The Incredibles
Back to the Future
Princess Mononoke
As Good as it Gets
Casino
The Wizard of Oz
Batman Returns
Billy Madison
Battle Royal
Fantasia
Acnchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy
Blade Runner
Apocalypse Now
Tombstone
Planet of the Apes
The Wedding Singer
Who Framed Rodger Rabbit?
Collateral
Good Morning Vietnam
Blade Runner
Snatch
2001: A Space Odyssey
L.A. Confidential
Memento
Close Encounters of the Third Kind
Braveheart
The 40-Year-Old Virgin
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
From Dusk 'Til Dawn
Rear Window
Saturday, February 16, 2008
LOST Theory of Time
As of the third episode of season four, "The Economist", I believe the nature of the island has become more clear. My new theory explains the following along with other time distortions involving the island:
When the payload arrives 30 minutes late, it doesn't mean the island is 30 minutes behind the rest of the world, it means the team that just arrived is 30 minutes behind the rest of the world. The Oceanic survivors are considerably further behind and Desmond and Rousseau are further still. So when the Oceanic Six leave the island, they may be returning to a world that is much further from the date of the crash then they expect and their flashforwards may be very forward. This also explains why Walt is older even though he hasn't been off the island that long. While he was off, much more time has passed for him. Albert barely ages because he rarely leaves the island, Ben has aged more because he must have left the island regularly through his life--as seen with all his passports and worldly currency from "The Economist."
A theory add-on is as follows. It is possible that from the island you can access different times depending on the direction you leave. Ben gave Michael special directions to leave the island with a certain baring, Faraday gave Lapidus similar directions. What if leaving with another baring took you to another time? That would explain why these different organizations (Hanso, Dharma, whoever the team works for) want control of the island. It also puts the Priest and the Ring lady that influnced Desmond's path to the island as Others, and can include Richard and/or Ben as possible time travelers. It also can help explain why the old polar bear skeleton is found, the strange history of the island with the Black Rock and the giant statue, and the Adam and Eve skeleton found on the island.
With this theory in mind, Ben and the others are the "good guys." They are doing whatever is necessary to keep the island from falling into the wrong hands. If the power of time was abused it would alter histories, cause paradoxes, and end the world. Sayid would help Ben if he finally understands this, and Jack would want to return to the island if he felt the world he returned to was altered for the worse.
- Why Richard Albert seeming doesn't age
- Why Daniel Faraday's payload arrives over 30 minutes late
- Why Walt is disproportionately older then when he left
When the payload arrives 30 minutes late, it doesn't mean the island is 30 minutes behind the rest of the world, it means the team that just arrived is 30 minutes behind the rest of the world. The Oceanic survivors are considerably further behind and Desmond and Rousseau are further still. So when the Oceanic Six leave the island, they may be returning to a world that is much further from the date of the crash then they expect and their flashforwards may be very forward. This also explains why Walt is older even though he hasn't been off the island that long. While he was off, much more time has passed for him. Albert barely ages because he rarely leaves the island, Ben has aged more because he must have left the island regularly through his life--as seen with all his passports and worldly currency from "The Economist."
A theory add-on is as follows. It is possible that from the island you can access different times depending on the direction you leave. Ben gave Michael special directions to leave the island with a certain baring, Faraday gave Lapidus similar directions. What if leaving with another baring took you to another time? That would explain why these different organizations (Hanso, Dharma, whoever the team works for) want control of the island. It also puts the Priest and the Ring lady that influnced Desmond's path to the island as Others, and can include Richard and/or Ben as possible time travelers. It also can help explain why the old polar bear skeleton is found, the strange history of the island with the Black Rock and the giant statue, and the Adam and Eve skeleton found on the island.
With this theory in mind, Ben and the others are the "good guys." They are doing whatever is necessary to keep the island from falling into the wrong hands. If the power of time was abused it would alter histories, cause paradoxes, and end the world. Sayid would help Ben if he finally understands this, and Jack would want to return to the island if he felt the world he returned to was altered for the worse.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Poker Gods: A post from HellsColdDay.com
The following is a post from HellsColdDay.com
No one can deny that luck is an important factor in every player’s success from day to day. A daily player who assessed his profits for the year, can accurately chalk up his winnings to skill, but the guy who wins the World Series of Poker, although skillful to some degree, had a very lucky day.
Oh can we live with this? We must accept that we are not masters of our own fate. We have to look at our bad beats and know that it everything happens for a reason. Winning that hand was not part of the Poker Gods master plan. When your full house loses to a straight flush on the river, take comfort in the fact that you were predestined to lose. What the Poker Gods giveth, they taketh away.
I use the allusion of a higher power governing gambling so that I can sleep at night after that two-outer hits against me, but I know that deep down, they are a fair Poker Gods. I may never get as lucky as some yahoos I play against, but that is because I don’t put myself in a position to need to hit my only out. But I do occasionally have luck on my side, and I know that I don’t dwell on my good fortune as long as I obsess on the bad. It is human nature, and it is what makes us always feel like the underdog.
So I put my faith in the Gods and accept their judgment. For I am but a man, and cannot alter the river’s course.
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
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